Computer Science 110:

Introduction to Computer Science--- Fall 2007


Time:         TuTh 1:00- 2:50 PM

Professor:  Fred Annexstein

Phone:

...(513)-556-1807

FAX:

...(513)-556-7326

Email:

... fred.annexstein@uc.edu

Address:

... 889 Rhodes Hall

 

... Department of CS

 

... College of Engineering

 

... University of Cincinnati

 

... Cincinnati, Ohio 45221

 

... My Public PGP Key

Web: Information on this course will be posted on the BLACKBOARD system and will be regularly updated. You should regularly check BLACKBOARD for announcements, updated syllabus, homework assignments, etc. 

Motivation and Objectives: This class is designed as an introduction to the concepts and practice of Computer Science. Computer scientists use a wide variety of tools, techniques and mathematical language and structures to model computational problems and the world. In this class students will be introduced to some of these tools, techniques, and language. We will do many hands-on exercises to develop our facility with computers, our intuition in problem solving, and our skills in numerical literacy and critical analysis. We will consider the historical background of computing, and be exposed to a variety of beautiful mathematical objects and concepts. We will demonstrate some intriguing computing paradoxes and discuss some open scientific questions. Students will leave the class with a better understanding of the nature of computers and computer programming, and will be better prepared to model and solve real-world problems using these machines.

During the term students will be exposed to several of the recognized sub-fields of the discipline of Computer Science, namely, algorithms, intelligent systems, databases, networks & communications, and architectures & systems. There will be general information about the CS profession, employment prospects, survival strategies in the major, time management skills, and the various academic resources available at UC. We expect to expose students to some programming languages and software application tools in a laboratory setting, including, Excel, Matlab, Python, and Scratch.

 

Grading Scheme

The grading for this class will be based on two lecture exams and approximately 10 laboratory modules. Your final grade will be a weighted average for these two aspects - Laboratory modules 70% and Lecture Exams 30%. Late labs or makeup exams are not allowed unless pre-arranged with the instructor.

 

Academic Dishonesty

The standard penalty for any form of academic dishonesty in this course is failure in the course. Providing or receiving help during exams, or submitting the work of another as your own both constitute academic dishonesty. There are no "small" offenses to this policy. 

 

Schedule of Topics:

Dates

Topic

Lab Activity

Readings and Homework TBA

Week 1

Intro to UC/CoE/CS

Local Resources

Web 2.0 Technologies

Build Personalized Portal


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab0.ppt


Week 2

Intro to Excel

 

http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Excel.ppt


 

Computational Geometry


Great Pyramid of Giza


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab1.ppt

Week 3

Computational Geometry

Global Climate and Sea Level Change


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab2.ppt


 


Archimedes Method

Computing an estimate of Pi


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab3.ppt

 

Week 4

Social Choice Theory

Rank Aggregation


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab4.ppt


 

Election Theory

Methods of Apportionment


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab5.ppt


Homework Project #1


 


 


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-HWork1.ppt

Week 4

Intellectual Property

Tracking Software Piracy


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab6.ppt


 

Computational Economics

Computing Consumer Price Index


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab7.ppt


 

Function Analysis

Growth Rates


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab8.ppt


 


 


 


 

Week 5

Optimization and Linear Programming

Pizza Restaurant Optimization


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab9.ppt


 

Data Representations

Ascii and Binary Conversions


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab10.ppt


 


 


 


 

Week 6

Probability Theory

Monty Hall Problem and Lottery Odds


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab11.ppt


 

Probability and Counting 

Birthday Paradox and Blind Counting


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab12.ppt


 


 


 


 

Week 7

Introduction to Game Programming

Scratch Programs


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/ScratchGettingStarted.pdf


 

Graphics and Computer Games

 


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab13.ppt


 


 


 


 

Week 8

Introduction to MatLab

MatLab


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab14.ppt


 

Image Processing

 


http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/CS110-Lab15.ppt

 

Student Work

http://www.cs.uc.edu/~annexste/Courses/cs110-2007/ScratchCode.zip

 

 

Description:

 

Topic Outline (TBA):