General Computer Science

 Course description.  An introduction to computer science in the context of scientific, engineering, and commercial applications. The goal of the course is to teach basic principles and practical issues, while at the same time preparing students to use computers effectively for applications in computer science, physics, biology, chemistry, engineering, and other disciplines. Topics include: programming in Java; hardware and software systems; algorithms and data structures; fundamental principles of computation; and scientific computing, including simulation, optimization, and data analysis.

Required readings.   R. Sedgewick and K. Wayne, Introduction to Programming in Java: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Addison-Wesley, 2007. ISBN 0-321-49805-4. Available at Labyrinth Bookstore, 122 Nassau Street, or online. Also on reserve at Friend library.

Recommended readings.  D. Harel, Computers Ltd.: What They Really Can't Do, Oxford, 2003. ISBN 0-19-860442-4. Available at the Labyrinth Bookstore, 122 Nassau Street. Also on reserve at Friend library.

Lec#	TOPIC in PDF	INTRO CS
1	Prologue	1
2	Introduction to Java	1.1-1.2
3	Conditionals and Loops	1.3
4	Arrays	1.4
5	Input and Output	1.5
6	Functions and Libraries	2.1-2.2
7	Recursion	2.3
8	Performance	4.1, 9.6
9	Von Neumann Machine I	5.1-5.3 (booksite)
10	Von Neumann Machine II	5.4-5.5 (booksite)
11	Exam 1	-
12	Using Data Types	3.1
13	Creating Data Types	3.2
14	Case Study: Purple America	3.3 (book), 3.5 (booksite)
15	Searching and Sorting	4.2
16	Stacks and Queues	4.3
17	Symbol Tables	4.4
18	Theory of Computation (new 11/21)	7.1-7.3 (booksite and online chapter)
19	Universality and Computability	7.4-7.6 (booksite), Harel 1-2 (optional)
20	Intractability	7.7 (booksite), Harel 3-5 (optional)
21	Combinational Circuits	Circuits Packet
22	Designing a CPU	-
23	AI	-
24	Exam 2	-