CS 151 Fall 2026 - Revision history

Jkinne: /* Welcome and Getting Started */

2026-05-19T22:40:27Z

Welcome and Getting Started

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:40, 19 May 2026
Line 6:		Line 6:

	=Welcome and Getting Started=		=Welcome and Getting Started=
	An introduction to the course is given during the first week of classes. Look for an announcement and link to a recording. Slides are also available [https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/r/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/Documents/Courses/Jeff%20Kinne%20Lecture%20Notes/cs151/week%2000%20-%20course%20introduction.pptx?d=wef20c8e1c04d43e19956f03de52bd501&csf=1&web=1&e=A0ecC0 here] with the most important information.		An introduction to the course is given during the first week of classes. Look for an announcement and link to a recording. Slides are also available '''[https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/r/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/Documents/Courses/Jeff%20Kinne%20Lecture%20Notes/cs151/week%2000%20-%20course%20introduction.pptx?d=wef20c8e1c04d43e19956f03de52bd501&csf=1&web=1&e=A0ecC0 here]''' with the most important information.

	=General Information=		=General Information=

Jkinne: /* General Information */

2026-05-19T22:26:48Z

General Information

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:26, 19 May 2026
Line 4:		Line 4:

	Note that all sections of the course will use the same homeworks and lab assignments. Quizzes and exams may be slightly different for the online versus face to face students.		Note that all sections of the course will use the same homeworks and lab assignments. Quizzes and exams may be slightly different for the online versus face to face students.

			=Welcome and Getting Started=
			An introduction to the course is given during the first week of classes. Look for an announcement and link to a recording. Slides are also available [https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/r/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/Documents/Courses/Jeff%20Kinne%20Lecture%20Notes/cs151/week%2000%20-%20course%20introduction.pptx?d=wef20c8e1c04d43e19956f03de52bd501&csf=1&web=1&e=A0ecC0 here] with the most important information.

	=General Information=		=General Information=

Jkinne: /* General Information */

2026-05-19T21:53:50Z

General Information

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:53, 19 May 2026
Line 37:		Line 37:

	'''Class notes''' - Notes during class will mostly be kept in the documents in '''[https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/EiJJbQVND3FMr25IAoHydnUBADrC7z-tZH_OTaD1h_A8Ow this OneDrive folder]'''. Note that you will need to authenticate with your ISU account to view the folder. Some files from lecture may be kept at https://cs.indstate.edu/~cs151/ which can also be seen when you are logged into the terminal by doing: <code>cd ~cs151/public_html/</code>.		'''Class notes''' - Notes during class will mostly be kept in the documents in '''[https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/EiJJbQVND3FMr25IAoHydnUBADrC7z-tZH_OTaD1h_A8Ow this OneDrive folder]'''. Note that you will need to authenticate with your ISU account to view the folder. Some files from lecture may be kept at https://cs.indstate.edu/~cs151/ which can also be seen when you are logged into the terminal by doing: <code>cd ~cs151/public_html/</code>.

			'''Technology Requirements'''
			* Desktop or laptop computer (Windows, Mac OS, Linux, or Chrome OS) with the ability to save files and install programs.
			* Your ISU account, to access Canvas and course notes.
			* Free programs you will install: https://www.python.org/downloads/

	'''Programming practice''' Challenge problems...		'''Programming practice''' Challenge problems...

Jkinne: /* General Information */

2026-05-19T18:44:52Z

General Information

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:44, 19 May 2026
Line 23:		Line 23:
	'''Supplemental Instructor/Hours''' There likely will be a supplemental instructor for the course. Details will be posted before classes start.		'''Supplemental Instructor/Hours''' There likely will be a supplemental instructor for the course. Details will be posted before classes start.

	'''Graduate assistant help''' - There likely will be graduate assistant help for the course. Details will be posted before classes start.		'''Graduate assistant help''' There likely will be graduate assistant help for the course. Details will be posted before classes start.

	'''Prerequisites''' - none.		'''Prerequisites''' - none.

Jkinne: /* General Information */

2026-05-19T18:44:36Z

General Information

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:44, 19 May 2026
Line 18:		Line 18:

	''Lecture:'' MWF 10-10:50am in Root Hall A-109, over Teams (link in Canvas/Teams, see below), and recorded<br>		''Lecture:'' MWF 10-10:50am in Root Hall A-109, over Teams (link in Canvas/Teams, see below), and recorded<br>
	''Exams:'' every three weeks on Wednesdays (Sep 2, Sep 23, Oct 14, Nov 4) during lecture time (10-10:50am)~~. ''(For those with another class at that time~~, ~~we will arrange the~~ time ~~after~~ the ~~term starts~~.~~)''~~<br>		''Exams:'' every three weeks on Wednesdays (Sep 2, Sep 23, Oct 14, Nov 4), during lecture time (10-10:50am) for face to face section, available from this time until midnight for the online section.<br>
	''Final exam:'' Monday, Dec 7, 10-11:50am. ''(For those in the online section with another class at that time, your exam time will be decided after the term starts.)''<br>		''Final exam:'' Monday, Dec 7, 10-11:50am. ''(For those in the online section with another class at that time, your exam time will be decided after the term starts.)''<br>

Jkinne: /* General Information */

2026-05-19T18:43:39Z

General Information

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:43, 19 May 2026
Line 19:		Line 19:
	''Lecture:'' MWF 10-10:50am in Root Hall A-109, over Teams (link in Canvas/Teams, see below), and recorded<br>		''Lecture:'' MWF 10-10:50am in Root Hall A-109, over Teams (link in Canvas/Teams, see below), and recorded<br>
	''Exams:'' every three weeks on Wednesdays (Sep 2, Sep 23, Oct 14, Nov 4) during lecture time (10-10:50am). ''(For those with another class at that time, we will arrange the time after the term starts.)''<br>		''Exams:'' every three weeks on Wednesdays (Sep 2, Sep 23, Oct 14, Nov 4) during lecture time (10-10:50am). ''(For those with another class at that time, we will arrange the time after the term starts.)''<br>
	''Final exam:'' Monday, Dec 7, 10-11:50am. ''(For those with another class at that time, your exam time will be decided after the term starts.)''<br>		''Final exam:'' Monday, Dec 7, 10-11:50am. ''(For those in the online section with another class at that time, your exam time will be decided after the term starts.)''<br>

	'''Supplemental Instructor/Hours''' There likely will be a supplemental instructor for the course. Details will be posted before classes start.		'''Supplemental Instructor/Hours''' There likely will be a supplemental instructor for the course. Details will be posted before classes start.

Jkinne: /* General Information */

2026-05-19T18:43:06Z

General Information

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:43, 19 May 2026
Line 13:		Line 13:
	''Office:'' Root Hall A-165 and in Microsoft Teams, phone 812-237-3394 <br>		''Office:'' Root Hall A-165 and in Microsoft Teams, phone 812-237-3394 <br>
	''Instructor Office Hours:'' I am normally in my office between roughly 8:30am-3pm when I am not in class or meetings. I am normally available for online meetings - MTWRF 8am-4pm, SMTWR 8-10pm if I am not in class or a meeting. I have class/meetings the following days/times (so not available these times): MWF 10-11am, MW 1-3pm, T 3:30-4:30pm, TR 11am-12:30pm. <br>		''Instructor Office Hours:'' I am normally in my office between roughly 8:30am-3pm when I am not in class or meetings. I am normally available for online meetings - MTWRF 8am-4pm, SMTWR 8-10pm if I am not in class or a meeting. I have class/meetings the following days/times (so not available these times): MWF 10-11am, MW 1-3pm, T 3:30-4:30pm, TR 11am-12:30pm. <br>
	''Meeting:'' https://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting		''Schedule a Meeting with Me:'' https://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting

	'''Lecture, Exam'''		'''Lecture, Exam'''

Jkinne: Created page with "CS 151 Introduction to Computer Science is taken by CS majors during their first term, along with ECT 130. This page contains the syllabus for CS 151 for the most recent offering (fall 2026). Previous terms - CS 151 Spring 2026, CS 151 Fall 2025, CS 151 Spring 2025, CS 151 Fall 2024, CS 151 Spring 2024, CS 151 Fall 2023. Note that all sections of the course will use the same homeworks and lab assignments. Quizzes and exams may be slightly differ..."

2026-05-19T16:18:25Z

Created page with "CS 151 Introduction to Computer Science is taken by CS majors during their first term, along with ECT 130. This page contains the syllabus for CS 151 for the most recent offering (fall 2026). Previous terms - CS 151 Spring 2026, CS 151 Fall 2025, CS 151 Spring 2025, CS 151 Fall 2024, CS 151 Spring 2024, CS 151 Fall 2023. Note that all sections of the course will use the same homeworks and lab assignments. Quizzes and exams may be slightly differ..."

New page

CS 151 Introduction to Computer Science is taken by CS majors during their first term, along with ECT 130.

This page contains the syllabus for CS 151 for the most recent offering (fall 2026). Previous terms - [[CS 151 Spring 2026]], [[CS 151 Fall 2025]], [[CS 151 Spring 2025]], [[CS 151 Fall 2024]], [[CS 151 Spring 2024]], [[CS 151 Fall 2023]].

Note that all sections of the course will use the same homeworks and lab assignments. Quizzes and exams may be slightly different for the online versus face to face students.

=General Information=
'''Course website''' - https://cs.indstate.edu/web/index.php/CS_151

'''Your Instructor'''

[https://kinnejeff.com Jeff Kinne], [mailto:jkinne@indstate.edu jkinne@indstate.edu] 
''Office:'' Root Hall A-165 and in Microsoft Teams, phone 812-237-3394 
''Instructor Office Hours:'' I am normally in my office between roughly 8:30am-3pm when I am not in class or meetings. I am normally available for online meetings - MTWRF 8am-4pm, SMTWR 8-10pm if I am not in class or a meeting. I have class/meetings the following days/times (so not available these times): MWF 10-11am, MW 1-3pm, T 3:30-4:30pm, TR 11am-12:30pm. 
''Meeting:'' https://cs.indstate.edu/jkinne-meeting

'''Lecture, Exam'''

''Lecture:'' MWF 10-10:50am in Root Hall A-109, over Teams (link in Canvas/Teams, see below), and recorded 
''Exams:'' every three weeks on Wednesdays (Sep 2, Sep 23, Oct 14, Nov 4) during lecture time (10-10:50am). ''(For those with another class at that time, we will arrange the time after the term starts.)'' 
''Final exam:'' Monday, Dec 7, 10-11:50am. ''(For those with another class at that time, your exam time will be decided after the term starts.)'' 

'''Supplemental Instructor/Hours''' There likely will be a supplemental instructor for the course. Details will be posted before classes start.

'''Graduate assistant help''' - There likely will be graduate assistant help for the course. Details will be posted before classes start.

'''Prerequisites''' - none.

'''CRN numbers''' - 53090 for the face to face section, 51027 for the online section.

'''Required text'''
We will use selections from the following free online sources.
* Automate the Boring Stuff with Python (available free at https://automatetheboringstuff.com/2e/). We use the 2nd edition of the book (not the latest, which puts the topics in a different order than we will follow).
* [https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/ap-computer-science-principles Khan Academy AP CS Principles], in particular unit 1 digital information and unit 4 algorithms.
* Additional online sources as needed.
* [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ccy6CXrdP9415bDEbzcI773cyDNI7p3rr3yA76QmgtQ/edit#slide=id.g877391eabf_0_116 turtle graphics]

'''Class notes''' - Notes during class will mostly be kept in the documents in '''[https://sycamoresindstate-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/jeffrey_kinne_indstate_edu/EiJJbQVND3FMr25IAoHydnUBADrC7z-tZH_OTaD1h_A8Ow this OneDrive folder]'''. Note that you will need to authenticate with your ISU account to view the folder. Some files from lecture may be kept at https://cs.indstate.edu/~cs151/ which can also be seen when you are logged into the terminal by doing: <code>cd ~cs151/public_html/</code>.

'''Programming practice''' Challenge problems...
* [https://leetcode.com/explore/learn/card/the-leetcode-beginners-guide/692/challenge-problems/4421/ LeetCode beginning problems]
* [https://open.kattis.com/problems?f_language=-1&show_more_filters=on&f_min_difficulty=&f_max_difficulty=2&order=difficulty_data Open Kattis problems]

=Supplemental Instruction=
This course uses a supplemental instructor (SI) to provide extra sessions to help students who can use additional instruction beyond the regular lecture hours. The SI is a student who previously took the course and did well, and who works closely with the instructor to help students. SI sessions review content from lecture and what is needed for homework assignments. The SI is part of the course in Canvas so you can communicate with them that way if you like.

=Announcements/Assignments/Quizzes/Exams=
'''HW'''
These are posted in Canvas or on the CS server. Some HWs are due the next lecture day, some are due a week after assigned. All times are Eastern US time.

'''Rules'''
Rules for HWs, quizzes, exams are in the course policies below.

'''Announcements'''
Announcements will normally be posted to the course in Canvas (and will probably be emailed to your ISU email address if you have the default settings for notifications in Canvas).

=Course Description and Content=

'''Course Description'''

The official description of this course from the catalog is

"Core concepts that are foundational in computer science, including programming, use of computers for dealing with files and programs, how data is stored, number systems. Focus on building skills needed for programming and further study of computer science, and intermediate mastery of a particular programming language."

'''Course Outline'''

This course outline is subject to change.

'''Weeks 1-6'''
* Setup accounts
* Intro to Linux
* Variables
* I/O
* Flow Control
* If-statements
* Turtle
* Loops

'''Weeks 7-14'''
* Functions
* Chapter 4 - Lists
* Chapter 5 - Collections
* Chapter 6 - Strings
* Bits, Bytes, Base and Logic
* Intro to algorithms
* Chapter 9 & 10 (Files)

'''Week 15-16'''
* Final project and interviews

'''Learning Outcomes'''
* Able to use Linux systems and terminal - managing files, running code, using utility programs.
* Basic mastery of core programming concepts - data types, conditionals and loops, Boolean logic, functions, string operations, reading and writing files. In particular,
* Can take a specification and produce code implementing it.
* Can take code and "play computer" to determine the precise results of running the code on a given input.
* Can take a partially complete program and specification for how it should work, and complete it.
* Can take a program with syntax or logical errors and fix the errors.
* Understanding of good coding style and able to practice good coding style - use of functions to avoid redundant code, whitespace formatting, variable and function names, comments.
* Understanding of base systems, including ability to convert between binary, hex, octal, and decimal.
* Understanding of and ability to explain different file types - text versus binary.
* Able to read and write data with programs, including parsing simple file formats (e.g., csv).
* Understanding of sorting algorithms - able to "play computer" to execute sorting algorithms that were covered in class on small test cases.

=Assignments=

'''Start Assignments and Exam Studying Early''' -
I suggest attempting an assignment the day it is given, or the day after, so that if you have a problem you can ask early. If you continue to have problems in trying to complete the assignment, you will have time to ask again. Many of the assignments require thought and problem solving, which takes "time on the calendar" not just "time on the clock". By that I mean that spending an hour on 3 consecutive days is likely to be more productive than trying to spend 3 hours at once on the assignment.

'''Expected Amount of Work''' -
If you take this class seriously and get what you should out of it, some weeks you will likely be spending around '''6-10 hours or more''' on the class. The students who get A’s in their CS courses and have an easier time finding jobs do spend this much time on this course. Not everyone would need to spend this much time and not all weeks will be the same, but you should plan on putting in whatever time it takes. Note that the federal government definition of 1 credit hour as requiring 2 hours worth of time on the course for each credit hour of lecture, so you should think of this as the default for all of your courses.

'''Note - your classes in your major should ideally be more important than your part-time job.'''

'''Each week''', you will normally have at least one assignment, often more than one (in particular at the beginning when the assignments are pretty small).

=Grade Meanings=
The letter grades are intended to have the following rough meaning. For letter grades I will use the usual breakdown as a starting point (90 is A-, 80 is B-, etc.), but will raise letter grades above this if I think it is needed (e.g., if assignments, exams, and quizzes are really tough).
* A+/A: You understand everything and probably could teach the course yourself.
* B+/A-: You understand nearly everything, and should be all set to use this knowledge in other courses or in a job.
* C/C+/B-/B: Some things you understand very well and others you don't (more towards the former for a B and more towards the latter for a C).
* D-/D+/C-: You did put some effort in, and understand many things at a high level, but you haven't mastered the details well enough to be able to use this knowledge in the future.
* F: Normally, students that get an F simply stopped doing the required work at some point, or cheated on something in the course.

{{:Jeff Kinne Course Policies}}

{{:Policies}}

{{:ISU Syllabus Items}}