Syllabus

Course Overview

Course Code23CSE101
Course TitleComputational Problem Solving
L-T-P-C3-0-2-4

Course Objectives

To introduce computational thinking and problem-solving aspects to students through systematic treatment of algorithms, logical reasoning, and solutions. The course introduces the Python language as a tool for designing and solving these problems.

Course Outcomes

COOutcome
CO1Apply algorithmic thinking to understand, define and solve problems.
CO2Design and implement algorithm(s) for a given problem.
CO3Apply the basic programming constructs for developing solutions and programs.
CO4Analyze an algorithm by tracing its computational states, identifying bugs and correcting them.

CO–PO Mapping (1 = low, 2 = medium, 3 = high correlation):

CO PO1PO2PO3PO4PO5PO6 PO7PO8PO9PO10PO11PO12 PSO1PSO2
CO133221121122
CO223332121133
CO322323121132
CO423332121122

Units

Unit 1: Problem Solving and Algorithmic Thinking Overview

  • Algorithms: properties, sequence, selection, repetition
  • Designing, expressing, and analyzing algorithms
  • Algorithms vs. programs
  • Logical reasoning and errors
  • Problem definition and designing solutions

Unit 2: Overview of Programming Paradigms

  • Introduction to Python: variables, strings, I/O, control flow
  • Data abstraction: lists, dictionaries, tuples, sets
  • Functions and recursion
  • Files, debugging, and computational tracing

Unit 3: Problem Solving with Algorithms

  • Searching and sorting
  • Applied computational thinking: Python libraries, text processing, data analysis, chatbots, and related applications

Textbooks and References

Textbook

  • Applied Computational Thinking with Python, Sofia De Jesus and Dayrene Martinez, Packt Publishing, 2020.

References

  • Introduction to Computational Thinking, Thomas Mailund, Apress, 2021.
  • Computational Thinking: A beginner's guide, Karl Beecher, BCS, 2017.
  • The Power of Computational Thinking, Curzon P and McOwan PW, World Scientific Publishing, 2017.

Evaluation Pattern (70 : 30)

Internal Assessment (70)
Mid Term Examination20 marks
Continuous Assessment — Theory10 marks
Continuous Assessment — Lab40 marks
External Assessment (30)
End Semester Examination30 marks (50-mark, 2-hour exam; theory or lab-based)

The syllabus may change as the semester progresses.