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Principles of Computing (Part 1)

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Principles of Computing (Part 1)

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

584 reviews

Intermediate level
Some related experience required
Flexible schedule
2 weeks at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
95%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

584 reviews

Intermediate level
Some related experience required
Flexible schedule
2 weeks at 10 hours a week
Learn at your own pace
95%
Most learners liked this course

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Fundamentals of Computing Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 5 modules in this course

This two-part course builds upon the programming skills that you learned in our Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python course. We will augment those skills with both important programming practices and critical mathematical problem solving skills. These skills underlie larger scale computational problem solving and programming. The main focus of the class will be programming weekly mini-projects in Python that build upon the mathematical and programming principles that are taught in the class. To keep the class fun and engaging, many of the projects will involve working with strategy-based games.

In part 1 of this course, the programming aspect of the class will focus on coding standards and testing. The mathematical portion of the class will focus on probability, combinatorics, and counting with an eye towards practical applications of these concepts in Computer Science. Recommended Background - Students should be comfortable writing small (100+ line) programs in Python using constructs such as lists, dictionaries and classes and also have a high-school math background that includes algebra and pre-calculus.

This week, we will introduce you to the structure and standards of the Principles of Computing courses.

What's included

10 videos9 readings1 assignment2 app items

10 videos•Total 104 minutes
  • Principles of Computing •13 minutes
  • Introduction•7 minutes
  • Required Python Knowledge•13 minutes
  • Coding Style and Standards•12 minutes
  • Python Modules•7 minutes
  • Machine Grading•11 minutes
  • Mini-project Video•5 minutes
  • CodeSkulptor•11 minutes
  • Saving in CodeSkulptor•10 minutes
  • Beyond CodeSkulptor (15:12) (optional video)•15 minutes
9 readings•Total 90 minutes
  • Required Python Knowledge•10 minutes
  • Guidelines for Coding Style•10 minutes
  • Importing Custom Modules in Python•10 minutes
  • Mini-project Description•10 minutes
  • 2048•10 minutes
  • Math Expressions for Homework•10 minutes
  • Math Notes on Functions•10 minutes
  • Practice Mini-project - Solitaire Mancala•10 minutes
  • Python Development Environments•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
  • Homework 1•20 minutes
2 app items•Total 120 minutes
  • Assignment Submission History•60 minutes
  • Assignment: 2048 (Merge)•60 minutes

This week, we will explain the importance of testing. We will also learn to solve problems with grids.

What's included

5 videos4 readings1 assignment1 app item

5 videos•Total 34 minutes
  • The Importance of Testing •4 minutes
  • Testing•5 minutes
  • Plotting•7 minutes
  • Grids•8 minutes
  • Mini-project Video•11 minutes
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
  • Building Tests for Python Programs•10 minutes
  • Mini-project Description•10 minutes
  • Math Notes on Grid Representations•10 minutes
  • Practice Activity - Testing Solitaire Mancala•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Homework 2•30 minutes
1 app item•Total 60 minutes
  • Assignment: 2048 (Full)•60 minutes

This we will learn how to use probability and randomness to solve problems.

What's included

6 videos6 readings1 assignment1 app item

6 videos•Total 56 minutes
  • The Importance of Probability •5 minutes
  • Basics of Probability•10 minutes
  • Expected Value •13 minutes
  • Monte Carlo Methods•7 minutes
  • Objects and References •12 minutes
  • Mini-project Video•10 minutes
6 readings•Total 60 minutes
  • Mini-project Description•10 minutes
  • TTTBoard Class•10 minutes
  • Math Notes on Basic Probability•10 minutes
  • Math Notes on Expected Value•10 minutes
  • Practice Mini-project - Nim (Monte Carlo)•10 minutes
  • Practice Activity - The Monty Hall Problem•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 20 minutes
  • Homework 3•20 minutes
1 app item•Total 60 minutes
  • Assignment: Tic-Tac-Toe (Monte Carlo)•60 minutes

This week, we will learn how to use combinatorics to solve problems.

What's included

6 videos5 readings1 assignment1 app item

6 videos•Total 68 minutes
  • The Importance of Combinatorics •5 minutes
  • Enumeration•10 minutes
  • Permutations and Combinations•14 minutes
  • Combinatorics and Password Breaking •16 minutes
  • Debugging•19 minutes
  • Mini-project Video•5 minutes
5 readings•Total 50 minutes
  • Mini-project Description•10 minutes
  • Math Notes on Enumeration•10 minutes
  • Math Notes on Permutations and Combinations•10 minutes
  • Practice Activity - Analyzing a Simple Dice Game•10 minutes
  • Practice Activity - Counting Game States•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Homework 4•30 minutes
1 app item•Total 60 minutes
  • Assignment: Yahtzee•60 minutes

This week, we will explain the importance of counting in solving complex problems.

What's included

6 videos7 readings1 assignment1 app item

6 videos•Total 62 minutes
  • The Importance of Counting •4 minutes
  • Counting and Sums•14 minutes
  • Functions: Finding the Max •10 minutes
  • Higher-order Functions •11 minutes
  • Plotting Statement Counts•14 minutes
  • Mini-project Video•8 minutes
7 readings•Total 70 minutes
  • Mini-project Description•10 minutes
  • BuildInfo Class•10 minutes
  • Math Notes on Arithmetic Sums•10 minutes
  • Math Notes on Logarithms and Exponentials•10 minutes
  • Math Notes on Growth Rates of Functions•10 minutes
  • Practice Activity - Modeling the Growth of Functions•10 minutes
  • Practice Activity - The Case of the Greedy Boss•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
  • Homework 5 •30 minutes
1 app item•Total 60 minutes
  • Assignment: Cookie Clicker•60 minutes

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Instructors

Instructor ratings
4.9 (22 ratings)
Rice University
11 Courses•421,267 learners
Rice University
11 Courses•421,267 learners

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Showing 3 of 584

IB
·

Reviewed on Jun 11, 2017

Yay, no more peer grading! This course felt easier than intro2. Less fiddling with your programs and more about concepts.

JM
·

Reviewed on Apr 5, 2016

Amazing. Way better than my community college CS courses.

JH
·

Reviewed on May 15, 2018

very wellmade assignments! that goes a long way!plotting seemed a bit superflous and not much learned.Thank you professors!

Frequently asked questions

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