General Info

CS111 is an introduction to the problem solving foundations of computer science. In this course, you will learn big ideas about solving problems, developing algorithms, and organizing programs.

These ideas include:

You will get hands-on experience with these ideas by reading, modifying, debugging, designing, writing, and testing Python programs. Example programs will involve various text manipulation, Python graphics, and animations.

CS111 students must register for and attend a weekly laboratory. Problem solving and programming are skills best learned by doing.

CS111 is required for students who wish to major or minor in computer science or elect more advanced courses in the field. Consult Choosing an Introductory CS Course for more information.

Prerequisite: None. No prior computer science background is expected.

Distribution: Mathematical Modeling. Does not satisfy laboratory requirement. Unit: 1.0

Learning Goals

The aim of this course is to enable students to solve various sorts of problems by writing programs that emphasize the four big ideas listed above (namely, abstraction, modularity, strategies and models). This course happens to use the Python programming language to explore these ideas. Although students will learn a lot about Python along the way, our focus is on the big ideas. Students will really be learning and practicing techniques for solving problems — techniques that apply to any programming language, and, indeed, to any discipline. Example programs may involve text manipulation, data analysis and visualization, Python graphics, and animations.

Students who complete this course should be able to:

For a more detailed list of the learning goals, please visit this Google Document

Collaboration Policy

Disabilities and Accommodations

If you have a disability or condition, either long-term or temporary, and need reasonable academic adjustments in this course, please contact Disability Services to get a letter outlining your accommodation needs, and submit that letter to your instructor. You should request accommodations as early as possible in the semester, or before the semester begins, since some situations can require significant time for review and accommodation design. If you need immediate accommodations, please arrange to meet with one of us as soon as possible. If you are unsure but suspect you may have an undocumented need for accommodations, you are encouraged to contact Disability Services. They can provide assistance including screening and referral for assessments. Disability Services can be reached at disabilityservices@wellesley.edu, at 781-283-2434, by scheduling an appointment online, or by visiting their offices on the 3rd floor of Clapp Library, rooms 316 and 315.

Faculty Responsibilities on Disclosures of Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct

Pursuant to Wellesley College policy, all employees, including faculty, are considered responsible employees. That means that any disclosure of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct to a faculty member will need to be shared with the College's Director of Non-Discrimination Initiatives / Title IX and ADA / Section 504 Coordinator, Sonia Jurado (781-283-2451; sjurado@wellesley.edu). Students who do not wish to have these issues disclosed to the College should speak with confidential resources who are the only offices at the College that do not have this same reporting obligation. On campus, confidential resources include Health Services (781-283-2810 available 24/7), the Stone Center Counseling Services (781-283-2839 available 24/7) and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (781-283-2685). You should assume that any person employed on campus outside of these three confidential offices has an obligation to share information with Wellesley College through the Office of Non-Discrimination Initiatives.