FAQs on BS1009

I am sure that you will have many queries regarding BS1009 and both professors’ teaching approaches. Hence, I will attempt to answer some of your queries here:

  1. I’ve never programmed a single line of code before. How tough will BS1009 be for me?

    Well…

    Difficulty is subjective, but bear in mind that BS1009 is a beginner-friendly course. It assumes no prior knowledge of programming (let alone Python experience), so rest assured: neither the TAs or the professors will toss you into the deep end of things just yet!

    Furthermore, Python is one of the easiest (if not the easiest) programming languages to learn. There’s a good reason why Python is often used in most introductory programming classes like this one!

    That said, your learning habits also play a huge role in you doing well in BS1009. Obviously, somebody who misses lectures, skips tutorials, and forgoes doing tutorial questions will have a rough time during the CAs and the final project. Your professors, your TAs, and this website are all available if you need additional help: take initiative and reach out to them if you don’t get something!

  2. What other resources can you recommend for learning Python?

    One of the nice perks about studying at NTU is that all students have free Coursera access to MOOCs from other universities. The Python for Everybody specialization is an awesome resource for becoming proficient in Python (specifically, the data science aspect). However, bear in mind that courses 1 and 2 in the specialization are the most relevant for BS1009 - all other courses go beyond the scope of BS1009!

    If prof. Marek hasn’t already mentioned in the group chat, all NTU students also have free access to DataCamp courses. While I haven’t tried DataCamp’s Python courses yet, them seem to be rather popular among some students.

  3. What is the final project like?

    I couldn’t tell you even if I wanted to. Prof. Marek hasn’t said anything to us TAs yet.

  4. What are the CAs like? Is there any programming involved?

    Short answer: yes, there will be programming involved. While there is a little bit of leeway during the MCQs (i.e., you can still guess the answer even if you are genuinely lost), do make sure that you know your stuff for the written quizzes!