Methodist University Department of Computer Science

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Courses

CSC 100 COMPUTER LITERACY: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (3 s.h.)
This course is an introduction to computers and their uses in the electronic office. The course assumes no prior computer experience. Topics will include history of computers, organization and structure of the typical computer, simple troubleshooting of the computer, how to set up computers for use, basic keyboard skills, overview of uses of the computer, overview of different operating systems and user interfaces, introduction of text editing and word processing, electronic mail, databases, spreadsheets, telecommunications, etc. Prerequisite: none. This course is offered every fall and spring semester.

CSC 201 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE (3 s.h.)
An introduction to computer science and programming. No prior programming experience required. Typical problems from the office workplace and their computer solutions will be explored. Elementary problem solving and programming techniques will be studied. This course is offered every fall and spring semester.

CSC 202 INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING (3 s.h.)
Problem solving, algorithm development, and programming. Some of the problem solving techniques include top-down design, stepwise refinement, structured programming, and object-oriented design. Prerequisite: CSC 201 or permission of the instructor. This course is offered every spring semester.

CSC 220 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER ORGANIZATION (3 s.h.)
Computer architecture, organization, data conversions, data representations, CPU structure, memories, addressing, IO devices, and Assembly Language programming are some of the topics. Prerequisite: CSC 201 or permission of the instructor. This course is offered every spring semester.

CSC 301 INTRODUCTION TO OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING (3 s.h.)
An introduction to the object-oriented programming methodology using a modern object-oriented programming language. Algorithms and data structures will be studied from the object-oriented viewpoint. The Class concept as an architectural design tool will be a major focus of the course. Prerequisite: CSC 202 or permission of the instructor. This course is offered every fall semester.

CSC 305 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING IN THE UNIX PROGRAMMING ENVIRONMENT (3 s.h.)
An intensive course in the study of large programming projects and how they are accomplished/implemented in the Unix programming environment. Topics include Java, C, and the Unix programming environment; the tools that Java, C, and Unix provide for dealing with large programming projects; and various topics in Software Engineering. Prerequisites: CSC 301 or permission of instructor. This course is offered every spring semester.

CSC 309 WEB TECHNOLOGIES AND PROGRAMMING (3 s.h.)
Students study a broad spectrum of Web programming technologies. Materials include markup languages,
cascading style sheets, document object model, client-slide scripting, server-side application development, and multi-tier Internet database application development. Prerequisites: CSC 301 with a grade of C or better. This course is offered as needed.

CSC 310 DATA STRUCTURES AND ALGORITHMS (3 s.h.)
Complexity, data structures, searching and sorting not covered in 301, graphs, and mathematical algorithms. Prerequisites: CSC 301 or permission of instructor. This course is offered every spring semester.

CSC 314 NUMERICAL METHODS (3 s.h.)
Error analysis, interpolation, numerical differentiation and integration, solutions of linear and non-linear systems of equations, and ordinary differential equations. Prerequisite: MAT 232, 312, and knowledge of a high-level language. Cross listed as MAT 314. This course is offered as needed.

CSC 325 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES (3 s.h.)
Design and implementation of contemporary programming languages, language syntax and translation, data structures, sequence control, subprograms, storage management, and theoretical models. Prerequisite: CSC 310 and MAT 250, or permission of instructor. This course is offered as needed.

CSC 350 COMPUTER GRAPHICS (3 s.h.)
This course provides a broad overview of the basic concepts of computer graphics. It introduces techniques for 2D and 3D computer graphics, including modeling and representation, illumination and shading, rendering, texturing, and advanced software tools. The student will learn fundamental algorithms and techniques and gain the basic knowledge necessary to understand computer graphics. In addition the general features of graphics hardware will be covered. Prerequisites: CSC 310 or permission of instructor. This course is offered as needed.

CSC 410 OPERATING SYSTEMS (3 s.h.)
Operating systems, including job-control languages, supervisor programs, libraries, monitor control systems, I/O device management, and buffering techniques. Prerequisite: CSC 310 or permission of instructor. This course is offered every fall semester.

CSC 411 COMPUTER NETWORKS (3 s.h.)
A systematic study of the organization and management of a computer network system. Prerequisite: CSC 410 with a grade of C or better. This course is offered as needed.

CSC 412 THEORY OF COMPUTABILITY (3 s.h.)
The concept of effective computability, Turing machines, primitive recursive functions, Godel numbering, universal Turing machines, and undecidable predicates. Prerequisites: MAT 251, CSC 325, or permission of instructor. Cross listed as MAT 412. This course is offered as needed.

CSC 415 COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE (3 s.h.)
Central processors, control unit and microprogramming, memory management, I/O and interrupts, combinational circuits, and error detection. Prerequisites: CSC 220. This course is offered every fall semester.

CSC 417 SYSTEMS ANALYSIS, DESIGN, AND IMPLEMENTATION (3 s.h.)
A survey of the problems and solutions encountered when implementing information systems. Requirements specification, analysis, and design are some of the topics that will be covered. This course is offered as needed.

CSC 420 DATABASE MANAGEMENT (3 s.h.)
Data models, normalization, query facilities, file organization, index organization, security, integrity, and reliability. Prerequisites: CSC 305 , 310, or permission of instructor. This course is offered as needed.

CSC 430 COMPILER CONSTRUCTION (3 s.h.)
Formal grammars, syntax, lexical scanners, parsing, symbol tables, storage allocation, object code generation, error handling, code optimization, use of compiler writing languages, and overall design. Prerequisites: CSC 220, 310, and 325; MAT 251. This course is offered as needed.

CSC 440 HUMAN COMPUTER INTERFACE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT (3 s.h.)
A survey of the issues, tools, and techniques involved in the design of a modern interactive multimedia-computer application. Lecture will consist of selected topics from the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and applied application development. Typical application tools will be examined. An individual or group project will be part of the course grade. Prerequisites: CSC 310 or permission of instructor. This course is offered as needed.

CSC 450 GAME PROGRAMMING (3 s.h.)
This course covers the principles of designing and implementing computer games. Different aspects of computer game development such as user interfaces, artificial intelligence, multimedia components, networking, databases in games and game ethics are discussed. Prerequisites: CSC 350 or permission of instructor. This course is offered as needed.

CSC 485 SPECIAL TOPICS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE (1-4 s.h.)
Advanced students study in-depth compiler design, artificial intelligence, graphics, simulation, organization, formal logic, or computability. Prerequisite: permission of the department chair. This course is offered as needed.

CSC 490 SENIOR PROJECT (3 s.h.)
The CIT senior project must be a significant body of works representative of the student’s abilities and knowledge. Students are advised to choose a project in their junior year. Wide latitude is allowed in the project proposals; however, the student must receive written CSC faculty approval. This course is offered as needed.

CSC 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN COMPUTER SCIENCE (TBA)
An opportunity for a well-qualified, upper-division student to engage in special research in his/her major. Requires approval by the faculty advisor, the supervising professor, the department chair, and the school dean before approval by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Credit to be determined.