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Computers
touch everything we do today. In
this class we’ll look at computer systems from the ground up. We’ll see how they work and what
we can all do to exploit them more effectively.
Topics
will include:
·
How
fast is the world of computing changing (alternatively, what should you
expect will happen over the next 50 years)?
·
What
is “computational thinking”?
Put another way: how do we have to specify solutions to problems if we
want computers to do the work?
·
If
computers are so fast, why are some problems still hard? One answer: exponential growth.
·
Will
computers ever rival humans at what we do best?
Prerequisites
None.
What You’ll Do
·
Come
to class. There will be lectures
(including many that cover material that is not in the book). We’ll also have demonstrations
and sessions where we work problems.
·
Work
homework problems that reinforce what we’ve talked about in class.
·
Write
three or four short programs (in Python).
·
Build
a simple website about yourself and your interests.
More Information
Click on the tabs to the
left for more information.
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