Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for CS 160 Winter 2025


Course Number:
CS 160
Course Title:
Exploring Computer Science
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
30
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
30

Course Description

Explores the field of computer science. Provides an overview of computer architecture, software development engineering, data organization, problem-solving strategies, ethics, and theory of computation. Explores career options and develops rudimentary software development skills. Recommended: Computer Literacy (such as completion of CIS 120). Audit available. Prerequisites: WR 115, RD 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  • Create computer programs to implement algorithms that solve problems.
  • Assess the computational complexity and computability of algorithms and their implementations.
  • Demonstrate a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.
  • Evaluate computing innovations, computing systems, and career opportunities in computer science and other related disciplines.

Quantitative Reasoning

Students completing an associate degree at Portland Community College will be able to analyze questions or problems that impact the community and/or environment using quantitative information.

General education philosophy statement

Computers have been an integral part of human society for centuries, and the invention of electronic computers less than a hundred years ago marked the beginning of a true information revolution whose effects (good and bad) we still struggle to understand. CS 160 explores the science behind these ubiquitous machines, and the quantitative reasoning skills that provide the foundation for advancements in the field. Students apply these skills to investigate how computer technology influences careers, economic activity, social interactions, and other facets of the human experience. CS 160 introduces fundamental concepts necessary to understand how computer technology affects the ethical and social requirements of responsible participation in society.

Course Activities and Design

The Course Master Shell in D2L contains the detailed information about Course Activities and Design involved in this course and is incorporated by reference into this CCOG.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

The Course Master Shell in D2L contains the detailed information about Outcome Assessment Strategies involved in this course and is incorporated by reference into this CCOG.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

The Course Master Shell in D2L contains the detailed information about Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills involved in this course and is incorporated by reference into this CCOG.