All undergraduate courses offered by the university are listed. Not all of the courses listed are offered within a single academic year. A listing of the courses offered during a given semester is available online before preregistration each semester.
Note: This catalogue has been amended per a 2016 UNCW Faculty Senate decision to retroactively remove the Thematic Transdisciplinary Cluster requirement from the University Studies program. Students who wish to complete a cluster may do so, however, completion of a cluster is no longer required. Course description references to Thematic Transdisciplinary Clusters apply to students who choose to complete a cluster.
Trial Courses
Academic departments may offer special trial courses during the fall and spring semesters on a one-time basis without adding them to their regular departmental offerings. A second trial offering, if additional data are essential, must be within two regular semesters of the first. Numbers designating these special courses are 292 and 492. Descriptive information on trial courses does not appear in the catalogue but is on file in the Office of the Registrar.
Sequenced Courses
A hyphen connecting courses (e.g., 201-202) indicates that the first course in the sequence must be satisfactorily completed prior to registration in the second course of the sequence. When course numbers are separated by a comma (e.g., 201, 202), the first course is not necessarily prerequisite to those following.
Online Courses
The university currently offers a variety of online courses, and two degree programs, the RN to B.S. option in nursing and Bachelor of Science in clinical research (CLR), are delivered totally online. Such courses are so designated in the Class Schedule and are open to both on- and off-campus students. Students interested in these programs should consult the online courses Web site http://www.uncw.edu/online.
Credits and Class Meetings
Unless specifically indicated at the end of the course description, the number of hours a class meets each week is the same as the credit hour value of the course. The semester hours credit for each course is indicated in parentheses immediately below the title of the course. For example, if three hours of credit may be earned, the credit is indicated as follows: (3). In variable credit courses, the minimum and maximum hours are shown as follows: (1-3).
Course Prefixes
The prefixes used to designate courses are abbreviations of the names of departments or fields of study within departments, as shown below:
Communication Studies
COM 346 - Interracial Communication
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: A grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 105 or consent of instructor. Restriction: Junior/senior standing. Explores communicative behaviors between individuals from various racial and ethnic groups and contextual dynamics unique to such interactions. Approaches to enhancing the content and quality of interracial relationships are also examined.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: A grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 200, or consent of instructor. Restricted to COM majors and gerontology minors. Communicative behavior of the elderly within the contexts of friendship networks, health care systems, the work place, and the family. Social forces that influence society’s perceptions of the aging communicator.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: COM 101 and a grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 200. Restricted to COM majors. Explores how the medium of film uses narrative devices such as stock plots, characters, and situations to communicate political ideas and shape audience perceptions of reality. Topics include: The Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War, Civil Rights, Vietnam War, the Clinton years, and contemporary political eras and issues.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: COM 105 or PLS 205 or consent of instructor. History and theory of the relationships among the mass media, government, and the American public, and their implications for American democracy. Portrayal and effects of various media. Addresses the media’s independence from government, the structure of media organizations, media bias, news practices, political campaigns, and effects on public opinion.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 250. Examination of management, strategy, and tactics in modern political campaigns. Class will analyze historical and contemporary campaigns. Students will follow and volunteer on current political campaigns. Assignments will tie together the theoretical information discussed in class and the practical information experienced in the campaigns. Satisfies University Studies V: Explorations Beyond the Classroom.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: COM 301 or COM 305 and a grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 200,. Restricted to COM majors. Application of communication concepts to analyze and critique a wide variety of communication artifacts such as speeches, songs, and movies.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: ENG 200 or ENG 201 and COM 105 or PLS 205 or consent of instructor. Theory and practice of speech writing with special emphasis on writing speeches for others. Partially satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Writing Intensive.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 101 or COM 105. Rhetorical practices of groups and individuals from diverse populations including race, ethnicity, gender, and disability.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: COM 265 or COM 268, or consent of instructor, and a grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 200. Restricted to COM majors or journalism minors. Survey of laws and ethical principles that inform and regulate mediated communication, including freedom of expression, rights, responsibilities and regulations of professional communicators; intellectual property and pornography.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: COM 301 or COM 305 or consent of instructor, and a grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 200. Restricted to COM majors. Theories and principles to assist students in the identification, analysis, and evaluation of ethical issues and cases in variety of contexts including interpersonal, professional, and mediated contexts.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 268 or COM 280 and a grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 200. Restricted to COM majors. Emphasis on long-form/feature reporting. Technical training in the operation of news gathering equipment; refinement of news gathering techniques; news writing; presentation and delivery skills; analysis and discussion of journalistic ethics, theories and cases; and a survey of important issues and cases in broadcast journalism.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 272. Emphasis on how an organization’s values, material artifacts, oral and mediated communications, rhetoric, strategic communication (e.g. public relations, advertising), and folklore reveal communication patterns. Interviewing and observational skills developed and practiced in semester-long projects.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: COM 334 or COM 372 or COM 378 or consent of instructor, and a grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 200, and . Restricted to COM majors. Examination of communication practices in organizational settings; application of course concepts and themes to membership, training, and consulting through analysis of case studies
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 101 and a grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 200. Restricted to COM majors. Develop and refine communication skills in business environments and other professional settings. Topics include written correspondence, selection and use of communication technologies, delivery of mediated messages, and the design and delivery of professional presentations.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 280 or FST 201 and consent of instructor, and a grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 105. Restricted to PCOM and COM majors. Hands-on field video production including project planning, script writing, filming, recording, and editing. Emphasis on mastery of digital camera operation, audio acquisition, lighting, and digital editing. Students complete a variety of short productions working individually and in small teams.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: A grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 105 and completion of COM 280 or, consent of instructor. Restricted to PCOM and COM majors and FST majors. Introduction to multi-camera studio television production in a variety of genres. Fundamental directing, studio camera operation, audio gathering, lighting, producing, and directing skills through the completion of group projects.
Prerequisite: COM 283 or consent of instructor. Continued development of audio production experience including project analysis, planning, script writing, recording, and editing. Emphasis on audio acquisition and digital editing. Completion of a variety of mid- to long productions working individually and in small teams.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 232 or consent of instructor and a grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 200. Restricted to COM majors. Strategic communication choices as applied to desktop publishing. Emphasis on use of desktop publishing for the public relations or advertising practitioner and software packages needed for effective layout and design.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 288 or consent of instructor. Continued development of essential skills in both technical and artistic dimensions of 3D animation while using a high-end computer application. Through such skills, a short commercial or movie will be created.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 301 or COM 305. Restricted to senior COM majors. Reflection and synthesis of philosophical, theoretical, and applied dimensions of curriculum and other experiences as they apply to personal and professional aspirations. Students engage in a variety of assignments that demonstrate senior-level competence in the discipline and the student’s chosen sub-disciplines of study. Satisfies University Studies VI: Common Requirements/Capstone Course.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: COM 313, or COM 302, or consent of instructor. Emphasis on adapting real-life stories into interactive performances for audiences outside the university classroom. Students will develop skills in interviewing, observation, and analysis in order to develop scripts and performances.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 116 or COM 211 and consent of instructor, or consent of instructor. Explores all aspects of performance studies, from conception through production, by creating and staging creative performance programs.
COM 420 - Critical Issues in Interpersonal Communication
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: COM 326 or COM 320 and COM 300 or COM 302 or, consent of instructor. A collaborative application of research skills to significant interpersonal relationship issues and contexts. Students will complete projects suitable for presentation at an undergraduate conference.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: A grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 200, or consent of instructor. Restricted to COM majors. Study of messages conveyed through means other than words. Exploration of meaning constructed by touch, gesture, vocal qualities, posture, artifacts (clothing, jewelry, etc.), the built environment, space, and other modalities.
COM 424 - Applying Coordinated Management of Meaning to the World Around Us
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 305. Restrictions: COM Majors and GLS students, or consent of instructor. Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM) as a lens through which to explore a variety of communication challenges and contexts. Examples range from personal relationships, work relationships, roommates’ interactions, coaching, marketing and sales, to global issues. Emphasis on interviewing as a CMM practice. Students are encouraged to contribute situations for examination. Partially satisfies University Studies III: Thematic Transdisciplinary Cluster/Foundations for Systems Thinking.
Prerequisite: COM 223 and consent of instructor. Theoretical and practical perspectives of negotiation. Emphasis on negotiating techniques for use in business and interpersonal relationships. Explores differences between integrative and distributive bargaining.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 231 and a grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 200. Restricted to COM majors. Application of theoretical approaches to IMC while advancing practical knowledge of IMC strategies and tactics. Students will function on a project team and as project managers for on-campus and off-campus clients. Partially satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Writing Intensive. Satisfies University Studies V: Explorations Beyond the Classroom.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 334 with a ‘C’ or above. Restricted to COM majors. Application of Integrated Marketing Communication and public relations principles and skills to contemporary organizations. Applied learning through campaign development for outside clients. Satisfies University Studies V: Explorations Beyond the Classroom.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM major and Journalism minors only. COM 231 or COM 334 or COM 338 or consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit up to six hours (a maximum of three hours may be used toward major degree requirements). Analysis of current cases in Integrative Marketing Communication, Public Relations, and Advertising through the application of relevant theories, principles, and concepts in order to refine problem-solving and decision-making skills. Partially satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Writing Intensive.
Prerequisite: COM 338 or consent of instructor. Incorporating advertising in business and society, analyzing the advertising environment, and integrating brand promotion.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 101, COM 256 or COM 378 or consent of instructor. Continued mastery of the five canons, public-address criticism, composition, and presentation skills across delivery modes (impromptu, extemporaneous, manuscript/memorized) and genres (informative, persuasive, ceremonial). Inspiration, humor and other topics.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 301 or consent of instructor. Restricted to COM majors. Study of the persuasive strategies of religious faith healers. Emphasis on audiences, patterns of argument, organization, style, delivery, and ethics.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: COM 265 or COM 267 and COM 300, COM 301 or COM 302 or consent of instructor. Restricted to COM majors and journalism minors. May be repeated for credit up to six hours (a maximum of three hours may be used toward major degree requirements). A collaborative application of research skills to significant issues such as media effects, cultural differences in media use, and critical analysis of media artifacts. Students will complete projects suitable for presentation at an undergraduate conference.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 272 or consent of instructor. Study of key principles of consulting, training and development in organizational settings. Includes needs assessment, instructional design, evaluation of training results, and management of client relationships.
COM 474 - Communication and International Organizations
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 272 and COM 372 or COM 344, or consent of instructor. Examines events, people, roles and communication action characteristic of various kinds of organizations (e.g., multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations, etc.) prominent in international settings; immerses students in problem-solving as it occurs in such organizations; enables students to develop skills in analyzing and making sense of intercultural communication in international organizational life.
Credits: 4 Prerequisite: COM 380 and consent of instructor, and a grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 200. Restricted to COM majors. Application of advanced field video techniques in the production of substantial projects in a variety of genres. All projects are intended for regional telecast or produced for outside clients.
Credits: 1 Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Examination of contemporary demonstration reel practices and creation of a personal demo reel of previously produced work.
Credits: 4 Prerequisite: COM 382 and consent of instructor, and grade of ‘B’ or above in in COM 200 . Restricted to COM majors and FST majors. Follow-up course in studio television production offering students the opportunity to produce programs intended for telecast on UNCW-TV. Student teams develop, plan, and produce professional quality television programs in a variety of genres.
Credits: 4 Prerequisites: COM 480 or COM 482 and consent of instructor. Restricted to COM majors. Cumulative course combining field and studio television production techniques with the goal of creating unique programs intended for telecast on UNCW-TV. Student teams develop, plan, and produce professional quality television programs in a variety of genres.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: COM 286 or COM 387 or consent of instructor. Providing students with the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge about digital multimedia while using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign. Emphasis on developing skills in digital multimedia for use in advertising, print, media, and electronic media.
Credits: 1 - 3Prerequisite: Restricted to Jr/Sr COM majors. with overall GPA of at least 2.50 and consent of instructor, department chair, and dean. Involves investigation under faculty supervision beyond what is offered in existing upper-division courses. For further information, consult the Directed Individual Studies section in this catalogue. Satisfies University Studies V: Explorations Beyond the Classroom.
COM 495 - Advanced Seminar in Communication Studies
Credits: 1 - 3Prerequisite: A grade of ‘B’ or above in COM 200 and additional prerequisites may be required based on subtitle. Restricted to COM majors. Advanced special topics in communication that are not dealt with in other courses. This course may be repeated under different subtitles.
Credits: 3 - 6Prerequisite: Consent of communication studies faculty internship advisor and Junior/Senior COM Majors (no PCOM), and GPA of at least 2.50. A program of work and study conducted within an agency or setting that provides practical experience with observation and applications of theoretical concepts in communication. A maximum of 3 credit hours may be counted toward major degree requirements; a maximum of 12 credit hours may be counted toward graduation. Satisfies University Studies V: Explorations Beyond the Classroom.
Credits: 2 - 3Prerequisite: Senior standing in COM with at least 3.2 overall GPA and COM 301 or COM 305. Independent study for honors students with expectation of completion of a thesis-level final project. Satisfies University Studies V: Explorations Beyond the Classroom.
COML 280 - Introduction to Digital Media Production Lab
Credits: 1 Prerequisite/Corequisite: COM 280. Application of introductory video and audio production techniques and concepts in the practice of moving image and sound acquisition. Course includes, but is not limited to, camera operation, sound gathering, lighting, multi-camera studio production and editing. Two laboratory hours each week. This course is the optional lab for students enrolled in COM 280 . Open to pre-communications and communication studies majors only.
Credits: 3 Information representation, the Internet and HTML, algorithmic thinking and programming, language translation, modeling and abstraction, algorithmic complexity and non-computability, machine architecture and parallel computation, networks and communication, database principles, multimedia, social impacts of computing. Partially satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Information Literacy.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CIT 110 or equivalent. Introduction to technologies of the Internet. Web-page design; graphics and animation; client/server concepts; collaborative computing and group work; network publishing; security and encryption; audio, video, and image compression; ethical issues and privacy; e-commerce; client-side Web programming; and dynamic Web-page generation.
CIT 213 - Introduction to Databases: Techniques and Technologies
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CIT 110. Fundamental concepts of database management systems, including advantages of using database management systems, data modeling, relational database design, query-building, security, privacy and ethical issues, and introductions to Web-based processing, Big Data concepts, and non-relational models.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: CSC 121 or CSC 131. Select, deploy, integrate, and administer platforms or components to support an organization’s IT infrastructure. Includes the fundamentals of hardware and software, and how they integrate to form essential components of IT systems.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Topics of current interest relating to computer science or computer technology and its uses. May be repeated under different subtitles.
Credits: 3 (MIS 310) Study of the design and creation of web pages. Topics include page structure, human-computer interface design, style sheets, reusability, and design concepts. Client-side scripting languages and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques will also be considered.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CIT 110 or MIS 313. Introduction to the OSI model, network topologies, IP addressing, and subnet masks, simple routing techniques, and basic switching terminology. Topics include the basic functions of the seven layers of the OSI model, different classes of IP addressing and subnetting, router login scripts.
Credits: 3 (MIS 324) Prerequisite: CIT 110 or MIS 313. Current standards of due care and best business practices in Information Security. Includes examination of security technologies, methodologies, and practices. Focus is on evaluation and selection of optimal security posture. Topics include evaluation of security models, risk assessment, threat analysis, organizational technology evaluation, security implementation, disaster recovery planning, and security policy formulation and implementation.
Credits: 3 (MIS 312) Prerequisite or corequisite: CIT 110 or MIS 313. Principles and application of computer hardware and software will be presented through lecture of the underpinnings, installation, configuration, and laboratory experiences. This course will provide the technology background for system developers to understand trade-offs in architecture for effective use in a business environment. Networked computing systems and various operating systems will be covered.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CIT 310. A structured approach to building and maintaining dynamic and interactive Web sites. Wtih an emphasis on application, design and development, students will gain a thorough understanding of server-side scripting, form validation, and Web-site security while advancing their understanding of database design principles and SQL. Students will create a database-driven Website.
Credits: 3 (MIS 411) Prerequisite or corequisite: MIS 315 and admission to Cameron School of Business. An introduction to processes and methods used for identifying and documenting information systems requirements and developing systems specifications. Topics include the systems development life cycle, analysis tools such as flowcharts and data flow diagrams, development life cycle, and techniques for effective written communication. Case studies are used. Satisfies University Studies V: Explorations Beyond the Classroom. Partially satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Writing Intensive.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: CIT 310. Human-computer interaction for information technology professionals. Analysis and design of systems from the point of view of HCI.
Credits: 3 Senior standing and permission of instructor. Topics of current interest in information technology not covered in existing courses. May be repeated under different subtitles.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CIT 411. This course will explore the management and strategic alignment of IT resources within the organization. Topics include IT strategy, IT alignment, planning and managing technology resources and integration of emerging technology into the organization. Satisfies University Studies VI: Common Requirements/Capstone Course.
Credits: 1 - 3Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing. Investigation under faculty supervision beyond what is offered in existing courses. Written experience report and oral presentation required.
Credits: 1 - 3Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing. Academic training and practical experience through work in a private company or public agency. Faculty supervision and evaluation of all study and on-site activity. Written experience report and oral presentation required.
CSC 105 - Introduction to Computing and Computer Applications
Credits: 3 Basic computer concepts for non-CSC majors. Elements of computing systems and organization; computer communications including the Internet; applications such as word processing; spreadsheets; data base management; and the rudiments of programming in a current programming language. Social and technical issues including legal, ethical, and security considerations. Students who have passed MIS 105 may not enroll in CSC 105. Partially satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Information Literacy.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: MAT 111 or MAT 115. An introduction to programming in a high-level language. Algorithms, computer systems, data representation, survey of computer applications, elementary programming techniques, debugging and verification of programs. The language to be used will be specified in the schedule of classes. May be repeated once under a different subtitle. Recommended primarily for non computer science majors. Satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Quantitative and Logical Reasoning. Partially Satisfies University Studies III: Thematic Transdisciplinary Cluster/Modeling.
Credits: 4 Prerequisite: MAT 111 or MAT 115. Problem solving methods and algorithms in a modern high-level programming language. Introduces one or more programming environments. Emphasis on a programming style and the design, coding, and testing of complete programs. Recommended primarily for computer science majors. A grade of ‘C’ (2.00) or better is required for taking any course for which CSC 131 is a prerequisite. Satisfies University Studies I: Foundations/Mathematics and Statistics. Satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Quantitative and Logical Reasoning. Partially satisfies University Studies III: Transdisciplinary Cluster/Modeling.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: MAT 111 or MAT 115, or equivalent. Introduction to discrete mathematics applicable to computer science. Propositional and predicate logic, basic proof techniques, set algebra and Boolean algebra, recursion and induction, and introductory graphs and combinatorics. Three lecture hours each week. Satisfies University Studies I: Foundations/Mathematics and Statistics. Satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Quantitative and Logical Reasoning.
CSC 220 - 3-D Computer Graphics Tools and Literacy
Credits: 3 (ART 220, FST 220) Prerequisite: CSC 105, CSC 131 or permission of instructor. Project-based approach to learning fundamental principles of 3-D computer graphics using high-level software tools. Modeling of objects, geometrical transformations, surface algorithms, lighting and shading, alternative rendering techniques, and providing background skills necessary to create animated movies.
Credits: 4 Prerequisite: CSC 131. Corequisite: CSC 133. Study of basic data structures and their applications. Lists and trees; searching and sorting algorithms; hashing; analysis and design of efficient algorithms. Recommended for CSC majors only. A grade of ‘C’ (2.00) or better is required for taking courses for which CSC 231 is a prerequisite.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CSC 131 and CSC 133. Data representation, CPU organization, I/O memory and communication, machine-level representation of programs, introduction to a modern instruction set, introduction to assembly language programming.
CSC 275 - Topics in Computer Science and Technology
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Topics of current interest relating to computer science or computer technology and its uses not covered in existing courses. May be repeated under a different subtitle.
CSC 315 - Application Development for Mobile Devices
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CSC 331. Focus on developing applications on mobile devices. Concepts and technologies include mobile-platform programming; considerations, such as memory-management, for platform development; object-oriented paradigms for using modern software frameworks such as model-view-controller design; employing mobile-centric frameworks for network, multimedia, and location-based services; and interface design. Applications will be designed, programmed, and implemented by students for a current mobile platform.
Credits: 3 (ART 320, FST 320) Prerequisite: CSC 220 (ART 220) (FST 220) or permission of instructor. Basic principles of animation using 3-D computer-generated animation and basic processes for animating synthetic objects through structured exercises. Principles of designing and producing 3-D computer-generated animation through the creation of advanced motion studies. Projects focus on developing higher-level skills in model building, animation and color, and lighting.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CSC 231. Object-oriented programming with a focus on software modeling of objects, classes, methods, inheritance, interfaces, and polymorphism. Completion of a team software project is required. A grade of ‘C’ (2.00) or better is required for taking courses for which CSC 331 is a prerequisite.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: MAT 162 and CSC 231. Introduction to the design, application, and performance of numerical algorithms fundamental to scientific computation. Topics may include error and error propagation; matrix applications such as finding solutions to linear systems, finding eigenvalues and eigenvectors, or finding linear principal components; optimization; basic Markov modeling; Fourier processing; and curve fitting. Emphasizes relative merits and implementations of algorithms.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CSC 242 and CSC 231. Introduction to the C language and study of supervisory programs. System services and file systems; CPU scheduling; memory management; virtual memory; disk scheduling. Deadlock characterization, prevention, and avoidance; concurrent processes; semaphores; critical sections; synchronization. Distributed systems and communication protocols.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: CSC 231 and CSC 242. The theory and application of inter-computer communications. Local-area and wide-area networks; data transmission and error correction; OSI and TCP/IP layering protocols; Ethernet, token ring, token bus, and other network technologies; network topologies; the client-server model; bridges and multi-protocol routers; the Internet. Applications include electronic funds transfer and distributed databases.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CSC 242 and CSC 231. An introduction to theoretical computer science. Topics include regular expression and finite state concepts; basic automata theory; formal grammars and languages; computability; Turing machines; elementary recursive function theory.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: CSC 231 and MAT 162. Introduction to geometric modeling for graphic programming. Topics include transformations for modeling, viewing, and projection; geometric modeling of curves and surfaces; hidden-surface removal; clipping; graphical buffers; material simulation; texture mapping; and lighting.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: CSC 133, CSC 231, MAT 161. Algorithm design paradigms such as divide and conquer, greedy, and dynamic programming; techniques for algorithm analysis, such as asymptotic notations and estimates, as well as time/space trade-offs. Topics may include sorting, searching, scheduling, string matching, graph algorithms, amortized analysis, and computational geometry.
CSC 385 - Professional and Ethical Issues in Computer Science
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: ENG 101 or equivalent and junior or senior standing in computer science or information technology. Ethical and professional issues arising from the impact of computer science and related technologies on society. Topics include ethical issues, obligations of professional practice, privacy and security, intellectual property, work and health issues, and the impact of emerging technologies. Students will give both oral and written presentations and participate in the discussion of case studies. Partially satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Writing Intensive. Partially satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Information Literacy.
Credits: 3 (CSC 515) Prerequisites: CSC 331 or CSC 380. Introduction to key concepts and applications of artificial intelligence. Knowledge representation; state space searching; heuristic search; expert systems. Biologically inspired computing techniques such as neural networks, fuzzy logic, and genetic algorithms. Implementation of concepts and techniques.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CSC 220 (ART 220) (FST 220), CSC 331. Corequisite: CSC 320 or CSC 370. Topics related to the design and implementation of computer games are covered, including design, modeling, and animation of meshes for game characters and environments, scene and object representation, graphics pipeline, collision detection, picking, graphics optimization, and other issues such as basic physics and Artificial Intelligence for games. Create meshes and animations using 3D software, and code modifications and make additions to a game engine.
Credits: 3 (FST 430) Prerequisites: (CSC 220 or ART 220 or FST 220 and CSC 331) or (CSC 220 or ART 220 or FST 220 and FST 301 or FST 302). Covers aspects of digital image and video representation and manipulation for motion-picture visual effects. Topics include image storage and compression, film and video formats, compositing, filtering, scripting for graphics and visual effects, photorealistic lighting and rendering, virtual cinematography, camera tracking, and particle effects.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CSC 331 and CSC 360. Comparative study of programming languages from both theoretical and applied viewpoints. Typical issues include syntax and semantics, scope and binding times, storage allocation, parameter-passing techniques, control structures, run-time representation of programs and data. Detailed examples from the imperative, functional, parallel, object-oriented, and logical programming paradigms.
Credits: 3 (CSC 537) Prerequisite: CSC 340. Implementation of scientific algorithms in parallel. Use of shared-memory, distributed-memory, and multicore technologies. Study of techniques for improved performance and issues related to speedup and slowdown.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CSC 342. Advanced study of the architecture of computer systems. Common processor organizations, hardwired and micro-programmed control, input/output subsystem; bus control; programmed I/O; DMA and interrupts; memory subsystem; interleaved, cache and associative memory; cache design; instruction pipelines, arithmetic pipelines, and their scheduling, RISC and CISC architectures, common multiprocessor architectures.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CSC 331 and senior standing. Study of the design and production of large and small software systems. Topics include systems engineering, software life-cycle and characterization, use of software tools. Substantial software project required. Satisfies University Studies VI: Common Requirements/Capstone Course. Partially satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Writing Intensive. Satisfies University Studies V: Explorations Beyond the Classroom.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CSC 331. Introduction to data base concepts, data independence, logical and physical views of data base systems. Data models: hierarchical, network, and relational. Data description languages, query functions, relational algebra. Substantial software project required. Satisfies University Studies VI: Common Requirements/Capstone Course.
Credits: 3 Prerequisites: CSC 434 and senior standing. Study of programming language translation. Organization of a compiler including symbol tables, lexical scan, syntax scan, object code generation, error diagnostics, object code optimization, and overall design; compilation of simple expressions and statements; use of compiler writing tools. Substantial software project required.
CSC 465 - Database-Driven Web Application Development
Credits: 3 Prerequisite or corequisite: CSC 455. A hands-on approach to building and maintaining dynamic and interactive websites. Emphases on application design and development using industry best practices. Students will gain practical experience with server side scripting, form validation, and website security while advancing their understanding of database design principles and query techniques. Students will create a database driven website.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: Senior standing and permission of instructor. Topics of current interest in computer science not covered in existing courses. May be repeated under a different subtitle.
Credits: 1 - 3Prerequisite: Overall GPA of at least 2.50 and a GPA in CSC courses of at least 2.80; junior or senior standing; and consent of instructor, department chair, and dean. Investigation under faculty supervision beyond what is offered in existing courses. Written experience report and oral presentation required. For further information, consult the Directed Individual Studies section in this catalogue. Satisfies University Studies V: Explorations Beyond the Classroom.
Credits: 1 - 3Prerequisite: Overall GPA of at least 2.50 and a GPA in CSC courses of at least 2.80. Academic training and practical experience through work in a private company or public agency. Faculty supervision and evaluation of all study and on-site activity. Open to students of junior or senior standing who have been approved by the faculty supervisor, department chair, and dean. Written experience report and oral presentation required. Satisfies University Studies V: Explorations Beyond the Classroom.
Credits: 2 - 3Prerequisite: Eligibility for honors program. Individual study for honors students. Satisfies University Studies V: Explorations Beyond the Classroom.
Credits: 3 Introduction to the principles and techniques of creative writing, aimed at developing the creative process. Includes lectures, reading, and writing exercises in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Partially satisfies University Studies II: Approaches and Perspectives/Aesthetic, Interpretive, and Literary Perspectives.
Credits: 3 Introduction to the historical development of poetic, narrative, and other forms of creative writing. Analytical and creative assignments develop student understanding of techniques such as metrics, point of view, and narrative structure. Partially satisfies University Studies II: Approaches and Perspectives/Aesthetic, Interpretive, and Literary Perspectives. Partially satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Writing Intensive.
Credits: 3 Prerequisite: CRW 201. Restricted to CRW majors and pre-CRW majors. Instruction for writers of creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry in searching electronic, print, and physical archives; historical artifacts; the geographical and built environment; and living sources, with special emphasis on interviewing techniques and ethics, and on integrating research into artistic writing. Partially satisfies University Studies IV: Building Competencies/Information Literacy.