CompSci 161 - Prerequisites Winter, 2025 (Dillencourt)
The prerequisites for this course as listed in the course catalog are:
- Math 2B (Single-Variable Calculus II)
- ICS 6B (Boolean Logic and Discrete Structures)
- ICS 6D (Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science)
- ICS/CSE 46 (Data Structure Implementation and Analysis) with a grade
of C or better
In addition, it is assumed that you have mastered the mathematics that leads
up to calculus, in particular high-school algebra and basic arithmetic.
You should be able to correctly perform the following computations
using only pencil and paper without using a calculator or other
computing device:
- Multiplication of two 3-digit integers
- Long division by a 3-digit divisor
- Arithmetic on fractions with up to a 3-digit denominator
- Calculate any value ab, where
a and b are positive integers and
the value ab is less than 2000.
Calculators and other electronic devices are not allowed on tests in this
class.
Some of the prerequisite/introductory material that you will be expected to
know is covered
in the class lecture notes (Notes 1, and the first 7 slides of Notes 2).
During the first few lectures, I will go over this material, but I will not
cover all of it in detail. I recommend you do the following:
- Read each slide
- If you understand everything on the slide, move on to the next slide
- If there is something you don't understand on the slide, watch the
corresponding portion of the recorded lectures.
- If you still have a question about the alide after watching the
corresponding portion of the recorded lectures, ask your question as a
public post on Ed Discussion. Keep in mind that focused and
specific questions usually receive better answers than broader and unfocused
questions.
Alternatively, you can watch the recorded lectures all the way through.
I will cover a few topics from the prerequisite/introductory
material in detail in class.
These topics include:
- Asymptotic notation
- Harmonic numbers
- Proofs / Proof by induction
- Basic probability
As
noted on the landing page for the class web aite,
there will be
an online self-assessment quiz on the prerequisite/introductory material.
This quiz will be released on Friday of Week 1
and is to be taken by
by Tuesday of week 2.
The quiz will be given on GradeScope, so you should sign up for GradeScope
before the release date of the quiz.
(For instructions on how to sign up for GradeScope,
click here
and read the first three paragraphs.)
Taking this quiz by the due date
is worth 2% of your grade, irrespective of your score on the quiz.
If you do poorly
on the quiz, you should seriously consider dropping the class,
reviewing the prerequisite/introductor material, and taking the class
after you have a stronger background in the prerequisite/introductory material.
Last modified: January 5, 2025