Software Design

Software Design is an introductory class at Olin College that teaches basic programming and software design using the Python programming language. It is called "Software Design" because it is based on the idea that programming is more than just translating a well-understood solution into code; it is the process of solving a problem by designing a language for expressing the solution.

During the first 8 weeks, students work on series of exercises covering topics in graphics, animation and graphical user interfaces; network and concurrent programming, basic database programming, and statistics. During the next 6 weeks, students work in small groups on an extended project the applies software design to an application or problem of the student's choice. In previous semesters, projects have included network applications and games, and tools for creating and manipulating images and sound.

Regular class meetings and lab times will be used for lectures, hands-on work and collaborative work, as well as written exercises and other forms of evaluation.

Students with no programming experience and students with background comparable to the CS AP should both find this course interesting and worthwhile.

Class meetings: Mon-Tues-Thurs 12:00 to 12:50
Lab meetings: Fri 8:00 to 10:00 am OR Fri 11:00 to 1:10 pm

For more information, contact allen.downey@olin.edu