Overview
COMP 200: Introduction to Computing and Information Systems covers the fundamentals of information systems and serves as an introduction to and prerequisite for a program in computing and information systems (CIS). The course covers basic computer principles and computational thinking; the structure (or architecture) of computers; the software hierarchy, from systems software to application programs; and concepts and the development of the field.
You will use a combination of locally installed and external electronic materials to develop skills needed for further study in the field. These skills include analyzing, modelling, and transforming computational algorithms into efficient and reliable computer programs; installing and using specialized software tools; and setting the paths to allow programs to access their components and files. Because COMP 200 is a preparatory course for further study in computer science, the level and difficulty of the technical content is high.
If you are not majoring in computer science, COMP 200 may not be an appropriate course. If you are seeking a junior science option or an introductory, user-oriented computer course, COMP 210 or COMP 214 are recommended. (Check your program regulations and transfer credit agreements, where appropriate.)
Outline
COMP 200 consists of the following four units:
Unit 1: An Introduction to Computational Thinking
- Section 1 – Introduction to Computer Science
- Section 2 – Problems, Algorithms, and Procedures
- Section 3 – Recursive Problem-Solving and Decomposition
- Section 4 – Data and Abstraction
Unit 2: Computing and Problem-Solving Procedures
- Section 1 – Modelling Computing and Abstract Machines
- Section 2 – The Efficiency of Algorithms and Computing Procedures
- Section 3 – Problem-Solving Strategies: Sorting and Searching
Unit 3: Computer Languages and Programming
- Section 1 – Programming Paradigms: Imperative and Declarative Programming
- Section 2 – Objects and Object-Oriented Programming Languages
- Section 3 – Interpreters and Compilers for the Programming Languages
Unit 4: Virtual Machines, Networked Computing Systems, and Applications
- Section 1 – System Software and Virtual Machines
- Section 2 – Computer Networks, the Internet, the World Wide Web, Edge Computing, and Clouds
- Section 3 – Databases and Big Data
- Section 4 – Information Security and Privacy Preservation
- Section 5 – Computer Graphics, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Multimedia, and the Metaverse
- Section 6 – Computer Applications for E-Commerce
- Section 7 – Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI
- Section 8 – Ethical and Societal Issues in Computing and Information Systems
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
- identify, abstract, and synthesize the operational patterns of the essential computing procedures in computer systems.
- apply the skills of computational thinking to design the computational process for the algorithms in pseudocode and analyze the efficiency of the algorithms.
- analyze the essential features of computational models of imperative and declarative programming.
- analyze the roles and functional structure of operating systems, virtual machines, networked computing systems, the Internet, the World Wide Web, and edge and cloud computing.
- explain the concepts and technical features of computer graphics, virtual reality, augmented reality, multimedia, metaverse technology, and artificial intelligence.
- analyze the ethical and societal issues involved in applying artificial intelligence and other computing technology addressed in this course to the networked applications in modern society.
- install a programming toolkit and debug software packages.
- write algorithms in Python or similar programming languages.
Evaluation
To receive credit for COMP 200, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent), including an average grade of at least 50 percent on the four assignments and a grade of at least 50 percent on the final examination.
The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1 | 15% |
| Assignment 2 | 10% |
| Assignment 3 | 15% |
| Assignment 4 | 10% |
| Quizzes 1–4 (3% each) | 12% |
| Discussion participation | 8% |
| Final examination | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
The final examination for this course is administered in the Brightspace platform and are invigilated through ProctorU. Your exam must be requested in advance, and you must pay the ProctorU invigilation fees.
Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
Materials
This course either does not have a course package or the textbooks are open-source material and available to students at no cost. This course has a Course Administration and Technology Fee, but students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Evans, D. (2011, August 19). Introduction to computing: Explorations in language, logic, and machines. University of Virginia. OER
Zhang, X. (2025). Introduction to computer science [Manuscript in preparation]. Faculty of Science and Technology, Athabasca University. OER
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the COMP 200 challenge registration, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent), including an average grade of at least 50 percent on the four assignments and a grade of at least 50 percent on the final examination.
The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1 | 15% |
| Assignment 2 | 10% |
| Assignment 3 | 15% |
| Assignment 4 | 10% |
| Final examination | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form