Science and Mathematics Center, Room 326
CIS 100 may be used to satisfy the college computer literacy requirement. Science majors may also use CIS 121 to satisfy this requirement.
A computer literacy examination is given each semester for the purpose of exempting students from CIS 100. The examination consists of both written and hands-on components. The examination may be taken only once. Students seeking exemption should plan to take the examination no later than sophomore year, and in no case may it be taken during final semester of the senior year. Exemption from the course does not carry credit hours. The examination for CIS 100 will be given each semester during registration and preregistration.
The goals of the Computer and Information Science Department are to prepare students for graduate training in some specialized area of computer science, to prepare students for jobs in industry, business, or government, and to provide support courses for students in engineering, mathematics, and other fields requiring computing skills.
Upon successful completion of a major in Computer and Information Science, students will be able to
1. demonstrate proficiency in problem-solving techniques using the computer.
2. demonstrate proficiency in at least two high-level programming languages and two operating systems.
3. demonstrate proficiency in the analysis of complex problems and the synthesis of solutions to those problems.
4. demonstrate comprehension of modern software engineering principles.
5. demonstrate a breadth and depth of knowledge in the discipline of computer science.
International/Women's Studies Requirement
Students must achieve an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and a GPA in Computer Science of at least 3.4 with no Computer Science grade less than "C." Completion of an Honors Thesis or Independent Study project is required.
Zeta Chapter of Upsilon Pi Epsilon
Forty-four (44) to 48 semester hours are required for the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, including 36 required core course hours and at least three additional elective courses chosen from any computer and information science courses at the 300 level or above. In addition to the credit courses, participation in first-year and senior seminars is required. Each of the courses presented for the major must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
The numbers following the course names indicate the credit hours, lecture hours, and laboratory hours, respectively.
Core Major Requirements (36 Hours)
One of the following two courses:
Note: Independent study/research hours may not be counted as required hours in computer science.
Two semesters of calculus-based Physics.
Each of these courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
The computer science minor is designed primarily for students with a science background. It consists of six courses. The three required courses for this option are CIS 121, CIS 122, and either CIS 213 or CIS 216. One elective may be chosen from CIS courses numbered 210 or above. The final two electives must be chosen from courses numbered 300 or above with consultation from the department. For example, students may choose courses from the set CIS 313, CIS 366, CIS 437, and CIS 463, or from the set CIS 302, CIS 326, CIS 413, and CIS 463. The suggested mathematical cognates for this option are MATH 214 and MATH 234.
The Information Science minor is designed for nonscience majors and is oriented toward business and information science. MATH 107 is the required mathematics course, but MATH 115 or higher is acceptable. The minor consists of six courses which must include CIS 121, CIS 122, CIS 213, and CIS 302. Two electives may be chosen from CIS courses listed as electives in the option above, or MGT 300, Principles of Management.
CIS 100 - INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS (4-3-0)
A course designed to give students an understanding of how a computer works, its capabilities, limitations, and applications. Includes system components, societal impact, applications, introduction to web page development, and the hands-on use of software packages including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software and databases. This course, CIS 193, or CIS 121 is required of all students.
CIS 102 - RESEARCH USING THE INTERNET (1-1-0)
Introduction to methods and tools for finding and disseminating information for scholarly research using the World Wide Web. Emphasizes understanding of how the Internet works, what the World Wide Web is, and ways that people can communicate via the Internet and the Web. This course is taught on a Pass/Fail basis.
CIS 121 - COMPUTER SCIENCE I (4-3-2)
An introduction to programming using C++. Emphasis on problem-solving techniques, algorithm design and concepts of object oriented programming. Corequisite: MATH 115.
CIS 122 - COMPUTER SCIENCE II (4-3-2)
A study of advanced language features: recursion, dynamic data structures, program correctness, internal search/sort methods, and algorithm analysis. A continuation of programming methodology presented in CIS 121. Prerequisite: CIS 121. Corequisite: MATH 115 or 120.
CIS 181, 182 - FIRST YEAR SEMINAR (0-1-0)
An orientation to the Computer Science major and to the resources of the UNIX system and the Internet. Includes a survey of the nine basic areas of Computer Science, the role of the Computer Science professional, and an introduction to personal computer software. Also covers availability of opportunities for internships, co-ops, research programs, ethical issues affecting computer science, etc.
CIS 193 - INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS (HONORS) (4-3-0)
A course designed to give students an understanding of how a computer works, its capabilities, limitations, and applications. Includes system components, societal impact, applications, programming concepts, and the use of software packages including word processing, spreadsheets and databases. This course or its equivalent is required of all students. In contrast to CIS 100, this course will have substantial research and writing assignments, including web page development. Prerequisite: Membership in the Honors program or permission of the instructor.
CIS 213 - FOUNDATIONS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE (4-3-2)
An introduction to the theoretical foundations of computer science with emphasis on topics such as finite state machines, formal languages, proof techniques, boolean logic and combinatorics. Also a study of the vision of the field of computer science with exposure to the breadth of the basic areas of study. Prerequisite: CIS 122.
CIS 216 - COMPUTER ORGANIZATION AND DESIGN (4-3-2)
An explanation of the basic workings of a computer, from the stored-program concept and the representation of code and data to the fetch-execute cycle and the design of the datapath hardware. Covers assembly language programming and the Instruction Set Architecture and introduces certain operating system concepts. Introduces the design of combinational and sequential logic gates and the internal operation of modern computer hardware. Prerequisite: CIS 122.
CIS 302 - DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS (3-3-0)
An introduction to the use of computers as a part of a decision support system (DSS) or a management information system (MIS). Includes information gathering and analysis, data organization and file management techniques, and information management issues. Application projects drawn from current practice and literature. Prerequisite: One high-level programming language.
CIS 313 - DATA STRUCTURES AND ALGORITHM ANALYSIS (4-3-0)
Advanced data structures and design and analysis of algorithms. Topics include balanced trees, sorting, heaps, selection, stringmatching, graph algorithms, algebraic problems and algorithmic complexity and computability. Algorithm design techniques include divide-and-conquer, dynamic programming and depth-first-search. Methods for solving common summations and recurrences. Prerequisites: CIS 122, MATH 231. (formerly MATH 251) Corequisite: MATH 214.
CIS 326 - FILE PROCESSING AND DATA MANAGEMENT (3-3-0)
A study of the design of file processing system, including file organization and access methods, data concepts, techniques of structuring data on bulk storage devices and introduction to database design and SQL. Prerequisite: CIS 313 or consent of the department.
CIS 343 - OPERATING SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE (4-3-1)
An introduction to major concepts in the design of operating systems at the register-transfer level. Interrelationships between the operating system and the architecture of computer systems. Includes a major project. Prerequisites: CIS 213 and CIS 216.
CIS 346 - ORGANIZATION OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES (4-3-0)
A study of the fundamental concepts and general principles underlying programming languages in current use. Run-time behavior of programs. Comparison of language features and programming techniques using several languages such as Ada, C, Java, Perl, LISP, C++, and PROLOG. Prerequisite: CIS 213.
CIS 366 - NUMERICAL ANALYSIS (4-3-0)
A study of and use of techniques for the numerical solution to the following types of problems: zeroes of functions, linear systems, functional approximation, numerical integration/ differentiation, and eigen values. Error analysis will also be included for each technique studied. Prerequisites: MATH 214, and MATH 212, 232, or 295. Required: Must have computer programming skills.
CIS 390 - DIRECTED STUDIES (VARIABLE)
An in-depth study of a significant topic in computer science under the direction of a member of the computer science faculty. The student will conduct independent study/research and meet weekly with her advisor. Required: A written paper and public presentation. Prerequisite: Junior standing and consent of the department.
CIS 391 - HONORS THESIS (INDEPENDENT STUDIES) (4-0-0)
An intensive research project is required of all honors majors. Each honors major should enroll for the thesis during the second semester of the junior year. Details on the thesis can be obtained from the department's chair.
CIS 401 - COMPUTER GRAPHICS (4-3-2)
Introduction to the use of computers for manipulation and display of graphical information. Includes graphical input methods and interactive graphics, two- and three-dimensional transformations, and fundamentals of vector and raster graphics. Prerequisite: CIS 122. Suggested: MATH 214.
CIS 413 - DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS DESIGN (4-3-0)
Principles, tools, and techniques of database design with emphasis on concepts and structures necessary to design and implement a database management system. File organization and data organization techniques. Includes a major database project. Prerequisites: CIS 326, CIS 343.
CIS 432 - ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (4-3-2)
Fundamental concepts, techniques and issues of artificial intelligence. State space search strategies. Heuristic methods and programming techniques. Survey of applications in areas of problem solving, expert systems, natural language understanding, vision and learning. Prerequisites: CIS 313, CIS 346.
An elective in the Computer Science major and the Environmental Science major. An introduction to the basics of Discrete Event Simulation and Continuous Simulation. Covers why simulation is used, how to model systems and how to ensure the correctness of the models. Explains how simulations are implemented on computers. Discusses random variate generation. Describes the statistical analysis of results. Prerequisites: CIS 121; MATH 205.
CIS 443 - COMPILER CONSTRUCTION (4-3-0)
Definition and overview of a compiler, study of the basic techniques of compiler design and implementation. Lexical analysis, parsing, syntax checking, and semantic analysis. Design of a sample compiler of moderate complexity. Prerequisites: CIS 343, CIS 346.
CIS 452 - THEORY OF COMPUTATION (4-3-0)
Introduction to properties of algorithmic computation, modules of computation, Turing computability, recursive functions, computability, and decidability. Prerequisites: CIS 313, MATH 234.
CIS 456 - HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION (3-3-0)
A study of various aspects of the human-computer interface. Methods for designing and evaluating computer systems for increased usability and efficiency. Design of a sample system of moderate complexity. Prerequisites: Junior standing; CIS 121-122.
CIS 463 - COMPUTER NETWORKS AND DATA COMMUNICATIONS (4-3-2)
Introduction to basic communication concepts, distributed systems, network architectures, networks and protocols, digital communication links, overview of local area networks, and related software design. Prerequisites: CIS 122, CIS 216, or consent of instructor.
CIS 470 - SPECIAL TOPICS (4-3-0)
Lectures in topics of current interest. Topics vary according to the needs and interests of students. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
CIS 472 - SOFTWARE ENGINEERING (4-3-0)
Introduction to software engineering principles and techniques which are used in the construction of large software systems. Software life cycle and the methodologies to support the various phases; CASE (Computer Aided Software Engineering); software reuse, project planning and scheduling, software cost-estimation, and documentation. Participation in a group project with extensive programming in high-level programming language. Prerequisite: CIS 343, or consent of instructor.
CIS 475 - SPECIAL TOPICS (4-3-1)
Lecture-Laboratory course in topics of current interest. Topics vary according to the needs and interests of students. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
CIS 481 - SENIOR SEMINAR I (0-1-0)
Supervised student preparation for career development and graduate study including assistance with resumes, applications for admission, and financial aid. Survey of current software applications. Discussion of ethical and social issues in the discipline and gender issues in the discipline.
CIS 482 - SENIOR SEMINAR II (1-1-0)
Discussion of issues and current topics in the discipline. Exploration of literature of the discipline. Exposure to advanced UNIX, scripting, and programming languages. Discussion of ethical and social issues in the discipline.
CIS 485 - SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT (4-0-3)
A major project requiring the integration of material from across the computer science curriculum. The student should expect to spend a minimum of 10 hours per week on the project. Prerequisite: Consent of the department.
CIS 491 - HONORS THESIS RESEARCH (4-3-0)
An intensive research project required of all honors majors. Each honors major should enroll for the thesis during the first semester of the senior year. Details on the thesis can be obtained from the department chair.