Northwestern EECS 101:

An Introduction to Computer Science for Everyone

Spring 2011

(last updated 3/29/2011)

This course is a required course in the Computer Science Curriculum and also satisfies the Weinberg Area III (Social and Behavioral Sciences) Distribution.

Lecture Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30-4:50 PM.

Lecture Room: Tech M345.

Faculty Instructors:

1. Ming-Yang Kao (coordinator; weeks 1, 2, and 10)

2. Jason Hartline (weeks 3 and 4)

3. Goce Trajcevski (weeks 5 and 6)

4. Bryan Pardo (week 7)

5. Robby Findler (week 8)

6. Jack Tumblin (weeks 9 and 10)

Teaching Assistants:

1. Elham Beheshtizavareh

2. Joseph Friedman

Undergraduate Assistants:

To be announced.

Office Hours:

1. Ming-Yang Kao -- Tech M324, 2:00-3:00 PM Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, or by appointment.

2. Jason Hartline -- by appointment.

3. Goce Trajcevski -- by appointment.

4. Bryan Pardo -- by appointment.

5. Robby Findler -- by appointment.

6. Jack Tumblin -- by appointment.

7. Elham Beheshtizavareh -- Annenberg Hall, Room 222, 2:00-4:00 Wednesday.

8. Joseph Friedman -- Tech M316, 9:30-10:30 Tuesday and Thursday.

Optional Recitation/Discussion Sessions:

To be announced.

Online Discussion for This Course:

You are required to join Google Group CS 101 - Northwestern University and be an active participant. When you sign up for this group, please use your Northwestern email address.

Computer Science Student Community:

You are strongly encouraged to join the ACM Student Group at Northwestern and be an active member of our computer science student community.

Course Materials:

1. Course Syllabus -- This syllabus includes the lecture schedule and the required reading assignments.

2. Reading List -- This list includes the materials from which the course draws. The required reading assignments are a small subset of the materials.

Assignments and Exams:

1. Assignment 1:

a. Topic: Essay on a Personality in Computer Science.

b. Date: PDF file due by email by noon Friday, 4/22/2011.

c. Format: 10 pages, single-spaced, done in groups of two.

d. Coverage: A list of personalities will be provided for you to choose one for your essay.

e. Optional: You are encouraged to create a movie for your essay using the tool at http://www.xtranormal.com/. See demos at the following links:

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/11553387

http://theoryclass.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/an-advertisement/

http://agtb.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/xtranormal-advertisement-for-multi-unit-auction-paper/

2. Midterm:

a. Dates: to be distributed by email on Thursday, 4/28/2011; PDF file due by email by noon Monday, 5/2/2011.

b. Format: take-home.

c. Coverage: the first five weeks.

3. Assignment 2:

a. Topic: Essay on a Topic in Computer Science.

b. Date: PDF file due by email by noon Friday, 5/27/2011.

c. Format: 10 pages, single-spaced, done in groups of two.

d. Coverage: A list of computer science topics will be provided for you to choose one for your essay.

Optional: You are encouraged to create a movie for your essay using the tool at http://www.xtranormal.com/.

4. Final:

a. Dates: to be distributed by email on Thursday, 6/2/2011; PDF file due by email by noon Monday, 6/6/2011.