Course overview

Welcome to Computer Science I! This is an introductory course in computer science, with an emphasis on problem solving and programming in Java. You will become familiar with the syntax and structure of Java, but this course is about more than just one language. You will gain exposure to some of the fundamentals of computer science, including problem decomposition, algorithm design, software construction, arithmetic and logical operations, control flow through conditional execution, iteration, and recursion, classes, data structures, and object-oriented programming. This course is designed for majors and non-majors alike, and upon completion, students will have enhanced their reasoning and logic skills, which will serve them well in many disciplines. A score of 4 or 5 on the AP Computer Science A exam may be used to test out of this course (however if your AP course was not taught in Java we encourage you to discuss testing out with faculty in the computer science department).

Note: this course contributes to the data analytics minor.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course students will be expected to be able to do the following:
  • Explain core concepts in computer science
  • Convert between binary, decimal, and hexadecimal numbers
  • Distinguish between primitive data and objects, and how to convert between the two when applicable
  • Create interactive programs using Scanner and Java's printing functions
  • Understand Java's arithmetic and logical operators in order to evaluate expressions to the rules of the language
  • Understand and apply conditional execution, iteration, and recursion
  • Understand how and when to use arrays and ArrayLists for storing compound data
  • Apply decomposition, abstraction, and pattern recognition through the use of reusable methods
  • Design custom classes and objects with proper encapsulation
  • Use the Random and Math packages for special mathematical operations
This list is neither exhaustive nor set in stone.

Instructor

Name: Arjun Chandrasekhar (he/him/his)
Lecture:
  • Section 1: Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 9:30 am - 10:45 am in FJS 201
  • Section 2: Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 11:00 am - 12:15 pm in FJS 201

Email: chandrasa@southwestern.edu
Student Hours: Schedule them by appointment here using Calendly.
  • I help organize Computer Science Lunch (approximately) every other Friday from 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm in Mabee Commons. If you come to CS lunch I am happy to help you out. Keep an eye out for announcements about when CS lunch will take place this semester.

Tutors

CS 1 Tutoring for Fall 2026 will take place at the Tutoring center in the Smith library. starting TBD. You can register for tutoring here, or you can drop in for without registering. Tutors will be available at the following times:
  • Alyanna Martinez will tutor on TBD from TBD - TBD
  • TBD will tutor on TBD from TBD - TBD

Course Links

Here is a tentative calendar for the course.