Transcript PowerPoint
Introduction To CPSC 231 And
Computer Science
James Tam
James Tam
Administrative (James Tam: L01 & L03)
Contact Information
• Office: ICT 707
• Phone: 210-9455
• Email: [email protected]
Office hours
• Office hours: TR 12:00 – 12:50
• Email: (any time)
• Appointment: phone or call
• Drop by for urgent requests (but no guarantee that
I will be in!)
James Tam
Administrative (Leonard Manzara: L02)
Contact Information
• Office: MS 269
• Phone: 220-3518
• Email: [email protected]
Office hours
• Office hours: MWF 9:00 - 9:50
James Tam
Feedback
???
Dilbert © United Features Syndicate
James Tam
How You Will Be Evaluated
Assignments (30%)
• Assignment 1: Introduction to the Computer Science environment, number
systems and logic (Due Monday Sept. 30 worth 3%)
• Assignment 2: Algorithms and working with simple programs (Due
Monday Oct. 7 worth 3%)
• Assignment 3: Decision making and repetition (Friday Oct. 18 worth 3%)
• Assignment 4: Functions and 1D arrays (Due Friday Nov. 1 worth 3%)
• Assignment 5: Files and 2D arrays (Due Friday Nov. 15 worth 6%)
• Assignment 6: Lists - Version 1 (Due Friday Nov. 29 worth 6%)
• Assignment 7: Lists - Version 2 (Due Friday Dec. 6 worth 6%)
James Tam
How You Will Be Evaluated (2)
• Exams (70%)
• Midterm exam (30%)
• Final exam (40%)
James Tam
Course Resources
Course website: http://pages.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/~tamj/231
Course textbook (Pascal):
• Pascal Programming & Problem Solving, 4th Edition,
Leestma/Nyhoff (Prentice Hall)
Recommended textbook (Unix):
• A Practical Guide to Solaris, Sobell (Addison-Wesley)
• (Good alternative) Harley Hahn's Student Guide to Unix,
Hahn (McGraw-Hill)
Note: Neither the course notes nor the text books are meant as a substitute for regular
attendance to lecture and lab. They are provided to support and supplement the class.
James Tam
Introduction To Computer Science
What is Computer Science?
James Tam
Some Areas Of Study1
•Human-Computer Interaction
•Graphics
•Information Visualization
•Databases
•Theory
•Simulations
•Artificial Intelligence
•Computer Vision
•Software Engineering
•Games programming
1 This list provides only a brief listing and is far from comprehensive
James Tam
Human-Computer Interaction
Technological perspective
People perspective
James Tam
Human-Computer Interaction (2)
AutoCAD Mechanical
James Tam
Human-Computer Interaction (3)
James Tam
Graphics
Concerned with everything to do with producing images on the
computer.
Scene from MechWarrior 4: Vengeance © Microsoft
James Tam
Graphics (2)
Highly mathematical
James Tam
Information Visualization
Finding ways of representing information in a way that amplifies
cognition.
James Tam
Databases
Concerned with the efficient storage, retrieval and distribution of
information
It can be a difficult challenge!
James Tam
Databases (2)
Concerned with the efficient storage, retrieval and distribution of
information
It can be a difficult challenge!
James Tam
Theory
e.g., Distributed Computing
THINK © United Devices Inc. is part of a distributed Cancer research project. For more
information go to http://www.ud.com
James Tam
Theory (2)
Ensuring proper order
James Tam
Theory (3)
Section One
2nd
Section Two
1st
Section Three
3rd
James Tam
Simulations
Images from http://www.simlabs.arc.nasa.gov/vs.
James Tam
Simulations (2)
Recreating behaviour by an analogous model or situation to gain
information more conveniently or to train personnel.
Why simulate?
•
•
•
•
Complex systems
Dangerous experiments
Controlled conditions
Cost savings
James Tam
Artificial Intelligence
What makes a person smart?
Photo from www.startrek.com © Paramount
How do make a smart machine?
James Tam
Artificial Intelligence (2)
How do we know we have a "smart machine"?
• Turing test
???
?
?
James Tam
Computer Vision
Determining what an object is based on it's visual appearance
• e.g. Six?
James Tam
Software Engineering
Avoid "hacking-out" software
Involves develop systematic ways of producing good software on
time and within budget
Dilbert © United Features Syndicate
James Tam
Games Programming
Pulls together many areas of Computer Science
Interdisciplinary
The U of C is the only Canadian university to offer this area of
study.
Blatant
advertisement!!!
WarCraft III © Blizzard Entertainment
James Tam