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Lecture 1 - Getting Started

Essential Skills For Computational Biology

2020-06-08

Kevin Bonham, PhD

Learning Objectives

After completing this lesson, students will be able to:

  • Navigate their computer's file system using a command line interface
  • Use a plain text editor (VS Code) to modify source code
  • Clone, commit to, and push from a git repository

What is a computer program?

function hello(x)
    println("Hello, $(x)!")
end
hello (generic function with 1 method)
hello("Students")
Hello, Students!

Programs are just things and actions

  • "Things" in computer code are data

  • "Actions" are generally called "functions"

  • Real life is filled with programs

Computer programs are just things and actions

  • Computer languages are procedural

  • Computer languages are literal

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What are "essential" skills?

  • How do I think about writing a computer program?

  • When the code I've written has an error, what steps do I take to debug it?

  • How do I keep track of the code that I've written?

  • How do I get help when I'm stuck?

Course components

think julia

BISC195 website

  • Problem sets on github classroom

Assignment 01

Grading

Assignment 01

Assignments

  • There will be ~10 "Assignments," delivered on github classroom

  • All assignments will be worth the same amount

  • All assignments will have automated "unit tests" that will help you complete them

  • All assignments will have "due dates" to help keep you up with course material, but you will still get full credit for anything turned in by the end of the term.

Course Schedule

Dates: June 8 - July 17, 2020

Lecture: Tu/Th 10-11am - Reserved for lecture

Office hours / lab:

  • M/W 10am-12pm
  • Tu/Th 1-3pm

All students are expected to attend lecture

All students should be able to come to at least two lab periods

Let's get started!

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