This two-part course builds upon the programming skills that you learned in our Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python course. We will augment those skills with both important programming practices and critical mathematical problem solving skills. These skills underlie larger scale computational problem solving and programming. The main focus of the class will be programming weekly mini-projects in Python that build upon the mathematical and programming principles that are taught in the class. To keep the class fun and engaging, many of the projects will involve working with strategy-based games.
Offered By
Fundamentals of Computing SpecializationRice UniversityAbout this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
23%
started a new career after completing these courses
36%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
12%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
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Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 3 of 7 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Intermediate Level
Approx. 19 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish, Chinese
Skills you will gain
Computer ProgrammingAlgorithmsPython ProgrammingCombinatorics
Learner Career Outcomes
23%
started a new career after completing these courses
36%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
12%
got a pay increase or promotion
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 3 of 7 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Intermediate Level
Approx. 19 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (Brazilian), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish, Chinese
Offered by
Rice University
Rice University is consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the U.S. and the top 100 in the world. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
6 hours to complete
Required Python knowledge, coding standards, and machine grading
This week, we will introduce you to the structure and standards of the Principles of Computing courses.
6 hours to complete
10 videos (Total 104 min), 9 readings, 3 quizzes
10 videos
Introduction6m
Required Python Knowledge12m
Coding Style and Standards11m
Python Modules7m
Machine Grading10m
Mini-project Video5m
CodeSkulptor11m
Saving in CodeSkulptor9m
Beyond CodeSkulptor (15:12) (optional video)15m
9 readings
Required Python Knowledge10m
Guidelines for Coding Style10m
Importing Custom Modules in Python10m
Mini-project Description10m
204810m
Math Expressions for Homework10m
Math Notes on Functions10m
Practice Mini-project - Solitaire Mancala10m
Python Development Environments10m
1 practice exercise
Homework 130m
3 hours to complete
Testing, plotting, and grids
This week, we will explain the importance of testing. We will also learn to solve problems with grids.
3 hours to complete
5 videos (Total 34 min), 4 readings, 2 quizzes
4 readings
Building Tests for Python Programs10m
Mini-project Description10m
Math Notes on Grid Representations10m
Practice Activity - Testing Solitaire Mancala10m
1 practice exercise
Homework 230m
3 hours to complete
Probability, randomness, and objects/references
This we will learn how to use probability and randomness to solve problems.
3 hours to complete
6 videos (Total 56 min), 6 readings, 2 quizzes
6 videos
Basics of Probability10m
Expected Value 13m
Monte Carlo Methods6m
Objects and References 11m
Mini-project Video9m
6 readings
Mini-project Description10m
TTTBoard Class10m
Math Notes on Basic Probability10m
Math Notes on Expected Value10m
Practice Mini-project - Nim (Monte Carlo)10m
Practice Activity - The Monty Hall Problem10m
1 practice exercise
Homework 330m
3 hours to complete
Combinatorics, generators, and debugging
This week, we will learn how to use combinatorics to solve problems.
3 hours to complete
6 videos (Total 68 min), 5 readings, 2 quizzes
6 videos
Enumeration10m
Permutations and Combinations13m
Combinatorics and Password Breaking 15m
Debugging18m
Mini-project Video5m
5 readings
Mini-project Description10m
Math Notes on Enumeration10m
Math Notes on Permutations and Combinations10m
Practice Activity - Analyzing a Simple Dice Game10m
Practice Activity - Counting Game States10m
1 practice exercise
Homework 430m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTING (PART 1)
by SNMay 6, 2019
This course is very good for beginners and intermediate coders. Gives important basics about computer science from 3 very good professors.
by JJMay 15, 2018
very wellmade assignments! that goes a long way! plotting seemed a bit superflous and not much learned.\n\nThank you professors!
by PVJun 26, 2016
It's quite a step up from the level op IPP. Assignments are also a bit more difficult but still very enjoyable puzzles to solve.
by IBJun 11, 2017
Yay, no more peer grading! This course felt easier than intro2. Less fiddling with your programs and more about concepts.
About the Fundamentals of Computing Specialization
This Specialization covers much of the material that first-year Computer Science students take at Rice University. Students learn sophisticated programming skills in Python from the ground up and apply these skills in building more than 20 fun projects. The Specialization concludes with a Capstone exam that allows the students to demonstrate the range of knowledge that they have acquired in the Specialization.
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