CSE 120: Computer Science Principles

Introduces fundamental concepts of computer science and computational thinking. Includes logical reasoning, problem solving, data representation, abstraction, the creation of digital artifacts such as web pages and programs, managing complexity, operation of computers and networks, effective web searching, ethical, legal and social aspects of information technology. May not be taken for credit if credit earned in CSE 100/INFO 100.

The goal of this class, therefore, is for you to understand enough about the principles of computing and computational thinking that you could

come up with a new idea of how to use computation to solve your own problem, or
understand someone else's new idea on how to use computation, and see its value, or
be the first user of a new computational idea, when most of the features don’t work

If the world is changing because we are using more computers and using computation in new and exciting ways, you need to be thinking computationally. You need to use it and contribute to it. That’s what we teach in this class.