Overview
Welcome to the course webpage for the Summer 2010 term of CSC108H, an Introduction to Computer Programming. This course teaches the basics of programming in Python, which is an industrial-strength programming language used at companies like Google and Industrial Light and Magic.
The course is delivered through 12 weekly lectures and 11 weekly labs (labs start on week 2). Outside of class and lab, in weeks 2 through 12, you will also complete a set of online exercises in CodeLab, and do 2 assignments, 2 tests, a project, and a final exam. We keep you you busy throughout the term because learning to program is a lot like learning to play an instrument: if you want to play well, you need to practise regularly.
Important: Please remember to check the announcements page frequently throughout the term.
Course information
| Instructor | Joey Freund (joey [at] cs.toronto.edu) |
|---|---|
| Office Hours |
|
| Info | The official Course Info Sheet |
| Discussion Board: | CSC108H Discussion Board |
| Lectures | Thursdays 6-9, BA1200 |
| Labs | Wednesdays 4-6 or Thursdays 2-4, BA3175/BA3185/BA3195 (make sure you go to the right room) |
| Textbook | Practical Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science Using Python (ISBN: 978-1-93435-627-2). The pre-print from last year is not suitable: there have been many changes and improvements since them. The text is available online directly from the publisher, in both paper and electronic form. Note: amazon.ca has the text on sale for $20.76. |
| Additional Material | CodeLab, a set of online exercises from TuringsCraft. |
| TA's |
|
Doing your work
The Computing Disciplines Facility (CDF) provides computing support for courses in Computer Science. Here is a list of rooms (with the closed lab rooms listed in bold): BA2200, BA2210, BA2220, BA2240, BA2270, BA3175, BA3185, BA3195 and the Great Hall. There is also a lab in the Gerstein Science Information Centre (at the Sigmund Samuel Library, 7 Kings College Circle) in room 236 at the north end of the second floor. You will be assigned to a particular room for your weekly two-hour closed lab session, but at other times, you are welcome to use any of the CDF labs for your course work. You have access to the Bahen Centre ("BA") and our CDF labs 24 hours a day.
To enter one of the labs you will need to swipe your T-Card through the card reader that is installed outside of each door. (You can also use your T-Card to get into the building itself.)
Getting Help
- Help Centre - The Department of Computer Science has a Help Centre with TAs who are able to help you with first year courses (as well as most second-year and some third-year courses). It's open Monday to Thursday from 4-6pm and is located in BA2200. This is a great source for getting help, and I encourage you to use it.
- Office hours - I have office hours during which you can ask any question you like about the course. Please use them!
- Discussion Board - The discussion boards are available 24 hours a day. We will do our best to answer questions within the next day or two. Turnaround time on weekends and holidays will likely be longer. Please do not post solutions, or partial solutions, to the discussion boards.