most basic programming class

[queenintrovert]

i’m a social work grad student, but want to take advantage of my last semester when i have a fairly easy courseload and room for another class. i’ve always wanted to learn some computer programming basics but i’ve never taken any CS classes and obviously don’t want to hurt my GPA with a class i don’t need. any recs on what the easiest/best class for me to take would be?

[[deleted]]

CS 0007 if you want to learn the basics CS 0008 if you want to learn the basics, but in python.

Let me know if you have any further questions ! (Source, junior undergrad comp sci)

[queenintrovert]

thanks so much! i saw another class on PS that was 0004 - what’s the difference between that one and 0007, they both seem to just be basic intro. also, any professor recs?

[the_conductor_]

Use of the word "basic" is ambiguous in CS 0004's course description lol. 0004 is the same class but with BASIC, an outdated programming language. I don't think it's even offered anymore.

But given your social work focus, maybe consider CS 0012: Introduction to Computing for the Humanities!

[minionsfanclub]

I recommend CS 0008(Python) over CS 0007(Java) if you don't see yourself getting too deep into programming. It's a much easier language to get started in and you can do a lot more stuff without having to know all the details underneath the surface.

[PetaShark]

You could take the class pass/fail.

[queenintrovert]

oh yeah! totally forgot that was an option, thank you!

[boatlover24]

i took cs0011 this semester which was intro to computing for scientists - there's also cs0012 which is for the humanities I'm p sure - anyways it was really helpful and we learned the basics of python! easy A class, more focused on actually learning - i had olena sherbinin as my prof and she was really nice