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Choosing an Introductory Programming Course

The College of Information and Computer Sciences offers several introductory programming courses designed for both Computer Science and Informatics Majors, and for students from across the campus community. This guide is designed to help students pick an introductory programming course from among three main options:  COMPSCI 119: Introduction to Programming with Python, CICS 110: Foundations of Programming, and CICS/STATISTC 108: Foundations of Data Science. This page contains information about each course, as well as a course comparison matrix. See the CICS course listing page for the most recent description of each course.

Course Overviews:

  • COMPSCI 119: Introduction to Programming with Python. This is an introductory programming course that focuses on computing as it relates to multimedia including digital images and sound. The course uses the Python programming language. This course is recommended for students interested in digital media. The course is not open to CS Majors. It satisfies a "technical" course requirement for the IT Minor Program.
  • CICS/STATISTC 108: Foundations of Data Science. This new introductory programming course focuses on numerical and statistical computing for data analysis. Sections are available through CICS and Statistics. The course uses the Python programming language. The course is recommended for students whose primary major touches on numerical or statistical topics or involves aspects of data analysis including: Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Earth Systems, Environmental Science, Finance, Geography, Geology, Kinesiology, Linguistics, Management, Microbiology, Political Science, Public Health, Psychology and Sociology. The course is not open to CS, Informatics, or Mathematics & Statistics Majors. It satisfies a "technical" course requirement for the IT Minor Program and has a general education R2 designation (analytical reasoning).
  • CICS 110: Foundations of Programming. This is the primary introductory programming course for Computer Science and Informatics majors and is also required for Mathematics & Statistics majors. This course uses the Python programming language. The main goal of CICS 110 is to prepare students to take the follow-on courses CICS 160: Object oriented Programming and CICS 210: Data Structures. CICS 110 is required for students who intend to take CICS 160 or CICS 210. It satisfies a "technical" course requirement for the IT Minor Program and has a general education R2 designation (analytical reasoning).
     

Course Comparison Matrix:

  COMPSCI 119 CICS 108/
STATISTC 108
CICS 110
Audience Recommended for students interested in design and digital media. Recommended for students whose major touches on numerical or statistical topics or involves aspects of data analysis. Required for CS, Informatics, and Math & Statistics majors, CS minors, and other students intending to take CICS 160/210. Provides preparation for a next course in object oriented programming.
Exclusions Not for CS Majors Not for CS, Informatics, or Math & Stats Majors. None
Course Components Lecture Lecture and Lab Lecture and Lab
Credits 3                                              4 4
Programming Language Python Python Python
Prerequisites None Completion of R1 requirement or a score of 20 or higher on the math placement test Part A, or one of the following courses: MATH 101&102 or MATH 104 or MATH 127 or MATH 128 or MATH 131 or MATH 132. Completion of R1 requirement or a score of 15 or higher on the math placement test Part A, or one of the following courses: MATH 101&102 or MATH 104 or MATH 127 or MATH 128 or MATH 131 or MATH 132.
IT Minor Designation Technical Course Technical Course Technical Course
General Education Designation None R2 (analytical reasoning) R2 (analytical reasoning)