Course overview

This course introduces the basics of algorithms and C programming for first year students and beginners. You learn how to go from a real problem to a clear algorithm and then to a working C program. The course mixes short explanations, worked examples and interactive exercises in the browser.

What you will learn

• Understand the idea of an algorithm and the main steps of the programming process
• Represent algorithms with flowcharts and simple pseudo code
• Use variables, data types and expressions in C
• Write and trace simple linear programs with input and output
• Use basic control structures if, for, while and do while
• Read and predict the output of small C programs

Target audience

• First year computer science or engineering students
• Teachers who want a ready to use support for an introductory algorithms course
• Learners who know how to use a computer and want to start programming in C

Prerequisites

• Basic use of a computer and a web browser
• High school level mathematics
• No previous programming experience required

Course structure

• Short videos or readings for each concept
• Interactive questions after each explanation
• Guided examples of algorithms, flowcharts and C programs
• Small practice tasks to prepare you for written exams and lab work