CS-105: Great Insights in Computer Science

Rutgers University
Fall 2006
Michael L. Littman

Teaching assistants:
  • Grad: Monica Babes: Hill 410, email babes@cs.rutgers.edu. Office hours by appointment (for your convenience!).
  • Grad: John Asmuth. Office hours by appointment.
  • Michael's office hours are also by appointment, in Hill 409 or Hill 427 (Lab).

    EXCITING CS ELECTIVE: Learn about the science behind computers!

    Time: MW 3:20pm-4:40pm
    Place: ARC 105
    Semester: Fall 2006

    Code: 01-198-105-01

    AUDIENCE: Non-CS majors at all levels. (CS majors, curriculum code 198, are not eligible for enrollment.)

    DESCRIPTION: The course is designed to introduce non-majors to the fundamental concepts of computer science. Students will be given the background to appreciate the exciting and influential ideas that have shaped this fast-moving discipline. Although it will provide a broad context, the course will focus on specific examples of great ideas and how they work. Students will learn about and solve example problems drawn from major areas within computer science. Although students will learn to read and understand short programs, the course will not teach or require programming skills and cannot be taken for credit for the CS major.

    FORMAT: Lectures, hands-on demonstrations, written homeworks, short online activities, written midterm and final.

    PRE-REQs: None. (Mastery of high-school-level algebra will be assumed.)

    CREDITS: 3

    Textbook: Pattern on the Stone, the simple ideas that make computers work. Basic Books, 1998.

    Clicker: iClicker. (Should be available at bookstore.)

    Website support: Sakai. (All course administration will be done there.)

    Lecture notes

    Lectures available as a podcast thanks to Charles McGrew and his wizard crew.
    Links