The academic program focuses on the foundations of computer science and engineering, (in short, FoCS, Foundations of Computer Science) where students will

learn basic concepts such as abstraction, computation, algorithm, programming, interaction with the physical world,
gain competency in mathematical reasoning, algorithm design, programming, and hardware skills,
apply the concepts and skills to solve problems in domains such as image processing, computer vision, cryptography, data mining, and
bring together all the ideas to succeed in an open-ended project.

In addition, students will participate in the Facets of Computer Science and Engineering seminar, where they will be exposed to the larger world of computing and learn the tools and techniques needed to make a smooth transition to UC San Diego. SPIS faculty include

Foundations of Computer Science

The course will cover basic Computer Science skills such as algorithm development and programming with an emphasis on logical thinking and debugging. Students will

implement programs in Python (a high-level language)
work with the Raspberry Pi
connections between low-level hardware, programming, and abstract algorithms as tools for solving problems
work on projects extending these ideas in the areas of data science, robotics, web development

Algorithm Problem Solving

Though programming is the most visible aspect of how Computer Science is applied, the basis of Computer Science is a way of thinking about problems and solving them algorithmically. In the Algorithmic Problem Solving (APS) lectures, students will

think about problems and algorithms and write the solutions precisely and coherently in plain English
practice the types of problems often presented to prospective employees at job interviews for companies such as Qualcomm, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, as well as start-up companies

Facets

Facets is a series of interactive lectures where students will

explore exciting ideas in computer science and engineering,
learn about opportunities in industry,
interact with departmental and college advisors for course planning, and
gain the knowledge about various resources at UC San Diego.

The lectures will be presented by UC San Diego faculty, alumni, college/departmental advisors, and industry professionals.

Projects

At the end of the SPIS Program, each student will work with a partner to complete a final project using the skills learned throughout SPIS. Students will

apply their Computer Science and Engineering skills to a real-world application
select a focus in a featured project area

past projects areas have included Machine Learning, Robotics, Web Applications, and Video Games

present their final projects to parents and faculty at the SPIS Closing Ceremony

What type of computer will I need for SPIS and for my time at UCSD?

During SPIS, all programming will be done using a web browser coding environment, meaning you can use any computer with a modern web browser (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, etc.) running any modern operating system (e.g. Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux). During your time at UCSD, the CSE Department provides computing resources in the form of computer labs, meaning you will be able to either physically work in the computer labs or remotely connect to the lab machine servers from any computer. As such, because there are no significant requirements with regard to computer specifications, we highly recommend prioritizing your own comfort and convenience when choosing a computer to use during your time at UCSD. For example, if you anticipate that you will want to type notes on your laptop, you may want something light-weight that can be comfortably transported across campus (though note that some instructors may frown upon using computers in class to avoid distractions). You may also want to prioritize having an operating system you're comfortable with. Note that it may be difficult to fit a desktop computer in your bedroom, so even if you want to use a large monitor while you work, it may be most convenient to use a laptop that connects to an external monitor. As you work on larger projects (e.g. for courses, Hackathons, etc.), while you should be able to leverage compting resources provided by the CSE Department, you may want a powerful laptop on which you can work instead for convenience. The more powerful the laptop, the longer it should last.

(Thanks to the University of Wollongong, Australia)	(Thanks to Khan Academy)	by Lehman, Leighton, and Meyer
Youtube video by duzauvi	(Thanks to Khan Academy)