CS 161: Introduction to Computer Science
FALL SEMESTER 2025
Module 1
In this module, you will explore problem-solving and adapting to context:
Here are the tools you will need:
● Pycharm (or your preferred IDE)
● Git Version Control
● Github
● Python (or your preferred programming language)
Here is a process map to assist you in your problem-solving.
1. Understand what is being asked
2. Create your own test cases
3. Break the problem into smaller sub-tasks
4. Translate the subtasks into code
5. Check your code against test cases
6. If needed, debug code
7. Find ways to improve your code
Key Terms
Algorithms: A pattern or set of step-by-step sequence for transforming some given input to
a desired output.
Computers: A programmable machine which typically consists of a central processing unit
that stores information in RAM or secondary storage units.
Computer Programs: A type of algorithm expressed in a specific programming language.
Computer Languages: A form of expression that informs CPUs to execute algorithms, some
languages are compiled and some are interpreted. Python is an interpreted language.
1
FALL SEMESTER 2025
Module 1
In this module, you will explore problem-solving and adapting to context:
Here are the tools you will need:
● Pycharm (or your preferred IDE)
● Git Version Control
● Github
● Python (or your preferred programming language)
Here is a process map to assist you in your problem-solving.
1. Understand what is being asked
2. Create your own test cases
3. Break the problem into smaller sub-tasks
4. Translate the subtasks into code
5. Check your code against test cases
6. If needed, debug code
7. Find ways to improve your code
Key Terms
Algorithms: A pattern or set of step-by-step sequence for transforming some given input to
a desired output.
Computers: A programmable machine which typically consists of a central processing unit
that stores information in RAM or secondary storage units.
Computer Programs: A type of algorithm expressed in a specific programming language.
Computer Languages: A form of expression that informs CPUs to execute algorithms, some
languages are compiled and some are interpreted. Python is an interpreted language.
1
