CPSC 399.04: A Survey of Computer Science for Non-Majors

This course provides students with an accessible, informative and (at times) entertaining exploration of many different computing topics. It emphasizes familiarity with a broad array of subjects within computer science rather than depth, helps debunk common misconceptions, and motivates and provides background for further formal or independent study in the area. Topics that could be covered in the course include computing hardware, data representation, data compression, computer graphics, sorting algorithms, artificial intelligence techniques, databases, networks, security and privacy, among others. This course does not include significant programming or advanced mathematics.

CPSC 399.04 is only intended for students outside of computer science and other programming intensive disciplines. Students currently enrolled in any computer science, electrical engineering, software engineering or computer engineering program are not permitted to enroll in it. Natural Science students with Computer Science as their Primary Concentration (CN1) are also unable to enroll.

In order to enroll in CPSC 399.04 you must have "Consent of the Department". Consent will be granted to students that are not enrolled in one of the restricted programs. To request consent send a brief email that includes your name, ID number and a request to enroll in CPSC 399.04 to science.advising@ucalgary.ca.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this a 'Learn to Use Microsoft Office' course?
A: No! This course is a broad introduction to concepts and subjects within computer science. It is not a course about a particular software package.

Q: What do you mean when you say 'This course does not include significant programming or advanced mathematics'?
A: Computer programming and advanced mathematics are both important for computer science. In this course I might show you a computer program that does something interesting and highlight the key steps in it, but I'd never expect you to memorize the program or recreate it. I might expect you to recall what the key steps were. Similarly, I might show you a calculation that involves advanced mathematics, tell you what it does and why that's important. While I might expect you to recall why it's important I'd never expect you to be able to reproduce the calculation or apply it to a different set of values.

Q: Do I have to do any math at all in this course?
A: You will be expect to do some arithmetic including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and remainder operations as we will need such arithmetic when we examine binary numbers and some cryptography topics. A small number of exam questions could include arithmetic.

Important Dates

This course will be offered in an online format for the Fall 2020 semester due to the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19. This is expected to primarily consist of live Zoom lectures that are also recorded and available for later viewing. A small number of lectures may be pre-recorded. The date information below is tentative and may change as additional information about the nature of the fall semester becomes available.

  • Wednesday September 8, 2020: Classes Begin
  • Friday October 9, 2020: Midterm Exam #1 during class time
    • This exam will take place online.
  • Monday October 12, 2020: No class due to the Thanksgiving Holiday
  • Friday November 6, 2020: Midterm Exam #2 during class time
    • This exam will take place online.
  • Monday November 9, 2020 to Friday November 13, 2020: No classes due to the Fall Break
  • Wednesday December 9, 2020: Classes End
  • Final Exam: Date and time to be determined
    • This exam will take place online.

Assessments

All exams are closed-book with no aids permitted.

  • Midterm Exam #1
    • During class on Friday October 9, 2020
    • Multiple Choice
    • Weight: 20%
    • Online
  • Midterm Exam #2
    • During class on Friday November 6, 2020
    • Multiple Choice
    • Weight: 20%
    • Online
  • Final Exam
    • Date and time to be determined
    • Multiple Choice
    • Weight: 60%
    • Online

Support Materials
  • Textbook: None
  • Course Information Sheet
  • A Zoom link for the lectures can be found in D2L.
  • Some of the PowerPoint slides are posted in D2L. Additional slides will be posted in D2L once they are available.