From 73477a96198b19e88f879516d8231392b578a1b4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Joshua Hanson Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2018 16:41:29 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] README: Move CS50 before Nand2Tetris Resolves #440: It has been decided to keep CS50 as required for now, but moving it later in the curriculum to match its high degree of challenge and very low-level orientation. Resolves #463: It has been decided to retain CS50's dynamic programming assignment due to the positive feedback it received as well as the fact that the additional challenge of this problem is acceptable now that the course is later in the curriculum. --- FAQ.md | 5 ++--- README.md | 20 +++++++++----------- 2 files changed, 11 insertions(+), 14 deletions(-) diff --git a/FAQ.md b/FAQ.md index f0023f5..247c841 100644 --- a/FAQ.md +++ b/FAQ.md @@ -74,11 +74,10 @@ The [Software Development](https://www.edx.org/micromasters/software-development ### Why do you recommend skipping the second half of CS50? The strongest and most useful part of CS50 is the part where they teach C. -We wish to retain this in the curriculum for now because it is one of the few chances the student has to play with manual memory management in a (relatively) low-level language. -Everything after that gets a bit too easy and shallow, to the point that we believe the student's time will be better spent in MIT's Introduction to Computer Science course. +We are retaining this in the curriculum for now because it is one of the few chances the student has to play with manual memory management in a (relatively) low-level language. +By learning C, students will also have a much easier time getting through the following course, Nand2Tetris. That being said, feel free to finish CS50 if you like it and want to. -But don't skip the MIT Intro course. ### Why doesn't the curriculum cover/ignore topic X? diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 8f50879..5ec2a76 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -120,24 +120,16 @@ and is knowledgeable enough now to decide which electives to take. ## Introduction to Computer Science -These courses will introduce you to the world of computer science. -Both are required, but feel free to skip straight to the second course when CS50 (the first course) moves away from C. -([Why?](FAQ.md#why-do-you-recommend-skipping-the-second-half-of-cs50)) +This course will introduce you to the world of computer science. **Topics covered**: +`computation` `imperative programming` -`procedural programming` -`C` -`manual memory management` `basic data structures and algorithms` -`Python` -`SQL` -`basic HTML, CSS, JavaScript` `and more` Courses | Duration | Effort | Prerequisites :-- | :--: | :--: | :--: -[Introduction to Computer Science - CS50](https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-computer-science-harvardx-cs50x#!) ([alt](https://cs50.harvard.edu/)) | 12 weeks | 10-20 hours/week | none [Introduction to Computer Science and Programming using Python](https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-computer-science-mitx-6-00-1x-10) | 9 weeks | 15 hours/week | high school algebra ## Core CS @@ -208,7 +200,12 @@ It is more interactive but less comprehensive, and it costs money to unlock full ### Core systems +Skip to the second course (Nand2Tetris) when the first course (CS50) moves away from C. +([Why?](FAQ.md#why-do-you-recommend-skipping-the-second-half-of-cs50)) + **Topics covered**: +`procedural programming` +`manual memory management` `boolean algebra` `gate logic` `memory` @@ -224,7 +221,8 @@ It is more interactive but less comprehensive, and it costs money to unlock full Courses | Duration | Effort | Prerequisites :-- | :--: | :--: | :--: -[Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: From Nand to Tetris](https://www.coursera.org/learn/build-a-computer) ([alt](http://www.nand2tetris.org/)) | 6 weeks | 7-13 hours/week | none +[Introduction to Computer Science - CS50](https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-computer-science-harvardx-cs50x#!) ([alt](https://cs50.harvard.edu/)) | 12 weeks | 10-20 hours/week | introductory programming +[Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: From Nand to Tetris](https://www.coursera.org/learn/build-a-computer) ([alt](http://www.nand2tetris.org/)) | 6 weeks | 7-13 hours/week | C-like programming language [Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: Nand to Tetris Part II ](https://www.coursera.org/learn/nand2tetris2) | 6 weeks | 12-18 hours/week | one of [these programming languages](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/2046800/35426340-f6ce6358-026a-11e8-8bbb-4e95ac36b1d7.png), From Nand to Tetris Part I [Introduction to Computer Networking](https://lagunita.stanford.edu/courses/Engineering/Networking-SP/SelfPaced/about)| 8 weeks | 4–12 hours/week | algebra, probability, basic CS [ops-class.org - Hack the Kernel](https://www.ops-class.org/) | 15 weeks | 6 hours/week | algorithms