Fundamentals of Computer Science

Fundamentals of Computer Science is a Computer Science course in the CTY program with one prerequisite, Algebra 1. Its course code is FCPS, and it is offered at Carlisle, Lancaster, Los Angeles, Saratoga Springs, San Rafael, and was also offered at Loudonville and Seattle.

Course Description

FCPS focuses on the practical aspects of computer architecture and programming. Included in these areas of study is recursion.

(from the CTY website:) This course introduces students to three major areas of computer science: theory and algorithms, hardware systems, and software systems. The theoretical component of the course covers the study of algorithms, Boolean algebra, binary mathematics, and the theory of computation. While studying hardware systems, students learn about the physical components of computers, digital logic, and computer architecture. In software systems, students are introduced to elements of programming languages, compilers, and computer graphics. The course also introduces operating systems, a key link between hardware and software, and computer networks.

Course History

FCPS split off from CPS1 in 2001, and CPS1 became defunct.

Lancaster

At LAN 14.2, FCPS B (aka FCPS Boiiiiiii) consisted of 7 guys and 7 girls. The class was instructed by Jon, and was TAed by the lovely Wizard. We spend our three weeks learning Python, drawing images with Turtle, making Illuminati signs at sassy F & M tour groups, and segregating ourselves by gender (up until the last week, at least). The girl's hall was married during first Saturday's carnival, and is known as the Sexadecimals, despite their RA Emily's initial shock at the name.

- Beware the kernel lava sharks
- π = 3
- Illuminati (the power of triangles)
- But remember, do what you want brah/boiiiiiii

Also at LAN 14.2 was the lower class, FCPS A. It was instructed by Leanne and TA'ed by Patricia. We spent the entire session learning Python, constantly playing Never Gonna Give You Up, constantly losing a frisbee disk to Hartman Green, and almost never using the $130 textbook except to read the book's definition of an MMORPG. And then laugh at it.

- We must put random GIF's in EVERY presentation
- The Awkward Goddess
- "Never gonna give you up..."
- Patricklemore
- PowerPC is best PC
- "...I'd never thought I'd ever type 'pickle' in Python."
- ROBOTS ROBOTS ROBOTS

Los Angeles

At LOS.15.1, the Fundamentals of Computer Science class played Rock-Paper-Scissors (with a computer), talked code around their confused hallmates, and had a lot of fun taking the tests their instructor made for them (not.) (Regardless, they loved it anyway.)

Saratoga Springs

During 13.2 at SAR, CPS class A had thoroughly drained all of the energy from their TA Paul (a.k.a. Mr. Paul Sir), discovered how to eat an entire bag of chocolate chips (and dried coconut from the wonderful squirrel Ethan) during evening class, got tired of listening to the Age of War 2 Theme Song, beat Cat Mario a couple of times, ran into the quad shouting their faces off to Ravers in the UK, and became friends. (Thanks Teddi :D) At the end of the session Mr. Paul Sir promised the class he would send the pictures of the class to us but he has still not delivered on his promise.

At SAR 14.1, the class spent 3 weeks learning C++, Arduino, and MySQL. The class consisted of 12 guys (Nick, Max, ANSHUL THE BALLER aka Britney Spears, William, Dylan, Will, Rudra, Justin the Potato, Justin the Cheater, Felix Futbol, James, and Taras) and 2 girls (Ashley and Gianna). We spent 3 weeks being sarcasm'd at by the instructor. Our TA however was extremely chill despite the sarcasm. Memories: - "Halanunu" -Dylan

- "This is hard " -William, Response: "YOU'RE HARD" (Anshul)

- "I'm confused" (Dylan)

- "It's not Garbage, it's Garbaaaage" (Will)

- William being yelled at for talking too much every other minute

- Justin the Cheater

- Anshul looking at Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus photos in the back (not really)resulting in the Teacher calling him Britney Spears, people asking why, and Anshul responding with, "Because I'm hot. Obviously"

- Dylan's slow dance training by Ashley, and him insisting to use pick up lines ("Do you work at little Caesar's, cuz you're hot and I'm ready")

- Rudra singing Let it Go

- Dylan's selfie faces

- Rudra's face at the Class Selfie

- DYLAN STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER

- William's rages

- playing soccer with a love tape ball (referred to as the "Africa Ball")

- Anshul quoting Badman: "Let me recollect: some sh*t happened, you sucked my d*ck, " (Everyone laughs, and Anshul feels proud of himself, then realizes they were laughing because the TA was standing over him when he said that which is the real reason everyone was laughing)

- "How Do Man?" (Nick)

- Gianna looks like Lilo from Lilo and Stitch

- James is unamused (except by Dylan)

- James is amused (except by William)

- James and Justin brilliant code

- "My clock is broken" -Ashley

- Teacher accidentally raises Cheater's grade from -1 to 0

- Rudra's nevermore page

- FROZEN

- # not #

- #unfinished labs

- representation in every major sport

- Social Butterfly

- WIGGLE WIGGLE WIGGLE *whistle*

At SAR 15.1 We had 5 girls and 13 boys. The instructor was Ron Hall and TA Erin. Alan Turning ruled supreme.

- What was Alan Turning's greatest contribution to computer science? He invented A-LAN Network
- What was Alan Turning's greatest contribution to camping? He invented A-LANtern
- What was Alan Turning's greatest contribution to geography? He invented A-LANdmass
- What was Alan Turning's greatest contribution to linguistics? He invented A-LANguage
- What was Alan Turning's greatest contribution to aviation? He created A-LANding strip
- When Alan Turing was a wee little boy he competed in the school science fair. He entered his invention "A-LAN network" in against all the other paper mache volcanoes. Needless to say he won by A-LANslide
- After discovering time travel, Alan Turing was transferred back to the medieval era and meets The King whose's daughter was kidnapped by a dragon... Alan Turing went on a grand adventure to finally rescue the princess. After slaying the dragon Alan Turing left his weapon lodged inside the dragon's breast. This weapon belonging to Alan Turing was A-LANce
- After entering the real estate bushiness what kind of job did Alan Turing find himself in? He became A-LANdlord
- What was Alan Turing's greatest contributions to CTY? He invented A-LANyard
-In 1982, Alan Turing ventured into the Video Game industry. Though he had many successes, they were all outweighed by his biggest failure, E.T. for the Atari 2600. Despite its atrocious quality, this was Alan Turing's biggest selling game to date, due to them using E.T.'s likeness to sell copies. This monstrosity of a game caused the great video game crash, with all of Alan Turing's work on E.T. ending up in A-LANdfill.
-What was Alan Turing's greatest contribution to communication technology? He invented A-LANdline.

At SAR 15.2 (FCPS B), there was 11 boys and 7 girls. The class started out with Dr. Rana as the instructor and Grace Chandler as the TA. Dr. Rana was later fired two weeks into the course due to many complaints and angry emails by the students and parents. Through the two day transition between teachers, TA Grace (who was an amazing teacher, the students looked forward to evening classes with Grace) taught the class. Also, TA Erin from the FCPS A came to help out for a few classes. The new instructor who came for the last week of class was Shaina Thonpson. The language of programming the class learned Python. The class also had to buy a $160 textbook (because there was a miscommunication between the instructor and the administration), but then the students were refunded fully by CTY when returning the book since the class used the book about twice and since CTY was apologetic towards the class situation.
- Thomas the Tank Engine remixes was our class anthem (if interested, we recommend listening to Drop It Like Its Hot Thomas the Tank Engine Remix) and played during evening sessions by DJ TA Grace.
- To pass time during lectures, two girls (and other classmates who joined in #ballislife) threw a paper ball in the air while the teacher was not looking. Other things people did to pass time was origami, so there was a large collection of paper cranes and airplanes.
- Dr. Rana also continuously asked us to “Drink more water” and in the beginning of every class we had to “Fill up our water bottles” and “Don’t drink warm water, get cold water,” which turned into a class joke. Also we were instructed to “Give the clapping” after anyone said anything remotely useful/interesting/cool. Consequently, the class clapped about every 5 seconds whenever anyone talked for the first two weeks of class.
- During breaks for the last three days of class, half the class played agar.io together. Instead of teaming up, certain students would just eat each other, which resulted in angry yells across the class.