Welcome to CSCA20
An Introduction to Computer Programming
Anna Bretscher
Why Study Computer Science?
• Computers provide tools to simplify processes
• Computers allow for analysis that is otherwise
impossible
• Computer science can be applied to many
problems in the sciences, business, arts,
humanities…
• Computers don’t always do what we think
they are doing, better to understand when this
happens!
Course Goals
• To learn most Python instructions.
• To be able to write programs that solve scientific (or
other) problems.
• To understand what computer scientists do.
• To acquire an appreciation of how computer science
applies to other areas of research.
CSCA20 - Content
• Intended for students with no
programming experience.
• Introduction to
• algorithms
• programming using Python
• Data analysis and plotting
• Database design
CSCA20 - Course Work
Textbook – ebook or hardcopy
“Practical Programming 2nd Edition” by Campbell,
Gries, Lockwood, Montojo
and Wilson
http://pragprog.com/book/gwpy2/practical-programming
Labs (10%)
2 hour labs every week, starting in week 2.
Assignments (40%)
4 assignments - 10% each
CSCA20 - Tests
Quizzes (15%)
Quizzes in weeks 4, 7 and 11 during lab
time.
Think of quizzes as practice for the final.
Final (35%)
You need to score at least 40% to pass the
Course.
Labs
• 2 hour labs every week starting in week 2.
• You earn 1% per lab attended up to 10%.
• This means you may miss one lab.
• These are the “tutorials” on ROSI
• Labs are your new best friend. This is where
you will learn the most!
Assignments
• Posted on the website.
• Submitted electronically.
• First assignment very short and easy – an
easy way to earn 10%.
• 2nd, 3rd and 4th assignments progressively
more challenging.
Where do I get HELP!!
Labs
Ask your TA questions. Your labs are also like
office hours!!
Office Hours
M 11:00 - 11:45, W 11:30 – 1:00, F 12:10 - 1:00
Come visit me, I want to get to know you.
Online Tutorial
http://interactivepython.org/courselib/static/thinkcspy/index.html
Email Me
•bretscher@utsc.utoronto.ca
•Include a relevant subject (e.g., CSCA20 - A1
question 2).
•Sign your name.
Week 1 - To Do List
 Read the course information sheet and check out the
website.
 Order/download the text and read chapters 1 and 2
 Install Python and Wing 101 (if working at home)
 See the “Resource” page on the website
Computer Science
Is about problem solving and writing
algorithms.
ALGORITHM (WEBSTER’S).
A step-by-step procedure for solving a
problem or accomplishing some end
especially by a computer
Lets Practice Algorithms
Give the smiley face instructions to get to the star. Use
Forward, Right, Left.
F x 2, R
F x 2, L
F x 7, R
F x 2, R
F, L
F, R
F, L
F x 2, R
F x 3, R
F
Let Practice Algorithms – Take 2
F x 9, R
F x 9, R
F x 9, R
F x 7, R
F x 7, R
F x 5, R
F x 5, R
F x 3, R
F x 3, R
F
Let Practice Algorithms – Take 2
F x 9, R
F x 9, R
F x 9, R
F x 7, R
F x 7, R
F x 5, R
F x 5, R
F x 3, R
F x 3, R
F
F x 9, R
steps  9
(F x steps, R) x 2
steps  7
(F x steps, R) x 2
steps  5
(F x steps, R) x 2
steps  3
(F x steps, R) x 2
F
Algorithms – Take 2
F x 9, R
steps  9
F x 9, R
steps  9
(F x steps, R) x 2
steps  steps
7
-2
(F x steps, R) x 2
steps  steps
5
-2
(F x steps, R) x 2
steps  steps
3
-2
(F x steps, R) x 2
while steps > 2 repeat:
(F x steps, R) x 2
steps  steps - 2
F
F
Python
• Python is the language
we will use to write our
algorithms.
• We use Wing 101: a
free environment and
editor for coding in
Python.
Editor
Shell