Brief Descriptions of CIS Courses2009 - 2011Shown here are brief descriptions of each CIS course in the 2009-2011 Saint Vincent College Bulletin. Some details and updates have been added beyond what is shown in the Bulletin itself. (Note that further information about how a course is currently being taught can often be found out from the instructor.) CS 101 Survey of Computers and Computing CS 103 Animation, the Web, and Security:
Three Views of Computing CS 104 Science of ComputingThis course establishes computing as a science and affirms the connection between computing and the sciences. Topics include the scientific method, methodologies used in computer science for evaluating hypotheses, as well as how computing is used as a tool in other fields of science. The course includes a lab component in which students will get hands-on experience investigating computer science problems. Programs will be set up for students to run so they can test different hypotheses. It will be possible to configure the programs with different parameters to see the impact of running over more data sets, running different algorithms, running in different environments, etc. The experiments involve generating and collecting data that can be analyzed to determine whether preliminary hypotheses are true or false. The data, analysis and conclusions will be written up as lab reports. This is a Tier II science course. Any Tier I science course serves as the prerequisite. Offered Spring semester. Four credits. CS 110 Computing and Information Science I CS 111 Computing and Information Science II CS 170 Discrete Structures I CS 171 Discrete Structures II CS 205 Webpage Programming and Design CS 221 Data Structures CS 225 Computer SecurityThis course examines both the theory and practice of computer and network security. Topics include cryptography, spyware, viruses, sniffers, rootkits, back doors, network attacks, Trojan horses, intrusion detection, and firewalls. Examples of attacks and how to protect against them will be drawn from both the Windows and Unix/Linux worlds. Hands-on exercises are included. Prerequisite or corequisite: CS 110. Three credits. CS 230 Computer Architecture and Assembly Language CS 250 User Interface DesignGood decisions involving the design of a user interface can lead to programs that are easier for end users to execute. Code that is written by programmers who are sensitive to ergonomic issues will execute faster, have fewer errors, require less training time and ultimately give its end user a greater sense of satisfaction. This course will discuss the many issues involving such human-computer interaction. In addition, course participants will program interface applications using VB .NET. Prerequisite: CS 111. Three credits. CS 251 Introductory Computer GraphicsComputer graphics is the art and science of communicating information using images that are generated and presented through computation. This requires the design and construction of models that represent information in ways that support the creation and viewing of images, the design of devices and techniques through which the person may interact with the model or the view, the creation of techniques for rendering the model, and the design of ways to preserve the images. In this course, both the mathematical foundations and practical implementation of these concepts will be explored with the help of a standard API. Prerequisites: CS 221 and Calculus II (either MA 110 or MA 112). Three credits. CS 255 Introduction to Artificial IntelligenceThis course will present overviews of the roots of artificial intelligence, predicate calculus, the importance of search and search techniques, knowledge representation and knowledge-based problem-solving, the complexity of natural language and machine learning. In addition to other assignments, students will be required to complete projects using PROLOG and LISP, which will be introduced during the course. Prerequisite: CS 111. Three credits. CS 270 Introduction to Numerical Computation CS 305 Web Technologies CS 310 Programming LanguagesThis course examines the features, implementation, and design of programming languages. Various high-level programming languages representing different programming paradigms will be covered. Java will be used as the primary example of an object-oriented programming language. Programming language translation and runtime features such as storage allocation will be among the topics that are considered. Prerequisite: CS 221 or permission of instructor. Offered Spring semester alternate years (Spring 2010). Three credits. CS 321 Data Communications and Network Security CS 325 Advanced Topics in SecurityThis course explores advanced topics in security, requiring a basic knowledge of security issues and a programming background. Prerequisites: CS 111 and CS 225. Three credits. CS 330
Computer Architecture and Operating Systems CS 350 Database Concepts and Information Structures CS 351 Information Systems Analysis and Design CS 355 Software Engineering CS 357 Computing Science Project IUsing principles and techniques developed in CS 351 or CS 355, a capstone senior project is begun in this course. This includes items such as choosing a project, researching the requirements and technologies needed, and producing a requirements document. A team approach may be used at the discretion of the instructor. Some projects may be projects for real clients. Each project should be done in an area related to one's concentration. Prerequisite or corequisite: CS 351 or CS 355. Offered Fall semester. One credit. CS 358 Computing Science Project IIUsing principles and techniques developed in CS 351 or CS 355, the capstone senior project begun in CS 357 is now implemented. A team approach to software development may be used at the discretion of the instructor. Some projects may be projects for real clients. Each project should be done in an area related to one's concentration. Prerequisite: CS 357. Offered Spring semester. Two credits. CS 450 Independent Study in Computing and Information ScienceAn independent study may be possible by arrangement with an individual faculty member. Course may be repeated with a different topic. Variable credit. CS 465 Information Systems ManagementThis course provides an introduction to management information systems, e-commerce, planning, and decision support. It explains how information is used in organizations, the role of information technology professionals, and how information systems are used to an advantage in business settings. Social and ethical issues related to the design, implementation and use of information systems will be addressed. Basic information technology project management skills will be covered as well as the issues and challenges involved in managing an information services department. Offered Fall semester alternate years (Fall 2009). Three credits. CS 550 Computing and Information Science InternshipAn internship involves practical work experience, typically with a local business. Course may be repeated. Variable credit. May be done for no credit. |