PX01x – An Introduction to Computer Science

PX01x – An Introduction to Computer Science

Course Overview:

PX01x – An Introduction to Computer Science is designed as a comprehensive and beginner-friendly entry point into the world of programming and computational thinking. The course takes learners on a journey from the very basics of problem-solving and information representation to the development of full-fledged applications using modern programming languages and tools.

With a hands-on approach, PX01x introduces students to fundamental concepts in computer science, starting with Scratch for visual programming, advancing through C for low-level control, and transitioning to Python, SQL, and web programming for high-level problem solving and application development.

By the end of the course, students will not only know how to code, but more importantly, how to think like a computer scientist—an essential skill for tackling challenges in any field.

What You’ll Learn:

• Computational Thinking & Scratch: Learn to approach problems methodically through logic, abstraction, algorithms, and block-based programming.
• C Programming Fundamentals: Understand memory, data types, variables, conditionals, loops, and how software interacts closely with hardware.
• Arrays & Data Structures: Store and organize data efficiently using arrays, strings, linked lists, hash tables, trees, and tries.
• Algorithms & Problem Solving: Explore searching, sorting, recursion, and efficiency analysis (Big O notation).
• Memory Management: Master pointers, addresses, dynamic memory allocation, and debugging with tools like Valgrind.
• Python Programming: Transition to high-level coding with simplified syntax, powerful data structures, and object-oriented features.
• Databases & SQL: Learn to design, query, and manage relational databases using SQL for real-world data management.
• Web Programming with Flask: Build dynamic, data-driven web applications by integrating Python, HTML, CSS, and SQL.
• Capstone & Projects: Apply all concepts in practical coding challenges and a final project that demonstrates mastery.

Who This Course Is For:

• Absolute beginners with no prior coding experience.
• Students exploring computer science as a field of study.
• Professionals seeking a structured foundation in programming.
• Anyone eager to learn problem-solving and computational thinking skills applicable beyond programming.

Course Format:

• Duration: 10–12 weeks (self-paced or instructor-guided).
• Structure: 10 modules, each combining lectures, readings, and hands-on labs.
• Assessments: Problem sets, quizzes, and a final project.
• Resources: Access to coding environments, sample code, and guided projects.

Outcome:

By completing PX01x, learners will gain a solid foundation in computer science, experience with multiple programming languages, and the ability to design and implement efficient solutions to real-world problems. Most importantly, students will develop the lifelong skill of learning new technologies independently.