Computer Science Curriculum Overview
Professors Mich Kabay and Huw Read; Associate Professors Jeremy Hansen and Charles Snow; Assistant Professor Ahmed Abdeen Hamed; Lecturers Matthew Bovee and Kris Rowley.
The program focuses on practical design and development in computational environments, as well as the underlying theoretical foundations that make these environments operate efficiently, reliably, and securely. Our graduates integrate knowledge from other disciplines, such as mathematics and engineering, and enter into organizations with a broad functional and enterprise perspective.
The Bachelor of Science program in Computer Science provides students with a solid foundation for a wide range of career fields and for entry into graduate-degree programs. This intense and challenging program provides extensive preparation in data structures, algorithms, and mathematics, leading to advanced courses in operating systems, parallelism, software engineering, computer networking, and information security. The graduates of this program have the in-depth knowledge of hardware, software, and applications, required to perform complex trade-off analyses at the hardware and software level. The technical studies in this program, combined with thoughtful selection of electives in the humanities and social sciences, prepare the graduate to be a future leader in our progressive information-based society.
Each student has an individually-assigned faculty advisor from their very first day on campus. The faculty advisor assists in the development of an individualized academic program designed to meet the student's career goals. The student and the faculty advisor work together to keep the student's individualized program on track throughout their enrollment at Norwich. Committed to strong ties linking the classroom, the computer labs, and the real world, this program focuses extensively on the application of classroom work to solving real-world computer-design and computer-application problems.
Goals:
Graduates will be able to:
- Apply their knowledge of computer science to problems encountered in their professional careers or in pursuit of advanced degrees;
- Use evolving technologies, analytical thinking, and design to address contemporary issues;
- Communicate well orally and in writing, interact professionally, and work effectively on multidisciplinary teams to achieve project objectives; and
- Uphold high ethical standards, including concern for the impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society.
Outcomes:
Upon graduation, students will:
- Be competent in theoretical and mathematical foundations of computer science;
- Be proficient in at least one programming language and have a basic knowledge of at least one other;
- Understand the hardware and software architecture of computer systems;
- Demonstrate the ability to participate in professional practices related to software engineering;
- Be able to communicate effectively about computer science-related topics; and,
- Demonstrate the ability to be responsible practitioners of computer science and understand the social and ethical implications of computing.
Careers for this Major:
- Chief Information Officer
- Chief Technical Officer
- Computer Support Specialist
- Information Systems Manager
- Network Administrator
- Software Engineer
- Software Tester
- Systems Administrator
B.S. in Computer Science - Curriculum Map 2019-2020 Catalog
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| CS 100 Foundations of Computer Science and Information Assurance | 3 | CS 140 Programming and Computing | 4 | ||
| CS 111 Personal & Professional Cyber Safety | 1 | EN 102 Composition and Literature II | 3 | ||
| EN 101 Composition and Literature I | 3 | MA 121 Calculus I (General Education Math) | 4 | ||
| General Education History | 3 | General Education Arts & Humanities | 3 | ||
| General Education Leadership | 1-3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| MA 107 Precalculus Mathematics 1 | 4 | ||||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 15-17 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 17 | ||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| CS 228 Introduction to Data Structures | 3 | CS 212 Assembly Language & Reverse Engineering | 3 | ||
| EE 215 Fundamentals of Digital Design | 4 | CS 260 Data Communications and Networks | 3 | ||
| General Education Lab Science | 4 | General Education Lab Science | 4 | ||
| MA 122 Calculus II (General Education Math) | 4 | QM 213 Business and Economic Statistics I | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 18 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| CS 301 Software Engineering | 3 | CS 240 Database Management | 3 | ||
| EE 321 Embedded Systems | 4 | CS 270 Operating Systems & Parallelism | 3 | ||
| MA 306 Discrete Mathematics | 3 | MA 380 Theory of Computation | 3 | ||
| Technical Elective 2 | 3 | Technical Elective 2 | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 16 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Cr. | Comp. | Spring | Cr. | Comp. |
| CS 420 Computer Science capstone I or 430 Computer Science Undergraduate Thesis I | 3 | CS 421 Computer Science capstone II or 431 Computer Science Undergraduate Thesis II | 3 | ||
| PH 303 Survey of Ethics (General Education Ethics) or 322 Money, Meaning and Morality | 3 | General Education Social Science | 3 | ||
| General Education Literature | 3 | Mathematics Elective 3 | 3 | ||
| Technical Elective 2 | 3 | Technical Elective 2 | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Fall Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | Spring Semester Total Cr.: | 15 | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS FOR THIS MAJOR: 127-129 | |||||
| 1 | Requires a math placement score of 2. Students scoring below 2 must successfully complete the appropriate necessary prerequisite math courses first. With a math placement score of 3, the MA107 requirement may be waived and the credit hours replaced with a free elective. |
| 2 | Any non-duplicate course from CS (higher than CS 300), from DF (DF 242 or higher), from EE (EE 200 or higher), or from IA (IA 241 or higher) |
| 3 |
Computer Science Minor - Curriculum Map 2019-2020
All six courses require a grade of C or higher. Please also refer to the course descriptions for any course prerequisites.
| CS 140 | Programming and Computing | 4 |
| CS 228 | Introduction to Data Structures | 3 |
| EE 215 | Fundamentals of Digital Design | 4 |
| MA 306 | Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| Minor Elective Courses: choose two of the following | 6 | |
| Assembly Language & Reverse Engineering | 3 | |
| Database Management | 3 | |
| Virtual Systems Administration | 3 | |
| Data Communications and Networks | 3 | |
| Operating Systems & Parallelism | 3 | |
| Software Engineering | 3 | |
| Total Cr. | 20 | |
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. Offered Fall and Spring.
CS 111 Personal & Professional Cyber Safety 1 Cr.
An introductory, self-paced, instructor-facilitated, online individual study course recommended for freshmen, or any student wanting to use computers, email, and social media safely. Topics include: information attributes to be protected by information security; reducing identity theft risk; preventing disasters by keeping adequate backups; preventing malware attacks; enabling firewalls; using strong authentication; resisting phishing and advance-fee frauds; rejecting telephone frauds; analyzing and resisting false rumors; using email effectively and professionally; avoiding embarrassment by controlling information-sharing; avoiding violations of anti-hacking and anti-piracy laws; and, avoiding accidental plagiarism. 1 lecture hour. Offered: Fall, Spring.
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. Offered Fall and Spring.
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 serves as the basis for more advanced programming classes. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisite: C or higher in CS 100, or by instructor permission. Offered Fall and Spring.
CS 1XX Computer Science Elective 1-6 Cr.
This course is used for transfer when no equivalent Norwich course exists.
CS 212 Assembly Language & Reverse Engineering 3 Cr.
An introduction to assembly language 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 CS 140. Offered Spring.
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: CS 140 (C) or higher. Offered Occasionally.
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 CS 140. Offered Fall.
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. Pre-req: CS 228 (with grade C or higher). Offered Spring.
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. Offered Occasionally.
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 CS 140. Offered Spring.
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 CS 140. Offered Spring.
CS 2XX Computer Science Elective 6 Cr.
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. Offered Fall and Spring.
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 CS 140.
CS 323 Surveillance and Privacy in Germany 3 Cr.
An introduction to and comparison between legal, social, historical, political, and technical issues surrounding surveillance and privacy in Germany and the United States. In addition to surveillance and privacy, students research, analyze, and discuss issues of transparency, free speech, democratic dissent, social control, corporate and governmental power, and political parties. 3 lecture hours. Prereqs: CS 100 (C) or instructor permission. Offered: Summer.
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. Offered Occasionally.
CS 399 Pilot course 3 Cr.
CS 3XX Computer Science Elective 6 Cr.
This course is used for transfer when no equivalent Norwich course exists.
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. Offered Occasionally.
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. Offered Fall and Spring.
CS 410 Computing Internship 1-6 Cr.
Written academic products are required. A supervisor within the sponsoring organization must provide a written description of the internship beforehand, and a final performance evaluation of the student. Students may take the course more than once, up to a maximum of 18 hours earned credit, provided each semester taken covers a substantively different topic. Earned internship credit may be applied to not more than two required CS/CSIA major technical/concentration electives. Prerequisites: J1 or higher; good academic standing; faculty approval; CS/CSIA Chair or Director approval. Offered Fall and Spring.
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. Offered Fall.
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. Offered Spring.
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. Offered Fall.
CS 431 Computer Science Undergraduate Thesis II 3 Cr.
As the second semester of the two-course thesis sequence, this course serves as a continuation of CS 430. Prerequisite: CS 430. Offered Spring.
CS 4XX Computer Science Elective 4 Cr.