CSC - Computer Science Course Descriptions
Is a thorough introduction to computers, including hardware and software concepts. Hands-on experience using micro-computer hardware and software tools is included. Elementary skills in using such computer tools as word processing, spreadsheets, database managers, and programming will be developed as time allows. Social issues involving computers will be discussed.
Serves three main purposes: to develop in students an understanding of the algorithmic formulation of methods for problem solving on a computer; to train students to use at least one procedural computer language; and to acquaint students with the basic properties of computers.
Serves three main purposes: to develop in the students an understanding of the principles of object-oriented programming, to introduce the student to the algorithmic methods for problem solving on the computer, and to train students to use at least one object-oriented computer language.
Introduces data structures such as stacks, queues, lists, trees, and graphs in an object-oriented framework. The material of this course is fundamental in the object-oriented analysis and computer solution of a wide variety of problems.
CSC 144 or permission of instructor.
Enables the student educator to master the knowledge and skills necessary tobecome an intelligent user of computers in classrooms and laboratories. Course topics include computer-aided instruction; Piaget's and Papert's learning theories in relation to computers; word processing; electronic grade books; databases; spreadsheets; telecommunications; Internet; and an introduction to multimedia. This course is for those seeking teacher licensure. Education majors only.
Serves three main purposes: to develop in the students an understanding of the object-oriented approaches to the algorithmic formulation of methods for problem solving on the computer; to train students to use at least one object-oriented computer language and to prepare students for applied object-oriented programming in their upper level courses.
Studies the use of scripting languages and software tools for work in bioinformatics. Emphasis will be on data manipulation, file input and output, FASTA files, regular expressions and pattern matching, databases, and web programming.
Studies the fundamental algorithms used in bioinformatics. Attention will be paid to specific algorithms (e.g. for measuring DNA similarity and for constructing phylogenic trees), to algorithm design methods (e.g. exact vs. heuristic methods, and dynamic programing) as well as to the computational costs of the various algorithms (Big-O notation, and the difference between polynomial and exponential time algorithms).
Emphasizes structured programming and problem-solving using Cobol.
Is a continuation of the study of COBOL begun in CSC 232 and includes pseudo-code, table handling, modular programming, documentation, and other related topics. The techniques and concepts of structuring, sorting, and retrieving data on bulk storage devices are also introduced.
Further prepares student educators for the effective use of computers and technology in the classroom. Through this course, students will learn the basic skills needed to evaluate, design, produce, and utilize multimedia products in educational, organizational, and communications environments.
Examines the four fundamental types of data organization (sequential, direct, indexed sequential, and database management systems) and the corresponding programming and design techniques. Security, privacy, data integrity, and future trends are discussed.
Studies the system development cycle with emphasis on techniques and tools, system documentation, data flow diagrams, system testing, and implementation. Students are expected to suggest, design, and implement a specific application system.
Introduces procedural programming techniques using the programming language FORTRAN. Emphasis is placed on the analysis and design of numerical algorithms, which are useful in business and science. Other topics include file processing and parallel processing.
Examines the basic concepts of programming languages: programming language processors, elementary and structured data types, subprograms, sequence control, data control, storage management, syntax and translation, and programming environments. The student will also study three different programming languages and write a short project in each.
Studies the use of simulated evolution in computer science and biology. Primary emphasis will be on the use of evolutionary and genetic algorithms as tools for solving combinatorial optimization problems (including problems arising in bioinformatics). Secondary emphasis will be placed on construction of computer models designed to illuminate aspects of evolutionary theory (e.g. the computer evolution of strategies for playing the prisoner's dilemma as a model for the evolution of altruistic traits). Counts as a bioinformatics elective.
Covers the fundamental algorithms used in both private key and public key cryptography. Algorithms covered will include DES, AES, Diffie-Hellman, and RSA. Traditional encryption methods such as Vigenere ciphers and their cryptanalysis will be briefly described. The number theory needed to understand primality testing and RSA encryption will be developed in detail. Several programming projects aimed at implementing some of the material will be given throughout the semester.
Is designed to teach computer science and computer information science majors the skills necessary to learn computer science on their own and communicate their knowledge to others in oral and written form. All students will attend presentations made by senior computer science students. Students will be required to write a short, independently-researched paper and present it to the other students in the junior seminar.
Introduces students to the fundamentals of network and data communication technologies. Course topics include telecommunication media and equipment; data transmission and protocols; corporate, local, and wide area networks; intranets and internets; and network software and management. An introduction to electromagnetic concepts and principles is included to provide a technical foundation for these concepts.
Will introduce concepts of algorithm analysis, strategies, time and resource complexity and basic computability.
Is a seminar in information resource management covering such topics as office automation, networks, distributed data processing, data integrity, and decision support systems.
Junior standing or permission of instructor
Serves three main purposes: to develop in the students an understanding of software patterns in an object-oriented framework; to teach the students the 24 most common software patterns; and to train students to use another object-oriented computer language.
Is a work-experience opportunity with the purpose of expanding education by applying accumulated knowledge in computer science/technology. The availability of internships is limited to upper-level students, normally seniors with a 2.5 quality point average. Students are approved individually by the academic department. A contract can be obtained from the Career Services Office in Starvaggi Hall. Internships count as general electives.
Computer science junior or senior standing and permission of the department chair. Internships must be preapproved.
Surveys the relationship be- tween hardware architecture and both systems and applications software. The influence of processor and storage system architecture on software design is also studied.
Junior standing or permission of instructor
Considers the structure of operating systems involving design, implementation, and maintenance. Various types of mainframe, mini, and micro operating systems will be discussed. Some systems programming will be considered.
Is an introduction to the architecture of the microprocessors and Assembly Language. Concepts in digital logic, machine level of data, the assembly level machine organization, memory system organization, interfacing and functional organization are covered. Exercises in Assembly Programming will illustrate some of these concepts.
Gives students an opportunity to plan and implement a significant project using previously obtained analytic and programming skills. Students will be responsible for the proposal, management, implementation, documentation, and communication of the project. Departmental guidance will be available when necessary.
Explores Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the context of special languages used in AI, such as LISP and PROLOG. Basic AI techniques presented include those needed to understand and design simple expert systems. As time permits, topics from the following areas may be investigated: natural language processing, planning, machine learning, neural networks, and various forms of reasoning.
Examines the underlying mathematical models and theories that are the basis of the modern computer. Topics include grammars, types of languages, types of automata, computability, and complexity.
Requires all computer science and computer information science students to write a thesis on an approved topic in computer science. Students must consult closely with a departmental faculty member at each stage in the development of their theses. The thesis will be presented to students in the Junior Seminar.