COS 1213 units100 LevelSecond Semester

Problem Solving

B.Sc. Cybersecurity, University of Uyo

Algorithmic thinking and systematic problem solving using Python and C. Covers problem identification, solution techniques, pseudocode/flowcharts, and programming fundamentals — the first real programming course in the degree. Strong performance here builds confidence for all future programming courses.

On Areté, COS 121 comes with

  • 9 lecture-note topics
  • 2 recommended textbooks
  • an AI tutor that has read this course’s outline and notes
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Course outline

  1. 01Problems and problem-solving: routine vs non-routine problems
  2. 02Methods of solving computing problems: algorithms and heuristics
  3. 03Solvable and unsolvable problems
  4. 04Solution techniques: abstraction, brainstorming, trial and error, divide and conquer, root cause analysis
  5. 05General problem-solving process
  6. 06Solution formulation and design: flowchart, pseudocode, decision table, decision tree
  7. 07Implementation, evaluation and refinement
  8. 08Programming in C and Python

Recommended textbooks

  • Python Crash Course — Eric Matthes

    3rd ed. — the best beginner Python book; very practical

  • Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist — Allen Downey

    2nd ed. — free PDF at greenteapress.com

How to pass COS 121

  • Areté has 12 full interactive Python modules for this course — use them from day one
  • Never copy-paste code examples — type every line yourself so your fingers learn the syntax
  • Solve at least one coding problem daily, even if small; consistency beats cramming
  • Harvard CS50P (Introduction to Programming with Python) is free and excellent

Other 100 Level courses

Lecture notes, practice questions and the AI tutor for COS 121 are available once you sign in.

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