Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CMPT 125 D200

Introduction to Computing Science and Programming II (3)

Class Number: 5381

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Fri, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMPT 120 or CMPT 130, with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A rigorous introduction to computing science and computer programming, suitable for students who already have some background in computing science and programming. Intended for students who will major in computing science or a related program. Topics include: memory management; fundamental algorithms; formally analyzing the running time of algorithms; abstract data types and elementary data structures; object-oriented programming and software design; specification and program correctness; reading and writing files; debugging tools; shell commands. Students with credit for CMPT 126, 129, 135 or CMPT 200 or higher may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is a rigorous introduction to computing science, intended primarily for students who have already taken CMPT 120 as an introduction to algorithms and programming. Students will learn fundamental concepts of computing science, basic principles of algorithm design and software development. All case studies will be presented in C and C++. Students will also learn the basic shell commands in Linux, and will learn how to run and debug their code using VS Cod

Topics

  • Brief review of elementary programming and problem solving; introduction to C.
  • Basic shell commands in Linux
  • Running/Debugging using Visual Studio Code
  • Performance measurements; algorithm design and analysis; asymptotics; fundamental algorithms.
  • Encodings of basic types: int, unsigned, float, char, pointer.
  • The memory model: addresses, dynamic data types, safe initialization, safe cleanup, and safe arrays.
  • Good coding style; defensive coding practices; testing.
  • Recursion: simple recursion; recursion on trees; divide and conquer algorithms.
  • Reasoning about programs: assertions, invariants, and correctness.
  • Abstract data types; information hiding;
  • Elementary data structures: stacks, queues, binary trees

Grading

NOTES:

Tentative grading scheme:
Final Exam - 40%
Lab Exam - 20%
Midterm Exam - 20%
Homework assignments - 20%

It might change during the first class

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The following are default policies in the School of Computing Science. Please check your course syllabus whether the instructor has chosen a different policy for your class, otherwise the following policies apply.
 
  • Students must attain an overall passing grade on the weighted average of exams in the course in order to get a C- or higher.
  • All student requests for accommodations for their religious practices must be made in writing by the end of the first week of classes, or no later than one week after a student adds a course. After considering a request, an instructor may provide a concession or may decline to do so. Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability can contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca).

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.