Syllabus
Shanghai Jiao Tong University · CS1602 Introduction to Computation · Fall 2026
Lecture
32 hours · 16 sessions
Tuesday 10:00–11:40 · Dongshangyuan 411
Lab
32 hours · 16 sessions
Tuesday 18:00–19:40 · Dongshangyuan 411
How the course is organized
PART 1
Foundations of Computation
Closes on：Write a complete program on your own, using input, branching, loops and functions
PART 2
Built-in Data Structures
Closes on：Pick the right container for a problem and work with data in bulk
PART 3
Problem Solving with AI
Closes on：Break a problem apart, and read, review and verify code written by someone else — including an AI
PART 4
Abstraction and Organization
Closes on：Structure a medium-sized program with classes and modules
PART 5
Robustness and the Real World
Closes on：Reason about efficiency, handle failure, and work with messy real data
PART 6
Pythonic Python and Modern Practice
Closes on：Write Python that reads like Python, and deliver a real project with AI in the loop
Assessment
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Weekly homework | 10% |
| Three solo assignments | 15% |
| Team project | 25% |
| Final exam (closed book) | 50% |
Term calendar
| Week | Dates | Lecture | Lab | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 Sept | L1 Computation, Machines and Languages | Lab 1 | |
| 2 | 22 Sept | L2 Characters and Numbers | Lab 2 | |
| 3 | 29 Sept | L3 Strings, Variables and I/O | Lab 3 | |
| 4 | 10 Oct(rescheduled) | L4 Conditions, Loops and Functions | Lab 4 | |
| 5 | 13 Oct | L5 Lists | Lab 5 | |
| 6 | 20 Oct | L6 Tuples, Dictionaries, Strings and Sets | Lab 6 | |
| 7 | 27 Oct | L7 Recursion | Lab 7 | Solo assignment 1 opens · Hanoi |
| 8 | 3 Nov | L8 AI-Assisted Programming I: Reading, Reviewing, Trusting | Lab 8 | Solo assignment 1 due · AI policy moves to Level 1 |
| 9 | 10 Nov | L9 Classes I: Objects and Encapsulation | Lab 9 | |
| 10 | 17 Nov | L10 Classes II and Modules | Lab 10 | Solo assignment 2 opens · primes |
| 11 | 24 Nov | L11 Complexity, Exceptions and Testing | Lab 11 | Solo assignment 2 due |
| 12 | 1 Dec | L12 Randomness, Text and Files | Lab 12 | Solo assignment 3 opens · big integers |
| 13 | 8 Dec | L13 Iterables and Generators | Lab 13 | Solo assignment 3 due |
| 14 | 15 Dec | L14 Functions, Functional Programming and Scope | Lab 14 | Team project opens |
| 15 | 22 Dec | L15 AI-Assisted Programming II: From Prompt to Project | Lab 15 | AI policy moves to Level 2 |
| 16 | 29 Dec | L16 Multitasking, Review and Beyond | — | Team project due |