Computer Science Classes
CSC 140
SURVEY OF COMPUTERS 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. (Communications Core)
3 credit hours
CSC 141
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE 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. (Communications Core)
3 credit hours
CSC 144
OBJECT ORIENTED PROGRAMMING serves two 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 and to train students to use at least one object oriented computer language. (Communications Core)
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: CSC 141 or knowledge of “C” programming language or instructor’s permission
CSC 155
COMPUTERS AND INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY I enables the student educator to master the knowledge and skills necessary to become 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 gradebooks; databases; spreadsheets; telecommunications; Internet; and an introduction to multimedia. This course is for those seeking teacher licensure. Education majors only.
3 credit hours
CSC 232
ELEMENTARY COBOL AND STRUCTURED PROGRAMING emphasizes structured programming and problem-solving using Cobol.
Prerequisite: CSC 141 or equivalent
3 credit hours
CSC 242
ADVANCED COBOL AND FILE PROCESSING 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.
Prerequisite: CSC 232
3 credit hours
CSC 245
DATA STRUCTURES 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.
Prerequisites: CSC 144 or permission of instructor
3 credit hours
CSC 255
COMPUTERS AND INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY II 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.
Prerequisite: CSC 155—Education majors only
3 credit hours
CSC 261
INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEMS examines the four fundamental types of data organization (sequential, direct, indexed sequential, and data base management systems) and the corresponding programming and design techniques. Security, privacy, data integrity, and future trends are discussed.
Prerequisite: CSC 141 or CSC 144
3 credit hours
CSC 271
STRUCTURED SYSTEMS ANALYSIS 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.
Prerequisite: CSC 245
3 credit hours
CSC 280
NUMERICAL COMPUTING 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.
Prerequisite: CSC 141 or permission of instructor
3 credit hours
CSC 310
PROGRAMING LANGUAGES 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.
Prerequisite: CSC 245
3 credit hours
CSC 335
JUNIOR SEMINAR 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.
1 credit hour
CSC 341
NETWORKING/TELECOMMUNICATIONS 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.
Prerequisite: CSC 140 or 141 and junior standing
3 credit hours
CSC 344
ALGORITHM AND COMPLEXITY will introduce concepts of algorithm analysis, strategies, time and resource complexity and basic computability.
Prerequisites: CSC 245 and MTH 220
3 credit hours
CSC 351
CURRENT TOPICS IN COMPUTER INFORMATION SCIENCE is a seminar in information resource management covering such topics as office automation, networks, distributed data processing, data integrity, and decision support systems.
Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor
3 credit hours
CSC 400
INTERNSHIP 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.
Prerequisite: Computer Science Junior or Senior standing and permission of the department chair.
Internships must be preapproved.
1-6 credit hours
CSC 402
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SYSTEMS surveys the relationship between hardware architecture and both systems and applications software. The influence of processor and storage system architecture on software design is also studied.
Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor
3 credit hours
CSC 403
OPERATING SYSTEMS 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.
Prerequisite: CSC 404
3 credit hours
CSC 404
COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE WITH ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE 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.
Prerequisites: CSC 245 and MTH 220
3 credit hours
CSC 405
SYSTEMS PROJECT 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.
Prerequisite:CSC 271
3 credit hours
CSC 410
INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERT SYSTEMS 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.
Prerequisite: CSC 245 and junior standing
3 credit hours
CSC 430
THEORY OF COMPUTING 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.
Prerequisites: MTH 220 and 332
3 credit hours
CSC 434
SENIOR THESIS 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.
1 credit hour