Course Listings - Spring 2003

COMP 121
COMPUTING IN THE ARTS AND SCIENCES
4 SEM HRS
SHELBURNE/NOYES

This introductory course is intended for the general liberal arts student and assumes little computer experience beyond such activities as using word processing software and "web surfing". COMP 121 is designed to help students become familiar with the history, power, limitations, algorithms, tools, applications, and social ramifications of computing. This course will provide an overview of computer science and will involve web and library research, problem solving, writing, and some computer programming.

The course meets for four hours each week in a computer classroom/laboratory with integrated lecture/lab sessions using application software and includes time for hands-on computing activity. The final grade will be based on labs, homework, and exams. Prerequisite is Math Placement Level 22 or higher. Mathematical-reasoning intensive.

COMP 150
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING I
5 SEM HRS
SAKS

Introduction to computer science through the use of programming. Designed primarily for the student who expects to take further courses in computer science. Also very valuable for any student who expects to do programming that is related to another discipline (e.g., in the sciences). Topics include programming in a high-level language, problem-solving, algorithm design, control constructs, data constructs, input-output, procedural and data abstraction, and the role of computing in society.

All programming will be done using the microcomputers located in the Science building microcomputer laboratory. The course includes an introduction to an industrial quality compiler and its integrated development environment (IDE) on the Wittenberg NT network. The course stresses construction of algorithms, how to design and write programs, structured and object-oriented programming, programming style, program documentation and testing. Particular emphasis is placed on problem solving. The class has three 1-hour lecture/demonstrations plus a 2-hour lab per week. Much of the work for the course is done outside of class using the microlab computers to write, debug and run programs. The language to be used will be C++.

No previous experience with computers is assumed. The only prerequisite is Math Placement Level 22 or higher. The course grade is based on programming assignments, lab exercises, and in?class tests. Mathematical-reasoning intensive.

COMP 250
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING II
5 SEM HRS
SAKS

This course is an intensive study of program design, abstract data types and object-oriented programming in C++ using data structures common in computer science. The course begins with the concept of abstract data types and how they may be implemented using object-oriented mechanisms. From there, it covers pointers and dynamic arrays. We then examine common data structures such as linked lists, stacks, queues, priority queues, trees and graphs, along with operations appropriate to each structure (e.g., insertions and deletions, backtracking, tree traversals). Along the way, we look at recursion, multiple source file projects, template functions and classes, iterators, derived classes, and some of the Standard Template Library. Applications are drawn from the fields of operating systems, compilers, and simulations, among others. Students will be expected to design and implement moderately sized programming projects on their own, but there may be an opportunity for some small group projects.

The course will meet three times a week for lecture, and once each week for a structured lab. Students are expected to do significant work outside of class. Course grades will be based on programming assignments and in-class tests. Great emphasis will be placed on good programming style. COMP 150 is the prerequisite. WRITING INTENSIVE. Mathematical-reasoning intensive.

COMP 265
PRINCIPLES OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
5 SEM HRS
NOYES

This course emphasizes the principles and programming styles (procedural, functional, object oriented, logic oriented) that govern the design and implementation of contemporary programming languages. Topics include language syntax and translation, data types and operations, sequence control, data control, subprograms, and environments. Languages to be studied include those taken from the following: Ada, APL, C, C++, FORTRAN, LISP, Mathematica 7 , Modula?2, Pascal, Prolog, Scheme and Smalltalk. Much of the work for the course will be done outside of class; this includes the use of the University computer and microcomputers together with appropriate library research. COMP 250 and MATH 201 are prerequisites. MATH 171 is a co-requisite.

Grades are based upon assignments, reports, presentations, and exams. This course will meet three times a week and have a weekly two hour lab session. It is a WRITING INTENSIVE course.

Mathematical-reasoning intensive.

COMP 320
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
4 SEM HRS
NOYES

An introduction to the numerical solution of mathematical problems. Primary emphasis is upon the development of use of computational algorithms to obtain an accurate numerical solution as well as methods for establishing error estimates and bounds for this solution. These algorithms will primarily be implemented on the computer using the Mathematica7 system. Some algorithms may also be implemented in C/C++ or FORTRAN. Some work will also be done by using a scientific graphing calculator such as the TI-83 or TI-86. This course should also be of special interest to students in the physical sciences.

Grades will be based on assignments and exams. Prerequisites: MATH 202, MATH 205, COMP 150, and familiarity with the scientific graphing calculator. This course is cross?listed as MATH 320. Students may enroll in either COMP 320 or MATH 320, but not both. Mathematical-reasoning intensive.

COMP 370
COMPUTER GRAPHICS
4 SEM HRS
SHELBURNE

This course provides an introduction to computer graphics. Aside from being an important area in computer science, computer graphics provides a set of problems and programming tasks that requires a student to integrate techniques and methods learned in previous courses. It requires a fundamental knowledge of advanced programming techniques and data structures (through COMP 275) and an advanced understanding of mathematics, in particular matrices (MATH 205). Emphasis will be on the techniques used and mathematics behind the standard graphics algorithms. Graphics applications will be developed in C++ using the OpenGL graphics system. Prerequisites are COMP 275 and MATH 205 or equivalent. Mathematical-reasoning intensive.