Computer Science (CS)
Courses
CS 100 Foundations of Computer Science and Information Assurance 3 Cr.
This survey of computing and information assurance fundamentals is required for computer science and information assurance majors. The course focuses on learning to use key concepts and terminology in information technology, computer science, networking, and information security. Discussions regarding computing ethics, safety, and professionalism are included throughout. Prerequisites: By permission only for non-computer science and non-CSIA majors.
CS 120 Business Applications & Problem Solving Techniques 3 Cr.
An introductory course in management information processing. The course explores the most important aspects of information systems with specific emphasis on business applications, practical usage, and current information. The student will obtain skills in word processing, spreadsheet analysis, and presentation tools using professional software packages. Structured problem-solving techniques will be emphasized throughout the course. Practical implementation projects and case studies will be used to reinforce topics such as computer, academic, and professional ethics for an information-based society. Not open to CS or CSIA majors.
CS 140 Programming and Computing 4 Cr.
An introduction to fundamental computing concepts and programming, designed for students with little programming background. The course uses a high-level language and emphasizes object-oriented design and implementation techniques. Good software engineering practice and language-specific concepts are introduced by means of programming projects that illustrate the importance of software quality attributes. This course serve s as the basis for more advanced programming classes. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: C or higher in IS 100 or CS 100, or by instructor permission.
CS 212 Assembly Language & Reverse Engineering 3 Cr.
An introduction to assembly lanuage and reverse engineering, including relationship among machine language, assemblers, disassemblers, compilers, and interpreters. This courses provides requisite skills for computer forensics, malware analysis, and cryptology. Prerequisites: 'C' or higher in IS 131 or CS 140.
CS 221 GUI Programming 3 Cr.
A study of the design and implementation of the graphical user interface. The course will present fundamentals of usability and human factors in GUI design. One or more of the following will be studied and implemented in a student project: Visual Basic programming, Web programming, GUI code generators. Prerequisite: IS 131.
CS 228 Introduction to Data Structures 3 Cr.
An introduction to the basic concepts of algorithm analysis, data representation, and the techniques used to operate on the data. Topics include searching, sorting, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, hash tables, graphs, Prerequisite: C or higher in IS 131 or CS 140.
CS 240 Database Management 3 Cr.
A study of the concepts and structures necessary to design and implement a database management system. Various data models will be examined and related to specific examples of database management systems including Structured Query Language (SQL). Techniques of system design, system implementation, data security, performance, and usability will be examined. Prerequisite: C or higher in IS 131 or CS 140.
CS 250 Virtual Systems Administration 3 Cr.
This course includes a combination of classroom lecture on network and virtualization theory as well as a variety of hands on exercises to provide students with an understanding of how to configure and manage a VMware ESX environment. Students will also learn how to carry out administration tasks specific to the day-to-day operations of the NUCAC-DF. Some of these tasks will include how to build and maintain classroom environments, understanding requirements given by professors and instructors for classrooms, and overall maintenance of the systems in the Center for Advanced Computing and Digital Forensics. Pre-Requisite: by instructor permission.
CS 260 Data Communications and Networks 3 Cr.
An introductory study in fundamental concepts of computer networks and data communication including a survey of major protocols, standards, and architectures. Students use concepts and terminology of data communications effectively in describing how software applications and network services communicate with one another. Students read and analyze network traces to monitor communications, diagnose issues, and evaluate protocols. Prerequisite: C or higher in IS 131 or CS 140.
CS 270 Operating Systems & Parallelism 3 Cr.
An introduction to the theory and structure of modern operating systems, including hardware abstraction, process management, memory management, system performance, and security. Specific attention to multi-threaded processing, semaphores, locking and interprocess communication. Prerequisites: C or higher in IS 131 or CS 140.
CS 300 Management Information Systems 3 Cr.
This course provides an overview of information systems, their role in organizations, and the relationship of information systems to the objectives and structure of an organization. Management of software projects, decision making with regard to systems development, and organizational roles with regard to information systems is also discussed. Not open to CS or CSIA students.
CS 301 Software Engineering 3 Cr.
An in-depth introduction to the software development life cycle, the techniques of information analysis, testing, and the logical specification of software. Particular attention to project management, documentation, and interpersonal communication. Utilizing industry-standard methods, the student progresses through the phases of specification, design, implementation, and testing of information systems. Object-oriented design techniques are used to design new logical and new physical systems for business-related problems. Prerequisite C” or higher in IS 131 or CS 140.
CS 330 Ethics in Computing and Technology 3 Cr.
The course examines ethical dilemmas resulting from current technological trends, as well as the ethical standards and creeds of a variety of organizations (e.g., Association for Computing Machinery). Students learn to evaluate case studies from an ethical perspective. Students are expected to conduct literature surveys, produce bibliographies, write literature reviews, and present oral summaries of research as well as offer critical evaluation of writings related to ethics and technology. This course meets the General Education Ethics requirement.
CS 406 Special Topics in Computer Science 3 Cr.
A study of topics chosen from areas of current interest that are not offered as part of the permanent curriculum. Topics are chosen by instructors on a semester-by semester basis. Students may take the course more than once, provided each semester taken covers a substantively different topic. Prerequisite: By permission of instructor.
CS 407 Politics of Cyberspace 3 Cr.
This course explores the interrelations of modern computing and communications technology with politics, power, news, privacy, crime, and creativity. The course assumes only a rudimentary familiarity with the basic concepts and terminology of modern Internet usage and computing and is not a technology-focused course. Prerequisite: Open to 2nd-semester sophomores or higher, or by instructor permission.
CS 410 Computing Internship 3 Cr.
Internships in computing and information technology provide computing majors with the opportunity to apply and expand their knowledge within the computing discipline. Students must be Junior standing, or higher and have good academic standing. The student must have the internship approved beforehand by a computing faculty member and have the written consent of the Chair or Director of Computing. In addition, a supervisor within the sponsoring organization must agree to provide a written description of the internship beforehand, and provide progress reports during and after the internship experience. Prerequisites: Good Academic Standing, Junior or higher status.
CS 420 Computer Science capstone I 3 Cr.
A two-semester course sequence normally taken in the Senior year. Based on the subject matter mastered during their previous coursework, students (individually or in a group) identify a current topic to study in depth. As part of their studies, they develop either a working software project or produce a substantial data or hardware artifact. This course represents the first semester of a students work towards such a project. Prerequisites: Junior standing or higher, Computer Science majors only.
CS 421 Computer Science Capstone II 3 Cr.
As the second semester of the two-course capstone sequence, this course serves as a continuation of CS 420. Prerequisites: CS 420.
CS 430 Computer Science Undergraduate Thesis I 3 Cr.
The computer science undergraduate thesis is a two-semester course sequence normally taken in the Senior year. The course introduces students to the breadth of tasks involved in independent research, including library work, problem formulation, experimentation, and writing and speaking. Based on the subject matter mastered during previous coursework, students (individually or in a group) identify a current topic to study in depth. Students produce an original research paper. This course represents the first semester of a student’s work towards such a project. Prerequisites: Junior standing or higher, Computer Science majors only.