CMSC104 Skills Survey Anonymous Questions

If we really don't like Firefox can we use another browser as long as we check
our work in FF?

Yes, you can use any browser you'd like as long as you make sure the final version works in Firefox. I strongly encourage everyone to work in the environment suggested from the beginning but I can't force you to do so.

How do you take sleeping in class?

I'll address this one in class. :)

Is there a Blackboard site for the class?

No, we don't use Blackboard. You will submit your projects electronically but we'll discuss the details later.

What are the benefits of a CS minor?

Problem solving and programming skills can be applied to all majors. You can pick and choose elective classes that would be even more beneficial to your specific major. For instance, CMSC461 Databases, might be helpful for a Financial Economics major.

Do you teach any other CS classes?

I usually teach CMSC104 and CMSC201. I will be teaching CMSC201 next Spring.

What programming systems will we be working with? Is it ok to have NO programming experience?

We will be learning how to program using JavaScript. In order to do so, we will also learn how to build a Web page with HTML. At the end of the semester, we will learn the basics of C Programming. You do not need any programming experience whatsoever to do well in this class. The majority of the people taking the class have no programming experience. There are a few people who have some but they are in the minority.

Can we use a Mac?

Yes, you can use a Mac. You will be able to use your Mac to connect to UMBC just like you would in Windows. You'll have to go about it in a bit of a different way, but the end result will be the same.

How well does this prepare us for 201? There are kids taking 201
that know like 15 languages.

One of the reasons this course exists is to prepare you for 201. You will learn all of the programming basics you need in order to do well in 201. There are probably only a handful of students in 201 who know more than 1 language well. Don't be intimidated by the ones who think they do!