CSC 241: Introduction to Computing I

4 Credits · Fall 2026/27 · Section 403

Umer Huzaifa, PhD

Basic Information Catalog Description Evaluation & Grading Academic Policies Schedule

Basic Information

Time and Location

Instructor

Textbook

Introduction to Computing Using Python: An Application Development Focus, by Ljubomir Perkovic. The textbook is available in the bookstore, on Amazon, and on Vital Source (ebook version).

Online Resources


Catalog Description

This course is the first of a two-course sequence introducing computer science. The focus of the course is on problem solving, algorithm development, and structured and object-oriented programming using Python and the Python API (application programming interface), all in the context of building computer applications. In the first course we will focus on structured programming and learn how and when to use conditionals, loops, and functional and modular abstractions. After you have taken this class, you will:

Prerequisites: MAT 130 or Mathematics Diagnostic Test placement into MAT 140.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes are observable changes in your technical acumen after having taken this class. After taking this class:


Evaluation and Grading

Exams

The two exams are scheduled as follows:

Mid Exam (Week 6) — Tuesday, October 20, 2026 (in-class, 10:10–11:40 AM)

Last Class — Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Final Exam — Thursday, November 19, 2026 (8:30–10:45 AM, in-class)

Homework

Weekly assignments derived from the textbook will be posted here. No late submissions will be accepted. A total of 8 homework assignments will be given.

Lab Sessions

Weighted Breakdown of Grade

Course elements contribute to the overall course grade as follows:

Lab Sessions 20%
Homework 10%
Midterm Exam 35%
Final Exam 35%

Grading is straight percentage as follows:

90%+ → A 80%+ → B 70%+ → C 60%+ → D

Course Policies

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Respect for Diversity and Inclusion at DePaul University as aligned with our Vincentian Values

At DePaul, our mission calls us to explore “what must be done” in order to respect the inherent dignity and identity of each human person. We value diversity because it is part of our history, our traditions and our future. We see diversity as an asset and a strength that adds to the richness of classroom learning. In my course, I strive to include diverse authors, perspectives and teaching pedagogies. I also encourage open dialogue and spaces for students to express their unique identities and perspectives. I am open to having difficult conversations and I will strive to create an inclusive classroom that values all perspectives. If at any time, the classroom experience does not live up to this expectation, please feel free to contact me via email or during office hours.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Please see this page for additional information.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

More information can be found at the Academic Integrity policy page.

Posting work on online sites, such as CourseHero

All students are expected to abide by the University’s Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at: DePaul Policies and Procedures.

Incomplete Grades

An incomplete grade is a special, temporary grade that may be assigned by an instructor when unforeseeable circumstances prevent a student from completing course requirements by the end of the term and when otherwise the student had a record of satisfactory progress in the course. All incomplete requests must be approved by the instructor of the course. Only exceptional cases will receive such approval. Information about the Incomplete Grades policy can be found here.

Preferred Name & Gender Pronouns

Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this preference early in the quarter so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. Please also note that students may choose to identify within the University community with a preferred first name that differs from their legal name and may also update their gender. The preferred first name will appear in University related systems and documents except where the use of the legal name is necessitated or required by University business or legal need. For more information and instructions on how to do so, please see the Student Preferred Name and Gender Policy.

Students with Disabilities

Students seeking disability-related accommodations are required to register with DePaul’s Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) enabling them to access accommodations and support services to assist with their success. There are two office locations:

Students who register with the Center for Students with Disabilities are also invited to contact Dr. Gregory Moorhead, Director of the Center, privately to discuss how he may assist in facilitating the accommodations to be used in a course. This is best done early in the term. The conversation will remain confidential to the extent possible. Please see Services and Contact Information.

Course Schedule

Reading assignments are from the textbook. The topics schedule is tentative and subject to change during the quarter.

Course Schedule

Reading assignments are from the textbook. The topics schedule is tentative and subject to change during the quarter.

Week Date Topics Homework Labs Reading
0 Thursday, Sept 10, 2026

Introduction

Expressions

Installing Python

AI-generated Stock Alert App

— No Lab Ch 1, 2
1 Tuesday, Sept 15, 2026 Boolean expressions, Data Types HW 1 – Interactive Python and Scripting (Due: Sept 22) Ch 2 (Sec. 2.1–2.2)
1 Thursday, Sept 17, 2026 Lists — Lab 1 – Interactive Python Ch 2 (Sec. 2.3)
2 Tuesday, Sept 22, 2026 Python Programs and Input/Output Structures HW 2 – Conditional Structures (Due: Sept 29) Ch 3 (Sec. 3.1, 3.3)
2 Thursday, Sept 24, 2026 Decision Structures, Functions — Lab 2 – Booleans and Lists Ch 3 (Sec. 3.2–3.3)
3 Tuesday, Sept 29, 2026 Functions HW 3 - Defining and Using Functions (Due: Oct 6) — Ch 3 (Sec. 3.3–3.5)
3 Thursday, Oct 1, 2026 Functions — Lab 3 – Conditionals and Functions (Oct 1) Ch 3 (Sec. 3.3–3.5)
4 Tuesday, Oct 6, 2026 Loops (use of for loops) HW 4 – Functions and Counting (Due: Oct 15) Ch 5 (Sec. 5.1, 5.2)
4 Thursday, Oct 8, 2026 Loops for Counting — Lab 4 – Introduction to Loops Ch 5 (Sec. 5.2)
5 Tuesday, Oct 13, 2026 Loops by Value and Index HW 5 - Introduction to Loops (Due: Oct 20) —
5 Thursday, Oct 15, 2026 Formatted Output, Exceptions — Lab 5 – Practice Mid Exam Mid Exam Review Doc; Ch 4 (Sec. 4.1–4.2, 4.4); Ch 5 (Sec. 5.5)
Tuesday, Oct 20, 2026 — Mid Exam (in-class)
6 Thursday, Oct 22, 2026 Formatted Output, File Handling — Lab 6 – Debugging Problems Ch 4 (Sec. 4.1–4.3); Ch 5 (Sec. 5.4, 5.5); Ch 6 (Sec. 6.3)
7 Tuesday, Oct 27, 2026 File Handling, while loops; Loop patterns (iteration and indexed loops) HW 6 – Loops, File Handling (Due: Oct 27) — Ch 4 (Sec. 4.4), Ch 5 (Sec. 5.4)
7 Thursday, Oct 29, 2026 Loop patterns (indexed and accumulator loops) — Lab 7 – Loop Patterns Ch 5 (Sec. 5.2)
8 Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026 Loop patterns (accumulator and nested loops) HW 7 – Loops, Lists, 2D Lists (Due: Nov 5) — Ch 5 (Sec. 5.2)
8 Thursday, Nov 5, 2026 Dictionaries; Dictionaries (Cont'd) — Lab 8 – Iteration, Index-based and Nested Loops Ch 6 (Sec. 6.1)
9 Tuesday, Nov 10, 2026 Dictionaries, Tuples, Sets, Random Module HW 8 – Loops, Dictionaries (Due: Nov 12) — Ch 6 (Sec. 6.1, 6.2, 6.4)
9 Thursday, Nov 12, 2026 Tuples, Sets, Random Module — Lab 9 – Dictionary, Random Module Ch 6 (Sec. 6.2, 6.4)
10 Tuesday, Nov 17, 2026 Review for Final Exam — — Final Exam Review
Thursday, Nov 19, 2026 — Final Exam (in-class) 8:30 AM – 10:45 AM

Regular week   Exam week