Course Descriptions

 
CSIS 101 Introduction to the Internet (2)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Introduces the student to the Internet and the World Wide Web. Topics include effective searching of the World Wide Web, security and safe web browsing, file transfer, electronic mail, real-time communication, and electronic commerce. While most students are already familiar with e-mail and web browsing, this course covers the basics and goes beyond them to make students safe and effective users of the numerous rich resources of the Internet and the World Wide Web.


CSIS 103 Computer Concepts and Applications (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Introduction to basic computer concepts including hardware and software. Introduction to and hands-on experience with Windows, spreadsheets, word processors, database management systems, and presentation software as used in a business setting.


CSIS 104 Spreadsheet and Database Applications (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
A brief review of Windows, word processing and presentation software. In-depth coverage of a spreadsheet and a database management system as used in a business setting. Familiarity with Windows and word processing is required.


CSIS 104A Advanced Spreadsheet Topics (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Understand and apply the advanced features of spreadsheet software such as templates, financial functions, importing/exporting data, solving complex problems, and creating and manipulating lists. Familiarity with spreadsheets is required.


CSIS 115 Introduction to MacOS X (1)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
An introduction to the effective and knowledgeable use of MacOS X and associated technologies.


CSIS 130 Introduction to Visual Programming (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Introduction to computer programming in a visual programming environment. The course is designed for non-majors wanting a hands-on introduction to computer programming.


CSIS 140 Introduction to Information Systems and Internet Technologies (4)
Fall: All Years       
Introduction to information systems fundamentals and modern Web-enabled information systems. Introduction to contemporary Internet technologies based on the emerging set of applications, services, and standards that make it possible for information systems and software programs to communicate with each other and share information over the Web.


CSIS 152 Introduction to Computers and Programming I (4)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Introduction to problem solving, algorithm development, elementary data structures, data abstraction, and structured programming in a high-level language.
Prerequisite:  MATH 142 

CSIS 212 Client-Side Scripting (3)
Spring: On Demand       
An introduction to client-side scripting. Scripts will be used to add interactivity to webpages.
Prerequisite:  GCOM 266 

CSIS 221 Foundations of Computing (3)
Fall: All Years       
An overview of computers and computer systems, from the gate level to the application layer, including an introduction to Boolean algebra and review of Boolean arithmetic. Includes an introduction to assembly language.


CSIS 251 Assembly Language Programming (3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Introduction to an assembly language, machine architecture and assembly language programming.


CSIS 252 Introduction to Computers and Programming II (4)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Continuation of CSIS 152 with emphasis on data structures. Discussion of representations and processing techniques for lists, strings, trees, graphs, and records.
Prerequisite:  CSIS 152 

CSIS 311 Server-Side Scripting (3)
Fall: All Years       
An introduction to server-side scripting. Scripts will be used to generate functional web pages. In addition, databases will be created and accessed through server-side scripts. Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS.
Prerequisite:  CSIS 140  OR GCOM 266 

CSIS 316 Ethics in the Information Age [  9 ] (3)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
An introduction to ethical issues associated with the Information Age. A description of what the Information Age is, how it came to be, and what makes it different from the previous age. Study of new ethical issues arising from, or given increased prominence by, the Information Age advances in information collection, storage, retrieval, processing, and dispersion. Ethical issues to be covered include privacy, surveillance, accuracy, free speech, intellectual property, Internet crime, identify theft, spam, information access, information dispersion, and some consequences of data mining and emerging technologies. Sophomore status or completion of the Inner Cluster core is required. Same as PHIL 316.


CSIS 320 Architecture (4)
Spring: All Years       
This course builds on the concepts and techniques of CSIS 221. Basic principles of processor organization, machine instructions, addressing modes, memory management, and input/output operations.
Prerequisite:  CSIS 221 

CSIS 335 Graphical User Interface Programming (3)
Fall: On Demand       
Techniques and tools for the development of graphical user interfaces will be discussed. Event-driven and object-oriented programming techniques will be highlighted. The course provides experience with a visual programming environment, and introduction to design issues for user interfaces, and an introduction to creating visual interfaces for database environments.
Prerequisite:  CSIS 252 

CSIS 336 C#.Net Programming (3)
Spring: All Years       
A comprehensive introduction to programming using Visual C#.Net for students with experience in at least one high-level programming language. The course provides students with all the necessary skills to build Windows applications, Web applications, and XML Web services.
Prerequisite:  CSIS 252 

CSIS 340 Software Engineering (4)
Spring: All Years       
A study of the software development life-cycle including Requirements, Design, Implementation, Testing, Maintenance and Quality Assurance. Tools, techniques and methods will be studied. Project required.
Prerequisite:  ENGL 387  CSIS 252 

CSIS 341 System and Network Administration (3)
Fall: Even Years       
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the activities and responsibilities of an administrator of an enterprise computer system and/or computer network. It focuses on the installation, configuration, and maintenance of system software, the management of users and resources and the deployment of network services. Students will investigate topics through research, discussion, and hands on practice. Junior standing in a CSIS major is required.


CSIS 345 Analysis and Design of Information Systems (3)
Fall: On Demand       
Use information systems methodologies to solve enterprise wide managerial and organizational problems. Students will use the system development life-cycle and other methodologies with CASE tools to develop multi-user systems including using database. Project required. Junior standing in a CSIS major is required.


CSIS 349 Networks and Data Communications (3)
Fall: All Years       
Introduction to concepts and terminology of data communications technology. Local area and Long-haul networks; network architecture models and protocols; communications hardware, standards, media, signaling concepts, and channel characteristics; error prevention, detection and correction; distributed data processing and data communications trends. Project required. Junior standing in a CSIS major is required.


CSIS 352 Advanced Concepts in Programming (3)
Spring: All Years       
Continuation of CSIS 252 with emphasis on the implementation of data structures, implementation alternatives, and algorithm analysis.
Prerequisite:  CSIS 252 

CSIS 355 Systems Software (3)
Spring: On Demand       
Introduction to concepts in systems programming including assembly, relocation, linking and loading, translation and sequential operating systems. Project required. In addition to the listed prerequisites, CSIS 340 is recommended.
Prerequisite:  CSIS 251 

CSIS 360 Linux Programming and Development Tools (3)
Fall: Odd Years       
An introduction to UNIX programming and program development tools. Considers the UNIX file system, shells, scripting languages, system calls, signal handling, interprocess communication, and tools for constructing, archiving, debugging, testing and installing software products.
Prerequisite:  CSIS 152 

CSIS 405 E-Commerce Technology (3)
Fall: Odd Years        Spring: Odd Years       
The defining characteristic of modern e-commerce firms is that they are profitable, sustainable, efficient, and innovative firms with powerful brand names. The course focuses on the technology infrastructure that forms the foundation for all e-commerce. This infrastructure drives developments in payment systems, security, marketing strategies and advertising, financial applications, business-to-business trade, and retail commerce.
Prerequisite:  CSIS 340  OR CSIS 345  OR CSIS 140 

CSIS 430 Operating Systems (4)
Fall: Even Years        Spring: Odd Years       
A study of operating systems as a resource manager with emphasis on process management and synchronization, CPU scheduling, deadlocks, memory management, virtual memory, file management, I/O systems, and distributed systems. Project required.
Prerequisite:  ENGL 387 

CSIS 433 Design, Implementation and Support of Information Systems (3)
Fall: Odd Years        Spring: Odd Years       
This course reviews and builds on the concepts, methodologies and tools studied in CSIS 345. An in-depth study of the Software Development Life-Cycle, User Interface and Input/Output design. Introduction to Object-Oriented Analysis and Design. Projects required.
Prerequisite:  CSIS 345 

CSIS 435 Compilers (4)
Fall: Odd Years        Spring: Odd Years       
Organization of compilers; transition graphs, lexical analyzers, regular expressions and lexical analyzer generators; context-free grammars, top-down and bottom-up parsers, and parser generators; error recovery. Students are expected to carry out a project which involves developing a front-end (lexical analyzer, parser and 3AC generator) of a compiler for a hypothetical Pascal-like language. In addition to the listed prerequisite, Junior standing in a CSIS major is required.


CSIS 440 Computer Networks Software Concepts (3)
Spring: Even Years       
A study of how TCP/IP protocol software functions and interacts to facilitate communication across an internet. The Client/Server Model, its service techniques, efficiency and security issues are investigated in detail. Programming project(s) required.
Prerequisite:  CSIS 349 

CSIS 441 Network Security (3)
Spring: Odd Years       
This class addresses those fundamental issues confronting today's network administrator. Topics covered include LAN subnetting and router configuration, security policy development, data security and encryption, access control, packet filtering, perimeter protection, intrusion detection, and disaster recovery. The amount of time spent on each topic and on current issues will vary with the interests/composition of the class. Junior standing in a CSIS major is required.
Prerequisite:  CSIS 341  CSIS 349 

CSIS 443 Artificial Intelligence (3)
Spring: On Demand       
Introduction to artificial intelligence including theorem proving, heuristic searches, problem solving, computer analysis of scenes, robotics, natural language understanding and knowledge base systems. Junior standing in a CSIS major is required.


CSIS 444 Database Concepts, Design and Implementation (4)
Fall: All Years       
A brief history of file systems and database models. An in-depth study of the Relational Database Model and Database Design. SQL will be used to create, manipulate, and query a relational database using a DBMS. Other topics include Transaction Management, Concurrency Control, Distributed Databases, and Database Administration. Project required.
Prerequisite:  CSIS 340  OR CSIS 345 

CSIS 445 Graphics (3)
Spring: On Demand       
Introduction to graphics display technology and graphics standards. Software issues for scan conversion, interactive graphics, and 2- and 3-dimensional graphics, along with their related mathematical theory are investigated. Project required. Junior standing in a CSIS major is required.


CSIS 446 Decision Support Systems (3)
Spring: Even Years       
Introduction to the concepts and tools used in the development of decision support systems, executive information systems and expert systems including the systems development process and strategy for developing such systems. Junior standing in a CSIS major is required.


CSIS 450 Programming Languages (3)
Fall: Even Years        Spring: Even Years       
An examination of underlying concepts in high-level programming languages and techniques for their implementation in a selected group of such languages along with a discussion of the interrelationship between programming and programming languages. Junior standing in a CSIS major is required.


CSIS 469 Internship (1-12)
Fall: All Years        Spring: All Years       
Opportunity for students to supplement classroom learning with field work with a computer-using agency. A maximum of 3 credits applicable toward the major. Junior standing in a CSIS major is required.


CSIS 485 Senior Seminar (1)
Fall: All Years       
Library and independent study of advanced computing topics followed by oral and written presentations. Students should plan to take this course in the year that they graduate.


CSIS 497 Undergraduate Research (1-3)
Fall: On Demand        Spring: On Demand       
Undergraduate research of advanced topics under the guidance of department faculty. Up to 3 credits can be applied to the major. Junior standing in a CSIS major is required.