CS 151 - Key Skills

The following are key skills/knowledge that you need to retain after completing CS 151 Introduction to Computer Science. For any course that has CS 151 as a prerequisite, we will assume that on day one of the new course you could "ace" a quiz on all of the following content. This is the most important content to be ready for the next courses. See also CS Skills Assessments for other courses as well.

Note - this list is a first draft and is being reviewed by the faculty.

Key Skills/Knowledge

Linux

All commands and shortcuts listed in and linked from Linux and CS Systems - Getting Started. You should be able to (a) match each command and shortcut with its basic description, (b) use all of the commands and shortcuts to accomplish a small task (e.g., create a new directory HW in your home directory and copy all files from ~cs151/HW/ into your new HW directory), (c) describe what a given command would do (e.g., ls -l /u1/class/).

Programming

• Python cheat sheets listed at the end of Python Programming - Getting Started. You should be able to give the short description of given any of the keywords, function names, or operators (and vice versa).
• Basic programs - able to complete the programs listed in Programming Assignments - Beginning 1 on demand without much trouble and without consulting the internet. You should be able to produce a correct program for any of these in a short amount of time (right away for many of them, for most of the others you might need a little bit of time). You should be able to do this on paper or on the computer.
• Complete the missing code - if given mostly complete code to accomplish a task that is roughly as complex as those programs, you are able to complete the code (e.g., filling in the right condition on a loop, the right statement to update a variable, anything that is just one line or so).
• Play computer - given code you are able to trace out what happens to the variables and what is printed on the screen as the program is run.
• Syntax errors - given code that contains a syntax error you are able to identify and fix the syntax error (e.g., mismatched (), using [] where should have been (), improper indenting, missing :, mis-spelled or mis-capitalized python keyword or function, etc.)

Math

You should have all of the items in Math for CS - Getting Started memorized.

CS Terms

You should have all of the items in CS Terms - Getting Started memorized.

System Setup

You have access to a computer that is setup as directed in Linux and CS Systems - Getting Started. In particular you should have Python installed, an sftp program installed (FileZilla or WinSCP recommended), and a terminal program installed (Putty if using Windows, Terminal if using Mac).

Example Quiz

CS 151 - Key Skills - Quiz

Assessment of Prior Learning

For those who have the skills and knowledge from the course but have not taken the course, it may be possible to be evaluated, pay a reduced tuition amount, and get credit for the course. This would be done through a challenge exam. See this form - https://www.indstate.edu/sites/default/files/media/documents/pdf/assessment-prior-learning-testing.pdf