COURSE NUMBER:
MBA296.1A
COURSE TITLE: An
Introduction to Code for MBAs
UNITS OF CREDIT: 1
INSTRUCTOR: Joe
Wadcan
E-MAIL ADDRESS: joe@wadcan.com
MEETING DATES: Fall A
only, 8/25-10/6
PREREQUISITE(S):
None. The class is aimed at non-technical students with no prior coding
experience.
CLASS FORMAT: Class
will be a mixture of lecture and in-class exercises. Students are expected to
actively participate.
REQUIRED
READINGS: Readings and background material will be distributed as
links prior to class. There is no textbook to purchase or books to reserve.
BASIS FOR FINAL
GRADE: Students will be graded on their comprehension of subject
matter that is introduced in class and reinforced through assignments and
projects. Each individual student’s score computed using the formula:
· 40%
Participation based on peer grading (20%), attendance (10%), in-class
contributions (10%)
· 30%
(3) Assignments based on covered class material
· 20%
(4) Quizzes held at the start of class, based on assigned reading
· 10%
Course project, with partial credit given based on achieved milestones
ABSTRACT OF COURSE'S
CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES: At its core, the Introduction to Code course
helps MBA candidates analyze complex problems, communicate clearly with
technical colleagues, and start building real web
applications. Students will gain this knowledge as they are guided
through the real world process of creating a working prototype for an actual
web based application. Students are taught the industry-standard
vocabulary, tools, and processes used by developers today, essential to a
career in the web tech industry. The class focuses heavily on
application instead of theory and is a great for student entrepreneurs, looking
to build out their ideas.
CAREER FIELD: Introduction to Code
is most helpful for students looking to enter the technology industry,
specifically in the web software realm. Since the coding topics are
sufficiently foundational, it's also useful for any student who wants to
understand how today's web services work, which is becoming a vitally important
skill across industries.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH:
Joe Wadcan currently works at GitHub and has taught the Intro to Code
course at Berkeley-Haas for two semesters. Joe founded and leads
development at Calico, a calendar based startup in San Francisco. He
previously worked at Javelin Ventures and lead communications for an internal
startup at Citigroup. Joe received his MBA from Berkeley-Haas ('12)
where he taught himself how to code, understanding the unique difficulties that
non-technical students face.