Introduction to programming

Catalog description

This course provides an introduction to programming and computational thinking. We will use the Matlab programming language as a starting point because it is concise and easy to read. It is also one of the most popular scientific programming languages. We will then transition to Python which has now become the main programming language used in data science. The course is designed for students in psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and other non-computer science majors interested in learning to program and, more generally, in developing computational thinking skills. Beyond teaching specific coding skills, this course will support students’ development as computational thinkers. Mastering these skills will enable students to more richly understand the cognitive, linguistic, and psychological sciences — and impact society.