CS108 Computer Science for All
Instructors:
Maureen Psaila-Dombrowski, Program Coordinator, Santa Fe Institute
e-mail: mpd@santafe.edu
Course Backup Website: http://www.cs4all.org/NM-CS108L-FINAL
Course Description:
CS108L - Computer Science for All is an introduction to Computational Science and
Modeling class. The class is a dual-credit computational science course open to high
school students as well as college students. CS108L is a hybrid course, meaning that
meaning that a significant part of the course content is on-line and the remaining part is
taught in-person. This hybrid course uses a style of pedagogy called a “flipped course”.
That is, most content (the lectures) are delivered during out-of-class times via videos
and reading materials while in-class time is used for hands-on activities, project work,
questions and other interactive learning.
In this course, the student will create original computer programs using an agent-based
modeling environment (or programming language) called NetLogo. NetLogo runs on
Windows and Mac operating systems. NetLogo is open source and free to use.
Students will gain experience not only in computer science and programming but also in
designing, building, testing, debugging and running experiments with some computer
models and complex adaptive systems.
The course is open to both College and High School students. College students who
successfully complete the class receive 3 UNM credits. High schools students who
successfully complete the class receive 1 high school credit and 3 UNM college credits.
Recommended Supplies (there are no required books):
1. Internet access
2. USB Flash Drive
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Grading:
The CS-108L class consists of a total of 16 weeks. The total points a student earns
during the semester determines a student’s final course grade. The student will be
evaluated in a number of ways:
1. Programming Assignments: 13 weekly assignments at 20 points each and a final
programming project worth 40 points for a total of 300 points
2. Class participation: 10 points per week for 16 weeks for a total of 160 points.
3. Reading Assignments: There are 13 reading small reading assignments during
the class. Each assignment is worth 5 points for a total of 65 points.
4. Quizzes: 10 quizzes at 10 points for a total of 100 points.
5. Quarterly Exam: There will be two quarterly exams each worth 100 points
(each student may use both sides of an 8½11 sheet of notes).
There is ample extra credit opportunity each week.
Total Possible Points: 825
Each student's numerical course grade is calculated by
𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 =
𝑻𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝑬𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅
𝟖𝟐𝟓
The course letter grade is calculated form the numerical course grade using the table
below.
Letter Grade Score Ranges
Numerical Score
> 98%
94% – 97%
90% – 93%
87% – 89%
84% – 86%
80% – 83%
77% – 79%
74% – 76%
70% – 73%
67% – 69%
64% – 66%
60% - 63%
<59%
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Letter Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
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Late Assignments:
Late assignments will be accepted according to each individual classroom teacher’s
policy and the policy of the school that the student attends.
CS-108L Syllabus
Week 1
Introduction to NetLogo
Week 2
Introduction to Computational Thinking
Week 3
Introduction to Abstraction
Week 4
Introduction to Modeling
Week 5
Boolean Logic
Week 6
Variables and Scope
Week 7
Running Experiments with Computer Models
Week 8
Review and Midterm Exam
Week 9
Algorithms
Week 10
More Algorithms
Week 11
Recursion
Week 12
Epidemic Modeling
Week 13
Ecosystem Modeling
Week 14
Final Project Work
Week 15
Final Project Work
Week 16
Review and Final Exam
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