Course Description:
An introduction to the theory and practice of computer programming with an emphasis on problem solving. No previous programming experience is required.
Required Texts and Materials:
“Learning Python, 5th Edition: Powerful Object-Oriented Programming” By Mark Lutz. O'Reilly Media, June 2013. ISBN-10: 1449355730
CodeCombat software
Optional Texts:
Python Standard Library
Python Tutorials
How to Think Like a Computer Scientist (Interactive Edition)
Dive Into Python
Google's Python Class
Stephanie Rosenthal
Chatham University
Falk 116C
Office Hours:
s.rosenthal@chatham.edu
In this class, we will use CodeCombat online software to challenge your programming skills on a weekly basis. In addition, we will have 5 assignments to stretch your skills outside of the game software. All assigned work is stated in the syllabus and will be posted on Moodle.
8/27: Introduction and Binary
8/29: Computational Thinking
8/31: Computational Thinking
Assignment 0 due
9/3: Labor Day (no class)
9/5: What is Python?
9/7: Basic Algorithms and Code
9/10: While-true Loops
CC levels due
9/12: Variables
CC levels due
9/14: Python Basics: Review
CC levels due
9/17: Conditionals: If
CC levels due
9/19: Conditionals: If-else
CC levels due
9/21: Conditionals: Nested
CC levels due
9/24: Practice
CC levels due
9/26: Debugging
9/28: Strings
Assignment 1 due
10/1: Arithmetic
10/3: Review
10/5: Midterm
10/8: Long Weekend (no class)
10/10: Functions
Assignment 2 due
10/12: Events (Midterm Grades Due)
10/15: Review Strings and Arithmetic
CC levels due
10/17: Classes and Properties
CC levels due
10/19: Properties, Variables, Functions
CC levels due
10/22: Classes and Functions
CC levels due
10/24: Practice
CC levels due
10/26: Practice
10/29: And/Or/Not
CC levels due
10/31: Debugging Boolean Logic
11/2: Loops
Assignment 3 due
11/5: Arrays
11/7: For Loops
11/9: Classes and Properties
CC levels due
11/12: Using Python packages
11/14: Files
CC levels due
11/16: Optimizing Algorithms
11/19: Work in Class
CC levels due
11/21: Thanksgiving
(no class)
11/23: Thanksgiving
(no class)
11/26: Stacks and Queues
Assignment 4 Midpoint
11/28: Dictionaries
CC levels due
11/30: Search
12/3: Sorting
CC levels due
12/5: Sorting
12/8: Final Review
Assignment 4 due
Stephanie Rosenthal
Chatham University
Falk 116C
Appointments required
s.rosenthal@chatham.edu