Course Descriptions for Undergraduate Level CIS Courses

100 Level | 200 Level | 300 Level | 400 Level

• CISC 101 Computers and Information Systems (3)
  Introduces basic concepts of computer organization, terminology, usage and discusses the impact of computers on society. It introduces word processing, spreadsheets, databases, electronic mail, bulletin boards, windowing systems, networks, and very simple programming, and includes hands-on experience with computer systems and computer software.

• CISC 105 General Computer Science (3)
  Information structures, machine structure, principles of computation and algorithmic processes. Practical exercises in programming.
  RESTRICTIONS: Does not count toward graduation if taken after CISC181.

• CISC 106 General Computer Science for Engineers (3)
  Information structures, machine structures, principles of computation and algorithmic processes. Numerical methods and applications from engineering and the physical sciences.

• CISC 120 Object Oriented Programming in C++ (3)
  A bridging course for students who already know C programming (e.g. CISC105) to move into CISC220 without taking CISC181.
  PREREQ: CISC105
  RESTRICTIONS: Recommended only for strong students. Other should take CISC181. Normally only offered in Winter and Summer sessions.

• CISC 135 Topics: Programming Language (2)
  Learning and using a second programming language, with an emphasis on style. Each section will deal with one language: possibilities include ADA, C, COBOL, FORTRAN, LISP or MODULA-2. PREREQ: CISC100, CISC105, CISC106, CISC180, EGGG125 or BUAD230. RESTRICTIONS: A section of CISC135 in a language and another course in which that language is taught cannot both be counted toward graduation. Forbidden combinations: CISC105 and CISC135 - Pascal; CISC106 and CISC135 - Fortran; CISC180 and CISC135 - Lisp; CISC181 and CISC135 - C and C++.

• CISC 181 Introduction to Computer Science (3)
  More procedural and data abstractions. Program modules, arrays, pointers, specification, representation, implementation and testing. Application to the design of large software systems.
  RESTRICTIONS: Grade of C- or better in CISC 105 or equivalent programming experience in a high level language.
  COREQ: MATH115, MATH117, MATH171, MATH221 or MATH241.
  
  

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• CISC 220 Data Structures (3)
  Review of data type abstraction, recursion, arrays, stacks, queues, multiple stacks and linked lists. Emphasis on dynamic storage management, garbage collection, trees, graphs, tables, sorting and searching.
  PREREQ: A minimum grade of C- in CISC181 or CISC120.
  COREQ: MATH210 or MATH242.

• CISC 260 Machine Organization and Microcomputers (3)
  Introduction to the basics of machine organization. Programming tools and techniques at the machine and assembly levels. Assembly language programming.
  PREREQ: A minimum grade of C- in CISC181 or CISC120.
  RESTRICTIONS: CISC220 recommended as a Prerequisite.

• CISC 280 Program Development Techniques (3)
  Structure and interpretation of computer programs. Procedural and data abstractions (high road). Different paradigms (mind sets) that programmers use. Procedural and functional programming, logic and object oriented programming.
  PREREQ: A minimum grade of C- in CISC220.
  COREQ: MATH221 or MATH241.
  
  

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• CISC 301 Elements of Logic and Automata Theory (3)
  Propositional and predicate logic for general reasoning and advanced applications in knowledge representation in artificial intelligence and data base, logic programming, program correctness and programming semantics. Automata and formal language theory. Background for advanced applications in compilers, computer networks, operating systems and natural language processing.
  PREREQ: MATH210 and a minimum grade of C- in CISC220.
  

• CISC 310 Logic and Programming (3)
  Propositional and predicate logic syntax, semantics; proof methods based on unification and resolution; applications involving reasoning and logic programming.
  PREREQ: CISC280 and MATH315.

• CISC 320 Introduction to Algorithms (3)
  Design and analysis of algorithms; worst-case/average- case analysis, proof techniques for correctness and performance of graph algorithms, control abstractions (divide and conquer, greedy method, branch and bound); NP- hard and NP-complete problems.
  PREREQ: MATH210 and a minimum grade of C- in CISC220.

• CISC 360 Computer Architecture (3)
  Principles and techniques used in the architecture of digital computers. Machine elements and their interrelation. Stack machines and other computer architectures.
  PREREQ: CPEG202 or ELEG202 or CPEG210 and CPEG211, and a minimum grade of C- in both CISC220 and CISC260 (or equivalent course).

• CISC 361 Operating Systems (3)
  Principles and techniques employed in the development of operating systems and their control programs. Includes management of memory, processors, I/O devices.
  PREREQ: A minimum grade of C- in both CISC220 and CISC260 (or equivalent course).
  RESTRICTIONS: CISC360 recommended as a Prerequisite.

• CISC 366 Independent Study (3-6)
  

• CISC 370 Object-Oriented Programming, Java, and the World Wide Web
  Study of object-oriented programming through the use of the Java programming language. Applications for the World Wide Web (WWW) will be carried out.
  PREREQ: CISC181 and CISC220

• CISC 372 Parallel Programming (3)
  Introduction to parallel programming concepts, methodologies, and tools. Programming techniques for programs that contain code segments which will run simultaneously on multiple processors. Topics include: concurrency, program decomposition, data distribution, communication, load balancing, scalability, locality, granularity, debugging, performance evaluation.
  PREREQS: CISC220
  
  

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• CISC 401 Elements of the Theory of Computation (3)
  General models of computation, formal languages and automata theory, and algorithmic insolvability.
  PREREQ: CISC301 or CISC310
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit can only be received for either CISC401 or CISC601.

• CISC 403 Program Verification (3)
  Structured design, specification and verification of programs, proof rules.
  PREREQ: CISC301 or CISC310
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC403 and CISC603.

• CISC 404 Logic in Computer Science (3)
  Formal introduction to first-order logic with emphasis on its relevance to computer science. Syntax, semantics, models, formal proofs and results on soundness, consistency, completeness, compactness and undecidability. Automated theorem proving also covered.
  PREREQ: CISC301 or CISC310.
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC404 and CISC604.

• CISC 409 Topics in Theoretical Computer Science (3)
  Contents vary to coincide with the interests of students and current faculty.
  PREREQ: CISC401/601.
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC409 and CISC609.

• CISC 410 Introduction to Numerical Analysis and Algorithmic Computation (3)
  See MATH426 for course description.

• CISC 411 Algorithmic and Numerical Solution of Differential Equations (3)
  See MATH428 for course description.

• CISC 423 Applied Symbolic Computation (3)
  Introduction to one or more computer algebra systems, algebraic computation applied to problems in applied mathematics, and individual student projects using symbolic computation to solve a problem from student's own discipline. May be cross-listed with MATH613.
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC423 and CISC623.

• CISC 427 Computer Simulation Techniques (3)
  Modeling and computer stimulation of discrete and continuous systems - those characterized by stochastic discrete events and those characterized by differential equations. Study and use of simulation languages.
  PREREQ: CISC220.
  RESTRICTIONS: MATH302 is recommended as a Prerequisite. A student cannot receive credit for both CISC426 and CISC626.

• CISC 429 Topics in Algorithms and Complexity Theory (3)
  Contents vary to coincide with the interests of students and current faculty.
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC429 and CISC629.

• CISC 437 Database Systems (3)
  Physical and logical organization of databases. Data retrieval languages, relational database languages, security and integrity, concurrency, distributed databases.
  PREREQ: CISC220,and either CISC301 or CISC310.
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC437 and CISC637.

• CISC 440 Computer Graphics (3)
  Computer graphics technology, two- and three-dimensional systems, graphics software systems, modeling and object hierarchy, and animation.
  PREREQ: CISC220 and MATH241
  RESTRICTIONS: CISC320 recommended. Credit cannot be received for both CISC440 and CISC640.

• CISC 449 Topics in Computer Applications (3)
  Contents will vary to coincide with the interests of students and current faculty.
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC449 and CISC649.

• CISC 450 Computer Networks (3)
  Introduction to local area and long haul computer communication networks. Analysis, design and implementation of network protocols.
  PREREQ: CISC301 or CISC310, CISC360 and MATH205 or STAT205
  COREQ: CISC361
  RESTRICTIONS: Knowledge of probability recommended. Credit cannot be received for both CISC450 and CISC650.

• CISC 451 Data Compression and Reliability in Multimedia (3)
  Important approaches to data and multimedia compression. Lossless technique: Huffman, dictionary, arithmetic, fun length. Lossless applications: GIF, lossless JPEG, Unix compress, gzip. Lossy techniques: scalar/vector quantization, differential/subband/transform encoding. Lossy applications: JPEG/MPEG.
  PREREQ: MATH242, STAT201, and CISC450.

• CISC 452 Telecommunications Systems (3)
  Presents basic concepts in telecommunications, emphasizing topics such as SONET, Cell and Frame Relay and multimedia switching. Concepts of the operation and maintenance of large communications networks are discussed.
  PREREQ: CISC450 or CPEG419.
  RESTRICTIONS: Restricted to CISC and ELEG/CPEG majors and minors

• CISC 458 Applied Computer Networks (3)
  Principles of communications as they apply to computer networks. Includes advanced concepts of network design, construction, and management.
  PREREQ: CISC450.

• CISC 459 Topics in Communications, Distributed Computing and Networks. (3)
  Contents vary to coincide with the interests of students and current faculty.
  PREREQ: CISC450/650
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC459 and CISC659.

• CISC 462 Computer Systems: Architecture (3)
  Recent advances in computer architecture and their impact on architectural design. Multicomputer and multiprocessor architectures. Parallel machines.
  PREREQ: CISC360 and MATH205 or STAT205
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC462 and CISC662.

• CISC 466 Independent Study (1-6)
  

• CISC 470 Programming Languages (3)
  Selection, use and implementation of appropriate language(s) for given problems. Syntax, semantics, pragmatics, parameter passing and abstract data types.
  PREREQ: CIS301 or CISC310
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC470 and CISC670.

• CISC 471 Compiler Design (3)
  Introduction to the design and implementation of compilers, with a focus on lexical analysis, parsing and syntax directed translation.
  PREREQ: CISC260 and either CISC301 or CISC310.

• CISC 473 Computer Science Projects (3)
  Experimental, theoretical and literature studies of computer science problems.
  RESTRICTIONS: Open to majors only. Requires permission of instructor. May be taken twice for credit when topics vary.

• CISC 475 Object-oriented Software Engineering (3)
  Introduction to software engineering concepts, methodologies and tools. Requirement analysis, design and implementation of object-oriented software development process. Students will be presented with several real-life examples and homework projects to cover all aspects of object-oriented lifecycle, from requirements to coding in C++.
  PREREQ: A minimum grade of C- in CISC280
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC475 and CISC675. CISC361 is recommended.

• CISC 479 Topics in Architecture and Software (3)
  Contents will vary to coincide with the interests of students and faculty.
  PREREQ: CISC361 and CISC462.
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC479 and CISC679.

• CISC 481 Artificial Intelligence (3)
  Programming techniques for problems not amenable to algorithmic solutions. Problem formulating search strategies, state spaces, applications of logic, knowledge representation, planning and application areas.
  PREREQ: CISC280 and either CISC301 or CISC310.
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC481 and CISC681.

• CISC 485 Mechatronics (3)
  Mechatronics is the intersection set of computers, electronics and mechanical engineering. Covers principles and theoretical aspects of mechatronic design, including human/machine interfacing, haptic systems, procedures in mechatronic design, reverse engineering, machine behaviors, and mechatronic control systems.
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC485 and CISC685.

• CISC 489 Topics: Artificial Intelligence (3)
  Contents vary to coincide with the interests of students and current faculty.
  PREREQ: CISC481/681.
  RESTRICTIONS: Credit cannot be received for both CISC489 and CISC689.