Computer Studies

Provides prospective classroom teachers with opportunities for planning, designing and producing projects that support the instructional needs of students in grades K-12, including best practices for the integration of technology into curriculum with state and national technology standards. Students complete a variety of projects to develop skills in word processing, Web page development, computer presentations and other technologies. For education majors only. [3 credits]

Emphasizes problem-solving skills for all disciplines, such as creating formatted documents and spreadsheets, and visual computer presentations. Also, students will understand basic web technologies and can write simple web pages based on HTML and CSS to design own web site or online portfolios with an assist of proper web inerface or specific programs. Course focuses on computer competencies for the non-major. [3 credits]

Introduces the characteristics and architectures of information systems and their impact on businesses. Explores elements of computer hardware, a variety of software capabilities, telecommunications infrastructure and the system development life cycle. This is the gateway course in the major. Satisfies the technological competency requirement. [3 credits]

Introduces computer programming using the Python programming language. Emphasizes logical approaches for algorithmic solutions to solve realistic applications. Explores programming structures such as decisions, repetitions, sub procedures, functions, and arrays using program design with object-oriented concepts. Introduces a variety of program types to meet various business needs. Fulfills the general education requirement of thinking critically and analytically. Corequisite: CST-171L, Lab: Programming Concepts. [ 4 credits]

This lab is a corequisite of CST-171. [0 credits]

Focuses on coding and design of Web pages using HTML and JavaScript to create high-level Internet content. Includes legal and ethical issues as well as human-computer interaction design concepts. Students demonstrate the progression of their skills through the successful completion of a number of practical projects. Satisfies the technological competency requirement. [3 credits]

Introduces object-oriented programming including objects, classes, inheritance and polymorphism. Includes high-level structures such as pointers and arrays as well as data structures with stacks and queues. Prerequisites: CST-171 or MAT-211. Satisfies the technological competency requirement. Corequisite: CST-295L, Lab: C++ Object Oriented Program. [4 credits]

This lab is a corequisite of CST-295. [0 credits]

Develops further the object-oriented programming skills learned in CST-295, including advanced data structures such as lists, B-trees and file and stream input/output, as well as topics in graphing. Students demonstrate the progression of their skills through successful completion of a number of projects. Prerequisite: CST-295. [ 3 credits ]

A study of the numerical aspect of applied analysis: numerical differentiation and integration; transcendental equations; Taylor polynomial; finite differences.

Examines operating system processes, process synchronization and mutual exclusion, and techniques for memory allocation, scheduling and disk management. Includes a study of current operating systems, such as LINUX, and explores research in distributed operating systems. Prerequisite: CST-295. [ 3 credits ]

Introduces computer architecture from a layered point of view, from data representation and processing through machine language execution cycle, addressing modes and symbolic assembly language programming. Includes analysis of register level structure of a modern processor and its interactions with memory, control and input/output. Students should expect to complete a number of projects in this hands-on course. Prerequisite: CST-171 or CST-295. [ 3 credits ]

Introduces object-oriented programming using objects and classes to write Java applications and Web applets for simple gaming. Includes graphical features of Java such as objects, images, event handling, color control and layout control. Prerequisite: CST-171 or MAT-211. Corequisite: CST-321L, Lab: Java Programming. [4 credits]

This lab is a corequisite of CST-321. [0 credits]

Presents digital logic and logic design through the analysis of basic combinational and sequential circuits. Utilizes number systems, coding formats and binary arithmetic. Includes state tables, minimization techniques, flip-flops, counters to understand design of registers, memory devices and microprocessors. Prerequisite: CST-171 or CST-295. [ 3 credits ]

Investigates project management as it applies to the systems development life cycle with an electronic project management tool. Emphasizes resource allocation and sub-project definition. Students will apply theory and principles learned to solutions for practical business problems. Prerequisite: CST-171 or CST-261. [3 credits]

Examines the advantages and challenges of the Internet for businesses communication. The uses of social media as business tools will be explored. [3 credits]

Examines the system life cycle and alternative methodologies, emphasizing techniques of project management, system documentation, logical and physical system specification, system development and installation. Students complete a number of systems design projects. Prerequisite: CST-171 or CST-261. [3 credits]

Offers an intensive, advanced study in a particular area of technology focusing on current issues encountered in the professional world. Topics vary, but recent classes have considered Ecommerce, legal issues and computer security. Prerequisites vary according to topic. [3 credits]

Introduces concepts and techniques of structuring, storing and retrieving data. Includes database and database table design, data normalization and introductory SQL programming. This is a project-based course. Prerequisite: CST-385. [3 credits]

A study of mathematical models and their applications. The course will emphasize model construction to promote student creativity and to demonstrate the artistic nature of model building, including the ideas of experimentation and simulation. Models will be executed on a computer.

Examines the application of simulation, mathematical modeling, and numerical analysis in the fields of math, physics, and engineering. Computers are now ubiquitous in many domains and routinely used to help humans solve problems. This course explores how additional insights and understanding of our natural world arise through the development of computer programs and their application to real-world problems. Students gain a theoretical understanding of when and how to apply scientific computing techniques while also gaining practical hands-on experience by applying these techniques to real-world problems. Prerequisite: CST-171. [ 3 credits ]

Provides an opportunity for a student to pursue advanced study of a topic of special interest under the direction of a faculty member. [1, 2 or 3 credits]

Introduces network types, architecture, protocols and standards. Evaluates efficiency, security and integrity. Prerequisite: CST-171. [3 credits]

Provides opportunities for majors to research and evaluate current social and ethical issues related to computing such as copyright laws, computer crime, personal rights, work environment and invasion of privacy. Class is designed as a highly collaborative seminar and is the major capstone experience. Requires design and implementation of an extensive project. Prerequisite: CST-295 and junior or senior status. [3 credits]