Computer Science Course Descriptions
CSA 151
Computers, Computer Science, and Society (3)
Perspective on the potential and limitations of computing technology. Topics include problem-solving in computing, computers as thinking machines, and the impact of computing on societies. Exposes students to programming languages and various computer tools. Not open to CSA and MIS majors.
CSA 153
Introduction to C/C++ Programming (3)
Introduction to the use of the C/C++ programming language as an aid to solving mathematical and scientific problems. Students design, write, and implement programs.
CSA 157
Introduction to COBOL Programming (3)
Introduction to use of COBOL as a language for solving business problems which process large amounts of data. Students design, write, and implement COBOL programs. Not open to CSA majors.
CSA 163
Introduction to Computer Concepts and Programming (3)
Miami Plan foundation course. Introduces the uses of computers in data processing and emphasizes formal reasoning and programming skills. A pre-test is available for those with programming experience. Uses Visual Basic as programming language.
CSA 174
Programming/Problem Solving (3)
An introduction to computer programming in a contemporary language. Algorithm development, refinement, and problem solving approaches. Data types and control structures. Program debugging and testing, Interactive input/output. Single and multi-dimensional arrays. Simple sorting and searching algorithms. Introduction to classes, objects, and object-oriented programming.
CSA 262
Technology, Ethics, and Global Society
Inquiry into a wide range of information technology issues, from moral responsibilities affecting professionals to wider ethical concerns associated with information technology in day-to-day living. Topics include general aspects of ethics; common ethical theories; professional codes of ethics in IT; privacy, security and reliability in using computer systems and the internet; issues and responsibilities in internet usage; legal issues in IT; global perspectives of computing issues; and general problems related to ethical and responsible computing. Prerequisite: 20 completed credit hours, ENG 111.
CSA 271
Object-Oriented Programming (3)
The design and implementation of software using object-oriented programming techniques including inheritance, polymorphism, and composition. Students will analyze program specifications and identify appropriate objects and classes. Additional programming topics include recursion, using existing class libraries, exception handling, file IO and graphical user interfaces. Credit not awarded for both CSA 271 and 279. Prerequisite: CSA 174 with a grade of C- or better or equivalent.
CSA 274
Data Abstraction and Data Structures (3)
Abstract data types and their implementation as data structures using object-oriented programming. Use of object-oriented principles in the selection and analysis of various ADT implementations. Sequential and linked storage representations: lists, stacks, queues, and tables. Nonlinear data structures: trees and graphs. Recursion, sorting, searching, and algorithm complexity. Prerequisite: CSA 271 with a grade of C- or better and MTH 231.
CSA/MPT 275
Data Processing and File Design (3)
Structure and syntax of COBOL. Built-in data structures in COBOL. Sequential file processing and direct access file processing; hashing, overflow handling. Implementation of a variety of logical file organization techniques using COBOL file access methods. Standard data processing techniques. Prerequisite: CSA 174 or equivalent.
CSA 278
Computer Architecture (3)
Principles of Von Neumann computer architecture. Data representation and computer arithmetic. Memory hierarchy. CPU structure and instruction sets. Assembly language programming to better understand and illustrate computer architecture concepts. Performance considerations and alternative computer architectures. Prerequisite: CSA 271 or equivalent. Cross listed with ECE 278.
CSA 283
Data Communications and Networks (3)
Introduction to data communications, computer networks, protocols, and distributed processing as well as relevant standards and underlying theory. Topics include communication codes, transmission methods, interfacing, error detection, communication protocols, communications architectures, switching methods, and network types. Local area network and internetwork technologies are studied. The client/server model of distributed processing addressed. Students design and implement data communications and network-based software. Prerequisite: CSA 271 or permission of instructor.
CSA 381
Operating Systems (3)
Introduction to operating systems concepts. The operating system as a resource manager. Principles for the design and implementation of operating systems. User interface programming in current operating systems. Process scheduling and deadlock prevention. Memory management, virtual memory, paging, and segmentation. Interrupt processing. Device management, I/O systems and I/O processing. Security and protection. Examples of operating systems including distributed and open systems. Prerequisite: CSA 274 and 278.
CSA 383
Client Server Programming (3)
An introduction to developing client/server based software solutions. Students will study various architectures and approaches including web-based and custom server systems. Students will design and construct both clients and servers using multiple platforms and systems. Prerequisites: CSA 274, 283.
CSA 385
Database Systems (3)
Overview of database management, database system architecture, and database modeling principles. Logical database design. The relational database model, relational integrity constraints, and relational algebra. Relational commercial database management systems and languages. Interactive database processing, view processing, and database application programming. Database integrity. Relational database design by normalization. File structures for database systems. Prerequisite: CSA 274 or concurrent registration.
IMS 440
Interactive Media Studies Practicum (4)
Capstone course explores the development of digital interactive media from an interdisciplinary, client-based perspective. A team of students from diverse majors will work as a consulting agency to develop a solution for an actual client.
MIS 235
Information Technology in Modern Organizations (3)
Focuses on the strategic role of information technology and systems. Topics include: Challenges faced by managers in firms, understanding key technologies and how they help meet these challenges, and the processes, policies and procedures needed to manage technical and digital assets. Prerequisite: CSA 141 or CIT 154 or BTE 181 or successful completion of School of Business skills exam.
MIS 245
Database Systems and Warehousing (3)
Provides an understanding of the importance of database systems in organizations. The course focuses on database concepts, design implementation of database systems, and data warehousing.
MIS 281
Application Development Tools & Environment (3)
Focuses on the use of software development environments to develop object-oriented, data-driven software applications. Special emphasis will be on the advantages and disadvantages of using development toolkits to integrate data retrieval, information presentation, and logic.
MIS 301
IT Fundamentals (3)
An in-depth introduction to the information and communications technology used to build organizational information systems. Students will gain breadth and depth in the technical aspects of the MIS discipline. Prerequisite: MIS 235.
MIS 302
Database Theory and Practice (3)
Provides an understanding of the importance of database systems in organizations, including an understanding of database structures and concepts, design methodologies, database management systems (DBMS), structured query language (SQL) and the implementation of database systems. Prerequisite: MIS 235. Note: Course currently offered as MIS 245, Database Systems and Warehousing.
MIS 303
Enterprise Systems (3)
An introduction to enterprise systems such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), Supply Chain and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Both managerial and technological considerations in the implementation and use of these systems within businesses will be explored in depth. Prerequisite: MIS 235.
MIS 387
Systems Analysis and Design (3)
Introduces the life cycle concept in application development and examines contemporary tools that assist the development process. Provides the understanding of business application environment, the systems development life cycle (SDLC), and how SDLC is applied in outsourcing, software purchase and software development situations. Prerequisite: MIS 301.
MIS 401
Data and Wireless Communications (3)
Familiarizes students with concepts and applications of data and wireless communications technologies in a business environment. Emphasis is placed on local area networks and wide area networks. Prerequisite: MIS 301.
MIS 403
E-Commerce/Web Development (3)
An introduction to Internet and World Wide Web development technologies. Focus is on the client and server technologies available for this platform. The design and development of applications with these technologies: user interface design, graphics technology and web enabled database technology. Prerequisites: MIS 301, MIS 302, and CSA 174
MIS 404
Knowledge Management (3)
An introduction to the use of Knowledge Management, with emphasis on how knowledge is gathered, stored, analyzed and used within business organizations. Topics covered include data warehousing, business analytics, data mining. Prerequisites: MIS 235, MIS 302.