CS 131: Computational Thinking (XM)

Course Description

This course introduces computational thinking, a problem-solving approach ubiquitous throughout Computer Science. Computational thinking involved structuring a given problem and its corresponding data in such a way so that it can be processed in an accurate, systematic and efficient manner by a computer. Computational thinking concepts emphasized will include: problem decomposition, abstraction, recognizing and analyzing patterns in data and formulation of efficient algorithmic solutions to problems. Computational thinking concepts will be applied to solve computer programming exercises using a real-world computer programming language. Computational thinking concepts will also be discussed in the context of sustainability, defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs…A world in which poverty and inequity are endemic will always be prone to ecological and other crises. Sustainable development requires meeting the basic needs of all and extending to all the basic opportunity to satisfy their aspirations for a better life.” (Brundtland Commission, United Nations, 1987). In this course, applications of computational thinking concepts will be applied to investigate the following signature question “How do people understand and create a more sustainable world?”