FAQs
If you have questions not addressed below, don't hesitate to contact the staff.
Should I take CS 50?
CS 50 is designed not only for concentrators in computer science but also for non-concentrators. More than just teach you how to program, this course teaches you how to think more methodically and how to solve problems more effectively. As such, its lessons are applicable well beyond the boundaries of computer science itself. That the course does teach you how to program, though, is perhaps its most empowering return. With this skill comes the ability to solve real-world problems in ways and at speeds beyond the abilities of most humans.
When and where is CS 50?
CS 50's lectures are MW 1-2:30 in Sanders Theater. No lectures on Friday. Held at other times elsewhere are the course's office hours, sections, and walkthroughs.
Will everyone in CS 50 know more than me? (Less than me?)
No, CS 50 draws quite the spectrum of students. In fact, most of the students in CS 50 describe themselves as among "those less comfortable" or somewhere in between. And for "those more comfortable," the course offers Hacker Editions of problem sets to keep everyone equally engaged. Here's how Fall 2007's students described themselves:
As for those same students' prior programming experience, most had none or a little, while a tenth (our "Hackers") had a lot:
What are CS 50's prerequisites?
None. CS 50 does not assume any prior programming experience.
Should I skip CS 50 if I took AP Computer Science?
Probably not. You will likely find yourself at a disadvantage if you skip ahead to, e.g., CS 51 or CS 61, if only because many courses in computer science at Harvard assume familiarity not only with C but also with other concepts introduced in CS 50. The differences between CS 50 (which focuses on C) and AP Computer Science (which focuses on Java) do extend beyond the courses' choice of languages. If you cannot complete Fall 2002's final exam quickly and correctly, you should not skip CS 50.
Should I skip CS 50 if I already know C or C++?
Maybe. However, if you cannot complete Fall 2002's final exam quickly and correctly, you should not skip CS 50.
Can I take both CS 50 and CS 61 this fall?
Yes, if you have some experience programming in C, which CS 61 assumes. CS 50 itself does not assume prior programming experience.
How much time does CS 50 take?
For most students, CS 50 involves ten or more hours of work outside of class per week. (Although that sounds like a lot to most freshmen, know now that it's not. :-) Programming is simply one of those arts that you learn only by doing. The more you put into this course, the more you get out of it. Here's how Fall 2007's students answered this same question:
How difficult is CS 50?
Truth be told, CS 50 is probably more time-consuming than it is actually difficult.
Can I take CS 50 pass/fail?
Yes. Taking any course pass/fail probably relieves a bit of stress. However, you'll certainly learn more by immersing yourself in this course, in which case you might just want to take it for a grade. But it's up to you.
Should I buy the recommended books?
It's up to you. They're meant as at-home supplements to lectures. If you're the type of person who learns well from books, by all means procure one or more of them. Plenty of free resources exist on the Web, though, so you shouldn't find yourself at a disadvantage if you don't buy any of the recommended books.
Will CS 50 be filmed?
Yes. Per the syllabus, "Each lecture will be filmed and made available within 72 hours of its delivery via podcast (for download to iTunes and iPods) and via the course's website in Flash, MP3, and QuickTime formats. Once posted, these recordings will remain available until semester's end. You are welcome to watch or listen to a recording if you are unable to attend some lecture in person. You are encouraged to watch or listen to these recordings for the sake of review."
Can I enroll in CS 50 and another course whose lectures are also MW 1-2:30 or thereabouts?
Unfortunately, probably not, per the Student Handbook's policy on simultaneous enrollment, but do read the fine print for possible exceptions.
