11102: Introduction to Computing
Princess Sumaya University for Technology - Fall 2025
Table of contents
Course Overview
Welcome! This course is a gentle (and hopefully fun) introduction to computing. We will use programming in Python as a vehicle for introducing some fundamentals of the field. As you learn how to program, you will develop skills that you need in your future courses and also explore applications in various computing areas, such as artificial intelligence, computer security, and image processing. You will also begin to appreciate what it takes to design and build large software systems. In short, this course will give you a taste of computing and prepare you for what lies ahead.
Prerequisites
No prior programming experience is expected. Just bring your curiosity, a commitment to practice regularly, and enough perseverance to keep going when things get tricky.
Textbooks
We will use the following two textbooks, both of which are available online for free. We will also use slides, notes, and other resources as necessary. The Schedule page will learning material and which chapter(s) from which book are required.
Course Topics
The first 7 weeks of the semester will focus on programming in Python. Each of the remaining weeks will focus on an application area in computer science using hands-on projects and examples. Here is what you should expect to achieve by the end of the semester:
- Be able to read, trace, and modify simple programs in Python.
- Be able to design and test small/medium-sized programs in Python.
- Understand how information is represented and stored on computers.
- Understand how to compare different algorithms for solving a problem.
- Perform basic manipulations of images using Python.
- Understand basic concepts in computer security like data integrity and confidentiality.
- Understand basic concepts related to machine learning and data analysis.
Assessments & Grades
| Assessment | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Exercises | 5% | 11 problem sets due at the end of every week. The lowest is automatically dropped. |
| Self Assessments | 5% | 11 quizzes for self assessment purposes done at home and due at the end of every week. The lowest is automatically dropped. |
| Quizzes | 12% | Two quizzes done in class, each worth 6%. |
| Assignments | 8% | Details will be posted on the Assignments page. |
| Midterm Exam | 30% | The exact date and time will be set by the university. |
| Final Exam | 40% | The exact date and time will be set by the university. |
| Total | 100% |
Tools
We will learn programming in python! [download]
This is the IDE (Integrated Development Environment) you will use for programming in Python. While you are allowed to use other IDEs, this is the one we will use in the classroom, base the course material on, and provide support for. [download] [configure python]
This is a GenAI assistant for programming that we will use as a plugin in VSCode. [install]
This is where you will ask questions, interact with your instructors and classmates, and solve the weekly exercises and self-assessments. You will receive an email invitation to create an account and join the course. [Direct Link to Course]
We will use this system for the midterm and final exams. Your instructor might also use this system for communicating things specific to your section, rather than the course as a whole.