All handouts will be distributed on the course web page. This will include lecture notes/slides, assignments and other handouts. You are responsible for all material and announcements posted on the class web page, so please check it regularly. If this is a problem for anyone, feel free to come talk to the instructors. For time critical announcements, we will use e-mail.
This course is an introduction to computer science while exploring topics from artificial intelligence (AI). We will cover core programming concepts including iteration and recursion, basic data structures, and object-oriented programming using Python motivated by AI applications such as problem solving via search, game playing and basic machine learning. We will also consider ethical implications of AI. Students must take a lab associated with this section only. No previous programming experience required or expected.
We will have roughly weekly assignments. Most will be programming assignments, though some may also have an experimental component and/or a short writeup especially on ethical issues.
We will have two in-class midterms which are shown on the schedule on the course web page. Among other topics, exams will involve writing code on paper, not at a computer. To prepare for this, we recommend practicing writing code on paper (or on the whiteboards in the lab) throughout the semester. The (cumulative) final examination is also scheduled on the course calendar during our final exam timeslot.
Class and lab attendance is required. Lab in particular will be a good opportunity for a more interactive discussion and to get more individual support for the class and it is important that you plan to attend each week. Participation consists of attending class and of giving evidence that you are actively engaged with the material (asking/answering questions in lecture, coming to office hours, etc).
We understand that sometimes things get busy, things come up, you get sick, etc. To help in these situations, you may submit two assignments late by up 24 hours. Beyond this, except under very extenuating circumstances, we will not accept late assignments.
We take academic honesty very seriously.
You are encouraged to get together in small groups to discuss material from the lectures and text. However, the work that you turn in must be done independently, unless an assignment is explicitly designated as one in which collaboration is allowed.
In particular, your work must not be based on information obtained from sources other than those approved for the course (i.e., the text, web pages linked from the course web page, and materials provided in lecture). You should never copy another students code or solutions, exchange computer files, or share your code or solutions with anyone else in the class until after an assignment is due. You may, however, use any code that we provide to you or that comes from the textbook, as long as you acknowledge the source. Additionally, the tutors are allowed to help you with your code.
A few rules to follow for this course to keep you out of trouble:
ChatGPT (and other similar tools): For this class, you should be writing all of your code on your own without any additional tools beyond PyCharm. ChatGPT (and similar tools) should not be used on the assignments in this class in any way (either to generate code or to assist you in debugging code, etc.). You may use it to help you understand concepts (e.g., to help give an explanation of a topic/idea covered in class) as well as to help study for exams (e.g., by having it generate sample questions).
If you are ever unsure about what constitutes acceptable collaboration, please ask!
For more information see the Computer Science Department's Academic Honesty Policy and the college's policy.
You may use your laptops/devices during lecture to take notes. Please resist the temptation to use your laptop/devices for other purposes (e-mail, chatting, web browsing, games, texting, etc.). The class moves quickly, so getting distracted will cause you problems down the line.
You may use your own laptop or the Computer Science department computers for this course. If you use the CS computer labs (which I encourage you to do), please read about the Computer Systems Policies.
Pomona College is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities, and I personally care deeply about equitable access to computer science instruction. If you feel invisible, unheard, or otherwise miserable, or if you have a mental health concern, please don't hesistate to get in touch with us or to request accommodations through the Disability Coordinator on your home campus. Pomona College's policy on disability accommodations can be found at the Dean of Student's website. We've also provided a list of resources compiled by students below:
The earlier you can provide us with notice of your need for accommodations the better, but we are always here if something comes up partway through the semester.
Due to the nature of this course, extensions or alternative deadlines on assignments will not in general be allowed—extensions would lead to more stress due to overlapping deadlines.