Computer Science 106. Basics of Computing
Computers may be one of the most ubiquitous tools in today’s technology-saturated life, but the task-oriented view many users have may be a limited one. Although the computer is an excellent vehicle for word processing or online communication with friends and family, its strength lies in the ways it can be applied as a universal tool toward a broad range of real-world problems. This course explores the true nature of computers from the inside out, beginning with the physical nature of the machine within the box and journeying through the layers of how it functions and the underlying mathematical concepts. Along the way, computer programming becomes both accessible and fun through “Alice,” an animation-rich 3D environment in which the programmer designs worlds and instructs virtual actors to animate scenes, perform tasks and play games using a precise vocabulary that reflects real programming techniques.
