Computer Science and 
Management Information System Curriculum

 

Catalog Description for Computer Science

The courses in this department constitute a complete introduction to computer programming and architecture. The necessary preparation is provided for employment in the field and for further study at the graduate level. Course recommendations of the ACM/IEEE-CS Joint Curriculum Task Force have been closely followed. Both B.A. and B.S. degrees are offered

All students majoring in Computer Science must have Mathematics 201 and 213 as tools for the degree. Also, either Mathematics 203 or 341 must be taken. A Computer Science major seeking a B.S. degree must also have Mathematics 223

It is recommended that Computer Science majors take PHIL 316 in partial satisfaction of the social science course requirements for graduation

A major in Computer Science consists of CSC160, 170, 230, 240, 260, 330, 340, 350, 360, plus two courses from CSC420, 430, 450, and 460. In addition, a student must take CSC480 during his/her last spring semester prior to graduation.
 
 

Catalog Description for Management Information Systems

The study of Management Information Systems is intended to address the issues that exist in the area overlapped by the disciplines of business administration, computer science, information processing, and related fields

All students majoring in Management Information Systems must have Mathematics 201 and 213 as tools for the degree. Also, either Mathematics 123 or 341 must be taken

It is recommended that Management Information Systems majors take PHIL 315 in partial satisfaction of the social science course requirements for graduation.

A major in Management Information Systems consists of

  1. 27 semester hours in the department of Economics and Business Administration including Accounting 231, 232; Business Administration 354, 364, 422, 425; Economics 101, 102; and Finance 352.
  2. 26 semester hours in the department of Computer Science including CSC160, 170, 210, 230, 240, 260 plus one course from CSC330, 340, 350, 360, 420, 430, 450, or 460. In addition, a student must take CSC480 during his/her last spring semester prior to graduation
 
 

Course Listings in Computer Science
CSC105 Computer Concepts and Applications (3 hours)
This course provides a comprehensive overview of computers, telecommunications, and other topics pertinent to information technology. The course also contains an introduction to selected application software packages. May not be counted toward a major in Computer Science or Management Information Systems. Prerequisite: MTH 103 or equivalent. (See Business Administration 105).

CSC160 Introduction to Computer Science I (4 hours)
An introduction to the fundamental concepts of computer science. The social implications of computers and computer applications will be discussed. The concepts of structured programming, the representation of numbers in a computer, arrays, user interfaces, database files and abstract data types will be included. A strong emphasis will be given to the concepts of problem-solving. This course, along with CSC170, is the basis for the rest of the computer science curriculum. A programming language will be introduced. Formerly CSC121. Corequisite: MTH 115 or equivalent.

CSC170 Introduction to Computer Science II (4 hours)
A continuation of CSC160. A continued emphasis on problem-solving and software design concepts. Basic data structures and algorithms will be introduced, which includes sorting and searching on arrays. The concept of abstract data types and their applications will be covered. This includes lists and an introduction to trees. A continuation of the discussion of the ethics of computers will be contained within the course. A second programming language will be introduced. Formerly CSC 221. Prerequisite: CSC160.

CSC210 Business Computing (3 hours)
Concepts of computing as it applies to business and management situations. Emphasis will be on problem-solving using spreadsheets and database tools. An introduction to telecommunications for managers will also be included. Prerequisite: CSC105 or equivalent.

CSC230 Computer Systems and Interfacing (3 hours)
Introduction to machine organization and assembly language programming. Topics will include representation of data, assembler concepts, instruction sets, addressing modes, input/output, software interrupts, and an introduction to interfacing. Formerly CSC201. Prerequisite: CSC170.

CSC240 Computer Networking (3 hours)
Topics include basic hardware, software and architectural components for computer communications, computer networks, switching, routing, protocols and security. Also topics involving interfacing operating systems and networks are covered. Students will get hands on experience with local area networks. Formerly CSC361. Prerequisite: CSC170. Corequisite: MTH201.

CSC250 Programming Practicum (1 - 3 hours)
Fundamental syntactic and stylistic techniques of an individual programming language such as FORTRAN, COBOL, Ada, Prolog, LISP, and others. May be repeated for credit with different languages. Prerequisite: CSC170 and permission of the instructor.

CSC260 Data and File Structures (3 hours )
Algorithms and data structures for sorting, searching, string processing, trees, and graph algorithms. Algorithms and data structures associated with file processing, such as hashing, indexing and B-trees. Concepts of relational databases and the relational algebra. An introduction to the theory of algorithms and the use of algorithms in problem solving. Formerly CSC 222. Prerequisite: CSC170. Corequisite: MTH201.

CSC330 Computer Architecture (3 hours)
Introduction to the fundamentals of digital logic, digital systems, and design. Topics include logic circuits, logic devices, memory, register transfer, and alternative architectures. Formerly CSC 202. Prerequisite: CSC230.

CSC340 Operating Systems (3 hours)
Introduction to operating system concepts including process, device, and memory management. Other topics include the history of operating systems, security, and protection. Formerly CSC362. Prerequisite: CSC230, CSC260.

CSC350 Organization of Programming Languages (3 hours)
History of programming languages. Organizational issues: data and control structures; run-time behavior of programs. Lexical and syntactic specification and analysis. Introduction to non-procedural programming. Formerly CSC321. Prerequisite: CSC230, CSC260.

CSC360 Theory of Algorithms (3 hours)
A study of the theoretical aspects of computer based algorithms. This will include algorithms and concepts from complexity theory, computability, parallel algorithms, state spaces and search algorithms from AI, and automata theory. Formerly CSC371. Prerequisite: CSC260, MTH213.

CSC420 Artificial Intelligence and Expert Systems (3 hours)
Introduction to artificial intelligence and expert systems concepts. Topics include knowledge representation, search algorithms, reasoning, and shells. Programming in an AI language such as LISP and/or PROLOG. Formerly CSC351. Prerequisite: CSC260.

CSC430 Advanced Digital Interfacing (3 hours)
Advanced digital interfacing techniques. Topics include serial and parallel interfaces, polling, hardware interrupts, and real-time programming techniques. Corequisite: CSC330.

CSC450 Compiler Design (3 hours)
A study of the concepts of language translation. Introduction to grammars and to the theory of computability. Lexical analysis, parsing techniques, symbol tables, type checking, optimization, and code generation will be discussed. The students will design and implement a software system using the techniques discussed in class. Prerequisite: CSC350.

CSC460 Theory of Databases (3 hours)
File structures and access methods. Database modeling, design and user interface. Emphasis on relational database models. Information storage and retrieval, query languages, and high level language interface with database systems. The students will develop a nontrivial database system using a language designed for databases. Formerly CSC342. Prerequisite: CSC260.

CSC480 Senior Software Design Project (3 hours )
Senior capstone course in Computer Science and Management Information Systems. Will study the management of the development of a large software system. The major emphasis of the course will be the development of a client/server software system. All aspects of the software life cycle will be emphasized. An added emphasis will be on the responsibilities of the computer professional in society. Formerly CSC331. Prerequisite: CS or MIS major in their last spring semester prior to graduation.

CSC490 Special Topics (1 to 3 hours )
Advanced topics in Computer Science. Designed to make available topics not available in the regular curriculum. Formerly CSC411. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor.

CSC495 Internship (1 to 3 hours)
Work experience in the computer environment of a business, financial institution, or government agency. This work experience must advance the student's knowledge of computing. Offered on a credit/fail basis. May be repeated with a different firm or agency for a maximum of 6 hours credit. Complete guidelines for a computer science internship may be obtained from the department chairman. Formerly CSC405. Prerequisite: overall GPA 2.75, Consent of department chairman

CSC498, 499 Independent Study and Research (1 to 3 hours)
Course of study to be arranged with a computer science faculty member with the approval of the department. A plan of study must be written before approval will be given. Formerly CSC 401, 402. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor.