Courses

Modern generative AI is a rapidly growing phenomenon that is changing the way we interact with technology and creative expression. This course will talk about how to adapt to this technology as it continues to evolve, how it works, and techniques for using it effectively and responsibly. As we progress through the course we will also be looking at how the many facets of society are responding to this technology as the barrier of entry is lowered. How are academic institutions responding? How are programmers responding? Writers? Artists? Etc. We're in an era where it would be difficult to find some domain that isn't being impacted by this technology in some way.

An introduction to computer science through problem solving and computer programming. Topics include variable and operators, control logic, functions, strings, loops, input/output, and recursion. Programming concepts covered by this course include modularity, abstraction, top-down design, specifications, documentation, debugging, and testing. No prior programming experience is expected. Required for majors.

A rigorous, non-programming introduction to the field of computer science. Several core areas of computer science are introduced, including digital logic, computer organization and architecture, operating systems, programming languages, and computer networks. For each, particular solutions to fundamental problems in the area are studied in depth to expose the student to what the field is actually about how computer scientists think. No programming is taught or required in the course.

Introduces the student to the fundamental principles of object-oriented design and programming using a high-level object-oriented language. Focuses on the specification, design, and implementation of classes and the interactions between classes, inheritance, abstract classes, and polymorphism. Introduces fundamental data structures including stacks, queues, lists, and binary trees.

Introduction to discrete structures used in various areas of computer science. Topics include logic, sets, relations, functions, cardinality, enumeration, and computability.

Study of the structure of current computer operating systems. Topics include I/O management, memory management, multiprogramming, linking loaders, real and virtual systems, batch and time sharing.

A broad view of software engineering which introduces a variety of software engineering techniques which can be applied to practical software projects. Topics include process models, human factors, software specification; software design, programming techniques and tools, and validation.

Fundamentals of formal languages and the mathematical theory of computation; finite-state automata, nondeterminism, regular expressions, and Kleene's Theorem; context-free grammars, pushdown automata, the correspondence theorem and the pumping lemma; computability, Turing machines, and the halting problem.

Computer Vision is an accessible sub-field of computer science that is rising in importance and accelerating on the strengths of machine learning methods that have become the 21st century model for artificial intelligence. In this course, we will explore the uses of tools and techniques to understand our world through computing using images as our data. The first half of the course will introduce machine learning and convolutional neural networks for object recognition and classification, photogrammetry and reconstruction, and multimodal and hyperspectral imaging. As the course progresses, we will delve into the topics of image acquisition, mathematical analysis, the Fourier transform and frequency space, statistical pattern recognition, and other foundations of the field. COS 473 and COS 573 cannot both be taken for degree credit. If this course was taken as a topics course in COS 598, it cannot be repeated for credit.

Consideration of human and social consequences of technological development and application of computers, ethical questions of computer use, professional ethics. COS 490 and 590 cannot both be taken for credit.

Students in this course will explore the distinction between research and development, notably the research enterprise of hypothesis testing as opposed to system building. Students will also discuss venues and forums for publication as an outlet for disseminating research results. Through a series of in-class exercises and homework assignments, they will also learn skills in critical thinking. Discussions will focus on sharing the different approaches to research and philosophies about publication endorsed by different labs and advisors. The mode of delivery for this class is intended to be a combination of lectures and in-class discussions exercises. Guest speakers will be invited, and case studies will be presented. Participation in class activities is required.

Specification, design, implementation, and maintenance of reliable software. Various methodologies will be explored with Ada as the implementation tool.

Topics in artificial intelligence not regularly covered in other courses. May be repeated for credit.

An exploration into the history, concepts, and modern practices of new media. Students will learn what defines new media, what they are, how they are produced, and how they challenge the way we think, create, and relate to our society/environment. This course will examine the benefits that emerging technologies afford, while also considering the challenges and consequences their adoption creates. Topics include computing, the web/internet, media production, digital narrative, microelectronics, additive manufacturing, and ethics in a digital era.

Examines the goals and impacts of New Media technologies. Topics include how design choices respond to and influence our bodies, our communities, and our political, economic and ecological systems. Focus on how humane design choices enable us to create a healthier and more sustainable world. A class with reading, discussion, writing assignments and conceptual design projects.

Interaction Design and Physical Computing will explore opportunities for physical interaction with our environment. The course focuses on materials and methods used within interaction design to combine hardware, software and physical materials into working prototypes. Students will learn fundamentals of physical computing to design and build interactive objects and environments using sensors, actuators and microcontrollers.

An introduction to motion graphics and design principles. Students will learn how to imbue traditional 2D design with motion and explore different techniques used in professional application.

This course builds on the personal portfolio web design skills of NMD 340, and now focuses on work with real-world clients. A review of more advanced graphic design, HTML, CSS, and PHP provides a technical foundation. Meanwhile students work on collaboration, negotiation and teamwork with classmates and outreach with clients. Students apply these technical and personal skills to create professional websites for clients and communities. Clients may hire students for paid internships after the class work is complete to develop more complex websites.

In this first semester of a two-part course, students conceive and build a complex, self-determined new media project. Students are expected to bring an ambitious yet feasible idea to the course. The first semester emphasizes extensive research, writing, and in-class presentations, followed by a series of working prototypes developed in an iterative fashion. This semester fulfills the Writing Intensive Core Curriculum requirement. High levels of maturity, creativity, self-discipline and personal organization are expected. Together with NMD 499, this course also satisfies the Core Curriculum Capstone requirement.

Programming for those envisioning careers focused on developing and managing information systems and databases as opposed to software design. Data structures, algorithms, and their analysis.

Students are introduced to the fundamental theories and concepts of human-computer interaction (HCI). Topics covered include: interface design and evaluation, usability and universal design, multimodal interfaces (touch, gesture, natural language), virtual reality, and spatial displays.

Topics in any subfield of spatial information science and engineering. Content varies to suit current needs. May be repeated for credit.