Term: Fall 2026

Instructor: Kelly Shiptoski

Course Info

Welcome to CS113: Introduction to Computer Science!

This is an introduction to the discipline of computer science, suitable for those students with a mature quantitative ability. This fast-paced course covers the basics of computer programming, with an emphasis on program design, problem decomposition, and object-oriented programming in Java. Graduates of this course will be able to write small computer programs independently; examples include data processing for a data-based science course, small games, or estimating likelihood of probabilistic events, etc. No computer programming experience is necessary or expected. Students are required to register for a weekly lab.

Meeting Times

Activity Location Time

Lecture

Park 245

Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:10 PM - 2:30 PM

Lab

Park 231

Tuesdays 2:40 PM - 4:00 PM

Office Hours - Prof. Kelly Shiptoski

Park 204

Tuesdays 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM, and Flexible 1 Hr Zoom

TA Office Hours - TBA

TBA

TBA

Schedule

The syllabus may change during the semester. Please check here every week for updates on lecture content, worksheets, and assignments.

Week Date Agenda Reading

1

Sept 1, 3

Course Introduction, Terminal, Compilation, Data Types (Ints, Doubles, Strings)

  • Chapter 1: Computer Programming

  • Chapter 2: Variables & Operators

2

Sept 8, 10

Input / Output, Methods I

  • Assignment 02: Variables & I/O, Due Sept 11

  • Lab Sept 8: Variables, Converting Data Types, Input

  • Chapter 3: Input & Output

  • Chapter 4: Methods & Testing

3

Sept 15, 17

Methods II, Conditionals I

  • Assignment 03: Methods, Due Sept 18

  • Lab Sept 15: Methods

  • Chapter 5: Conditionals & Logic

4

Sept 22, 24

Conditionals II, Recursion I

  • Assignment 04: Methods Conditionals, & Strings, Due Sept 25

  • Lab Sept 22: Conditionals & Strings

  • Chapter 6: Recursive Methods

5

Sept 29, Oct 1

Recursion II, Loops I

  • Assignment 05: Recursion, Due Oct 2

  • Lab Sept 29: Recursion & Arrays

  • Chapter 9: Loops

6

Oct 6, 8

Loops II, Arrays I

  • Assignment 06: Recursion & Arrays, Due Oct 9

  • Lab Oct 8: Recursive Array Methods

  • Chapter 8: Arrays and References

7

Oct 13, 15

Fall Break

  • NO LECTURES, LABS, HOMEWORKS

8

Oct 20, 22

Midterm Review, Midterm Exam

9

Oct 27, 29

Arrays II, Mutable vs Immutable Objects

  • Assignment 07: Loops, Due Oct 30

  • Lab Oct 27: Loops and 2D Arrays

  • Chapter 10: Immutable Objects

  • Chapter 11: Mutable Objects

10

Nov 3, 5

Class Design

  • Assignment 08: Game (TBD), Due Nov 6

  • Lab Nov 3: TBD (Probably Files and Exceptions)

  • Chapter 12: Designing Classes

11

Nov 10, 12

Inheritance

  • Assignment 09: Object Oriented Programming, Due Nov 13

  • Lab Nov 10: Class Design

  • Chapter 15: Extending Classes

12

Nov 17, 19

Interfaces, Linear Search

  • Assignment 10: Objects, Classes, & Interfaces, Due Nov 20

  • Lab Nov 17: Interfaces

  • Chapter 18.7: Interfaces

13

Nov 24

Binary Search

  • No labs and no homework! Happy Thanksgiving!

  • Chapter 13.8: Binary Search

14

Dec 1, 3

Sorting

  • Assignment 11: Sorting, Due Dec 4

  • Lab Dec 1: Sorting

  • Chapter 13: Objects of Arrays

15

Dec 8, 10

Runtime Analysis, Final Review

  • Lab Dec 8: Runtime Analysis

Text and Tools

Grading Policies

All graded work will receive a grade, 4.0, 3.7, 3.3, 3.0, 2.7, 2.3, 2.0, 1.7, 1.3, 1.0, or 0.0. At the end of the semester, final grades will be calculated as a weighted average of all grades according to the following weights:

35%

Final Exam

35%

Midterm Exam

10%

Assignments

15%

Labs and Quizzes

5%

Participation and Attendance

Labs, quizzes, exams

Labs and Quizzes are mandatory. No credit is possible for missed quizzes. If you must miss a quiz, you must make arrangements to take the quiz at another time BEFORE the scheduled quiz. If you miss a quiz for medical reasons, you must provide a doctor’s note.

Labs will consist of hands-on practice in teams, alternating each week between written exercises and timed coding sessions. Coding sessions will be graded and count towards your quiz grade. Worksheets count towards your participation grade.

Labs will consist of hands-on programming challenges (completed in teams) and closed book quizzes. Quizzes will be announced the week prior.

There will be one midterm exam and final exam for the semester. Details and dates will be released during the semester. Please read the section on accommodations if you are in need of extra time. You must inform us of accommodations or conflicts at least 2 weeks in advance of the exam.

Quizzes and exams will be closed book.

Late Policy

No extensions will be given. Assignments will be accepted for up to 48 hours after the deadline. 20% penalty applied for every 24 hours the assignment is late.

Academic Integrity

At Bryn Mawr, we assume students are trustworthy and work with honesty and integrity. Look here for information about Bryn Mawr’s Honor Code..

Midterms and the final will be closed book.

Lab coding challenges will be open-book and closed-internet. Thus, you cannot use VS Code, internet browsers, and other programming aids. However, you can use the text book and your class notes. These challenges will be completed in pairs.

Code for homework assignments must be written by you. In addition to the code itself, each assignment will require the submission of a README file explaining how the code works, why it was written that way, and, if applicable, what parts are not working and your reasoning behind those issues. Cheating is taken very seriously, and the use of AI tools is considered cheating.

You can ask questions in class, in office hours, and on slack. We are here to help.

Academic Accommodations

To receive an accommodation for a course activity (such as more time on quizzes and exams), you must have an Accommodation Letter from Access Services and you need to contact us to work out the details of your accommodation at least two weeks prior to the activity. Forms can be emailed to me, the instructor.

You are also welcome to contact us privately to discuss your academic needs. However, all accommodations must be arranged, in advance, through Access Services. Also note that accommodations are not retroactive and require advance notice to implement. More information can be obtained at the Access Services website. (http://www.brynmawr.edu/access-services/)

Covid Policy

If you are sick, please wear a mask or stay at home and let me know so that we can make adjustments.

I am on immmunosuppressing medications, so I can get sick very easily, and I get very ill when I am sick. I am kindly asking you to follow this policy.

Academic support

Title IX

Bryn Mawr/Haverford College is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive living and learning environment where all can feel secure and free from harassment. All forms of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, domestic violence, and dating violence are violations of Bryn Mawr/Haverford’s policies, whether they occur on or off campus. Bryn Mawr/Haverford faculty are committed to helping to create a safe learning environment for all students and for the College community as a whole. If you have experienced any form of gender or sex-based discrimination, harassment, or violence, know that help and support are available. Staff members are trained to support students in navigating campus life, accessing health and counseling services, providing academic and housing accommodations, and more.

The College strongly encourages all students to report any incidents of sexual misconduct. Please be aware that all Bryn Mawr/Haverford employees (other than those designated as confidential resources such as counselors, clergy, and healthcare providers) are required to report information about such discrimination and harassment to the Bi-College Title IX Coordinator.

Information about the College’s Sexual Misconduct policy, reporting options, and a list of campus and local resources can be found on the College’s website:

Bryn Mawr Sexual Misconduct Policy

Haverford Sexual Misconduct Policy