Carleton University ยท COMP 1406

COMP 1406 Python Tutor

Introduction to Computer Science II - OOP, data structures, recursion, and algorithms in Python.

Struggling with classes, inheritance, or linked lists? I break down every concept so it actually makes sense - no fluff, just clarity.

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Why Students Get Stuck in COMP 1406

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OOP feels abstract

Classes and inheritance are conceptually hard to visualize. Most students copy code without understanding the design.

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Recursion breaks brains

Stack frames, base cases, and recursive trees are not intuitive - until you see them drawn out correctly.

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Linked lists and pointers

Managing next/prev references and edge cases (empty list, single node) trips up almost every student.

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Big-O and algorithm analysis

Understanding why O(nยฒ) vs O(n log n) matters - and how to derive it - is a consistent exam weakness.

Coding in the AI era

AI can write the linked list. Can you trace it?

COMP 1406 is where copied code starts to cost something. ChatGPT will produce a working remove method for a doubly linked list on the first try. What it cannot give you is the ability to say what prev and next are pointing at halfway through the operation, and that is the part the exam asks for. Recursion is the same story: AI writes the base case in a second, then you are asked to trace the call stack by hand for marks.

The assignments keep coming back fine, which is exactly why this stays quiet until the midterm. None of this makes you a bad student. It makes you a student learning to code in the AI era.

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Tracing, not typing

Walking a recursive call stack on paper and predicting the output before you run anything.

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Design you can defend

Explaining why your class uses inheritance instead of a plain attribute, in your own words.

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Big-O you derive

Working the bound out from the loops in front of you, instead of recognising the name of the algorithm.

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The edge case AI skipped

Empty list, single node, removing the head. Generated code ignores these more often than you would expect.

Take the free AI Coding Dependency Test

About 15 minutes, answered without AI. I send it over and score it with you: a Coding Independence Score and a breakdown across 10 skill areas.

What We Cover in COMP 1406

โœ“Object-Oriented Programming in Python
โœ“Classes, Objects & Constructors
โœ“Encapsulation & Information Hiding
โœ“Inheritance & Method Overriding
โœ“Polymorphism & Duck Typing
โœ“Abstract Classes & Interfaces (ABCs)
โœ“Recursion & Recursive Algorithms
โœ“Linked Lists (singly & doubly)
โœ“Stacks & Queues
โœ“Binary Trees & Binary Search Trees
โœ“File I/O & Exception Handling
โœ“Unit Testing with unittest / pytest
โœ“Algorithm Analysis (Big-O Notation)
โœ“Sorting & Searching Algorithms

Why Choose Me for COMP 1406?

๐Ÿ Python Expert

I use Python professionally. I know what good OOP looks like - and how to teach it so it clicks.

๐Ÿ’ผ Industry Engineer

Full-time software engineer. I connect textbook theory to how this stuff is actually used in the real world.

โญ Proven Results

Dozens of Carleton and York students boosted their grades with verified 5-star reviews on SuperProf.

โฐ Flexible Scheduling

Evening and weekend slots available. Last-minute before a midterm? I've got you.

๐ŸŽฏ Carleton Curriculum

Familiar with Carleton's COMP course structure, assignment styles, and exam formats.

๐ŸŽ“ Assignment Guidance

Stuck on a lab or project? I teach you how to think through it - you do the work, I guide the logic.

๐ŸŒŸ Book on SuperProf - First Hour FREE

Read verified student reviews and book your first free session today.

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No commitment. Cancel anytime.

Not sure how much of your Python you could write without AI?

Take the free AI Coding Dependency Test

Get COMP 1406 Help Today

Send me a message and I'll reply within 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

๐Ÿ’ฐ What are your rates?

First hour is FREE - try before you commit.

  • โ€ข Individual sessions: $40/hour
  • โ€ข Group sessions (2+ students): $25/hour per student

๐Ÿ Do you only tutor Python?

COMP 1406 uses Python, but I also tutor Java, C, and other languages across Carleton and York courses. Ask and I'll let you know if I can help.

๐Ÿ• Can you help last-minute before an exam?

Yes - I offer flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends. Message me and we'll find something that works.

๐Ÿ“ Will you do my assignments for me?

No. I help you understand how to complete them. My goal is to make you capable and confident - not dependent.

๐Ÿค– I use ChatGPT for COMP 1406 assignments. Is that bad?

Not automatically, and I am not going to tell you to stop using a tool the industry uses every day. The narrower question is whether you could rebuild your last assignment from an empty file and trace it out loud. If the honest answer is no, that gap shows up on a midterm that asks you to trace recursion and derive Big-O by hand. We keep the AI and close the gap. The free AI Coding Dependency Test scores you across 10 skill areas so you know where you actually stand.