Computer Science Placement

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This page contains information about placement for computer science courses. For incoming students who have some previous computer science coursework, this page contains information about placing into the appropriate first CS course at ISU.

For transfer students, evaluating transfer credit is separate from the placement process. Transfer credit is given based on the syllabus and course description of the course taken elsewhere, and this transfer credit can satisfy prerequisites to allow you to register for later CS courses. You still need to take the CS placement so that we know if you are really ready for the later courses; if not, then you will have some catching up to do and should talk with your advisor to plan how to do this.

Course Prerequisite Knowledge/Skills

CS 101 Fundamentals of Computing

This course has no prerequisites. The main goals are to (a) give students practical understanding of computing to become well-informed citizens and professionals in the computing age, (b) have students become familiar with using the Linux operating system, installing and using a programming language, and beginning to program in Python.

CS 151 Introduction to Computer Science

This course does not currently have a listed prerequisite. However, CS 151 is a programming course that requires you to be able to hit the ground running (do assigned reading on your own time, comprehend the reading, get things working on your computer, etc.), so we have a placement test to complete to verify whether you should start in CS 151. Those with no previous computing experience should normally start in CS 101.

Prerequisite skills and knowledge to be ready for CS 151 -

  • Ability to use the Linux operating system (in particular using the shell/terminal)
  • Able to install and use a programming language
  • Able to troubleshoot and learn some aspects of programming on one's own using online resources

Note that CS 101 is required in the information science concentration of the Computer Science major, but is not required for the other concentrations. Those taking the information science concentration need to take CS 101 regardless of previous experience; for you the decision is whether to take only CS 101 during your first semester or to take both CS 101 and CS 151 during your first semester. CS 151 is a prerequisite for other CS courses, so if you are truly ready for it then it would be good to take. If you truly are 'not' ready for CS 151, then trying to take it when you are not ready will not help you in the end. Take the placement test, and then we will know.

The placement test is a series of readings and quizzes in one of ISU's course management systems. Those registered for either CS 101 or CS 151 will be added to the "CS Advising" course that contains the placement test. Once you are able to login to the CS Advising course, follow the instructions under "CS 151 Intro to CS - placement test". Note that this will take some time, so please get started soon.

CS 201 Programming Structures

C or better in CS 151. Prerequisite skills and knowledge -

  • CS 151 prerequisite skills/knowledge
  • Competent programmer in Python, including use of modules and appropriate use of Python containers (lists, dictionaries, tuples)

Note that Python is a prerequisite for this course, so transfer students with credit for CS 151 but without experience in Python need to work independently to get up to speed with Python before the term starts.

CS 202 Data Structures and Algorithms

C or better in CS 201. Prerequisite skills and knowledge -

  • CS 201 prerequisite skills/knowledge
  • Proficient programmer in Python, including object-oriented programming and experience developing (and debugging and testing) large programs independently
  • Understanding of basic data structures (array, linked list, trees) and sorting/searching

CS 500 Programming Fundamentals

Prerequisite skills and knowledge -

  • Competent programmer in some programming language
  • Able to troubleshoot and learn a programming language on one's own using online resources
  • Understanding of basic data structures (arrays, linked lists, binary search trees, hash tables, etc.)

CS 501 Programming for Data Science

Prerequisite skills and knowledge - Prerequisite skills and knowledge -

  • Competent programmer in some programming language
  • Able to troubleshoot and learn a programming language on one's own using online resources
  • Understanding of basic data structures (arrays, linked lists, binary search trees, hash tables, etc.)

Computer Science Placement Assignment and Interview

Basic tasks on the assignment/interview...

  • CS 151
    • Install python on one's computer, download python file, run python file, submit output (auto-graded by CMS).
    • Small modification to python program, submit output (auto-graded by CMS).
    • Get login information to CS server from course management system, connect to CS server, login, get information on the system using appropriate commands and submit results (auto-graded by CMS).
    • Login to CS server, checkout assignment, follow directions in README, handin.
  • CS 201
    • CS 151 tasks
    • Python programming problems that involve: compound Boolean logic, nested loops, defining and using functions, fixing syntax errors, fixing logical errors.
    • Questions on: Python, binary/decimal/hex, Linux commands and using the terminal
    • See: CS 151 - Key Skills - Quiz
  • CS 500
    • CS 151, 201, 202 tasks/questions (except they can use any language)
    • Questions on: data structures
  • CS 501
    • CS 151, 201, 202 tasks/questions (except they can use any language)
    • Questions on: data structures
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