Search

Computer Science

This is an archived copy of the 2011-12 Catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.
http://www.cs.iastate.edu

Undergraduate Study

The curriculum leading to the baccalaureate degree in computer science is designed to prepare students for positions as computer scientists with business, industry, or government, or for graduate study in computer science. The main objectives are to impart to students an understanding of the basics of computer science, to develop proficiency in the practice of computing, and to prepare them for continued professional development.

The following are intended learning outcomes for computer science majors. Seniors will assess these outcomes in a survey conducted before they graduate and feedback thus obtained will be used to improve the curriculum.

A. Impart an understanding of the basics of the discipline. Each graduate will know:

  1. Fundamental principles of computing.
  2. Basic foundations of Mathematics, Statistics, and physical sciences.
  3. Design and implementation of programs.

B. Develop proficiency in the practice of computing. The graduated student will be able to:

  1. Formulate and solve problems in computing.
  2. Understand design and performance requirements of software systems.
  3. Apply sound principles to the synthesis and analysis of computer systems.

C. Prepare for continued professional development. Our students will:

  1. Engage in lifelong learning and expect to embrace change.
  2. Communicate effectively and think critically and creatively, both independently and with others.
  3. Be aware of social and ethical issues of computers in society.

Students must earn at least a C- in each course taken to fulfill the Degree Program.

Students must take at least 45 credits at the 300 level or higher at Iowa State University.

To complete an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, a student must satisfy the requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (see Liberal Arts and Sciences, Curriculum) and include the following courses within the group requirements:

PHIL 343Philosophy of Technology3
SP CM 212Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
14 credits of Math and Statistics14
13 credits of Natural Science13
PHYS 221Introduction to Classical Physics I5
PHYS 222Introduction to Classical Physics II5
MATH 165Calculus I4
MATH 166Calculus II4
One of the following
Introduction to Statistics for Engineers
Probability and Statistical Inference for Engineers
Engineering Statistics
Probability and Statistics for Computer Science
Probability and Statistics for Computer Science
Introduction to the Theory of Probability and Statistics I
A ECL 312Ecology4
At least one additional natural science course from the following
Introduction to Biological Anthropology and Archaeology
Biological Anthropology
Structure and Reactions in Biochemical Processes
Ecology
Plants and People
College Chemistry *
Insect Biology
Energy and the Environment
Introduction to Human Nutrition
Human Heredity and Society
The Earth **
Geology for Engineers and Environmental Scientists
Applied and Environmental Geophysics
Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering I
   and Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering I - Lab
Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering II
Introduction to Weather and Climate
General Meteorology
Brain and Behavior

*

CHEM 163-231

**

GEOL 100-108

Communication Proficiency requirement:

ENGL 150Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 250Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
One of the following3
Business Communication
Creative Writing--Nonfiction
Report and Proposal Writing
Technical Communication

The minimum grade accepted in each of the three required English courses is a C-.

Students wishing to pursue the B.S. degree in computer science must first successfully complete the premajor program consisting of the following courses and minimum grade requirements:

Course Minimum Grade (C-)

MATH 165Calculus I4

Students majoring in computer science must successfully complete this premajor program prior to taking any other courses in the Department. Thus, for computer science majors, this premajor serves as a necessary prerequisite to all the other courses offered by the Department.

Computer science majors transferring from other institutions must take at least 15 of their credits at the 300-level or above in our department while in residence at Iowa State.

To graduate with a major in the Computer Science Department, a student must earn at least a C- in each of the courses taken to fulfill the program of study.

A minimum of 44 credits is required for the B.S. degree in computer science. The required courses are:

COM S 101OrientationR
COM S 203Careers in Computer ScienceR
CPR E 281Digital Logic4
COM S 227Introduction to Object-oriented Programming4
COM S 228Introduction to Data Structures3
COM S 229Advanced Programming Techniques3
COM S 309Software Development Practices3
COM S 311Design and Analysis of Algorithms3
COM S 321Introduction to Computer Architecture and Machine-Level Programming3
COM S 330Discrete Computational Structures3
COM S 331Theory of Computing3
COM S 342Principles of Programming Languages3
COM S 352Introduction to Operating Systems3
COM S 362Object-Oriented Analysis and Design3
or COM S 363 Introduction to Database Management Systems
Total Credits38

In addition, two advanced-level courses must be selected from the following groups:

Group W:

COM S 426Introduction to Parallel Algorithms and Programming4
COM S 440Principles and Practice of Compiling3
COM S 454Distributed and Network Operating Systems3
COM S 477Problem Solving Techniques for Applied Computer Science3
COM S 486Fundamental Concepts in Computer Networking3

Group B:

COM S 401Projects in Computing and Business Applications3
COM S 409Software Requirements Engineering3
CPR E 416Software Evolution and Maintenance3
or S E 416 Software Evolution and Maintenance
COM S 417Software Testing3
COM S 425High Performance Computing for Scientific and Engineering Applications3
COM S 430Advanced Programming Tools3
COM S 455Simulation: Algorithms and Implementation3
COM S 461Principles and Internals of Database Systems3
COM S 472Principles of Artificial Intelligence3
COM S 474Elements of Neural Computation3

Group N:

COM S 412Formal Aspects of Specification and Verification3
COM S 418Introduction to Computational Geometry3
MATH 421Logic for Mathematics and Computer Science3
MATH 481Numerical Methods for Differential Equations and Interpolation3
MATH 426Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences3
CPR E 489Computer Networking and Data Communications4
M E 557Computer Graphics and Geometric Modeling3

Courses in Group W require written reports and those in Group B require both oral and written reports. Students must take one course from Group B and one course from any group.

Students must earn a C- or better in each course in the department which is a prerequisite to a course listed in the student’s degree program.

Undergraduate Minor. The Computer Science Department offers an undergraduate minor in Computer Science. The minor requires at least 19 credits in computer science courses.

COM S 227Introduction to Object-oriented Programming4
COM S 228Introduction to Data Structures3
COM S 229Advanced Programming Techniques3
9 credits in courses 300 level or above9

Undergraduate Curriculum in Software Engineering

The Department of Computer Science together with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering also offer a curriculum leading to an undergraduate degree in software engineering. The software engineering curriculum offers emphasis areas in software engineering principles, process, and practice. Students may also take elective courses in computer engineering and computer science.

See Index, Software Engineering. For curriculum information, see also College of Engineering and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Graduate Study

The department offers work for the degrees Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Computer Science. The Doctor of Philosophy degree may also be earned with computer science as a co-major with some other discipline. Additionally, the department offers a minor to students majoring in other departments.

Established research areas include algorithms, artificial intelligence, computational complexity, computer architecture, bioinformatics, computational biology, computer networks, database systems, formal methods, information assurance, machine learning and neural networks, multimedia, operating systems, parallel and distributed computing, programming languages, robotics, and software engineering. There are also numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary research.

Typically, students beginning graduate work in Computer Science have completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science. However, some students with undergraduate majors in other areas, such as Mathematical, physical, or biological science or engineering become successful graduate students in Computer Science.

For the degree Master of Science, a minimum of 30 semester credits is required. A thesis demonstrating research and the ability to organize and express significant ideas in computer science is required.

The purpose of the doctoral program is to train students to do original research in Computer Science. Each student is also required to attain knowledge and proficiency commensurate with a leadership role in the field. The Ph.D. requirements are governed by the student’s program of study committee within established guidelines of the department and the graduate college. They include coursework, demonstrated proficiency in four areas of Computer Science, a research skills requirement, a preliminary examination, and a doctoral dissertation and final oral examination. The department recommends that all graduate students majoring in Computer Science teach as part of their training for an advanced degree.

Courses primarily for undergraduate students

COM S 101. Orientation.

Cr. R. F.S.
Introduction to the procedures and policies of Iowa State University and the Department of Computer Science, test-outs, honorary societies, etc. Issues relevant to student adjustment to college life will also be discussed. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

COM S 103. Computer Applications.

Cr. 4. F.S.SS.
Introduction to computer literacy and applications. Applications: Windows, Internet browser/HTML, word processing, spreadsheets, database management and presentation software. Literacy: history of computing, structure of computers, telecommunications, computer ethics, computer crime, and history of programming languages. No prior computer experience necessary. Course is offered online only. Students must attend an orientation session the first week of class.

COM S 104. Introduction to Computers.

(1.5-1) Cr. 2. F.S.
Offered first 8 weeks and last 8 weeks. Use of personal computer and workstation operating systems and beginning programming. Project-oriented approach to computer operation and programming, including use of tools to aid in programming. Topics from computer history, using basic Windows and Unix tools, program structure, expression, variables, decision and logic, and iteration. No prior computer experience necessary.

COM S 107. Applied Computer Programming.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.
Introduction to computer programming for non-majors using a language such as the Visual Basic language. Basics of good programming and algorithm development. Graphical user interfaces.

COM S 201. Computer Programming in COBOL.

(3-0) Cr. 3. SS. Prereq: 107 or 207 or 227
Computer programming in COBOL. Emphasis on the design, writing, debugging, and testing of business applications programs in a transaction-oriented environment.

COM S 203. Careers in Computer Science.

Cr. R. F.S.
Computer science as a profession. Introduction to career fields open to computer science majors. Relationship of coursework to careers. Presentations by computer science professionals. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

COM S 207. Fundamentals of Computer Programming.

(Cross-listed with MIS). (3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: MATH 150 or placement into MATH 140/141/142 or higher
An introduction to computer programming using an object-oriented programming language. Emphasis on the basics of good programming techniques and style. Extensive practice in designing, implementing, and debugging small programs. Use of abstract data types. Interactive and file I/O. Exceptions/error-handling. This course is not designed for computer science, software engineering, and computer engineering majors. Credit may not be applied toward graduation for both Com S 207/MIS 207 and Com S 227.

COM S 208. Intermediate Computer Programming.

(3-1) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: MIS/COM S 207, credit or enrollment in MATH 151, 160, or 165
Intermediate-level programming techniques. Emphasis on designing, writing, testing, debugging, and documenting medium-sized programs. Data structures and their uses. Dynamic memory usage. Inheritance and polymorphism. Algorithm design and efficiency: recursion, searching, and sorting. Event-driven and GUI programming. The software development process. This course is not designed for computer science, software engineering and computer engineering majors. Credit may not be applied toward the major in computer science, software engineering, or computer engineering.

COM S 227. Introduction to Object-oriented Programming.

(3-2) Cr. 4. F.S.
An introduction to object-oriented design and programming techniques. Symbolic and numerical computation. Recursion and iteration. Modularity procedural and data abstraction, specifications and subtyping. Object-oriented techniques. Imperative programming. Emphasis on principles of programming and object-oriented design through extensive practice in design, writing, running, debugging, and reasoning about programs. This course is designed for majors. Credit may not be applied toward graduation for both Com S 207 and 227.

COM S 228. Introduction to Data Structures.

(3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: C- or better in 227, credit or enrollment in MATH 165
An object-oriented approach to data structures and algorithms. Object-oriented analysis, design, and programming, with emphasis on data abstraction, inheritance and subtype polymorphism. Abstract data type specification and correctness. Collections and associated algorithms, such as stacks, queues, lists, trees. Searching and sorting algorithms. Graphs. Data on secondary storage. Analysis of algoritms. Emphasis on object-oriented design, writing and documenting medium-sized programs. This course is designed for majors.

COM S 229. Advanced Programming Techniques.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 228, credit or enrollment in MATH 166
Object-oriented programming experience using a language suitable for exploring advanced topics in programming. Topics include memory management, parameter passing, inheritance, compiling, debugging, and maintaining programs. Significant programming projects.

COM S 252. Linux Operating System Essentials.

(2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 103 or 207 or 227
Selected topics include: Linux Distributions, installation, configuration, and management of a Linux based computer system, shell programming, network accessing technologies, package management systems, system security, user, file sharing techniques, interoperation with other computers on the network, and open-source software. This is a hands-on course designed to demonstrate the installation and utilization of the Linux operating system for a personal computer.

COM S 290. Independent Study.

Cr. arr. F.S. Prereq: Permission of instructor
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

H. Honors

COM S 309. Software Development Practices.

(3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: COM S 228 with C- or better
A practical introduction to methods for managing software development. Process models, requirements analysis, structured and object-oriented design, coding, testing, maintenance, cost and schedule estimation, metrics. Programming projects. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 311. Design and Analysis of Algorithms.

(3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 228 with C- or better, MATH 166, ENGL 250, and COM S 330 or CPR E 310
Basic techniques for design and analysis of efficient algorithms. Sorting, searching, graph algorithms, computational geometry, string processing and NP-completeness. Design techniques such as dynamic programming and the greedy method. Asymptotic, worst-case, average-case and amortized analyses. Data structures including heaps, hash tables, binary search trees and red-black trees. Programming projects. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 319. Software Construction and User Interfaces.

(Cross-listed with S E). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 228
Basic theory of grammars, parsing. Language paradigms. State transition and table-based software design. Rapid system prototyping. Review of principles of object orientation, object oriented analysis using UML. Event-driven and clock-driven simulation. Software construction methods. Frameworks and APIs. User interface architecture, evaluation of user interface. Design of windows, menus, and commands. Introduction to format specification and model-based software design. Introduction to domain-specific software engineering. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 321. Introduction to Computer Architecture and Machine-Level Programming.

(3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: C- or higher in 228, CPR E 281 and ENGL 250
Introduction to computer architecture and organization. Emphasis on evaluation of performance, instruction set architecture, datapath and control, memory-hierarchy design, and pipelining. Assembly language on a simulator. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 330. Discrete Computational Structures.

(3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: C- or higher in 228, C- or higher in MATH 166 and ENGL 250
Concepts in discrete mathematics as applied to computer science. Logic, proof techniques, set theory, relations, graphs, combinatorics, discrete probability and number theory. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 331. Theory of Computing.

(Cross-listed with LING). (3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: C- or higher in 228, C- or higher in COM S 330 or CPR E 310, C- or higher in MATH 166, and ENGL 250
Models of computation: finite state automata, pushdown automata and Turing machines. Study of grammars and their relation to automata. Limits of digital computation, unsolvability and Church-Turing thesis. Chomsky hierarchy and relations between classes of languages. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 342. Principles of Programming Languages.

(3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 321; 330 or CPR E 310; either 309, 362 or 363; ENGL 250
Organization of programming languages emphasizing language design concepts and semantics. Study of language features and major programming paradigms, especially functional programming. Programming projects. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 350. Number Theory.

(Cross-listed with MATH). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: MATH 166
Divisibility, integer representations, primes and divisors, linear diophantine equations, congruences, and multiplicative functions. Applications to cryptography. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 352. Introduction to Operating Systems.

(3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 229, and 321; ENGL 250
Survey of operating system issues. Introduction to hardware and software components including: processors, peripherals, interrupts, management of processes, threads and memory, deadlocks, file systems, protection, virtual machines and system organization, and introduction to distributed operating systems. Programming projects. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 362. Object-Oriented Analysis and Design.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 228 with C- or better, ENGL 250
Object-oriented requirements analysis and systems design. Design notations such as the Unifed Modeling Language. Design Patterns. Group design and programming with large programming projects. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 363. Introduction to Database Management Systems.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 228 with C- or better, ENGL 250
Relational, object-oriented, and semistructured data models and query languages. SQL, ODMG, and XML standards. Database design using entity-relationship model, data dependencies and object definition language. Application development in SQL-like languages and general purpose host languages with application program interfaces. Information integration using data warehouses, mediators and wrappers. Programming Projects. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 398. Cooperative Education.

Cr. R. Prereq: Permission of department chair
Required of all cooperative students. Students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.

COM S 401. Projects in Computing and Business Applications.

(2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: ENGL 250, SP CM 212, COM S 309, and either 362 or 363
Applications of software development methods (requirements collection and analysis, software design, project management, documentation and testing), programming techniques, database designs and administration, network application programming to solve computing needs in business settings. A study of practical applications of emerging technologies in computing. Emphasis on semester-long team programming projects. Lab assignments. Oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 409. Software Requirements Engineering.

(Dual-listed with 509). (Cross-listed with S E). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: COM S 309, ENGL 250, SP CM 212
The requirements engineering process, including identification of stakeholders, requirements elicitation techniques such as interviews and prototyping, analysis fundamentals, requirements specification, and validation. Use of Models: State-oriented, Function-oriented, and Object-oriented. Documentation for Software Requirements. Informal, semi-formal, and formal representations. Structural, informational, and behavioral requirements. Non-functional requirements. Use of requirements repositories to manage and track requirements through the life cycle. Case studies, software projects, written reports, and oral presentations will be required. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 412. Formal Aspects of Specification and Verification.

(Cross-listed with CPR E, S E). (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: COM S 309, 319
Introduction to prepositional/predicate/temporal logic, program verification using theorem proving, model-based verification using model checking, and tools for verification. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 417. Software Testing.

(Cross-listed with S E). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: COM S 309, 319, ENGL 250, SP CM 212
Comprehensive study of software testing, principles, methodologies, management strategies and techniques. Test models, test design techniques (black box and white-box testing techniques), integration, regression, system testing methods, and software testing tools. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 418. Introduction to Computational Geometry.

(Dual-listed with 518). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: 311 or permission of instructor
Introduction to data structures, algorithms, and analysis techniques for computational problems that involve geometry. Line segment intersection, polygon triangulation, 2D linear programming, range queries, point location, arrangements and duality, Voronoi diagrams and Delaunay triangulation, convex hulls, robot motion planning, visibility graphs. Other selected topics. Programming assignments. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 421. Logic for Mathematics and Computer Science.

(Cross-listed with MATH). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: MATH 301 or 307 or 317 or COM S 330
Propositional and predicate logic. Topics selected from Horn logic, equational logic, resolution and unification, foundations of logic programming, reasoning about programs, program specification and verification, model checking and binary decision diagrams. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 425. High Performance Computing for Scientific and Engineering Applications.

(Cross-listed with CPR E). (3-1) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 311, 330, ENGL 250, SP CM 212
Introduction to high performance computing platforms including parallel computers and workstation clusters. Discussion of parallel architectures, performance, programming models, and software development issues. Sample applications from science and engineering. Practical issues in high performance computing will be emphasized via a number of programming projects using a variety of programming models and case studies. Oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 426. Introduction to Parallel Algorithms and Programming.

(Dual-listed with 526). (Cross-listed with CPR E). (3-2) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: CPR E 308 or COM S 321, COM S 311
Models of parallel computation, performance measures, basic parallel constructs and communication primitives, parallel programming using MPI, parallel algorithms for selected problems including sorting, matrix, tree and graph problems, fast Fourier transforms. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 430. Advanced Programming Tools.

(3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 311, 362 or 363, ENGL 250, SP CM 212
Topics in advanced programming techniques and tools widely used by industry (e.g., event-driven programming and graphical user interfaces, standard libraries, client/server architectures and techniques for distributed applications). Emphasis on programming projects in a modern integrated development environment. Oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 433. Computational Models of Nanoscale Self-Assembly.

(Dual-listed with 533). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: C- or higher in 331 or consent of the instructor
Modeling and analysis of natural and engineered systems that spontaneously assemble themselves from small components. Topics include biomolecular self-assembly, tile assembly models, computation via self-assembly, distributed folding, origami models, and self-repair. Emphasis on mathematical methods of describing, simulating, programming, and verifying the behaviors of self-assembling systems. Graduate credit requires a written or oral report on current research. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 440. Principles and Practice of Compiling.

(Dual-listed with 540). (3-1) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: 331, 342, ENGL 250, SP CM 212
Theory of compiling and implementation issues of programming languages. Programming projects leading to the construction of a compiler. Projects with different difficulty levels will be given for 440 and 540. Topics: lexical, syntax and semantic analyses, syntax-directed translation, runtime environment and library support. Written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 444. Introduction to Bioinformatics.

(Dual-listed with 544). (Cross-listed with BCB, BIOL, BCBIO, CPR E, GEN). (4-0) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: MATH 165 or STAT 401 or equivalent
Broad overview of bioinformatics with a significant problem-solving component, including hands-on practice using computational tools to solve a variety of biological problems. Topics include: database searching, sequence alignment, gene prediction, RNA and protein structure prediction, construction of phylogenetic trees, comparative and functional genomics, systems biology. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 454. Distributed and Network Operating Systems.

(Dual-listed with 554). (Cross-listed with CPR E). (3-1) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: 311, 352, ENGL 250, SP CM 212
Laboratory course dealing with practical issues of design and implementation of distributed and network operating systems and distributed computing environments (DCE). The client server paradigm, inter-process communications, layered communication protocols, synchronization and concurrency control, and distributed file systems. Graduate credit requires additional in-depth study of advanced operating systems. Written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 455. Simulation: Algorithms and Implementation.

(Dual-listed with 555). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2012. Prereq: 311 and 330, STAT 330, ENGL 150, SP CM 212
Introduction to discrete-event simulation with a focus on computer science applications, including performance evaluation of networks and distributed systems. Overview of algorithms and data structures necessary to implement simulation software. Discrete and continuous stochastic models, random number generation, elementary statistics, simulation of queuing and inventory systems, Monte Carlo simulation, point and interval parameter estimation. Graduate credit requires additional in-depth study of concepts. Oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 461. Principles and Internals of Database Systems.

(Dual-listed with 561). (3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 311, ENGL 250, SP CM 212 and COM S 363
Models for structured and semistructured data. Algebraic, first order, and user-oriented query languages. Database schema design. Physical storage, access methods, and query processing. Transaction management, concurrency control, and crash recovery. Database security. Information integration using data warehouses, mediators, wrappers, and data mining. Parallel and distributed databases, and special purpose databases. Oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 471. Computational Linear Algebra and Fixed Point Iteration.

(Cross-listed with MATH). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2011.S. Prereq: MATH 265 and either MATH 266, or 267; knowledge of a programming language
Computational error, solutions of linear systems, least squares, similarity methods for eigenvalues, solution of nonlinear equations in one and several variables. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 472. Principles of Artificial Intelligence.

(Dual-listed with 572). (3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 311, 330 or CPR E 310, STAT 330, ENGL 250, SP CM 212, COM S 342 or comparable programming experience
Specification, design, implementation, and selected applications of intelligent software agents and multi-agent systems. Computational models of intelligent behavior, including problem solving, knowledge representation, reasoning, planning, decision making, learning, perception, action, communication and interaction. Reactive, deliberative, rational, adaptive, learning and communicative agents and multiagent systems. Artificial intelligence programming. Graduate credit requires a research project and a written report. Oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 474. Elements of Neural Computation.

(3-1) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2012. Prereq: 311, 330 or CPR E 310, STAT 330, MATH 165, ENGL 250, SP CM 212, COM S 342 or comparable programming experience
Introduction to theory and applications of neural computation and computational neuroscience. Computational models of neurons and networks of neurons. Neural architectures for associative memory, knowledge representation, inference, pattern classification, function approximation, stochastic search, decision making, and behavior. Neural architectures and algorithms for learning including perceptions, support vector machines, kernel methods, bayesian learning, instance based learning, reinforcement learning, unsupervised learning, and related techniques. Applications in Artificial Intelligence and cognitive and neural modeling. Hands-on experience is emphasized through the use of simulation tools and laboratory projects. Oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 477. Problem Solving Techniques for Applied Computer Science.

(Dual-listed with 577). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2012. Prereq: 228; 330 or CPR E 310, MATH 166, MATH 307 or MATH 317, or consent of the instructor
Selected topics in applied mathematics and modern heuristics that have found applications in areas such as geometric modeling, graphics, robotics, vision, human machine interface, speech recognition, computer animation, etc. Polynomial interpolation, roots of polynomials, resultants, solution of linear and nonlinear equations, approximation, data fitting, fast Fourier transform, linear programming, nonlinear optimization, Lagrange multipliers, genetic algorithms, integration of ODEs, curves, curvature, Frenet Formulas, cubic splines, and Bezier curves. Programming components. Written report for graduate credit. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 481. Numerical Solution of Differential Equations and Interpolation.

(Cross-listed with MATH). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: MATH 265 and either MATH 266 or 267; knowledge of a programming language
First order Euler method, high order Runge-Kutta method, and multistep method for solving ordinary differential equations. Finite difference and finite element methods for solving partial differential equations. Local truncation error, stability, and convergence for finite difference method. Numerical solution space, polynomial approximation, and error estimate for finite element method. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 486. Fundamental Concepts in Computer Networking.

(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 352
An introduction to fundamental concepts in the design and implementation of computer communication in both the wired and wireless networks, their protocols, and applications. Layered network architecture in the Internet, applications, transport, Socket APIs, network, and data link layers and their protocols, multimedia networking, and network security. Nonmajor graduate credit.

COM S 490. Independent Study.

Cr. arr. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. F.S. Prereq: 6 credits in computer science, permission of instructor
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only. No more than 9 credits of Com S 490 may be counted toward graduation.

H. Honors

 

Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduate students

COM S 502. Complex Adaptive Systems Seminar.

(Cross-listed with CAS). (1-0) Cr. 1. F.S. Prereq: Admissions to CAS minor
Understanding core techniques in artificial life are based on basic readings in complex adaptive systems. Understand techniques of complex system analysis methods including: Evolutionary computation, Neural nets, Agent based simulations (Agent based Computational Economics). Large-scale simulations are to be emphasized, e.g. power grids, whole ecosystems.

COM S 503. Complex Adaptive Systems Concepts and Techniques.

(Cross-listed with CAS). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Admission to CAS minor or related field
Survey of complex systems and their analysis. Examples are drawn from engineering, computer science, biology, economics and physics.

COM S 509. Software Requirements Engineering.

(Dual-listed with 409). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 309
The requirements engineering process including identification of stakeholders requirements elicitation techniques such as interviews and prototyping, analysis fundamentals, requirements specification, and validation. Use of Models: State-oriented, Function-oriented, and Object-oriented. Documentation for Software Requirements. Informal, semi-formal, and formal representations. Structural, informational, and behavioral requirements. Non-functional requirements. Use of requirements repositories to manage and track requirements through the life cycle. Case studies, software projects, written reports, and oral presentations will be required.

COM S 511. Design and Analysis of Algorithms.

(Cross-listed with CPR E). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: COM S 311
A study of basic algorithm design and analysis techniques. Advanced data structures, amortized analysis and randomized algorithms. Applications to sorting, graphs, and geometry. NP-completeness and approximation algorithms.

COM S 512. Formal Methods in Software Engineering.

(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 311, 330
A study of formal techniques for specification and verification of software systems. Topics include temporal logic, propositional and predicate logic, model checking, process algebra, theorem proving. Tools providing automated support for these techniques will also be discussed.

COM S 515. Software System Safety.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 309 or 311, 342
An introduction to the analysis, design, and testing of software for safety-critical and high-integrity systems. Analysis techniques, formal verification, fault identification and recovery, model checking, and certification issues. Emphasizes a case-based and systematic approach to software's role in safe systems.

COM S 518. Introduction to Computational Geometry.

(Dual-listed with 418). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: 311 or permission of instructor
Introduction to data structures, algorithms, and analysis techniques for computational problems that involve geometry. Line segment intersection, polygon triangulation, 2D linear programming, range queries, point location, arrangements and duality, Voronoi diagrams and Delaunay triangulation, convex hulls, robot motion planning, visibility graphs. Other selected topics. Programming assignments. A scholarly report must be submitted for graduate credit.

COM S 525. Numerical Analysis of High Performance Computing.

(Cross-listed with CPR E, MATH). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: CPR E 308, or one of Math 471, 481; experience in scientific programming; knowledge of FORTRAN or C
Development, analysis, and testing of efficient numerical methods for use on current state-of-the-art high performance computers. Applications of the methods to the students' areas of research.

COM S 526. Introduction to Parallel Algorithms and Programming.

(Dual-listed with 426). (Cross-listed with CPR E). (3-2) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: CPR E 308 or COM S 321, COM S 311
Models of parallel computation, performance measures, basic parallel constructs and communication primitives, parallel programming using MPI, parallel algorithms for selected problems including sorting, matrix, tree and graph problems, fast Fourier transforms.

COM S 531. Theory of Computation.

(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 331
A systematic study of the fundamental models and analytical methods of theoretical computer science. Computability, the Church-Turing thesis, decidable and undecidable problems, and the elements of recursive function theory. Time complexity, logic, Boolean circuits, and NP-completeness. Role of randomness in computation.

COM S 533. Computational Models of Nanoscale Self-Assembly.

(Dual-listed with 433). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: C- or higher in 331 or consent of the instructor
Modeling and analysis of natural and engineered systems that spontaneously assemble themselves from small components. Topics include biomolecular self-assembly, tile assembly models, computation via self-assembly, distributed folding, origami models, and self-repair. Emphasis on mathematical methods of describing, simulating, programming, and verifying the behaviors of self-assembling systems. Graduate credit requires a written or oral report on current research.

COM S 540. Principles and Practice of Compiling.

(Dual-listed with 440). (3-1) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: 331, 342, ENGL 250, SP CM 212
Theory of compiling and implementation issues of programming languages. Programming projects leading to the construction of a compiler. Projects with different difficulty levels will be given for 440 and 540. Topics: lexical, syntax and semantic analyses, syntax-directed translation, runtime environment and library support. Written reports.

COM S 541. Programming Languages.

(3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 342 or 440
Survey of the goals and problems of language design. Formal and informal studies of a wide variety of programming language features including type systems. Creative use of functional and declarative programming paradigms.

COM S 544. Introduction to Bioinformatics.

(Dual-listed with 444). (Cross-listed with BCB, CPR E, GDCB). (4-0) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: MATH 165 or STAT 401 or equivalent
Broad overview of bioinformatics with a significant problem-solving component, including hands-on practice using computational tools to solve a variety of biological problems. Topics include: database searching, sequence alignment, gene prediction, RNA and protein structure prediction, construction of phylogenetic trees, comparative and functional genomics, systems biology.

COM S 549. Advanced Algorithms in Computational Biology.

(Cross-listed with CPR E). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2012. Prereq: 311 and either 228 or 208
Design and analysis of algorithms for applications in computational biology, pairwise and multiple sequence alignments, approximation algorithms, string algorithms including in-depth coverage of suffix trees, semi-numerical string algorithms, algorithms for selected problems in fragment assembly, phylogenetic trees and protein folding. No background in biology is assumed. Also useful as an advanced algorithms course in string processing.

COM S 550. Evolutionary Problems for Computational Biologists.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2011. Prereq: COM S 311 and some knowledge of programming
Discussion and analysis of basic evolutionary principles and the necessary knowledge in computational biology to solve real world problems. Topics include character and distance based methods, phylogenetic tree distances, and consensus methods, and approaches to extract the necessary information from sequence-databases to build phylogenetic trees.

COM S 551. Computational Techniques for Genome Assembly and Analysis.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2011. Prereq: 311 and some knowledge of programming
Huang. Introduction to practical sequence assembly and comparison techniques. Topics include global alignment, local alignment, overlapping alignment, banded alignment, linear-space alignment, word hashing, DNA-protein alignment, DNA-cDNA alignment, comparison of two sets of sequences, construction of contigs, and generation of consensus sequences. Focus on development of sequence assembly and comparison programs.

COM S 552. Principles of Operating Systems.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2012. Prereq: 352
A comparative study of high-level language facilities for process synchronization and communication. Formal analysis of deadlock, concurrency control and recovery. Protection issues including capability-based systems, access and flow control, encryption, and authentication. Additional topics chosen from distributed operating systems, soft real-time operating systems, and advanced security issues.

COM S 554. Distributed and Network Operating Systems.

(Dual-listed with 454). (Cross-listed with CPR E). (3-1) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: 311, 352
Laboratory course dealing with practical issues of design and implementation of distributed and network operating systems and distributed computing environments (DCE). The client server paradigm, inter-process communications, layered communication protocols, synchronization and concurrency control, and distributed file systems. Graduate credit requires additional in-depth study of advanced operating systems. Written reports.

COM S 555. Simulation: Algorithms and Implementation.

(Dual-listed with 455). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2012. Prereq: COM S 311 and 330, STAT 330
Introduction to discrete-event simulation with a focus on computer science applications, including performance evaluation of networks and distributed systems. Overview of algorithms and data structures necessary to implement simulation software. Discrete and continuous stochastic models, random number generation, elementary statistics, simulation of queuing and inventory systems, Monte Carlo simulation, point and interval parameter estimation. Graduate credit requires additional in-depth study of concepts. Oral and written reports.

COM S 556. Analysis Algorithms for Stochastic Models.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: COM S 331, MATH 307, and STAT 330
Introduction to the use of stochastic models to study complex systems, including network communication and distributed systems. Data structures and algorithms for analyzing discrete-state models expressed in high-level formalisms. State space and reachability graph construction, model checking, Markov chain construction and numerical solution, computation of performance measures, product-form models, approximations, and advanced techniques.

COM S 557. Computer Graphics and Geometric Modeling.

(Cross-listed with M E, CPR E). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 421, programming experience in C
Fundamentals of computer graphics technology. Data structures. Parametric curve and surface modeling. Solid model representations. Applications in engineering design, analysis, and manufacturing.

COM S 558. Introduction to the 3D Visualization of Scientific Data.

(Cross-listed with GEOL, HCI). (2-2) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: Graduate-student standing in the mathematical or natural sciences
Introduction to visualizing scientific information with 3D computer graphics and their foundation in human perception. Overview of different visualization techniques and examples of 3D visualization projects from different disciplines (natural sciences, medicine, engineering). Class project in interactive 3D visualization using the OpenDX, VTK or a similar system.

COM S 561. Principles and Internals of Database Systems.

(Dual-listed with 461). (3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Graduate classification
Models for structured and semistructured data. Algebraic, first order, and user-oriented query languages. Database schema design. Physical storage, access methods, and query processing. Transaction management, concurrency control, and crash recovery. Database security. Information integration using data warehouses, mediators, wrappers, and data mining. Parallel and distributed databases, and special purpose databases. Oral and written reports.

COM S 562. Implementation of Database Systems.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 461 or 561
Implementation topics and projects are chosen from the following: Storage architecture, buffer management and caching, access methods, design, parsing and compilation of query languages and update operations, application programming interfaces (APIs), user interfaces, query optimization and processing, and transaction management for relational, object-oriented, semistructured (XML), and special purpose database models; client-server architectures, metadata and middleware for database integration, web databases.

COM S 567. Bioinformatics I (Fundamentals of Genome Informatics).

(Cross-listed with BCB, CPR E). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: COM S 208; COM S 330; STAT 341; credit or enrollment in BIOL 315, STAT 430
Biology as an information science. Review of algorithms and information processing. Generative models for sequences. String algorithms. Pairwise sequence alignment. Multiple sequence alignment. Searching sequence databases. Genome sequence assembly.

COM S 568. Bioinformatics II (Advanced Genome Informatics).

(Cross-listed with BCB, GDCB, STAT). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: BCB 567, BBMB 301, BIOL 315, STAT 430, credit or enrollment in Gen 411
Advanced sequence models. Basic methods in molecular phylogeny. Hidden Markov models. Genome annotation. DNA and protein motifs. Introduction to gene expression analysis.

COM S 569. Bioinformatics III (Structural Genome Informatics).

(Cross-listed with BBMB, BCB, CPR E). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: BCB 567, Gen 411, STAT 430
Algorithmic and statistical approaches in structural genomics including protein, DNA and RNA structure. Structure determination, refinement, representation, comparison, visualization, and modeling. Analysis and prediction of protein secondary and tertiary structure, disorder, protein cores and surfaces, protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions, protein localization and function.

COM S 570. Bioinformatics IV (Computational Functional Genomics and Systems Biology).

(Cross-listed with BCB, GDCB, STAT, CPR E). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: BCB 567, BIOL 315, COM S 311 and either 208 or 228, Gen 411, STAT 430
Algorithmic and statistical approaches in computational functional genomics and systems biology. Elements of experiment design. Analysis of high throughput gene expression, proteomics, and other datasets obtained using system-wide measurements. Topological analysis, module discovery, and comparative analysis of gene and protein networks. Modeling, analysis, simulation and inference of transcriptional regulatory modules and networks, protein-protein interaction networks, metabolic networks, cells and systems: Dynamic systems, Boolean, and probabilistic models. Multi-scale, multi-granularity models. Ontology-driven, network based, and probabilistic approaches to information integration.

COM S 572. Principles of Artificial Intelligence.

(Dual-listed with 472). (3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 311, 331, STAT 330, COM S 342 or comparable programming experience
Specification, design, implementation, and selected applications of intelligent software agents and multi-agent systems. Computational models of intelligent behavior, including problem solving, knowledge representation, reasoning, planning, decision making, learning, perception, action, communication and interaction. Reactive, deliverative, rational, adaptive, learning and communicative agents. Artificial intelligence programming. Graduate credit requires a research project and a written report. Oral and written reports.

COM S 573. Machine Learning.

(3-1) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 311, 362, STAT 330
Algorithmic models of learning. Design, analysis, implementation and applications of learning algorithms. Learning of concepts, classification rules, functions, relations, grammars, probability distributions, value functions, models, skills, behaviors and programs. Agents that learn from observation, examples, instruction, induction, deduction, reinforcement and interaction. Computational learning theory. Data mining and knowledge discovery using artificial neural networks, support vector machines, decision trees, Bayesian networks, association rules, dimensionality reduction, feature selection and visualization. Learning from heterogeneous, distributed, dynamic data and knowledge sources. Learning in multi-agent systems. Selected applications in automated knowledge acquisition, pattern recognition, program synthesis, bioinformatics and Internet-based information systems. Oral and written reports.

COM S 574. Intelligent Multiagent Systems.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2011. Prereq: STAT 330; COM S 331; 572, 573, 472, or 474
Specification, design, implementation, and applications of multi-agent systems. Intelligent agent architectures; infrastructures, languages and tools for design and implementation of distributed multi-agent systems; Multi-agent organizations, communication, interaction, cooperation, team formation, negotiation, competition, and learning. Selected topics in decision theory, game theory, contract theory, bargaining theory, auction theory, and organizational theory. Selected topics in knowledge representation and ontologies. Agent-based systems and the Semantic Web. Applications in distributed intelligent information networks for information retrieval, information integration, inference, and discovery from heterogeneous, autonomous, distributed, dynamic information sources.

COM S 575. Computational Perception.

(Cross-listed with CPR E, HCI). (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Graduate standing or permission of instructor
Statistical and algorithmic methods for sensing, recognizing, and interpreting the activities of people by a computer. Focuses on machine perception techniques that facilitate and augment human-computer interaction. Introduce computational perception on both theoretical and practical levels. Participation in small groups to design, implement, and evaluate a prototype of a human-computer interaction system that uses one or more of the techniques covered in the lectures.

COM S 577. Problem Solving Techniques for Applied Computer Science.

(Dual-listed with 477). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2012. Prereq: 228; 330 or CPR E 310, MATH 166, MATH 307 or MATH 317, or consent of the instructor
Selected topics in applied mathematics and modern heuristics that have found applications in areas such as geometric modeling, graphics, robotics, vision, human machine interface, speech recognition, computer animation, etc. Homogeneous coordinates and transformations, perspective projection, quaternions and rotations, polynomial interpolation, roots of polynomials, resultants, solution of linear and nonlinear equations, approximation, data fitting, Fourier series and fast Fourier transform, linear programming, nonlinear optimization, Lagrange multipliers, parametric and algebraic curves, curvature, Frenet formulas, Bezier curves. Programming components. A scholarly report is required for graduate credit.

COM S 581. Computer Systems Architecture.

(Cross-listed with CPR E). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: CPR E 381
Quantitative principles of computer architecture design, instruction set design, processor architecture: pipelining and superscalar design, instruction level parallelism, memory organization: cache and virtual memory systems, multiprocessor architecture, cache coherency, interconnection networks and message routing, I/O devices and peripherals.

COM S 583. Reconfigurable Computing Systems.

(Cross-listed with CPR E). (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Background in computer architecture, design, and organization
Introduction to reconfigurable computing, FPGA technology and architectures, spatial computing architectures such as systolic and bit serial adaptive network architectures, static and dynamic rearrangeable interconnection architectures, processor architectures incorporating reconfigurabiltiy.

COM S 586. Computer Network Architectures.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 511, 552 or CPR E 489
Design and implementation of computer communication networks: layered network architectures, local area networks, data link protocols, distributed routing, transport services, network programming interfaces, network applications, error control, flow/congestion control, interconnection of heterogeneous networks, TCP/IP, ATM networks, multimedia communications, IP and application multicast, overlay networks, network security and web computing.

COM S 587. Principles of Distributed and Network Programming.

(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 352 or CPR E 489 or equivalent
Programming paradigms for building modern distributed applications, including multithreaded client-server programming, distributed object frameworks and programming languages. Directory services. Web-based computing. Mobile computing. Peer-to-Peer computing. Network multimedia applications. Reliability and manageability of networked systems, including aspects of distributed system security, verification of concurrent systems, and network management.

COM S 590. Special Topics.

Cr. arr. Repeatable. Prereq: Permission of instructor
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

COM S 592. Research Colloquia.

Cr. 1. F.S. Prereq: Graduate classification
Attend Computer Science Research Colloquia. Written summary is required. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

COM S 596. Genomic Data Processing.

(Cross-listed with BCB, GDCB). (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Some experience in computation
Study the practical aspects of genomic data processing with an emphasis on hands-on projects. Topics include base-calling, sequence cleaning and contaminant removal; fragment assembly procedures and EST clustering methods; genome closure strategies and practices; sequence homology search and function prediction; and annotation and submission of GenBank reports. Next-generation sequencing topics like model genome resequencing, short-read assembly and transcriptome abundance measurement will also be covered.

COM S 598. Graduate Internship.

Cr. R. Repeatable. F.S.SS. Prereq: Graduate Classification
Supervised internship working in professional settings appropriate to the student?s degree program. Academic work under faculty supervision.

COM S 599. Creative Component.

Cr. 1-3.
Creative component for nonthesis option of Master of Science degree. Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

 

Courses for graduate students

COM S 610. Seminar.

Cr. arr.
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.

COM S 611. Advanced Topics in Analysis of Algorithms.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: 511, 531
Advanced algorithm analysis and design techniques. Topics include graph algorithms, algebraic algorithms, number-theoretic algorithms, randomized and parallel algorithms. Intractable problems and NP-completeness. Advanced data structures.

COM S 612. Distributed Algorithms.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2012. Prereq: 511 or 531
The theory of distributed computation. Algorithms, lower bounds and impossibility results. Leader Elections, mutual exlusion, consensus and clock synchronization algorithms. Synchronous, asynchronous and partially synchronous distributed systems models. Shared memory and message passing systems. Fault-tolerance and randomization. Broadcast and multicast. Wait-free object simulations. Distributed shared memory.

COM S 625. Issues in Parallel Programming and Performance.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: 511
Parallel solutions of numerical and non-numerical problems, implementation of parallel programs on parallel machines, performance and other computational issues in parallel programming.

COM S 626. Parallel Algorithms for Scientific Applications.

(Cross-listed with CPR E). (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: 526
Algorithm design for high-performance computing. Parallel algorithms for multidimensional tree data structures, space-filling curves, random number generation, graph partitioning and load balancing. Applications to grid and particle-based methods and computational biology.

COM S 631. Advanced Topics in Computational Complexity.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable. Alt. F., offered 2012. Prereq: 531
Advanced study in the quantitative theory of computation. Time and space complexity of algorithmic problems. The structure of P, NP, PH, PSPACE, and other complexity classes, especially with respect to resource-bounded reducibilities and complete problems. Complexity relative to auxiliary information, including oracle computation and relativized classes, randomized algorithms, advice machines, Boolean circuits. Kolmogorov complexity and randomness.

COM S 633. Advanced Topics in Computational Randomness.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable. Alt. F., offered 2011. Prereq: 531
Advanced study of the role of randomness in computation. Randomized algorithms, derandomization, and probabilistic complexity classes. Kolmogorov complexity, algorithmic information theory, and algorithmic randomness. Applications chosen from cryptography, interactive proof systems, computational learning, lower bound arguments, mathematical logic, and the organization of complex systems.

COM S 634. Theory of Games, Knowledge and Uncertainty.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: 330
Fundamentals of Game Theory: individual decision making, strategic and extensive games, mixed strategies, backward induction, Nash and other equilibrium concepts. Discussion of Auctions and Bargaining. Repeated, Bayesian and evolutionary games. Interactive Epistemology: reasoning about knowledge in multiagent environment, properties of knowledge, agreements, and common knowledge. Reasoning about and representing uncertainty, probabilities, and beliefs. Uncertainty in multiagent environments. Aspects and applications of game theory, knowledge, and uncertainty in other areas, especially Artificial Intelligence and Economics, will be discussed.

COM S 641. Advanced Topics in Programming Language Semantics.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable. Alt. S., offered 2012. Prereq: 531, 541
Operational and other mathematical models of programming language semantics. Type systems and their soundness. Applications of semantics on areas such as program correctness, language design or translation.

COM S 652. Advanced Topics in Distributed Operating Systems.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable. Alt. F., offered 2011. Prereq: 552
Concepts and techniques for network and distributed operating systems: Communications protocols, processes and threads, name and object management, synchronization, consistency and replications for consistent distributed data, fault tolerance, protection and security, distributed file systems, design of reliable software, performance analysis.

COM S 657. Advanced Topics in Computer Graphics.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2012. Prereq: 228, I E/M E/CPR E/COM S 557
Modern lighting models: Rendering Equation, Spherical Harmonics, Lafortune, Cook-Torrance. Non-polygonal primitives: volumes, points, particles. Textures: filtering, reflections creation. Graphics hardware: pipeline, performance issues, programmability in vertex and fragment path. Per-pixel lighting. Nonphotorealistic rendering. Radiosity; Ray tracing.

COM S 661. Advanced Topics in Database Systems.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable. Alt. F., offered 2012. Prereq: 461 or 561
Advanced topics chosen from the following: database design, data models, query systems, query optimization, incomplete information, logic and databases, multimedia databases; temporal, spatial and belief databases, semistructured data, concurrency control, parallel and distributed databases, information retrieval, data warehouses, wrappers, mediators, and data mining.

COM S 672. Advanced Topics in Computational Models of Learning.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable. Alt. S., offered 2012. Prereq: COM S 572 or 573 or 472 or 474
Selected topics in Computational Learning Theory (PAC learning, Sample complexity, VC Dimension, Occam Learning, Boosting, active learning, Kolomogorov Complexity, Learning under helpful distributions, Mistake Bound Analysis). Selected topics in Bayesian and Information Theoretic Models (ML, MAP, MDL, MML). Advanced statistical methods for machine learning. Selected topics in reinforcement learning.

COM S 673. Advanced Topics in Computational Intelligence.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Repeatable. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: COM S 572 or 573 or 472 or 474
Advanced applications of artificial intelligence in bioinformatics, distributed intelligent information networks and the Semantic Web. Selected topics in distributed learning, incremental learning, multi-task learning, multi-strategy learning; Graphical models, multi-relational learning, and causal inference; statistical natural language processing; modeling the internet and the web; automated scientific discovery; neural and cognitive modeling.

COM S 681. Advanced Topics in Computer Architecture.

(Cross-listed with CPR E). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: 581. Repeatable with Instructor permission
Current topics in computer architecture design and implementation. Advanced pipelining, cache and memory design techniques. Interaction of algorithms with architecture models and implementations. Tradeoffs in architecture models and implementations.

COM S 686. Advanced Topics in High-Speed Networks.

(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2013. Prereq: 586
Advanced topics in IP networks and optical networks. QoS routing and scheduling, multicast, multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), traffic engineering. Optical network architectures, routing and wavelength assignment algorithms, optical multicast, traffic grooming, optical burst switching, lightpath protection/restoration schemes, and IP over WDM.

COM S 699. Research.

Cr. arr. Repeatable. Prereq: Approval of instructor
Offered on a satisfactory-fail basis only.