Class Schedule
CDS-130 classes will be held according to parts 3 and 4 of this syllabus (Summary Class
Schedule and Detailed Class Schedule). Should MASON close the Fairfax Campus for weather,
illness, or any other reason, CDS-130 classes will be held on-line and assignments will be due as
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, Diversity and Inclusion ...................................................................................................... 12
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Interpersonal Violence ................................. 13
Student Support Resources ............................................................................................... 13
Course Introduction and Overview
CDS-130 Overview
CDS-130 is an introductory course about how to think computationally. Thinking
computationally is a problem-solving methodology where computational tools (e.g.,
MATLAB) are used to solve scientific problems. Thinking computationally
approaches problem solving by first developing a theoretical model to represent what is
happening in a natural event and then converting that model into a computer simulation
to solve the problem being investigated.
Examples of natural problems that will be solved in CDS-130 include modeling the
population of rabbits on an island over time, the quantities of chemicals as they decay, or
how to use random numbers to play a game with dice.
In this course, you will learn how computer algorithms are developed to model events,
how they are used to solve problems and how to use MATLAB programming as a tool to
simulate the model in the problem solving. Developing computer algorithms is a process
methodology which will be directly applicable in many scientific and business careers.
By the end of CDS-130, students will be able to solve a problem such as the problem
NASA had in predicting the heat output of power sources used on spacecrafts traveling to
Mars and beyond.
Follow-on CDS courses provide the opportunity for students to build on the basic
methodologies learned in CDS-130 with learning other computer language tools, more
advanced techniques for more complex problems, and solving problems involving large
amounts of data. Following this course, you may consider going on to complete a minor
or a major in this field.
Results of salary surveys in 2016-2018 clearly showed that young professionals in the
Washington, DC, area with backgrounds in computational data sciences are in high
demand. In fact, one 2016 survey showed that skills in computational data science is
among the fastest growing talent needed. The survey found many job openings requiring
CDS skills of qualified candidates. The result was that salaries for early career
professionals with CDS skills were about $5,000 to 10,000 higher than their peers.
The CDS-130 instructors understand that for many students, CDS-130 may be their first
formal computer language course. As a result, CDS-130 focuses on the basics of turning
data into information. Additionally, CDS 130 meets the Mason Core Requirements for
Information Technology with Ethics (https://masoncore.gmu.edu/informationtechnology-
1/).
CDS-130 Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course:
CDS-130 – Fall 2021 Page 2 of 13 7/28/2021
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