About This Course
Course Overview
Learn to think like a computer scientist through Python programming.
Objective & Outcome
Develop problem-solving skills by learning to formulate problems, think creatively, and express solutions in Python. By the end: "I can write a program to do that!"
Approach
Read → Watch short videos → Practice on Codio → Complete weekly programming assignments.
Prerequisites
No prior programming experience required. Basic math skills and comfort using a computer are all you need.
📅 Semester Breakdown
Week-by-week topic breakdown covered in CSE 231
| Week | Topic | Key Concepts |
|---|
Grading & Policies
Course Syllabus
Grading breakdown, grade scale, and course policies for CSE 231.
📊 Grading Breakdown
| Category | Items | Points | % of Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programming Projects | P0 – P9 | 500 | 50% |
| Midterm Exam 1 | Week 5 | 150 | 15% |
| Midterm Exam 2 | Week 10 | 150 | 15% |
| Final Exam | Finals Week | 150 | 15% |
| Lab Participation | Weekly labs | 50 | 5% |
| Total | 1000 | 100% |
🅰️ Grade Scale
| Grade | Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 900–1000 | 90–100% |
| 3.5 | 850–899 | 85–89% |
| 3.0 | 800–849 | 80–84% |
| 2.5 | 750–799 | 75–79% |
| 2.0 | 700–749 | 70–74% |
| 1.5 | 650–699 | 65–69% |
| 1.0 | 600–649 | 60–64% |
| 0.0 | 0–599 | Below 60% |
📋 Course Policies
📝 Late Work
20% penalty per day; no submissions after 3 days. Exams cannot be made up except for documented emergencies.
🎓 Academic Integrity
All submitted work must be your own. Collaboration not permitted unless stated. Violations reported to MSU Academic Affairs.
🏫 Lab Attendance
Required weekly. More than two unexcused absences may reduce your grade. Contact your TA in advance if you must miss.
💬 Communication
Use Piazza for course questions; email instructors for personal matters. Replies within 24 hours on weekdays.
♿ Accommodations
Register with RCPD and contact the instructor within the first week of class.
💻 Required Tools
Python 3.12+, PyCharm, and Codio. Free for MSU students — see Course Resources for setup guides.
Important Dates
Course Schedule
Key deadlines, exams, and events throughout the semester.
| Date | Event | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 13 | Project 0 Due | Hello World & Setup | |
| Jan 20 | Project 1 Due | Expressions & Variables | |
| Jan 27 | Project 2 Due | Control Flow | |
| Feb 3 | Project 3 Due | String Processing | |
| Feb 10 | Project 4 Due | Functions | |
| Feb 17 | Project 5 + Exam 1 | File I/O & Exceptions | 📝 Exam 1 |
| Mar 3 | Project 6 Due | Lists & Tuples | |
| Mar 10–14 | Spring Break | No classes | 🌸 Break |
| Mar 24 | Project 7 + Exam 2 | Dictionaries & Sets | 📝 Exam 2 |
| Apr 7 | Project 8 Due | Classes I | |
| Apr 21 | Project 9 Due | Classes II | |
| Apr 28 | Final Exam | See syllabus for time/location | 📝 Final |
Support
Find your TA
Locate your assigned Teaching Assistant and lab section for CSE 231.
TA & Lab Section Schedule
Find your assigned TA, lab section time, and meeting location. Attend your registered lab section every week.
Find My TA & Lab Section (opens in new tab)Support
Help Room Schedule
Get walk-in help from TAs — no appointment needed.
TA Consulting Hours
TAs are available throughout the week to answer questions about lectures, projects, and debugging.
View Help Room Schedule (opens in new tab)Tools & Links
Course Resources
Essential documentation, tools, and practice sites to support your learning.
Guidelines
Coding Standards
All submitted code must follow the course coding standard. Read it before your first assignment.
CSE 231 Coding Standard
Covers naming conventions, indentation, comments, docstrings, and code style. Points may be deducted for style violations even when code is functionally correct.
View Coding Standard (opens in new tab)Select a week from the sidebar
Expand Course Content (item 8) and pick a week