Introduction

What does COMP 101 cover?

Why should I take COMP 101?

Why should I take COMP 101 as a freshman?

Fall 2005 COMP 101 class schedule

For more information

Candid comments from former COMP 101 students

COMP 101, COMPUTERS: Power Tools for the Mind, has been designed with YOU in mind. You likely have been using a computer for some time, but mostly for email, instant messaging, typing papers, surfing the Web, and playing games.

But do you know ...
what goes on INSIDE THE BOX?
why your document can’t display the clip art you placed in it?
why your file looks like gibberish?
how an email goes from your computer to your friend’s computer in Seattle?
how a computer stores pictures? sounds?
what digital really means?

You can learn the answer to these questions and more in
COMP 101!

COMP 101 is more than an introduction to how computers work – the class also examines networks, the Internet, the Web, and lots more. It is far more than a computer operations course, although you will have plenty of hands-on time at the computer, with plenty of help if you need it.

What does COMP 101 cover?
COMP 101 covers a broad range of topics, including a historical overview of computers; how information is represented and stored inside the computer; how information is manipulated by the computer; concepts about computer applications (power tools) so you’ll know which to use and how to handle new problems as they arise; how to program a computer to solve problems (very basic); and the computer’s potential for use and abuse in our society.

Why should I take COMP 101?
Wouldn’t it be helpful to have someone demystify for you much of the alphabet soup and jargon you hear all the time from your (ahem) geek friends? RAM. ROM. ALU. Gigabytes. Gigahertz. Operating systems. Pentium chips. File types. Machine cycles. Wireless Internet. USB ports. Maybe you have some idea of what it all means, but maybe, like most students, you still have a number of gaps to fill.

Fluency in information technology is a critical component of success in most fields in today’s world. According to the National Research Council and the Committee on Information Technology Literacy, the rapidly changing environment of information technology will require a deeper understanding of computers and how they work. Merely knowing how to use a computer will not be sufficient.

Why should I take COMP 101 as a freshman?
An enhanced ability to use a computer and understand its potential uses will benefit you throughout your career at UNC-Chapel Hill. The earlier that you learn the fundamentals of computing, the more opportunity you have to apply that understanding.

Want more information on taking COMP 101?

Contact the Director of General Studies in the Department of Computer Science, Jeannie Walsh (walsh at cs.unc.edu).

Call the Computer Science Department at 919-962-1700.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.cs.unc.edu/.

Stop by to see us at Sitterson Hall. We’d love to meet you.

Candid comments from former COMP 101 students:

“I just wish I had taken this course when I was a freshman instead of waiting till now. I would have had a much easier time in so many of my other courses as a result. …Everyone should have to take this course.”

“In the time I’ve spent in college, this class has by far been the most useful and important one I’ve taken. …For the first time, I’m continuing to review course material AFTER the course has ended. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!”

“Your class took a topic that I have great interest in and expanded that interest even further and provided a number of topics that I had not even considered, and ample space for further exploration. This, to me, is real education! Thanks for a great semester.”

“…One of the best classes I’ve ever had at UNC. Keep it up.”

“…I think everyone at UNC should take your COMP 4 (101) class. It has a lot of work, but I loved it.”

“…I learned things that I honestly feel that I will be able to use in the future.”

“Although I already knew a good bit about how to use computers, this course was really interesting to me and I still learned a lot of new things. Now I’m interested in taking more COMP classes at UNC.”

“I would recommend this course to my best friends. I’ve told all my friends they should take it. You learn so much more than you thought you would.”

“COMP 4 (101) changed my life. Now I finally understand what is in the box. My life will never be the same.”