Course Information for Fall 2012

Time: MWF 11:00-11:50
Place: Lovejoy 215
Final exam: Friday, December 14th, 9:00 am

Instructor Information

Prof. Stephanie R. Taylor (Lectures)
Office: Roberts 224D
Email: s r taylor _at_ colby _dot_ edu
Office hours: M 1:30-3:30, T 2-5, R 1:30-3:30
By appointment (email me), and whenever my door is open

Prof. Bruce Maxwell (Labs)
Office: Roberts 224B
Email: b maxwell _at_ colby _dot_ edu
Office hours: MW 10-11:30, when his door is open
Bruce is on AIM (see lab page for address) and is happy to be contacted whenever he is logged on

Course Description

This course is an introduction to computational thinking: how we can describe and solve problems using a computer. In the fall 2012 semester we will focus on graphical applications. These applications will motivate how and why we would would want to write procedures, control the flow of information and processes, and organize information for easy access and manipulation. The techniques you learn will be applicable to any kind of programming you may wish to do in the future.

Links to Python Resources

• Python.org -- This is the main source for all documentation on Python. This documentation can be downloaded to your computer so that you don't need web access to view it. Note that we will be using Python 2.7 in lectures and labs.
  • For an informal introduction to Python, they have a tutorial
  • For a list of functions and data types, refer to the library reference documentation.
• Free Online Books on Python
  • How to Think Like a Computer Scientist (Python)
  • A Byte of Python
• Free Online tutorials in Python
  • Python.org's Tutorial
  • IBM Technical Library (DeveloperWorks)

Recommended Textbook

John Zelle, Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science, 1 ed., Franklin Beedle & Associates, 2003.

Note: This textbook is not required. Also note that there is a second edition, but that it is geared for a different version of Python.