COSC 101 Computer Literacy
3c-0l-3cr
An introductory course designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of computers. The course familiarizes students with the interaction of computer hardware and software. Emphasis is placed on the application of microcomputers, the use of productivity software (word processing, spreadsheet management, file and database management, presentation graphics, web browsers, search strategies, and e-mail), and the social and ethical aspects of the impact of computers on society. (Does not count toward Computer Science major).
Syllabus of Record, Computer Literacy
COSC 105 Fundamentals of Computer Science
3c-0l-3cr
The first course for Computer Science majors. Required of all Computer Science students and appropriate for other Natural Sciences and Mathematics students. Topics include the fundamental concepts of computer architecture, algorithm development and analysis, programming languages, software engineering, data organization and representation, and systems software. Hands-on introduction to computer usage with an emphasis on terminology and the underlying connections within the discipline.
Syllabus of Record, Fundamentals of Computer Science
COSC 110 Problem Solving and Structured Programming
3c-0l-3cr
This course provides an introduction to the development of algorithmic solutions to a variety of problems and the development of computer programs to implement the solutions. It explores standard programming structures used to introduce fundamental algorithmic/programming concepts including variables, assignments, conditionals, loops, functions, and arrays and their role in problem solving. Course emphasizes structured programming in the development of algorithm solutions to common problems. Objected oriented paradigm is introduced at a basic level.
Syllabus of Record, Problem Solving and Structured Programming
COSC 201 Internet and Multimedia
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: BTED/COSC/IFMG 101 or prior exposure to word processing and electronic mail
Focuses on the evaluation of information and multimedia resources available on electronic networks when doing research in an area of one’s choice. Information literacy course is designed for students to gain a more in-depth understanding of the information resources available electronically and of how to utilize them more effectively in communicating. Students learn how to access and utilize these resources for two-way communications and support for decision making while incorporating selected elements in multimedia presentations of their own design. (BTED/COMM/COSC/IFMG/LIBR 201 may be used interchangeably for D or F repeats and may not be counted for duplicate credit.)
Syllabus of Record, Internet and Multimedia
COSC 210 Object-Oriented and GUI Programming
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: COSC 110
An in-depth introduction to the Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) paradigm. Focuses on designing, implementing, and using objects. Covers function and operator overloading, templates, inheritance, and polymorphism. Also includes an introduction to Graphical User Interface (GUI) design and programming.
Syllabus of Record, Object-Oriented and GUI Programming
COSC 220 Applied Computer Programming
4c-0l-4cr
Prerequisite: COSC 110 or equivalent
Structured programming principles and techniques, as implemented through the ANSI COBOL language; program design using top-down techniques; program and project documentation; introduction to sequential and random file algorithms and integrated file systems.
Syllabus of Record, Applied Computer Programming
COSC 250 Introduction to Numerical Methods
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 110, MATH 121, or MATH 125
Algorithmic methods for function evaluation, roots of equations, solutions to systems of linear equations, function interpolation, numerical differentiation and integration, and use spline functions for curve fitting. Focus on managing and measuring errors in computation. Also offered as MATH 250; either COSC 250 or MATH may be substituted for the other and may be used interchangeably for D or F repeats but may not be counted for duplicate credit.
Syllabus of Record, Introduction to Numerical Methods
COSC 281 Special Topics
var-1-3cr
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
Special topics are offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics not included in the established curriculum. A given topic may be offered under any special topic identity no more than three times. Special topics numbered 281 are offered primarily for lower-level undergraduate students.
COSC 300 Computer Organization and Assembly Language
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: COSC 110 or equivalent
Discussion of the basic computer architecture elements: gates, combinational and sequential logic, hardware arithmetic, CPU and memory structure. Examination of the languages of machines: representation of data, addressing techniques, symbolic coding, assembly, and linking. Problem solving using assembly language.
Syllabus of Record, Assembly Language Programming
COSC 310 Data Structures and Algorithms
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: COSC 210
Fundamental concepts of data design and implementation, data abstraction, data structures, arrays, linked-lists, stacks, queues, recursion, trees, graphs, and hashing. Also covers sorting algorithms, divide and conquer techniques, greedy methods, and analysis of algorithms. The object-oriented paradigm is employed in this course using an object-oriented language.
Syllabus of Record, Data Structures and Algorithms
COSC 316 Host Computer Security
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 110 or equivalent course, as approved by instructor
Provides an introduction to the theory and concepts of host computer security. Topics include security and policy guidelines, attack strategies and attacker profiles, users and groups security, file systems and security, integrity management, cryptography basics, back-up utilities, auditing and logging, and strategies for defending user accounts. Designed as a practical hands-on course.
Syllabus of Record, Host Computer Security
COSC 319 Software Engineering Concepts
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 310 or permission of the instructor
Software engineering concepts include the collection of tools, procedures, methodologies, and accumulated knowledge about the development and maintenance of software-based systems. Strongly suggested for any student planning to take an internship in Computer Science. After an overview of the phases of the software lifecycle, current methodologies, tools, and techniques being applied to each phase is discussed in depth with localized exercises given to reinforce learning of concepts.
Syllabus of Record, Software Engineering Concepts
COSC 320 Software Engineering Practice
1c-2d-3cr
Prerequisite: COSC 319 or instructor permission
Planning, design, and implementation of large software systems using software engineering techniques. Students work in project teams on real or realistic software development projects. Credit for either COSC 320 or 493 may count toward Computer Science major requirements for graduation but not both; the other course credits are free electives.
Syllabus of Record, Software Engineering Practice
COSC 341 Introduction to Database Management Systems
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 220 (or equivalent) and 310 or instructor permission
Study of database concepts. Detailed study of information concepts and the realization of those concepts using the relational data model. Practical experience gained designing and constructing data models and using SQL to interface to both multi-user DBMS packages and to desktop DBMS packages. (Offered as COSC 441 prior to 2002-2003)
Syllabus of Record, Introduction to Database Management Systems
COSC 345 Computer Networks
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 110, and MATH 121 or 125, and MATH 214, 216, or 217, or equivalents
Data communications, computer network architectures, functions of various network layers, communication protocols, internetworking, emerging high-speed networks.
Syllabus of Record, Computer Networks
COSC 352 LAN Design and Installation
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: IFMG 250 or BTST 273 or any COSC course numbered 300 or higher
A study of fundamental local area networking concepts. A detailed study of the basics of local area network (LAN) technology. Comparative study of commercially available LAN systems and products. Features a hands-on laboratory implementation of a LAN. Cross-listed as IFMG 352. Either course may be substituted for the other for D/F repeats but may not be taken for duplicate credit.
Syllabus of Record, LAN Design and Installation
COSC 354 Testing and Controlling LANs
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: COSC 352 or IFMG 352 or equivalent
Explores local area network (LAN) topologies and their associated protocols. Introduces ways of interconnecting, securing, and maintaining LANs. Provides students with hands-on experience in the interconnection of multiple LANs. Also presents a hands-on approach to design, testing, and administration of interconnected LANs. Cross-listed as IFMG 354. Either course may be substituted for the other for D/F repeats but may not be taken for duplicate credit.
Syllabus of Record, Testing and Controlling LANs
COSC 355 Computer Graphics
2c-1l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 310 and junior status
The use of computer graphics hardware and software. An overview of current applications and experience with representative software will introduce current practice. Foundations in primitives, geometry, and algorithms of passive computer graphics are the principal focus. A brief introduction to interactive computer graphics is included.
Syllabus of Record, Computer Graphics
COSC 356 Network Security
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: COSC 316 and either COSC 345 or COSC/IFMG 352
Explores mechanisms for protecting networks against attacks. Emphasizes network security applications that are used on the Internet and for corporate networks. Investigates various networking security standards and studies methods for enforcing and enhancing those standards.
Syllabus of Record, Network Security
COSC 362 Unix Systems
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: COSC 310 or instructor permission
An introduction to the features, syntax, applications, and history of UNIX. Coverage includes utilities, system administration, development environments, and networking concerns including distributed systems, client-server computing, and providing Web services.
Syllabus of Record, Unix Systems
COSC 365 Web Architecture and Application Development
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 310 and 341 or instructor permission
Covers the fundamental architecture of Internet systems and the process of developing computer applications running on the Internet in general and on the World Wide Web in particular. Students gain a basic understanding of the TCP/IP protocols and the client/server technology. Methods, languages, and tools for developing distributed applications on the Internet are evaluated. Programming projects developing distributed applications, using a representative suite of development tools and languages, are an integral part of this course. (Offered as COSC 415 Internet Architecture and Programming prior to 2008-09)
Syllabus of Record, Web Architecture and Application Development
COSC 380 Seminar on the Computer Profession and Ethics
2c-1d-2cr
Prerequisite: Permission
Reading, review, and discussion of the current literature in computer science and industry trade journals; effective oral presentations: employment prospects. Topics on computer ethics and review of case studies on computer ethics from professional journals with discussion of the issues involved. Should be taken the semester before an internship or the first semester of the senior year. Should not be taken at the same time as COSC 480.
Syllabus of Record, Seminar on the Computer Profession and Ethics
COSC 405 Artificial Intelligence
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: COSC 310
An introduction to the field of artificial intelligence, i.e., the study of ideas that enable computers to process data in a more intelligent way than conventional practice allows. Covers many information representation and information processing techniques. Students explore the underlying theory including matching, goal reduction, constraint exploration, search, control, problem solving, and logic.
Syllabus of Record, Artificial Intelligence
COSC 410 Computer Architecture
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 300 and 310
Introduces the underlying working principles of electronic computers. The organization and architecture of computer components are discussed. The course expounds on details of memory hierarchy, I/O organization, computer arithmetic, processor and control unit design, instruction set architecture, instruction-level parallelism, and the ways functional components interact together.
Syllabus of Record, Computer Architecture
COSC 420 Modern Programming Languages
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 310
A comparative survey of programming language paradigms. Includes an examination of the properties, applications, syntax, and semantics of selected object-oriented, functional, and declarative programming languages.
Syllabus of Record, Modern Programming Languages
COSC 424 Compiler Construction
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 300 and 310
Relates the formal concepts of automata and language theory to the practicality of constructing a high-level language translator. The structures and techniques used in lexical analysis, parsing, syntax directed translation, intermediate and object code generation, and optimization are emphasized.
Syllabus of Record, Compiler Construction
COSC 427 Introduction to Cryptography
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 310, MATH 122 or 123
Fundamental concepts of encoding and/or encrypting information, cryptographic protocols and techniques, various cryptographic algorithms, and security of information are covered in depth.
Syllabus of Record, Introduction to Cryptography
COSC 430 Introduction to Systems Programming
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 300 and 310
Concepts and techniques of systems programming with an emphasis on assembly, linking, loading, and macro processing for user programs. Overview of higher-level language translation and system control. Programming and research projects.
Syllabus of Record, Introduction to Systems Programming
COSC 432 Introduction to Operating Systems
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 300, COSC 310 or equivalents
An introduction to the principles of operating system design and implementation. Topics include interrupt service, process states and transitions, spooling, management of memory and disk space, virtual storage, scheduling processes and devices, and file systems.
Syllabus of Record, Introduction to Operating Systems
COSC 444 Productivity Tools and Fourth Generation Language
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 341, or IFMG 450
Develop an understanding of productivity issues and how Fourth Generation Languages (4GL) improve productivity as contrasted with 3GLs. Advances in the programming paradigm such as event-driven programming, objects, reusability, graphical user interface (GUI) design and development, information systems based on relational databases, and client/server technology are addressed. Students gain a practical experience with these concepts through an in-depth study of Visual Basic and the development of a GUI interface to a relational database using Visual Basic.
Syllabus of Record, Productivity Tools and Fourth Generation Language
COSC 450 Applied Numerical Methods
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: COSC 250, MATH 171, and 241, or equivalents
Polynomial approximations using finite differences, with applications in numerical integration and differentiation. Numerical solution of initial value ordinary differential equations. The APL language is introduced and used, along with FORTRAN, in programming selected algorithms.
Syllabus of Record, Applied Numerical Methods
COSC 451 Numerical Methods for Supercomputers
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisites: MATH 121 and 122, or MATH 123 or 127, MATH 171, COSC 250
Supercomputers make use of special computer architectures vector and parallel processors in order to achieve the fastest processing speed currently available. Students are introduced to these features and learn how numerical algorithms can be constructed to exploit supercomputers’ capabilities. Students gain practical experience in programming for the Cray, YMP, in incorporating existing scientific software packages into user-written programs, in submitting remote jobs to the Pittsburgh Supercomputer Center, and in producing animated graphical output to summarize the typically large volume of output data generated by large scientific programs. (Also offered as MATH 451; may not be taken for duplicate credit.)
COSC 460 Theory of Computation
3c-0l-3cr
Prerequisite: COSC 310 or instructor permission
Formal methods for describing and analyzing programming languages and algorithms. Backus-Naur forms; productions; regular expressions; introduction to automata theory; Turing machines; recent concepts in algorithm theory computability.
Syllabus of Record, Theory of Computation
COSC 480 Seminar on Technical Topics
0c-1l-1cr
Prerequisites: See text below.
Reading, review, and discussion of the current literature of computer science and industry professional and technical journals; oral presentations. Should be taken the last semester of the senior year. Should not be taken at the same time as COSC 380.
COSC 481 Special Topics
var-l-3cr
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content
A seminar in advanced topics of computer science; content varies depending on interests of instructor and students. May be repeated for additional credit. Special Topics numbered 481 are primarily for upper-level undergraduate students.
COSC 482 Independent Study
var-1-4cr
Prerequisite: Prior approval through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and Provost’s Office
Students with interest in independent study of a topic not offered in the curriculum may propose a plan of study in conjunction with a faculty member. Approval based on academic appropriateness and availability of resources.
COSC 485 Independent Study
var-12cr
Prerequisites: Permission of a Computer Science faculty member who agrees to supervise the student’s project. Arrangements for selection of a specific topic must be made.
COSC 493 Internship in Computer Science
var-6-12 cr
Prerequisites: COSC 105, COSC 110, COSC 210, COSC 220 (except L&S track), COSC 300, COSC 310, COSC 319, COSC 341, COSC 380, other courses depending on type of internship position desired, completion of application, and selection by a faculty committee. COSC 319, COSC 341, and COSC 380 prerequisite may be waived when registering for first six credit hours.
Positions with participating companies provide students with paid experience in computer science under supervision of the companies and faculty. Requirements include three on-site consultations (one during first six credit hours and two in final six credit hours), two university consultations (one during first six credit hours and one in final six credit hours), completion of progress reports, oral presentation (final six credit hours only), and a final cumulative paper (final six credit hours only). An internship is offered only to students who have completed their sophomore year. No more than two credit hours of the first six credit hours of COSC 493 and two credit hours of the last six credit hours of COSC 493 may be applied toward the credit hour requirement for a major in Computer Science.
Internship can be completed as one 12-credit hour unit over a minimum of twenty-three weeks, or in two six-credit-hour units each over a minimum of twelve weeks.
COSC 493 is designated writing intensive. As such, an internship requires completion of designated writing intensive components.
Syllabus of Record, Internship in Computer Science
