EECS 110: Discover Computer Science
EECS 110: Discover Computer Science is a two-credit course for students who are curious about computer science and have little or no prior programming experience. No coding background is assumed, and everyone is welcome.
Throughout the semester, you will progress from writing your first line of Python code to creating a project of your own. You will learn foundational programming concepts — including variables, conditionals, loops, lists, dictionaries, and functions — while developing practical skills in reading, writing, and debugging programs. By hearing from current CS majors and computing professionals, you will also discover the many ways people study and apply computer science. By the end of the course, you will have a strong foundation in Python, a broader understanding of the field, and the confidence to continue exploring computer science.
Past syllabi
Course components
| Component | Grade | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Attendance | 3% | Graded on 9 of 11 classes (2 absences are dropped). |
| Labs | 14% | Group work in the second half of class: a coding portion plus a worksheet. |
| Quizzes | 5% | Taken in class on PrairieLearn; your 2 lowest scores are dropped. |
| Homework | 28% | Weekly assignments that reinforce the previous lecture. |
| CS interview | 10% | Interview someone further along in CS and write a short reflection. |
| Final project | 25% | In groups, code a game and present on an intermediate CS topic. |
| CS engagement points | 15% | Points for class activities (office hours, course evals) and beyond (a CS student-org event, reading a CS book). Each point = 1% of your grade. |
See what a typical week looks like on the Schedule page.
Quick links for current students
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Piazza
Ask questions here
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Gradescope
Lab, homework & project submissions
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Google Drive
Slides & assignment instructions
More, including Python references, on the Resources page.