To succeed at Computer Science, you need to be logical and meticulous. As you learn to do programming, you’ll go step by step and line by line. Soon you will get the hang of it: you’ll come to recognize sets of lines and patterns in the programs.

In CS I, everything you learn in one class hour builds on what you have learned earlier. Over the semester, the material becomes wonderfully complex. To enjoy the complexity, stay with the assignments, day by day and week by week.

What kinds of assignments should I expect?

You’ll have a chance to do three kinds of assignments: a) homework, which may involve a bit of programming; b) short programming assignments; and c) projects, larger programs in which you’re asked to add to the provided code to complete the program.

Here are a few examples of programming projects:

-- Keep a space station from crashing by shooting fuel cells to it from a spaceship.
-- Set up a program to recognize handwritten digits.
-- Make and summarize an advising transcript.

How will I get help if I’m stuck?

Work with the course TAs during lab and visit them during their evening office hours.
Bring your questions to me during my office hours, listed on the syllabus.

Here’s my philosophy as a professor of Computer Science

The best way to learn programming is to do programming.

The best way to retain what you’ve learned is to practice. You’ll be given short practice problems during class, and more practice problems to do at home. Practicing will enable you to remember what you’ve learned, and to put CS principles into action.

The best way to study for an exam is to fill a single sheet of paper with all the information that you’ll need to know and remember. If I am teaching, you will be allowed to bring this sheet of paper with you to the exam to consult!