Which Computer Science Course
Should I Take?

by Professor R. T. Ross
Cal Poly Computer Science Dept.

Introductory computer science courses can be subdivided into two broad categories: computer programming versus computer literacy. The first three courses listed below (CSC 101, 234, 231) focus on programming. The last four courses (111,119,110,113) focus on using the computer as a tool, with a minimum of programming.

CSC 101 is the normal first course for Computer Science majors and others who plan to make computer programming a major part of their professional lives. Do not take this course unless you plan to continue through at least CSC 102. Although this course is designed to be a first college-level course, most of its students enter the course with significant prior experience with computers; students not already comfortable with computers should consider taking CSC 111 (described below) before taking CSC 101. C++ is the programming language currently taught in CSC 101.

CSC 234 is a course in the C programming language. Many other popular languages, such as C++ and Java, are adaptations of C, so this course is a good place to learn programming in the style of these languages.

CSC 231 is a course in the Fortran programming language. The primary audience for this course is engineering and science majors who want to take a programming course, but do not expect to make computer programming a major part of their professional lives and do not expect to work with computer- machine interfaces.

CSC 111 is a course for science and engineering majors who want to learn how to use computers effectively with a minimum of computer programming. About two thirds of the course is devoted to use of the spreadsheet program Excel. Beginning Winter 1999, the course will include several weeks of instruction on programming within Excel in the VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) language.

CSC 119 is for Business majors and others wanting to learn both general computer skills and the business applications of computers. About half of the course is devoted to spreadsheet and database programs (MS Excel and MS Access). Except for the extra time devoted to databases, CSC 119 is very similar to CSC 110.

CSC 110 and CSC 113 are very similar courses for those wanting to learn general computer skills. CSC 110 is taught using PCs running Microsoft Windows, and CSC 113 is taught using Macs. In both courses, and in CSC 119, most of the class time is devoted to independent work on a series of three or four projects for which students have a great deal of freedom to set their own goals. Areas covered typically include word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, and Web-page construction. Some sections may cover databases and/or image editing.