Mathematics is the language of the sciences and of fields where patterns and systematic processes are analyzed. Study in the mathematical sciences provides the tools and a framework essential for the understanding of a modern technological society. The MCS curriculum fosters the development of logical and analytical thinking and is designed to provide a basic foundation appropriate for students who seek careers in computing. Emphasis is given to the mathematical theory of computer science and computational methods. source.

About the Course

• MWF 2:00-2:50 in SES 238
• Final Exam: Wed December 9, 1:00-3:00 PM
• Syllabus
• Office hours: Wed 3-3:50, Friday 11-11:50, SEO 630
• Useful links:
  • Beginner's Guide
  • The Python Tutorial
  • The Python Standard Library

Projects

• Project 1 - Due Oct 30
• Project 2 - Due Dec 7
• Project 3 - Due Dec 4

Exams

• Exam 1 - Oct 14 - Answers
• Exam 2 - Nov 13 - Answers
• Final Exam - Dec 9

Course Outline

Introduction

• Day 1 - Aug 24: Introduction and course overview
• Day 2 - Aug 26: architecture, binary numbers, and memory
• Day 3 - Aug 28: data storage and python variables
• Day 4 - Aug 31: booleans
• Day 5 - Sep 2: while loops
• Day 6 - Sep 4: lists and for loops
• Day 7 - Sep 9: operating systems
• Day 8 - Sep 11: encryption
• Day 9 - Sep 14: functions
• Day 10 - Sep 16: programming languages
• Day 11 - Sep 18: frequency analysis
• Day 12 - Sep 21: more dictionaries, memoization
• Day 13 - Sep 23: namespaces and variables
• Day 14 - Sep 25: namespaces continued
• Day 15 - Sep 28: Riemann sum, images, fractals

Data

• Day 16 - Sep 30: files
• Day 17 - Oct 2: file example
• Day 18 - Oct 7: databases
• Day 19 - Oct 9: networking, TCP/IP
• Day 20 - Oct 12: network protocols, HTTP
• Day 21 - Oct 14: Exam 1
• Day 22 - Oct 16: k-means clustering
• Day 23 - Oct 19: machine learning

OOP

• Day 24 - Oct 21: object orientated programming basics
• Day 25 - Oct 23: objects, planets, classes
• Day 26 - Oct 26: solar system simulation
• Day 27 - Oct 28: bears and fish, oh my

Interlude

• Day 28 - Oct 30: digital circuits
• Day 29 - Nov 2: computer engineering

Misc

• Day 30 - Nov 4: OOP design
• Day 31 - Nov 6: exceptions
• Day 32 - Nov 9: parallel and concurrent programming
• Day 33 - Nov 11: combinatorics
• Day 34 - Nov 16: algorithms
• Day 35 - Nov 18: algorithm speed
• Day 36 - Nov 20: computational complexity
• Day 37 - Nov 23: sage and graph theory
• Day 38 - Nov 25: graph theory
• Day 39 - Nov 30: numerical computation
• Day 40 - Dec 2: types and type systems
• Day 41 - Dec 4: game of life