CS 142 - Intro. to Computer Sci. &
Programming ~ View Section
Statements
Panos Linos
This course is about the science of the "artificial." It
explains what Computer Science is and how it is different from the
natural sciences such as physics and biology which study the
familiar world around us. However, our environment is evolving and
it is becoming an "artificial" one (i.e. man-made). Therefore, LAS
students must be exposed to the fact that science must entail both
natural and artificial phenomena. Such phenomena result into less
intuitive artifacts such as computer programs written in a
programming language, which can be synthesized and/or analyzed.
CS 248 - Object-Oriented Programming and Data
Structures ~ View Section Statements
Jon Sorenson
A specific problem is solved when we find an answer. This course
embodies the practice of applying logical reasoning to solve
general problems by creating algorithms and supporting data
structures. When we run an algorithm, it supplies an answer to a
specific instance of the general problem that the algorithm
solves.
The liberal arts are sometimes defined as intellectual skills
and general knowledge. So, as a part of the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences, this course stresses logic, problem-solving, and the
design and analysis of algorithms and data structures. These are
intellectual skills that can apply to all disciplines, and indeed
to all areas of life.
CS 321 - Computer Organization ~ View Section
Statements
Jon Sorenson
One of the core areas of the traditional liberal arts is the
study of logic (as part of the Trivium). In this course we will
see, in a very concrete and constructive way, how computers and
algorithms are built from the simplest of logical operations: AND,
OR, and NOT. Thus the discipline of computer science is rooted
firmly in logic, and this course will help develop your logical
reasoning skills.
CS 351 - Algorithms ~ View Section
Statements
Jon Sorenson
The study of algorithms is the heart of computer science. As an
extension/continuation of CS248, we will learn more about algorithm
design and analysis. We'll study the algorithm design methods of
divide-and-conquer, dynamic programming, greedy algorithms,
backtracking, and branch-and-bound. We'll study computational
complexity, including lower bounds, intractability, and the theory
of NP-completeness. We will also dabble in parallel algorithms.
Along the way we will learn some new algorithms and
datastructures.
Towards a Liberal Education
A specific problem is solved when we find an answer. This course
embodies the practice of applying logical reasoning to solve
general problems by creating algorithms. When we run an algorithm,
it supplies an answer to a specific instance of the general problem
that the algorithm solves. The liberal arts are sometimes defined
as intellectual skills and general knowledge. So, as a part of the
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, this course stresses logic,
problem-solving, and the design and analysis of algorithms. These
are intellectual skills that can apply to all disciplines, and
indeed to all areas of life.
CS 433 - Database Systems ~ View Section
Statements
Panos Linos
LAS bring together effectively various colossal and diverse
disciplines that complement each other. Similarly, in this course
we learn how to integrate and manage vast and diverse amounts of
information known as database systems. More specifically, we
explore the fundamental concepts, tools and methodologies used to
develop and operate such systems efficiently.
CS 462 - Software Engineering II: Quality Assurance and
Testing ~ View Section Statements
Panos Linos
LAS education is helping us understand, assess and eventually
improve the quality of the artifacts we create during our personal
and professional lives. This course contributes toward that end by
teaching us how to evaluate and improve the quality of computer
programs that software engineers develop during their career. More
specifically, we will learn techniques and tools for detecting,
understanding and correcting residual errors typically found in
large and complex software systems.
CS 473 - Parallel Programming for Cluster
Supercomputers ~ View Section
Statements
CS 473 - Parallel Programming for Cluster Supercomputers
- Jon Sorenson ~ View Section Statements
Jon Sorenson
We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in how science research
is conducted. Mathematics has been called the "language of
science", but today this role is being taken over by the algorithm.
Big science research requires big computation, that is,
supercomputers. Today's supercomputers are massively parallel
machines that require the ability to reason and program from the
perspective of parallelism to be used effectively. Today's
supercomputers are the desks (and cellphones) of the future.
The liberal arts are often defined as intellectual skills and
general knowledge. So, as a part of the College of Liberal Arts and
Sciences, this course stresses logic, problem-solving, and the
design, analysis, and implementation of parallel algorithms. These
are intellectual skills that can apply to many disciplines,
including the sciences, business, and engineering.
CS 473 - Parallel Programming for Cluster Supercomputers
- Peter Henderson ~ View Section Statements
Peter Henderson
Media, using any of the human senses - text, visual, audio or
tactile - is our basic method of communications. Digital technology
has significantly enhanced our abilities to capture, generate,
store, transmit, translate, manipulate and search media. Examples
include, among others, digital cameras and scanners, word
processors, email, image databases, and search engines such as
google. With this communications paradigm shift our way of
acquiring information has changed from reading to primarily one of
filtering information.
How is this relevant for a student studying liberal arts?
Answer: information and communications. Today students must use all
these modern methods of communications and acquiring information. A
better understanding of how modern digital media works can better
help them achieve their career goals.
How does an iPod work? What is stored in an iPod, or in a CD or
DVD disk? How is digital media for sound, pictures and video
stored, protected, transmitted, and manipulated? This course is
open to any student interested in gaining a better understanding of
the technology underlying digital media - storage, playback,
manipulation, protection, transmission, etc. Some knowledge of
computer programming is helpful, but is not necessary.
The course will present various formats which are used to store
digital media for voice, music, images and video on various media
(e.g., magnetic and light). It will discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of various storage formats (e.g., mp3, iPod, jpeg,
mpeg, DViX, etc), and the transmission of digital media (e.g., data
compression, information loss, etc.). One focus will be the
manipulation of digital media (i.e., algorithms for manipulating
digital sound, images and video).
Interdisciplinary groups of students will work on laboratory
activities which reinforce and make real relevant concepts. These
might include activities for capturing, generating or manipulating
digital sound, enhancing or changing digital images, or
transforming/manipulating video. One goal of the interdisciplinary
groups will be to learn from each other. For example, media arts
students will learn from computer science students and visa
versa.
CS 485 - Computer Ethics ~ View Section
Statements
Jon Sorenson
The development of the computer has had many profound effects on
our society. In this course, we will discuss the social, legal, and
ethical issues surrounding computing. Some topics include privacy
issues, wiretapping and encryption, reliability and safety,
intellectual property, computer crime, constitutional issues, and
professional ethics and responsibility.
Towards a Liberal Education
The liberal arts are sometimes defined as intellectual skills and
general knowledge. As a part of the College of Liberal Arts and
Sciences, this course provides opportunities to advance your
liberal education by encouraging you to:
- Think logically and critically,
- Think for yourself,
- Effectively communicate your ideas, and
- Consider how your decisions can affect the lives of
others.
CS 282, 283, 382, 383, 482, 483 - EPICS ~ View
Section Statements
Jon Sorenson
EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) is about
producing software for charity or non-profit organizations. Our
goal is to practice the software lifecycle and the many intagibles
that go along with developing large pieces of software.
The course projects for EPICS are
- Languages in Action, a series of games and tools to help
elementary and middle school students learn foreign languages.
Currently we support Spanish and Greek, and our current client is
the Greek school at the Greek Orthodox Church. The centerpiece of
this software is a Flash game called Quickdrop.
- Software to support the administration of the Lutheran Center
for Family Services (LCFS). This software is traditional IT
appalications using Microsoft NET. In addition to contributing to
the team's efforts, you will have an individual responsibility
called a semester job.
Towards a Liberal Education
The liberal arts are sometimes defined as intellectual skills and
general knowledge. As a part of the College of Liberal Arts and
Sciences, this course provides opportunities for you to practice
and develop your
- Communications skills, both oral and written,
- Teamwork skills,
- Leadership and project management skills, and
- Algorithmic and logic problem-solving skills.
You will also have chances to apply ethical and moral
decision-making in a context that is similar to the real business
world.