The Computer Science department offers multiple ways to begin study of computer science, suitable for students considering a computer science major or minor, those who may want to use computing within another major, and those who are curious about computer science and want to start with an introduction that is not programming-intensive.
For students considering a major or minor in computer science:
If you are interested in a major or minor in computer science, the recommended entry point is COMSC-151. This is a programming-intensive course introducing the use of computers as a problem-solving tool.
Students with prior programming experience may take a placement test to determine eligibility to skip the above and start with COMSC-205.
COMSC-100 Computing and the Digital World
An introduction to basic computer science concepts. Lectures will cover topics such as the origins of computing, computer architecture, artificial intelligence, and privacy and security. There will be some programming exercises.
COMSC-106 Fundamentals of Applied Computing
Have you ever used Google's image search tool and wondered how the search results were found? Why is it so difficult for a computer to "see" as we do? Computer scientists are actively researching how to approach this challenge of "computer vision." This course will introduce the fundamentals of applied computing using computer vision as a motivating theme. Students will learn foundations of programming (in the Python programming language) before working with computational tools more independently.
COMSC-107 iDesign Learning Lab
When charting a path through college and beyond, a metacognitive framework can provide scaffolding for intentional reflection. Situated in the Fimbel Maker & Innovation lab, this course will leverage tangible activities to ground discussions on factors and strategies that impact learning. For example, embedding a microcontroller to create motion-sensitive lights in a ballet skirt parallels the cycle of self-regulated learning. No prior experience with electronics or computer science is assumed, and students will work with hands-on tutorials that teach the basics required to develop their own interactive technology projects.
COMSC-109 iDesign Learning Incubator
Learning to make and making to learn - this course challenges students to engage in both by being situated in the Fimbel Maker & Innovation Lab. Hands-on introductory activities provide the surprisingly minimal level of comfort and background required to produce prototypes of interactive technology products. These tangible experiences are leveraged to prompt students to reflect on factors and strategies that impact effective learning. For example, developing a music box parallels the cycle of self-regulated learning, while designing a greeter robot grounds discussion on the role of belongingness in a learning environment.
COMSC-112 Topics in Computer Science Problem Solving
COMSC-112AE Topics in Computer Science: 'AI Ethics'
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing our world, from the way we drive to the way we communicate. But what are the ethical implications of these changes? In this course, we will explore the ethical challenges and opportunities posed by AI. We will discuss topics such as data privacy, fairness, bias, accountability, and transparency. We will also examine the role of AI in society and its potential impact on our values and our way of life.
COMSC-132 Engineering for Everyone
Engineers change the world we live in every day by developing technologies that influence nearly every aspect of our lives. In this course, we will study how engineered things shape the world we live in. Students will engage in a team-based, hands-on engineering design project, from brainstorming solutions to a contemporary problem, to building, testing, and iterating design solutions. In the process, students will learn basic programming and fabrication skills. We will reflect together on the ethics of engineering design, and leave with a more nuanced understanding of the ways technology and society interact. Who decides what technologies matter? What is a "good" technological solution, and for whom is it "good"?
COMSC-133 Topic Problem Solving
COMSC-133DV Data Visualization: Design and Perception
Data visualizations such as graphs, charts, and infographics are everywhere! But creating data visualizations which communicate effectively is not a simple task. In this introductory course, students will explore how design influences the ways that data are understood and how they can use this to craft effective visualizations for different types of data. Experience working with data, design, or data visualization are not expected; students will work on a series of projects which will build these skills over the semester.
COMSC-150 Introduction to Computer Science
Introduction to the field of computer science. Introduces students to Python programming including algorithms, basic data structures (lists, dictionaries), and programming techniques. Does not include object-oriented programming.
COMSC-151 Introduction to Computational Problem Solving
Introduces students to algorithms, basic data structures, and programming techniques. Students learn computing principles by exploring problems drawn from a broad set of domains, such as cryptography, data analysis and games.
COMSC-161 Introduction to Computer Science Part 2: Object-Oriented Programming
This course builds on the programming concepts learned in COMSC-150, covering object-oriented programming and introducing the Java programming language.
COMSC-205 Data Structures
This course builds on the basic programming concepts learned in Computer Science 151, shifting the focus to the organization of data in order to improve efficiency and simplicity of programs. Topics include the study of abstract data types and data structures (such as linked lists, stacks, queues, and binary trees). This course is programming-intensive and introduces the Java programming language.
COMSC-221 Introduction to Computing Systems
This course looks at the inner workings of a computer and computer systems. It is an introduction to computer architecture. Specific topics include assembly language programming, memory, and parallelism. This course is programming intensive.
COMSC-225 Software Design and Development
Building large software systems introduces new challenges to software development. Appropriate design decisions and programming methodology can make a major difference in developing software that is correct and maintainable. In this course, students will learn techniques and tools that are used to build correct and maintainable software, improving their skills in designing, writing, debugging, and testing software. Topics include object-oriented design, testing, design patterns, and software architecture. This course is programming intensive.
COMSC-226 Engineering Robotic Systems
This intermediate-level course presents a hands-on introduction to robotics. Each student will construct and modify a robot controlled by an Arduino-like microcontroller. Topics include kinematics, inverse kinematics, control-theory, sensors, mechatronics, and motion planning. Material will be delivered through one weekly lecture and one weekly guided laboratory. Assignments include a lab-preparatory homework, guided lab sessions, and out-of-class projects that build upon the in-class sessions. Students have access to the Fimbel Maker and Innovation lab for fabricating and demonstrating their robots.
COMSC-235 Applications of Machine Learning
This course provides a practical and conceptual introduction to machine learning. Through programming projects and work with real-world data, we will study the motivations behind common machine learning algorithms, and the properties that determine whether or not they will work well for a particular task. We will also study practical applications of these algorithms to problems in areas such as speech, language, social sciences, and biology. Topics may include: supervised learning, classification, regression, clustering, decision trees, support vector machines, Naïve Bayes, neural networks and reinforcement learning.
COMSC-243GP Topic: 'Introduction to Game Programming'
Video games are not only engaging to play, but challenging and fun to program. Many games are in fact simulations: they define a game world, and model that world and the interactions of elements in it. To program games, one must excel at this type of modeling while simultaneously handling real-time input and output to create a compelling experience. This project-based course explores techniques at the heart of game programming. By working through design and coding activities both with a team and independently, students will strengthen their core programming skills, their ability to model complex problems, and their skills for developing software in a team. This course is programming-intensive.
COMSC-243HC Topic: 'Human-Computer Interaction'
Human-computer interaction (HCI) is a multidisciplinary field exploring the relationships between people and computers. This broad area includes the study of topics such as how people interact with technology, how design impacts what people do with technology, and methodologies for designing new technologies that really works for people. In this class, students will learn about and apply human-centered design principles, employ common research methods in the field, and explore recent literature in the field.
COMSC-243HR Topic: 'Human-Robot Interaction'
Human-Robot Interaction is an interdisciplinary field that examines a broad set of questions about robots that are designed to interact with humans (e.g., educational, assistive, and service robots). How does the behavior and appearance of a robot change how humans perceive and interact with it? How can we design and program robots that are natural, trustworthy, and effective? In this course, students learn the algorithmic foundations of interactive robots, gain experience building and evaluating interactive robots, and read and present scholarly research papers. Class time is split between lecture, presentations by students, discussions, and hands-on activities.
COMSC-243ST Topic: 'Introduction to Search Technologies'
The vast amount of unstructured and structured data on the web and in organizational databases has increased the need for approaches to processing large volumes of text. Such analyses help researchers and businesses to gain insights -- that would otherwise be too resource- and time-consuming to do manually -- into issues such as how much a consumer can be expected to spend in a particular context, the rise of hate groups and their impact on social media, or to whom a newly discovered manuscript may be attributed. In this course, students are introduced to tools and techniques used to gain these insights, such as Map-Reduce and Sentiment Analysis, in the context of Natural Language Processing and search technologies (e.g., Google).
COMSC-243SW Topic: 'Computing Systems Workshop'
Beneath the polished surface of high-level programming languages like Python and consumer devices like gaming consoles and smartphones lie the elemental parts of computer systems -- elements like hardware components, operating systems, and digital logic. This course will use a hands-on approach combining both hardware and software as a way of understanding such systems at a low level. Students will have the chance to construct various tangible projects using Raspberry Pi computers and will have access to the Fimbel Maker & Innovation lab. Specific topics will touch on low level data representation, sound generation, and the classic Nintendo Entertainment System.
COMSC-295 Independent Study
COMSC-311 Theory of Computation
Are there any limits to what computers can do? Does the answer to this question depend on whether you use a PC or a Mac? Is C more powerful than Python? This course explores these questions by investigating several models of computation, illustrating the power and limitations of each of these models, and relating them to computational problems and applications. Topics include finite state automata, pushdown automata, grammars, Turing machines, the Halting Problem, and NP-completeness.
COMSC-312 Algorithms
How does Google Maps find the best route between two locations? How do computers help to decode the human genome? At the heart of these and other complex computer applications are nontrivial algorithms. While algorithms must be specialized to an application, there are some standard ways of approaching algorithmic problems that tend to be useful in many applications. Among other topics, we explore graph algorithms, greedy algorithms, divide-and-conquer, dynamic programming, and network flow. Students learn to recognize when to apply each of these strategies as well as to evaluate the expected runtime costs of the algorithms they design.
COMSC-316 Developing Innovative Software
Tired of writing programs that nobody ever uses? Then, this is the course for you. Many people come up with novel ideas for software, but lack the resources or ability to develop the software. Students will apply their programming skills to develop and deliver software based on the requirements of a client. Students will learn critical communication skills required to work with a client, work in teams with classmates, and experience the software lifecycle from requirements elicitation through delivery. Students will synthesize many topics learned in prior courses as well as explore new technologies required to complete a specific project. Programming intensive.
COMSC-322 Operating Systems
An introduction to the issues involved in orchestrating the use of computer resources. Topics include operating system evolution, memory management, virtual memory, resource scheduling, multiprogramming, deadlocks, concurrent processes, protection, and design principles. Course emphasis: understanding the implications of OS design on the programs you run and write (i.e., on their security, performance, etc.). This course is programming intensive.
COMSC-334 Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence, as a field, has grown from its humble beginnings in science fiction to become one of the broadest fields in computer science, encompassing an incredibly wide array of topics. One of the common threads between these topics is "How do we build computer systems which exhibit logic and reason?" or rather "How do we build systems which can solve problems intelligently without resorting to brute force?" We'll cover a few major topics in this course, most notably search, logical reasoning, and planning as well as game playing/theory, uncertain reasoning, and graphical models. This course is programming intensive.
COMSC-335 Machine Learning
How does Netflix learn what movies a person likes? How do computers read handwritten addresses on packages, or detect faces in images? Machine learning is the practice of programming computers to learn and improve through experience, and it is becoming pervasive in technology and science. This course will cover the mathematical underpinnings, algorithms, and practices that enable a computer to learn. Topics will include supervised learning, unsupervised learning, evaluation methodology, and Bayesian probabilistic modeling. Students will learn to program in MATLAB or Python and apply course skills to solve real world prediction and pattern recognition problems. Programming Intensive.
COMSC-341CC Topics: 'Compiler Design'
Principles and practices for the design and implementation of compilers and interpreters. Will cover the stages of the compilation and execution process: lexical analysis; parsing; symbol tables; type systems; scope; semantic analysis; intermediate representations; run-time environments and interpreters; code generation; program analysis and optimization; and garbage collection. Students will construct a full compiler.
COMSC-341CD Topics: 'Causal Inference for Data Science'
You might have heard the phrase "correlation is not causation" - but then, what is causation? For example, how did scientists determine that smoking causes lung cancer? This course will explore how to ask and answer causal questions using data. We will learn the fundamentals of estimating cause-and-effect relationships, drawing from foundations in computer science, statistics, and economics. We will also use modern data science tools coding in Python to run simulations, work with data, and communicate our findings. Students will get hands-on experience thinking through causal study design and analyzing data across real-world applications in healthcare, public policy, education, and more. This course will have a substantial mathematical component, building off probability concepts seen in MATH-232.
COMSC-341CV Topics: 'Computer Vision'
This course provides an introduction to image analysis and 3D interpretation from image data. It uncovers the mystery behind standard techniques in image processing like filtering, edge detection, stereo vision, flow, etc. Math lovers, this course is for you! Throughout the semester, each student will develop their own computer vision library through programming assignments. Furthermore, students will learn about newer, advanced machine-learning-based computer vision algorithms.
COMSC-341GP Topics: 'Game Programming'
Video games are not only fun to play but interesting and challenging to program, involving elements that are useful in programming other sorts of systems as well. They incorporate graphics, audio, and animation, must model relatively complex systems, and often have relatively strict requirements on timing. In this course, we explore techniques behind game implementation by implementing some of our own. This course is programming (and gaming) intensive.
COMSC-341NL Topics: 'Natural Language Processing'
This course provides an introduction to natural language processing, the discipline of enabling computers to process and understand human language. We will learn fundamental techniques for automated text and speech analysis and understanding, with insights from linguistics. Students will get hands-on practice implementing computational algorithms, reading scholarly research articles and will design and carry out an independent final project.
COMSC-341NP Topics: 'Intro to Networking Architecture and Protocols'
This course is an introduction to computer networking with a focus on the Internet. At the high level, we will emphasize concepts and principles which have contributed to the Internet's success scaling from its modest beginnings to a system used by over half of the world's population. At the low level, we will survey techniques, technologies and protocols that underlie networks, as well as key protocols built atop these networks. Specific topics include layering, routing, addressing, reliable delivery, congestion control, DNS, HTTP, and others.
COMSC-341RP Topics: 'Robotics Planning Algorithms'
Robotics planning is a fundamental skill for developing autonomous robots. This course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts and algorithms of robotics planning. Students will learn how to apply the concepts they have learned in Data Structures to implement and analyze the performance of popular planning algorithms. Students will also learn about the advancements and gaps that exist today in robotics navigation, manipulation, and collaboration.
COMSC-341RT Topics: 'Applied Rigidity Theory'
Suppose you were asked to: control a formation of robots to cooperatively carry an object; engineer a bridge using metal beams and bolts; or develop a web app to assist in drug design. The area of "rigidity theory" provides tools for approaching any of these tasks. We start with fundamental results from classical rigidity theory, culminating in a combinatorial characterization of rigid 2D "bar-and-joint frameworks" and a graph-theoretic algorithm. We then shift to specific applications drawn from domains such as robotics, structural engineering and computational biology. In small groups, students investigate a research question and produce an associated pedagogical or computational tool.
COMSC-341TE Topics: 'Text Technologies for Data Science'
This course focuses on text analysis and technologies. We look at the challenges of working with massive amounts of unstructured vs semi-structured vs structured data. In that context, we explore some of the ways that statistical analyses are applied to things like search, categorization e.g. spam filtering, recommender systems, plagiarism detection, and hidden message finding.
COMSC-341VB Topics: 'Technology for the Visually Impaired and Blind'
Life for the visually impaired and blind (VIB) can be very challenging. Both low-tech devices, such as white canes, and high-tech devices, such as Siri, can help VIB people overcome some of these challenges. In this course, we will read about, discuss, and experiment with devices across the low tech to high tech spectrum, to understand how they work and how effective they are. We will also look at technology being created to support VIB programmers, data scientists, and other professionals in their work. We will learn the routine things we should be doing to make websites and apps accessible to the VIB, and also stretch our imaginations and awareness about what may be possible in the future.
COMSC-343 Programming Language Design and Implementation
Ever wonder why there are so many semicolons in Java programs, or what it would mean for a language to not be object-oriented? In this course, we will explore issues related to the design and implementation of programming languages. Along the way, we will discover answers to these questions and more. Topics will include syntax, semantics, runtime support for languages as well as an introduction to functional programming.
COMSC-395 Independent Study
