Undergraduate classes, Fall 2008, Computer Science

Note: Some CS course numbers have changed, effective Spring 2008.
Note: All courses taken towards the major or minor must be taken on a letter grade basis, not pass/fail.
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CS 110: Computer Science FundamentalsCredits: 4− Description− Sections
Content: The course will provide a basic understanding of the principles underlying computer systems and software. Topics include an overview of computer hardware, the design of algorithms and their role in problem solving, and programming in a high level language. Databases, networking and the world-wide web, and contemporary issues in information technology will also be discussed.
Particulars: Lectures will be supplemented by readings and some laboratory exercises; there will be several quizzes, a midterm, a final exam, and assignments. Computer-based assignments will account for approximately 25% of the grade but this is not primarily a programming course. CS110 is intended for students who do not expect to take additional computing courses. Students interested in further course work should instead start in CS170.
000MSC: W201TuTh 10:00am - 11:15amVaidy Sunderammax 50
CS 155: Computer Science with Business ApplicationsCredits: 4− Description− Sections
Content: This course covers tools and concepts of computer science that are most relevant to business (enterprise) computing and e-commerce, emphasizing the common 3-tier website model. Students will be introduced to basic programming principles, page layout and visual interface design, client/server computing, and simple techniques for accessing databases. Algorithmic and mathematical foundations of fundamental e-commerce techniques such as search engines, recommendation and reputation management systems, and online auctions will be studied. Teams of students will explore existing websites and design and implement extensions to a code framework. No background in computing is necessary but students with background are welcomed.
Particulars: Class meetings will be a mix of lectures and hands-on work in the Math/CS teaching lab using Microsoft #C .NET and related tools. Grades will be based on participation, presentations, project design and implementation, and a midterm and final exam. This class has a lab on Thursdays from 4-5 pm in the Computer Lab, MSC E308A.
000MSC: W301MWF 11:45am - 12:35pmPhil Huttomax 30
LABMSC: E308ATh 4:00pm - 5:00pmPhil Huttomax 30
CS 170: Introduction to Computer Science ICredits: 4− Description− Sections
Content: This course is an introduction to computer science for the student who expects to make serious use of the computer in course work or research. Topics include: fundamental computing concepts, general programming principles, the Unix Operating System, the X-window system, and the Java programming language. Emphasis will be on algorithm development with examples highlighting topics in data structures.
Particulars: No previous programming experience is required for this course. Students expecting to take more advanced Computer Science courses should start here. The grade in this course will be based on programming assignments and examinations. Typically the programming assignments will count no more than 50%.
000MSC: W303MWF 10:40am - 11:30amPhil Huttomax 30
001MSC: W301TuTh 1:00pm - 2:15pmSebastien Sivamax 30
Lab1MSC: E308ATu 4:00pm - 5:00pmPhil Huttomax 30
Lab2MSC: E308AW 4:00pm - 5:00pmSebastien Sivamax 30
CS 171: Introduction to Computer Science IICredits: 4− Description− Sections
Content: A continuation of CS170. Emphasis is on the use and implementation of data structures, introductory algorithm analysis, and object oriented design and programming with Java. The course will also introduce the basics of procedural programming with C.
Prerequisites: CS170
000MSC: W302TuTh 1:00pm - 2:15pmEugene Agichteinmax 25
CS 190: Freshman Seminar: RobotsCredits: 4− Description− Sections
Content: Computers are ubiquitous and take a variety of interesting forms such as robots, mobile phones, electronic music players, biomedical devices, and toys. This course provides an introduction to Computer Science by programming and exploring such embedded computers in the form of robots designed using the Lego Mindstorms NXT package. Assignments will primarily consist of weekly labs in which students will program a robot to compete with other students on or perform a given task. Although the course is self-contained and will explore various topics, the primary focus will be no designing and implementing programs, and a strong interest in learning or experience in programming will be quite useful.
000MSC: W304TuTh 1:00pm - 2:15pmOjas Parekhmax 16
CS 224: Mathematical Foundations of Computer ScienceCredits: 4− Description− Sections
Content: This course introduces elementary mathematics necessary for the computer science curriculum. Topics include functions, boolean logic, quantifiers, automata, languages, asymptotic notation, and reasoning about programs.
Particulars: The grade is based on regular homeworks, one or two midterms, and a final exam.
Prerequisites: Math 112 (or 112s or 112Z). Corequisite: CS 170.
000MSC: E406MWF 12:50pm - 1:40pmJames Lumax 30
CS 255: Computer Organization and Architecture ICredits: 4− Description− Sections
Content: This is the first course in computer organization and architecture and is designed to introduce the student to computer organization, architecture. The hardware components of computer systems and their interconnections will be studied at a level suitable for assembly programming. The architecture of the M68000 and SPARC computers and their assembly languages will be covered in detail.
Particulars: Grades will be based on quizzes, homework, programming assignments, and tests.
Prerequisites: CS 171.
000MSC: W301MWF 2:00pm - 2:50pmPhil Huttomax 30
CS 377: Database SystemsCredits: 4− Description− Sections
Content: (Formerly CS 457). Prerequisite: Computer Science 171. Introduction to storage hierarchies, database models, consistency, reliability, and security issues. Query languages and their implementations, efficiency considerations, and compression and encoding techniques.
000MSC: W201TuTh 1:00pm - 2:15pmShun Yan Cheungmax 30
CS 450: Systems ProgrammingCredits: 4− Description− Sections
Content: (Formerly CS 351). Systems programming topics will be illustrated by use of the Unix operating system. Topics include: file i/o, the tty driver, window systems, processes, shared memory, message passing, semaphores, signals, and interrupt handlers. Programming examples and assignments will illustrate the system interface on actual computer hardware. All assignments will be in written in C. The department's computing lab will be used in the course to allow students to get hands-on experience with operating system and hardware topics that cannot effectively be pursued on a central timesharing computer.
Particulars: Grades will be based on the programming assignments as well as the midterm and final exams. This course may not be taken S/U.
Prerequisites: CS 171 and CS 255.
000MSC: W301TuTh 11:30am - 12:45pmKen Mandelbergmax 25
CS 456: Compiler ConstructionCredits: 4− Description− Sections
Content: An introduction to the algorithms and data structures used to construct a high level language compiler. Topics include: formal language specification, lexical analysis, parsing, and code generation.
Particulars: A substantial portion of this course will involve a student project to construct a compiler for a simplified programming language. Working knowledge of C or C++ is highly recommended.
Prerequisites: CS 253, CS 255, and CS 424, or their equivalents.
000MSC: W201MW 3:00pm - 4:15pmJames Lumax 25
CS 497R: Undergraduate Directed StudyCredits: 1 - 12− Description− Sections
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