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Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) - Course
Descriptions |
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| Foundation Courses
(6 credits) * |
| MGMT 510 |
Management in the Global Perspective |
3 credit hours |
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This course provides
an overview of the global environment facing organizations
today. A major focus is on the pervasiveness of globalization
and its impacts on all aspects of a business. Included are
topics such as global trade policy; international political
actions including diplomacy and conflict; institutional, ethical,
and legal variations among societies; and capital, human,
and technology transfers across national boundaries. |
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| TECH 510 |
Technology in the Global Perspective |
3 credit hours |
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This course focuses
on the nature of technology as a uniting and separating resource
available to the organization. Included are an evaluation
of the differing abilities of nations to utilize and integrate
technology, an assessment of piracy and security issues, an
evaluation of vulnerabilities facing the manager reliant on
technology, and an evaluation of the role of outsourcing as
a tool for efficiency. The varying political, cultural, and
legal barriers managers face with regard to the use of technology
in the international environment are addressed. |
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| Core I Courses (15 credits) |
| CMSC 501 |
Structure of
Programming Languages |
3 credit hours |
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This course is
designed to provide a foundational understanding of programming
languages including programming paradigms, programming language
processors, syntax and semantics, data types and structures,
recursion, data control, storage management, and operating
and programming environments. |
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| CMSC 507 |
Database Theory |
3 credit hours |
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This course is
an introduction to data models and database systems and design.
Included are the relational model and relational algebra and
operators as well as functional dependencies and normalization.
Underlying storage structures and access methods of databases,
database recovery and protection, issues of transactions,
concurrent access, and query optimization are covered. |
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| CMSC 508 |
Operations Research |
3 credit hours |
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This course is
designed to provide students with a basic understanding of
operations research techniques and their application to real-world
topics. Quantitative methodologies, game theory, and logical
problem solving techniques will be applied to resource allocation,
planning and scheduling, forecasting, inventory, and transportation
challenges facing organizations. |
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| CMSC 512 |
Computer Architecture |
3 credit hours |
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This course addresses the organization and structure of computing
systems. Included is a study of input/output devices, processing
modalities, memory structures, and output parameters. A particular
focus is on issues of cost and appropriate use of all information
resources of the organization. |
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| Core II Courses (choose
two courses; 6 credits) |
| CMSC 509 |
Software Methodology |
3 credit hours |
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This course serves
as an introduction to software development processes. Included
are requirements engineering; software architecture, design,
and testing; software configuration management, delivery,
and testing; and software re-engineering. A special focus
is placed on the management of the software development project. |
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| CMSC 518 |
Data Communications Theory
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3 credit hours |
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This course will
provide the student with a basic understanding of data communication
theory including networking components, terminology, standards,
and protocols; physical, data link, and network layers of
the communication stack; network design, planning, and implementation;
wireless technologies and internetworking strategies; and
network security and administration. |
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| CMSC 524 |
Principles of Programming Languages
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3 credit hours |
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This course is
designed to provide students with a basic knowledge of the
principles underlying the design of all computer programming
languages. Included are the evaluation of programming language
features and designs and an understanding of the strengths
and limitations of the imperative, functional and object-oriented
paradigms for solving different kinds of problems. |
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| CMSC 528 |
Data Structures |
3 credit hours
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This course is
designed to provide an in-depth overview of data structures
including elementary data organization, data structure operations,
algorithm complexity, and time-space trade off. The course
examines arrays, stacks and queues, linked lists, trees, graphs
and multi-graphs, sorting, and file structures including indices.
A focus on maximization of access and minimization of time
and other resource costs is maintained throughout. |
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| CMSC 530 |
Operating Systems |
3 credit hours |
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The course is designed
to provide an introduction to the internal operation of modern
operating systems. Included are processes and threads, CPU
scheduling, memory management, and file systems. Issues of
networking and distributed computing will also be addressed.
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| CMSC 571 |
Artificial Intelligence |
3 credit hours |
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This course provides
an in-depth study of artificial intelligence including the
simulation of sophisticated and intelligent behavior in a
variety of areas, problem solving in games, natural language,
automated reasoning, visual perception, and heuristic algorithm
versus solution guaranteed algorithms. Also included is a
focus on understanding natural languages, knowledge representation,
expert systems, pattern recognition, machine perception, and
speech recognition. An introduction to relevant programming
languages is provided. Special emphasis is placed on the extension
of the designer's perspective into unknown environments through
machine learning. |
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| Elective Courses (select
any two courses; 6 credits) ** |
| CMSC 541 |
Computer Graphics
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3 credit hours |
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This course provides
an introduction to basic concepts in computer graphics and
raster based methods. Included is a review of required theoretical
background for computer graphics and applications of computer
science to graphics. A study of hardware and software components
of graphic systems, 2D and 3D geometric transformations, illumination
models and surface rendering is included. |
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| CMSC 552 |
Current Developments
in Computer Science I |
3 credit hours |
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This course will
address important and emerging topics in computer science
of specific interest to individual faculty members and will
vary in content with each offering. (Advanced standing and
prior approval of both the faculty member and the Dean are
required.) |
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| CMSC 553 |
Current Developments
in Computer Science II |
3 credit hours |
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This course will
address important and emerging topics in computer science
of specific interest to individual faculty members and will
vary in content with each offering. (Advanced standing and
prior approval of both the faculty member and the Dean are
required.) |
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CMSC 576
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Expert Systems
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3 credit hours |
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This course provides
an overview of both current theory and applications for expert
systems. Included are a focus on the acquisition and representation
of knowledge, the development of appropriate decision rules,
methods of inference, decision making under uncertainty, and
machine learning. Basic programming for expert systems applications
is included. |
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| CMSC 598 |
Directed Research |
3 credit hours |
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This course provides
the opportunity to conduct an in-depth study of an area of
interest to the student that enhances the student's understanding
of an emerging topic or issue in computer science. (Prior
approval of a faculty member and the Dean is required.) |
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| INST 569 |
Data and System
Security |
3 credit hours |
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This course examines
the basic principles of data and information system security
in the business enterprise. Issues of identification, confidentiality,
authentication, integrity, and basic cryptography are addressed.
Risk management including intrusion detection and mitigation
is included. Issues of organizational security and the attendant
policy, legal, and ethical concerns are a focus. |
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| INST 574 |
Management Information
Systems |
3 credit hours |
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This course is
designed to provide an overview of information systems in
the business world. Included are issues of hardware; software;
databases; telecommunication systems; the development and
strategic use of information systems; and the social, legal,
and ethical issues involved with information systems. |
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| INST 587 |
Special Topics in Information Technology I
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3 credit hours |
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This course will
address important and emerging topics in Information Technology
of specific interest to individual faculty members and will
vary in content with each offering. (Advanced standing and
prior approval of both the faculty member and the Dean are
required.) |
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| INST 588 |
Special Topics
in Information Technology II |
3 credit hours
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This course will address important and emerging topics in
Information Technology of specific interest to individual
faculty members and will vary in content with each offering.
(Advanced standing and prior approval of both the faculty
member and the Dean are required.) |
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| TECH 580 |
Technology in the Business Enterprise
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3 credit hours |
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This course provides
a basic understanding of the value and uses of information
systems and technology for business operations, management
decision making, and strategic operations. Included is an
assessment of how managers can utilize information systems
to facilitate planning, operations, and growth. Also included
is the role that technology plays currently and will increasingly
play in enterprise operations. |
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| Capstone Course (6
credits) *** |
| CMSC 599 |
Capstone Computer
Science Project |
6 credit hours |
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This course provides
the student with the opportunity to integrate the broad spectrum
of what has been learned in previous courses into a final
project of direct relevance to the student's academic and
career objectives. Under the guidance of a Capstone Advisor,
the student selects an applied project, conducts relevant
research, and prepares a formal project report. An oral presentation
of the project approach and findings is required. |
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* Foundation Courses must be taken during the student's first
semester in the program.
** Elective Courses are offered on a rotating basis; not all
courses will be available during any given academic year.
*** The Capstone Course and project must be completed during
the last semester of the program.
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