COMP1100/COMP1130: Programming as Problem Solving
| Runs | Both semesters (1100), Semester 1 (1130) |
|---|---|
| Languages | Haskell (taught) |
| Lecturer |
Unless you’re a Science or Engineering student, this will probably be your first programming course at the ANU. COMP1100 runs both semesters, but most people take it in first semester; COMP1130 only runs in first semester. These courses run together, with 1130 acting sort of like an optional extension, with one extra lecture per week and slightly different assignments and final exams. Unless you’re in the BAC (R&D), you can choose to take either (but not both!) and they count basically the same for prerequisites. No prior programming experience is expected.
COMP1100 teaches introductory computer science concepts, using a language that you may not have heard of: Haskell. Haskell’s what’s called a functional language - you’ll learn what that means, but suffice to say, it will probably look quite different to any programming you may have done before. This is deliberate, as it helps put people with and without programming experience on a more level footing.
Like many courses you’ll go on to do, this course has weekly labs. You’re strongly encouraged to attend all the labs: they’re an extremely important part of the course (debatably even more so than the lectures!), and you don’t want to be playing catch-up. The tutor team for the course is always extremely knowledgeable, helpful and approachable - so don’t miss out on your chance to make the most of your time with them. As a side note, lab attendance is marked, but hopefully we’ve given you a good enough sales pitch that you won’t need any extra convincing :)
There are three major (programming) assignments, a tiny lab attendance & completion mark, and a mid-semester and final exam, both of which are taken digitally in the CSIT or Hanna Neumann labs.
Note: if you’re taking the CS major as part of the BSC, you can opt to take COMP1730 instead of this course; however, if you plan to focus your degree on CS, COMP1100/30 will set you up better for courses later on. Conversely, if you’re a BE student, or a non-CS BSC student, you have the same choice, but the more practical COMP1730 will probably prove more useful.