COMP 195-01, Introduction to Computer Science, Fall 1998

Abstract

It is very hard to deny that computers do not affect our lives in many varied ways. From class registration to fuel injection systems in our cars to the video games we play, computers have revolutionized our way of life since their development 50 years ago. Today, knowing how to work with computers in some form is necessary in many occupations and knowing how to program a computer has become a “hot” skill in the job market. But how do computers actually work, and how can we control them? What uses do they have and what limitations? And most importantly, to what extent are they the answer to society’s ills, and what problems have they created? These are the broad questions we will attempt to answer.