Where do I go from here?

Mon Nov 17 08:31:55 EST 2014

I am often asked about courses that one might take after COS 109 -- courses that go deeper into computer science or other aspects of computing, or other courses about technology and society. Here are some suggestions for Spring 2015. I have first-hand experience with some of these, and I know and can recommend the people teaching all of them, though of course your mileage may vary. I'm happy to talk more about the courses, or help connect you with better sources of information than Course Offerings. Suggestions for additions to this list are welcome.

Some of these courses count towards the CITP certificate, as does COS 109.

 

COS 126, General Computer Science (QR). This is the basic intro course for CS majors, the certificate in applications of computing, the SEAS programming requirement, etc. If you liked the more technical end of 109 and found the programming more interesting than terrifying, 126 is a good bet; it's definitely the best way to take the next step if you think that CS or the certificate might be an option, or if you really want to learn to program.

COS 495, Information Technology, Law and Policy. This is a one-time-only course (though offered for the second time this year), taught by CITP visiting professor Joel Reidenberg of the Fordham Law School.

WWS 351, Information Technology and Public Policy. Taught by Paul Dimaggio (SOC) and Ed Felten (COS).

HIS 277, Technology and Society (SA). Required for the CITP certificate.

ELE 491, High-Tech Entrepreneurship.

MUS 314, Computer and Electronic Music through Programming, Performance and Composition (QR).

CEE 262, Structures and The Urban Environment (STL or LA).

There are many interesting freshman seminars as well. You might look at

  • FRS 106, Art and Science of Motorcycle Design (Mike Littman, MAE);
  • FRS 110, Personal Genomes, Medicine and Algorithms (Mona Singh, CS);
  • FRS 118, Life on Mars - or Maybe Not (Mike Lemonick, AST);
  • FRS 144, How the Tabby Cat Got Her Stripes (Shirley Tilghman, MOL);
  • FRS 156, The Mathematics of Magic Tricks and Games (Manjul Barghava, MAT).