Introduction to Computer Programming

CISC 101/3.0

Overview

Introduction to algorithms: their definition, design, coding, and execution on computers. Intended for students who have no programming experience.

Learning Outcomes

After completing CISC 101, students will be able to:

  • Design a computational solution to a problem described in natural language, express the solution in an algorithmic way, and convert the algorithm effectively and intelligibly into a procedural program.
  • Ensure that algorithms produce the correct output and handle edge cases.
  • Properly use modularity, repetition (both counted and unbounded), conditionals, and simple (rectangular) data structures in problem solution

Terms

Summer (May–June) 2024
Course Dates
Exam Dates (if applicable)
Delivery Mode
Online

Evaluation

18% - Assignments
20% - Quizzes
7% - Textbook Exercises
5% - Discussions
50% - Proctored Computer-Based Final Exam*

*Students must earn 50% or higher on the final exam to pass the course  

** Evaluation Subject to Change **

Proctored Exams

If a student is enrolled in ONLY online courses (section 700), they may choose either of the following options to write the exam:

  • Write the final exam online: you will write in onQ with Examity proctoring. A $100 online exam fee will be charged to your SOLUS account.  
  • Write the final exam in-person: you will write on Queen’s campus in Kingston. You will not be charged an extra fee to write on campus. 

If a student is enrolled in ANY in-person courses (section 001, 002, etc), you MUST write all your final exams in-person on Queen’s campus, including for an online course. You may not choose to write your exams online.

LOCATION AND TIMING OF FINAL EXAMINATIONS

Once the exam schedule has been finalized the exam date will be posted on your SOLUS account. The exam dates for each Term are listed on our Dates & Events webpage. Student exam schedules for the Fall Term are posted via SOLUS immediately prior to the Thanksgiving holiday; for the Winter Term they are posted on the Friday before Reading Week, and for the Summer Term they are individually noted on the Arts and Science Online syllabi. Students should delay finalizing any travel plans until after the examination schedule has been posted. Exams will not be moved or deferred to accommodate employment, travel/holiday plans or flight reservations.

Textbook and Materials

ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. The textbook will be available for purchase via a link between onQ and Pearson REVEL. 

Recommended Textbook

  • “Starting Out with Python” 5th Ed. by Tony Gaddis, Pearson (2021)

Computer Requirements

Students will need to be able to write and test Python programs. The recommended tool can be downloaded from www.python.org and the recommended Python version is 3.5 or newer. Versions are available for many hardware platforms and operating systems. More details will be provided.

Time Commitment

Students can expect to spend around 120 hours in study, practice and online activity for CISC 101.

Additional Information

NOTE: Learning Hours may vary. Sufficient preparation for CISC 121; alternative to CISC 110/3.0 and CISC 151/3.0