CS 160 - Introduction to Computer Science

4 Credit(s)

Prerequisite(s): CIS 120 (formerly offered as CS120) or documented proficiency, and MTH 65 or designated placement.

Recommended Prerequisite(s): CIS 145

Course Description: Explores the disciplines and professions of computer science and software engineering. Provides an overview of computer hardware and software architecture, the study of algorithms, software design and development, data representation and organization, problem-solving strategies, ethics in the digital world, and the history of computing and its influences on society. Explores career options and begins the process of planning a program of study. Exposes students to both low-level and high-level programming languages.

Course Level: Lower Division Collegiate

Course Learning Outcomes:

CLO#1: Define the field of computer science and related fields (computer engineering, information technology, information systems, software engineering); describe what practitioners of each of these fields do.
CLO#2: Describe the educational requirements and options available to those wanting to enter any of the professions in computing.
CLO#3: Identify the campus computing resources available to students and the appropriate uses of each for communication, research, and coursework.
CLO#4: Analyze the societal and ethical issues that arise as a result of the increased use of digital systems. (ILO: Critical Thinking)
CLO#5: Review the historical and technical evolution of computing and its impact on the field today. (ILO: Information Literacy)
CLO#6: Assess the direction that hardware and software development may take in the next 10 years and its impact on jobs for future computing professionals.
CLO#7: Describe the commonly used architecture of digital computers, and the function and relationships of the primary components of digital computers.
CLO#8: Describe the interrelationship between system software and application software in the context of efficient and correctly operating computing systems.
CLO#9: Solve problems using abstraction and modularization techniques. Describe software life-cycle and common tools of the software engineer (compilers, editors, IDEs, version control systems, change management systems, document management system). (ILO: Information Literacy)