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Introduction to Computer Programming I

Autumn 2026

Welcome to CSE 121: Introduction to Computer Programming I 🎉

What is this class? What will I learn?

Computing continues to play an ever-increasing role in today’s society. Having an understanding of computing is an essential skill for those in the 21st century; from working in industries more reliant on technology, using computational methods to further scientific understanding, or being an informed citizen in a world with technology all around us.

This course is a first course in computer programming focused on the basics of procedural programming in Java. It assumes students have not taken a previous programming course and do not have substantial other programming experience.

Students with previous experience are encouraged to consider CSE 122 or see the Allen School’s page on introductory courses.

This Week (at a glance)¶

Wednesday (09/30)

  • Lesson 0: Welcome!
    A lecture @ 11:30am in KNE 130, B lecture @ 3:30pm in BAG 131
    • No Pre-Class Work for today!

Thursday (10/01)

  • Section 0: Welcome!

Friday (10/02)

  • Pre-Class Material 1 (Complete before class.)
  • Lesson 1: Printing, Strings, Variables
    A lecture @ 11:30am in KNE 130, B lecture @ 3:30pm in BAG 131

Calendar¶

Pre-Class

Anything listed in the “pre-class” materials (PCMs) for a day should be read before attending class that day. The PCMs are a first introduction to the most important terms and concepts for that day of class. It is okay if the PCMs don’t make complete sense as we have the rest of the class day to clarify the concepts, but if you don’t do the PCMs, the class session won’t make any sense.

Date Topic Programming Projects Computer Quizzes
Week 0
Tue 09/29 No section
Wed 09/30
LES 00 Welcome!

Note: Normally you would complete the Pre-class Work before class. There is nothing you need to complete before class today!

in-class: pdf pptx materials
Thu 10/01
SEC 00 Welcome!
Fri 10/02
LES 01 Printing, Strings, Variables
Week 1
Tue 10/06
SEC 01 Printing, Strings, Variables
Wed 10/07
LES 02 Datatypes, Expressions
Released
P0
Cornbear's Café
by 11:59pm PT
Thu 10/08
SEC 02 Datatypes, Expressions
Fri 10/09
LES 03 String Methods, More Variables
Week 2
Tue 10/13
SEC 03 String Methods, More Variables
Wed 10/14
LES 04 Conditionals, Random
Open
CQ0
Computer Quiz 0
Based On P0 Sign up on Canvas
Thu 10/15
SEC 04 Conditionals, Random
Fri 10/16
LES 05 for Loops
Week 3
Tue 10/20
QUIZ 00 Quiz 0
Wed 10/21
LES 06 Nested Loops, Cumulative Sum, Scope
Released
P1
Election Simulator
by 11:59pm PT
Thu 10/22
SEC 06 for Loops, Nested Loops, Cumulative Sum, Scope
Fri 10/23
LES 07 Methods, Parameters, Revisiting Scope
Week 4
Tue 10/27
SEC 07 Methods, Parameters
Wed 10/28
LES 08 More Methods and Parameters, Returns
Open
CQ1
Computer Quiz 1
Based On P1 Sign up on Canvas
Thu 10/29
SEC 08 Methods, Parameters, Returns
Fri 10/30
LES 09 while Loops
Week 5
Tue 11/03
QUIZ 01 Quiz 1
Wed 11/04
LES 10 User Input (Scanner)
Released
P2
Prioritizing Patients
by 11:59pm PT
Thu 11/05
SEC 10 while Loops, User Input (Scanner)
Fri 11/06
LES 11 Arrays
Week 6
Tue 11/10
SEC 11 Arrays
Wed 11/11
HOLIDAY University Holiday (Veterans' Day)
Open
CQ2
Computer Quiz 2
Based On P2 Sign up on Canvas
Thu 11/12
SEC 12 TBD
Fri 11/13
LES 13 Putting It All Together
Week 7
Tue 11/17
QUIZ 02 Quiz 2
Wed 11/18
LES 14 Reference Semantics
Released
P3
TBA
by 11:59pm PT
Thu 11/19
SEC 14 Reference Semantics
Fri 11/20
LES 15 2D Arrays
Week 8
Tue 11/24
SEC 15 2D Arrays
Wed 11/25
LES 16 Optional Lecture
Thu 11/26
HOLIDAY University Holiday (Thanksgiving)
Fri 11/27
HOLIDAY University Holiday (Native American Heritage Day)
Week 9
Tue 12/01
SEC 16 TBD
Wed 12/02
LES 18 Array Patterns
Open
CQ3
Computer Quiz 3
Based On P3 Sign up on Canvas
Thu 12/03
SEC 17 Array Patterns
Fri 12/04
LES 19 Putting It All Together
Week 10
Tue 12/08
SEC 18 Final Exam Review
Wed 12/09
LES 20 Final Exam Review
Thu 12/10
SEC 19 Final Exam Review
Fri 12/11
LES 21 Victory Lap / Final Exam Review

Note: No Pre-Class Material for Today!

Week 11
Tue 12/15
Wed 12/16
EXAM Final Exam 12:30 - 2:20pm
Thu 12/17
Fri 12/18

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