Computational Thinking

Course Number:
CS 160
Transcript Title:
Computational Thinking
Created:
Aug 08, 2022
Updated:
Aug 17, 2022
Total Credits:
4
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture / Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
No
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0
Prerequisites

IRW 115 or WR 115 or equivalent placement into MTH 65 or MTH 98

Course Description

Explores the field of computer science. Provides an overview of computer architecture, software development engineering, data organization, problem-solving strategies, ethics and theory of computation. Explores career options and develops rudimentary software developmental skills. Prerequisites: IRW 115 or WR 115 or equivalent placement; placement into MTH 65 or MTH 98. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify career opportunities in computing science and distinguish computing science from related disciplines.
  2. Develop and analyze simple algorithms.
  3. Initiate problem-solving strategies with respect to the operation of computer hardware.
  4. Apply ethical understanding of privacy, professional integrity, and service issues in the computing field.
  5. Compare algorithmsbased on the underlying limitations of computation.
  6. Identify optimal data organization techniques from a variety of methods.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

Homework, observation, class discussion, examination.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

  • computing
    • career opportunities
    • real life applications
    • ethics
    • terminology
  • algorithms
    • computation
    • program
    • hardware execution
    • complexity
      • space
      • time
  • problem solving strategies
  • information
    • bits
    • representing real-world entities