The Certificates in the Foundations of Programming, Data Structures & Algorithms, offered by the University of Michigan-Flint, is an intensive online program designed for students and professionals that seek to add foundational knowledge of computing and programming to fill gaps in their current skillset. Prior experience or coursework in computing is not required. Courses are asynchronous online (so students can learn and practice on their own time) with Q&A sessions offered each week by a faculty instructor from CIT.

This program is suitable for individuals with non-technical backgrounds, who are looking to computing knowledge and skills to change their career path. This certificate program is also for current undergraduate students that do not have programming and algorithms as part of their degree coursework, but would benefit from the kinds of skills they can incorporate into their own program of study. Computing provides an immediate boost of high-demand job skills. This program may also count towards meeting prerequisite requirements for graduate study in fields related to computing offered by the College of Innovation and Technology at the University of Michigan-Flint. 

For these non-credit certificates, participants will undertake 24 hours of coursework (to be certified in all three areas, 72 hours of coursework is required). Each certificate covers a different topic: 1) programming, 2) data structures, and 3) algorithms. Courses will be offered asynchronous online, with synchronous instructor sessions via zoom periodically for Q&A or other assistance with coursework. Each of the courses conclude with a final exam. Successful completion includes testing on the certificate course content with 85% or better score. Certificates of completion will be issued to students who successfully complete the course, to be included with any CIT graduate program admissions materials. 

FOUNDATIONS OF PROGRAMMING

Introduction to problem solving by using MATLAB. Basic procedural programming concepts including input/output, branching, looping, functions, file input/output, and data structures such as arrays and structures. Basic linear algebra concepts such as matrix operations and solving sets of equations, and numerical methods such as least squares solutions and their use for curve fitting.

Topic Details

Week 1

• Basics of variables, arrays, matrices, plotting

• Basics of operators, functions, strings, cells

• Matrices

• Plotting

Week 2

• User-defined functions

• Input-output formatting

• Relational and logical operations

• Loops

Week 3

• Matrix algebra

• Numerical methods

• Strings, cell arrays, structures, symbolic math

Week 4

• Review and Final Test

SCHEDULE

Wednesdays - weekly zoom sessions with instructors (7-9pm)