Over the Bridge to CS 135
An Instructional Text for the Computer Science Bridge Program
About This Text
Over the Bridge to CS 135 is an instructional text developed to support the Computer Science Bridge Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The goal of this text is to help incoming students transition successfully into CS 135: Introduction to Computer Science, with a particular emphasis on foundational programming concepts, problem-solving skills, and computational thinking.
This text is designed for students who may be new to computer science or programming and provides structured, incremental lessons that align closely with the expectations and pacing of CS 135. Topics emphasize clarity, practice, and conceptual understanding, rather than prior experience.
Intended Audience
This text is intended for:
- Students enrolled in the UNLV Computer Science Bridge Program
- Incoming computer science majors preparing for CS 135
- Students seeking additional structured preparation before beginning a large-enrollment programming course
No prior programming experience is assumed.
How to Use This Text
Each chapter in this text is written to be self-contained, while also building progressively toward the skills required for success in CS 135. Students are encouraged to:
- Read each chapter in order
- Work through examples carefully
- Practice writing code alongside the text
- Revisit earlier chapters as needed
This text is not intended to replace CS 135 materials, but rather to prepare students to engage with them confidently.
Structure and Pedagogical Approach
This text follows a structured instructional approach that emphasizes:
- Programming fundamentals using C++
- Incremental skill development
- Clear examples and explanations
- Practice-driven learning
- Preparation for large-scale programming courses
The material is designed to reduce cognitive overload and help students develop the habits and mindset necessary for success in computer science coursework.
Table of Contents
Part I - Computers
- Chapter 1: Computer Basics
- Chapter 2: Data Representation
- Chapter 3: Physical Computers and Operating Systems
- Chapter 4: Command Line Interpreters
- Chapter 5: Basic Unix Commands
- Chapter 6: Remote Access
Part II - Your First C++ Program
- Chapter 7: C++ Problem-Solving Process
- Chapter 8: Setting up a C++ Programming Environment
- Chapter 9: Writing and Running a Basic C++ Program
- Chapter 10: C++ Output
- Chapter 11: C++ Data Types
- Chapter 12: C++ Variables
- Chapter 13: C++ Assignment and Input
- Chapter 14: C++ Arithmetic Operators
Alignment with CS 135
The topics and structure of this text are intentionally aligned with CS 135: Introduction to Computer Science at UNLV. Students who complete this material should be better prepared to:
- Understand lecture content
- Complete programming assignments
- Navigate large-enrollment course structures
- Develop confidence in their programming abilities
About the Author
This text was developed by Alex St. Aubin, Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The material is informed by multiple years of experience teaching and coordinating large-enrollment introductory computer science courses, as well as work in automated assessment and instructional infrastructure.
Status and Updates
This instructional text is actively maintained and updated as part of the Computer Science Bridge Program. Chapters may be revised or expanded to reflect instructional needs and student feedback.
Final Notes
This text is provided as a supplementary instructional resource to support student success and readiness. Students are encouraged to engage fully with course-provided materials once enrolled in CS 135.
Copyright and Usage
© Alex St. Aubin. All rights reserved.
Permission is granted to use and reference this instructional text free of charge for educational and non-commercial purposes, provided that proper attribution is given to the author.
At no time may any portion of this text be reposted, mirrored, uploaded, or redistributed on any website, platform, learning management system, repository, or distribution service other than those locations where the author has originally published the material.
Users may link to the original content and cite excerpts for educational purposes with attribution, but redistribution of the full text or substantial portions of it is prohibited without explicit written permission from the author.
No modifications or derivative works may be redistributed without explicit permission from the author.