Rochester Institute of Technology

CS1 at RIT is well-structured. Python is a great first language and the assignments build on each other nicely. The labs are where you actually learn - lecture is more theory. Prof Strout is patient and explains things well. The pace picks up after midterms so dont fall behind.

Tip: Do the practice problems on the course website. They are very similar to what shows up on exams.

Mechanics of Programming is the class that separates the kids from the adults in CS. You learn C, makefiles, memory management, pointers, all the stuff that actually matters in systems. Its hard but Professor Kaminski is excellent and genuinely cares. This class prepared me more for my co-op than any other.

Tip: Learn to use gdb and valgrind. Read the man pages. Seriously read them.

This class is so fun. You literally build games while learning programming concepts. The final project where you create your own game is amazing. Prof Lawley is super energetic and makes every lecture interesting. If you are in GDD this is the perfect intro class. Even non-majors would enjoy it.

Tip: Start thinking about your final project idea early. The best projects are the ones people plan ahead.

Its accounting. Debits, credits, financial statements. The class is well-organized and the exams match the homework. Nothing exciting but nothing terrible. Useful if you want to understand business basics. The online homework platform is a bit glitchy though.