Current CS 124 Stats

This is as much personal recording for me (and perhaps of interest to Harvard people who read the blog).  But also putting the numbers here for others to know for comparison.

I'm teaching the undergraduate algorithms and data structures class, CS 124, for the first time in a few years, so let's look at the initial enrollment numbers.  Harvard has its strange and wonderful shopping period, so I'm just getting the numbers now after the first week.  (Feel free to comment with comparative stats from your own institution!)

Current numbers are a bit over 280 students, about 20 more than last year, about 60 more than the last time I taught it.  Seems like the course has been growing about 20 people a year for the last few years.  This number may go up or down a few (most likely down), but is probably close to where the class will end up.  I keep thinking we've hit "peak 124", but it keep going upwards.  Part of this seems to be because a few more grad students (especially various master's students) are taking it.  Something like 1/7 of the undergraduates take this course now, which to me always seems amazing.  When I was an undergraduate at Harvard, CS courses were just not this big.  My first year teaching at Harvard, CS 124 was about 90 students, and that was huge.  I do realize, of course, that many places have even larger CS classes;  I'm not meaning to complain.

Surprising to me, about 1/4 of the course is first-years.  This is more than I remember from my previous years teaching it;  it's a hard course that requires both math and programming background, so first-years usually wait.  On the other hand, the first-years taking it are self-selecting, and in past years the first-year grade average is notably higher than the class average.

About 40% sophomores, not surprisingly the largest group.  Then a mix of juniors, seniors, and grad students from various programs.

The course is also offered through the Extension School;  here numbers change a lot.  Right now it's about 45, but that will most likely drop further.

If I've counted right, it's my 18th time teaching the class.  I'm pretty sure I'll get to 20.  I suppose it's possible I'll get to 30 or more, but it's likely someone else will take it over at some point.