Computer Science Course Descriptions for Fall of 2000

CMPSCI 102: Computers and Society (R2)

Professor: Spinelli

There are three principal components to this course: 1) what computers are, 2) how they are used in society, and 3) how their use affects society. In the first part we explore the origin of computers and the historical, economic, and scientific forces that brought them into existence. We also study the essential hardware components that make up a computer and we learn the basic software methods of programming using the JavaScript language. In the second part, usage of computers by business in the office and in factory automation, by the professions such as medicine, and by artists and scientists is covered; special attention is given to the advent of the Information Super Highway, how to use it and how it can benefit individual users. Finally the economic and socio-political impact that computers are having on society and on the individual are discussed; these issues range from questions of privacy to the impact of robots in the factory, to the use of computers in political action. The primary aim of the course is to impart sufficient computer literacy to enable the student to 1) write simple, but non-trivial programs, 2) make use of and benefit from available computer facilities, and 3) understand why computers have become such a powerful forcein the modern society. Pre-Registration not available to majors and pre-majors. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 105: Computer Literacy (R2)

Professor: Verts

Microcomputers are now used widely not only in academia but in all areas of modern life. For this reason it's important that all students understand how computers work and how computers can be used as a problem-solving tool. The focus of this course is on computer applications. The course stresses the ways in which computers can help you solve problems efficiently and effectively. The course provides a broad introduction to hardware and software aspects of microcomputers. Then four application areas are discussed: word processing, spreadsheets, databases and telecommunications (access to the Internet). The course uses the university's microcomputer labs, and weekly 90 minute lab sessions are an integral part of the course. Students who are more interested in computer programming should take CMPSCI 121 or 187. Prerequisites: reasonable high school math skills. Typing ability is also an important asset for the course. Previous computer experience is not expected. Pre-registration is not available to majors and pre-majors. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 105C: Computer Literacy (R2)

Professor: Verts

CMPSCI 105W: Computer Literacy (R2)

Professor: Verts

CMPSCI 105X: Computer Literacy (R2)

Professor: Verts

CMPSCI 105X: Computer Literacy

Professor:

CMPSCI 120: Introduction to Problem Solving with the Internet

Professor: Lehnert

The Internet is a goldmine of information and software resources for those who know how to plug in and navigate it. Originally designed by computer scientists for computer scientists, the net is now a driving force behind life in the information age and a new global economy. This course will provide non-CMPSCI majors with timely skills needed to tap the net. We will cover Web browser features, e-mail management, Web page design, software downloads, strategies for finding information and virtual communities, and public key cryptography. In addition, we will survey key social and political topics that are relevant to the Internet, such as copyright laws, First Amendment issues, privacy in a digital world, and the culture of the Internet. Prerequisites: some hands-on experience with PCs or MACs or UNIX (programming experience is NOT required). CMPSCI majors and pre-majors may not pre-register. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 120H: Introduction to Problem Solving with the Internet

Professor: Lehnert

See Description CMPSCI 120. Honors students will use the tools of the Internet to perform in-depth research on several topics, some selected by the students and some jointly with the professor. Students will keep a journal of web sites visited during their research, along with notes concerning their contents and applicability to the topics being researched. Project reports will be presented in class by the students, as well as submitted to the professor (along with the research journal). Project topics relate to the Internet and computing, and include but are not limited to the interactions of the Internet with the law and law enforcement, the First Amendment, national and international commerce, digital libraries, political institutions, effects of the Internet on countries in various parts of the world, the notion of the "global village", etc. Prerequisites: some hands-on experience with PCs or MACs or UNIX (programming experience is NOT required). CMPSCI majors and pre-majors may not pre-register. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 121: Introduction to Problem Solving with Computers (R2)

Professor: Barrington

An introductory course in problem solving and computer programming using the programming language Java. The course focuses on the fundamental concepts of problem solving and the techniques associated with the development of algorithms and their implementation as computer programs. This course or its equivalent is required for all additional courses in CMPSCI. Three hours of lecture/recitation per week. About 6 programming problems are assigned. In addition there are assigned homework problems, a midterm exam and a final. No computer science prerequisite, although high school algebra and basic math skills (e.g. R1) are assumed and previous experience with computers and even with programming in some language is useful. Use of computer is required. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 121D: Introduction to Problem Solving with Computers (R2)

Professor: Barrington

CMPSCI 145H: Representing, Storing and Retrieving Information

Professor: Verts

An introductory course in the use of data in computer systems, intended to become a core course for the proposed Information Technology certificate. Formats for representing text, sound, images, etc., as strings of bits. Basic information theory, use and limitations of file compression. Structured databases and how to use them. Information retrieval in heterogenous environments such as the Web. XML as a language for defining new formats for representing data. Prerequisites: "Basic computer literacy", i.e., user-level familiarity with a modern operating system and some experience with application programs. Tier I math skills. Recommended for First Year and Sophomore Non-Majors. Priority to Commonwealth College students. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 187: Programming with Data Structures (R2)

Professor: Hertz, Wileden

The course introduces and develops methods for designing and implementing abstract data types, using the Java programming language. The main focus is on how to build and encapsulate data objects and their associated operations. Specific topics includelinked structures, recursive structures and algorithms, binary trees, balanced trees, and hash tables. There will be weekly assignments, consisting of programming and written exercises, a midterm, and a final exam. Prerequisites: CMPSCI 121 (or equivalent-not necessarily in Java) and Basic Math Skills (R1). Basic Java language concepts are introduced quickly. Prior experience with an object-oriented language is very helpful; if unsure of background, contact instructor. 4 credits.

CMPSCI 187D: Programming with Data Structures (R2)

Professor: Wileden

CMPSCI 191H: CMPSCI TAP Seminar

Professor: Barrington

Conversations with members of the UMass CMPSCI community, to explore issues in and subareas of computer science. Oral presentations by students on topics they research. Open only to first-year students (Honors or Non-Honors) in the CMPSCI TAP residential program. Counts as an Honors course. 1 credit.

CMPSCI 196A: Independent Study - TA for CMPSCI 120 Problem Solving with the Internet

Professor: Lehnert

To support CMPSCI 120 students in the Edlab. Planned activities include three hours/week in person plus email and help grading student assignments. Reliability, availability, and weekly reports are the criteria for evaluation. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 196B: Independent Study - Data Structures and Java

Professor: Wileden

To learn Java and data structures. Planned activities include independent study of textbook and a series of homework problems. Performance on homework problems is the criteria for evaluation. 1 credit.

CMPSCI 201: Architecture and Assembly Language (E)

Professor: Graham

Lecture, lab. The architecture and machine-level operations of modern computers at the logic, component, and system levels. Topics include fixed and floating point binary arithmetic; Boolean algebra and logic gates; control, arithmetic-logic, and pipeline units; addressing modes; memory; caches and virtual memory; system buses; input-output and interrupts. Simple assembly language is used to explore how common computational tasks are accomplished by a computer. Three hours of lecture and one or twolab sessions per week. Laboratory exercises, homework exercises, two midterm exams, a final exam, several quizzes and in-class exercises. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 187 or equivalent. 4 credits.

CMPSCI 250: Introduction to Computation (E)

Professor: Rissland

Lecture, discussion. Basic concepts of discrete mathematics useful to computer science: set theory, strings and formal languages, propositional and predicate calculus, relations and functions, basic number theory. Induction and recursion: interplay of inductive definition, inductive proof, and recursive algorithms. Elementary combinatorics. Basic graph theory. Finite-state machines, regular languages, nondeterministic finite automata, Kleene's Theorem. Problem sets, 2-3 midterm exams, timed final. Corequisite: MATH 132/136 or equivalent. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 187 or equivalent. 4 credits.

CMPSCI 287: Programming Language Paradigms

Professor: Moll

Lecture, discussion, programming projects, lab. Programming language paradigms provide a basic philosophy to support the construction of reliable large-scale systems. This course discusses four such paradigms. In the functional paradigm, software is constructed in such a way as to minimize the use of side-effects, thereby simplifying the conceptual structure of programs and making them easier to analyze and understand. The logic paradigm supports the development of software in which the concept of relation (for example a relation between people) is more important than the concept of function. In the imperative paradigm we are concerned with principled ways in which software that is state-dependent can be constructed. Finally, in the object-oriented paradigm we are concerned with combining data with code to create "objects" which exhibit behavior. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 187. Corequisites: CMPSCI 250 and MATH 132. 4 credits.

CMPSCI 305: Social Issues in Computing

Professor: Moll, Constantine

Designed to satisfy the Junior Year writing requirement, CMPSCI 305 introduces the student to technical writing and editing, scientific journalism and the social essay. The course combines practical, scientific writing as found in industry and businesswith explorative essays that focus attention upon the technological and humanistic concerns inherent in society. Ten written assignments-two longer papers, eight shorter ones and one oral presentation. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 311: Introduction to Algorithms

Professor: Stanley

This course will introduce you to algorithms in a variety of areas of interest, such as sorting, searching, string-processing, and graph algorithms. You will learn to study the performance of various algorithms within a formal, mathematical framework. There will be a few programming assignments as well to help you relate the empirical performance of an algorthim to theoretical predictions. Mathematical experience (as provided by CMPSCI 250) is required. You should also be able to program in Pascalor C (or some other closely related language). 4 credits.

CMPSCI 320: Introduction to Software Engineering

Professor: Osterweil

In this course, students learn and gain practical experience with software engineering principles and techniques. The practical experience centers on a semester-long team project in which a software development project is carried through all the stagesof the software life cycle. Topics in this course include requirements analysis, specification, design, abstraction, programming style, testing, maintenance, and software project management. Particular emphasis is placed on designing and developing maintainable software and on the use of object-oriented techniques throughout the software lifecycle. Use of computer required. Two exams, several homeworks, major term project. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 287. 4 credits.

CMPSCI 377: Operating Systems

Professor: Shenoy

In this course we examine the important problems in operating system design and implementation. The operating system provides a well-known, convenient, and efficient interface between user programs and the bare hardware of the computer on which they run. The operating system is responsible for allowing resources (e.g., disks, networks, and processors) to be shared, providing common services needed by many different programs (e.g., file service, the ability to start or stop processes, and access to the printer), and protecting individual programs from one another. The course will start with a brief historical perspective of the evolution of operating systems over the last fifty years, and then cover the major components of most operating systems. This discussion will cover the tradeoffs that can be made between performance and functionality during the design and implementation of an operating system. Particular emphasis will be given to three major OS subsystems: process management (processes, threads, CPU scheduling, synchronization, and deadlock), memory management (segmentation, paging, swapping), file systems, and operating system support for distributed systems. Assignments: 3 labs in C++, 3 exams, 6 or more written homeworks. Prerequisites: CMPSCI 187, CMPSCI 201. 4 credits.

CMPSCI 383: Artificial Intelligence

Professor: Utgoff

Introduction to heuristic search and its application to problems that require intelligence to solve. We will spend approximately one third of our semester on introduction to basic methods, one third on the game "amazons", and one third on jigsaw puzzlesolving. No text. Prerequisites: CMPSCI 250, CMPSCI 287 and excellent programming skills. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 391F: Seminar - HTML for Poets

Professor: Spinelli

An exploration of the Hyper Text Markup Language and its philosophical implications for Society at the threshold of the year 2000. Java Script will also be discussed. Students cannot receive credit for both this course and CMPSCI 591x Seminar-HTML forPoets. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 396A: Independent Study - Debugging and Consulting

Professor: Spinelli

In this course we teach students how to consult on topics involving E-mail, e.g., Pine or Goldmail or Mail; Operating Systems such as Unix; Editors such as Pico; one computer language: JavaScript; and most of HTML. Necessary skills on how to debug Home Pages written in HTML and simple but non trivial programs written in JavaScript are also acquired. Consultants are required to attend all weekly meetings [mandatory], consult with CMPSCI 102 students to review basic concepts and help debug programs [2hrs minimum weekly at a terminal]. Consultants are also required to grade programming assignments [6 for each student]. In general each consultant will be responsible for no less than 6 students. May not be repeated for credit more than twice. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 396B: Independent Study - TA for CMPSCI 391F Seminar - HTML for Poets

Professor: Spinelli

In the CMPSCI 391F seminar "HTML for Poets" we cover HTML in the first half, and Javascript during the second half. HTML, Javascript, and Java, form an extremely powerful trio of platform independent languages that allow practically anyone to propagateideas, create business and retrieve massive amounts of information from the World Wide Web through the creation of Web sites and the use of Web browsers. Throughout the seminar HTML and Javascript are taught as tools to implement elements of design to realize web sites whose content needs to be communicated in a professional and appealing way. Possible political and philosophical consequences are also discussed. Students are required to use HTML and Javascript constructs learned in the seminar to create/improve a Web page of their own. Students are also required to review a professional Web site each week and analyze its content, form, appeal and tools used in its construction. A final project is also required. A large number of working examplesare posted on the Web for student perusal. TAs for the Seminar must know and be able to explain the following material: Intro: Overview of the World Wide Web, Browsers and Servers. Basic HTML: Distributing Information with HTML, building blocks of HTML, creating an HTML document, linking HTML documents, graphics and Images. Advanced HTML: Client-side Imagemaps, Tables and Math, Frames, Embedded objects, Sound, MIDI, Animation, Forms and CGI scripts, Dynamic documents. Javascript: Javascript as an event driven, object-based, scripting language. Javascript versus Java. Events and event handlers. Programming basics: Variables, identifiers, types, scope of variables. Expressions, operators: arithmetic, string, logical, assignment, comparison. Statements: variable declaration, comments, conditional statements, loops, object manipulation, Functions. Objects: Objects, classes, inheritance. Objects built in Javascript: navigator, location, buttons, reset, select, submit, text and more. Arrays:built in Arrays, creating Arrays and filling them with data. Methods, properties and functions: math methods, string methods, date, window methods, blur, focus, select and more. Knowledge of Unix and mail filters is also required. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 410: Compiler Techniques

Professor: Moss

This course explores the basic problems in the translation of programming languages focusing on theory and common implementation techniques for compiling traditional block structured programming languages to produce assembly or object code for typical machines. The course involves a substantial laboratory project in which the student constructs a working compiler for a considerable subset of a realistic programming language. The lectures are augmented by an optional laboratory section that covers details of the programming language used to build the compiler, the operating system, the source language, and various tools. Use of computer required. Text: Crafting a Compiler in C, by Fischer and LeBlanc. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 250, 377. CMPSCI 491A(410) offers an honors section (CMPSCI H0x), the requirements for which are completed by fulfilling the additional assignments and lectures for CMPSCI 610 (one extra hour of discussion section per week, plus some additional homework problems and the implementation of more features in the project). 3 credits.

CMPSCI 445: Information Systems

Professor: Allan

Introduction to database systems. File organization, database system architectures, data models, database design, relational systems, query optimization, recovery and concurrency control. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 287. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 445X: Information Systems

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CMPSCI 496A: Independent Study - E-Commerce Implementation

Professor: Levine

Students will obtain practical experience in the design and implementation of a not for profit E-Commerce web site. Planned activities include researching, designing, and implementing the site (hardware and software). Students will be evaluated by means of a progress log, completed problem sets, and the completed web site. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 503: Embedded Systems

Professor: Grupen

Most computers in use in the world are embedded in a system whose primary purpose is not to interface with a human user, but instead is to achieve some process control objective. Devices varying from an aircraft like the Boeing 777 to VCR's and Microwave Ovens are absolutely dependent upon embedded processors for vital control functions. These computing applications do not require the same specifications as general purpose computational platforms, but are instead intimately related to a particular physical process. This course introduces tools necessary to design embedded computational applications. Each student will design and build an embedded control application as a member of a team. The course is heavily project-oriented (with a required lab) and discussions will include topics such as; (1) mechanisms, sensors, actuators and feedback systems, (2) analog and digital circuits, power amplifiers, signal processing, operational amplifiers, multiplexing, (3) I/O - A/D, D/A, and latching, serial and parallel interfaces, (4) signal processing/conditioning and (5) an introduction to real-time programming. There will be a 3 credit lecture and a 1 credit lab (required) in which a hands-on, team project for an embedded application will be constructed over the semester. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 503: Embedded Systems Lab

Professor: Grupen

Required Lab for CMPSCI 591C Embedded Systems. 1 credit.

CMPSCI 520X: Software Engineering: Synthesis and Development

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CMPSCI 521: Software Engineering: Analysis and Evaluation

Professor: Clarke

Software systems have become an integral part of our societal infrastructure. Software controls life-critical applications, such as air traffic control and medical devices, and is of central importance in telecommunication and electronic commerce. In this course, we will examine state of the art practices for testing and analyzing software systems that require high assurance. We will initially look at techniques developed for sequential systems but then examine the complexity that arises from distributed systems. Laboratory requirements: students will be required to carry out an individual or group project that applies or extends some of the techniques described in class. Text: course material will be drawn from the software engineering literature.Prerequisites: CMPSCI 320, Introduction to Software Engineering (or equivalent course). 3 credits.

CMPSCI 521X: Software Engineering: Analysis and Evaluation

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CMPSCI 530X: Programming Languages

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CMPSCI 535: Computer Architecture

Professor: Rosenberg

The structure of digital computers is studied at several levels, from the basic logic level, to the component level, to the system level. Topics include: the design of basic components such as arithmetic units and registers from logic gates; the organization of basic subsystems such as the memory and I/O subsystems; the interplay between hardware and software in a computer system; the von Neumann architecture and its performance enhancements such as cache memory, instruction and data pipelines, coprocessors, and parallelism. Weekly assignments, semester project, 2 hours exams, final. Prerequisites: CMPSCI 250 and CMPSCI 377. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 551: Three-Dimensional Animation and Digital Editing

Professor: Woolf

This seminar is dedicated to the production of high quality 3-dimensional computer animation using graphics technology. For example, color 3-D objects are defined and manipulated, digitized images created and altered, and photo-realistic effects and animated sequences produced. Techniques are used to bend and twist shapes around objects or lines, to provide a variety of light and texture, and to trace over images including digitized pictures. The course is directed at production of an informative and approachable video of a ten minute 3-dimensional animated piece. Using computer-generated graphical analogies as well as cartoon caricature, the video is designed to educate and entertain. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 552: Interactive Multimedia Production

Professor: Woolf

This course explores the potential of high quality interactive authoring tools to develop presentation and training systems. Programming languages within professional presentation and editing packages will be used to create systems capable of presenting graphics, animation, text, sound and music, based on the users requests. Students will learn how to define and manipulate classical techniques such as storyboarding, staging, and interactivity. During the first month and a half, the course will concentrate on state-of-the-art multimedia composition and presentation techniques and developing small individual projects. The second half of the semester will emphasize working as a group to create a single, high quality multimedia production. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 591 (551) - 3D Computer Animation and Digital Editing. Permission of the instructor required; contact: Beverly Woolf 545-4265. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 570: Computer Vision

Professor: Manmatha

People are able to infer the characteristics of a scene or object from an image of it. In this course, we will study what is involved in building artificial systems which try to infer such characteristics from an image. Topics include: Basics of image formation - the effect of geometry, viewpoint, lighting and albedo on image formation. Basic image operations such as filtering, convolution and correlation. Frequency representations of images. The importance of scale in images. Measurements of image properties such as color, texture, appearance and shape. Inference of motion and structure from moving objects and images. Detecting and recognizing objects in images. The graduate version CMPSCI 670(691A) requires more work than this version of the course. Prerequisite: Linear algebra, calculus and an ability to program. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 572: Neurobiology

Professor: Wyse

Lecture. Biology of nerve cells and cellular interactions in nervous systems. Lectures integrate structural, functional, developmental, and biochemical approaches. Topics include neuronal anatomy and physiology, membrane potentials, synapses, development of neuronal connections, visual system, control of movement, and neural plasticity. Text: Essentials of Neural Science, Kandel et al. ; reserve readings, 2 hour-exams, final, short critique paper. Prerequisite: Biology 285 or 523; or both PSYCH 330 and Intro. Biology. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 591E: Seminar - Computer Networking

Professor: Kurose

This course provides an introduction to fundamental concepts in the design and implementation of computer communication networks, their protocols, and applications. Topics to be covered include: layered network architectures, applications, network programming interfaces (e.g., sockets), transport, congestion, routing, and data link protocols, local area networks, network security, and network management. Examples will be drawn primarily from the Internet TCP/IP protocol suite. There will be four written assignments, three programming assignments, and a final exam. NOTE: Credit will not be given for both CMPSCI 591E Computer Networking and CMPSCI 453 Computer Networks. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 591E: Seminar - Computer Networking

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CMPSCI 591F: Seminar - Software Engineering Management Practicum

Professor: Osterweil

The purpose of this course is to provide students with practical experience in the management of software development projects. Students in this course will gain this experience by serving as software development team technical managers for teams of software engineering students in CMPSCI 320. As software development team managers, the students in CMPSCI 591F will be responsible for: supervising and managing the work of teams of CMPSCI 320 students; interfacing with the other CMPSCI 591F students managing other teams in the course; interfacing with the course instructor, course TA, and course customer. CMPSCI 591F students will be assigned readings in software engineering project management to provide a theoretical basis for their work in this course. But the majority of work in the course will be related to the actual management of assigned development teams. As team managers, CMPSCI 591F students will set goals and schedules for their teams, track and report team progress, negotiate with leaders of other teams and the course customer, and evaluate the work of members of their teams. CMPSCI 591F course assignments may include: written team goals, plans and schedules; periodic reports on team progress; documentation of agreements reached with other team leaders and customers; evaluations of the applicability of theoretical papers to the work of this course. This course will meet at the same times and places as CMPSCI 320, namely Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:15-12:30 in LGRC A205, and Mondays 4:40-5:30 in LGRC A203. Additional meetings with team members and other students in CMPSCI 591F are also expected to be arranged by mutual agreement. Enrollment in this course is only by permission of the instructor, and is restricted to students who have previously taken CMPSCI 320, and received a grade of A or AB. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 591O: Seminar - Character Animation

Professor: Woolf

This class focuses exclusively on character animation techniques. The goal is to attain proficiency in modeling,texturing and animation. Modeling topics include character modeling and bones, designing joints and creating chains with constraints for easy animation, facial modelling and lip sync, designing faces with economical splinage to simplify facial animation, breaking down voice tracks into phonemes and animating facial and body language to match the track. Animation topics include action and pose, timing, overlap, pacing, and simulating and exaggerating physical laws. Student will create their own final project or work in a small team. Prerequisites: CMPSCI 591x--3D Animation and Digital Editing or equivalent experience and a personal computer. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 591Q: Seminar - Advanced Topics in Electronic Commerce

Professor: Osterweil, Ball

The purpose of this course will be to make students aware of the range of issues and opportunities surrounding the burgeoning area of electronic commerce. The emergence of electronic commerce has been quite sudden, but very profound. New uses of the internet to support a growing range of human, commercial, and governmental activities are appearing daily, and the impact of all of this is felt increasingly, and reported widely. Continued growth in this area will depend heavily upon the continued development of challenging technologies. In this course we will attempt to survey and assess the growing range of e-commerce activities, and to project where it seems to be heading in the future. In addition, we will also survey the technological basis upon which electronic commerce is resting, and to assess the challenges that must be faced in order to assure that the promise of electronic commerce is realized. In keeping with these two contrasting thrusts of the course, it is to be cross-listed as an offering both in Computer Science and in the Isenberg School of Management. It is expected that the confluence of the perspectives of these two academic units will be particularly invigorating, giving the course an unusually broad range of perspectives. It is not anticipated that there will be a textbook for this course. Instead a set of reading from the current literature will be required. Students will be expected to make presentations of these readings as the primary classroom activity of this course. Inaddition, it is expected that there will be a number of guest lectures presented by industrial practitioners, and observers, of electronic commerce. Students will be expected to write a substantial term paper on a subject related to electronic commerce, and to be active participants in the classroom discussions of readings and lectures. Course Prerequisites: Successful completion of at least three courses at the 400 level, or above, in either Computer Science or the Isenberg School of Management, or permission of the instructors. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 596A: Independent Study - TA for CMPSCI 551 3D Animation

Professor: Woolf

TAs are responsible for developing student assignments weekly and for group grading assignments every two weeks. They typically give one lecture per semester and also spend 6 hours/week in the Animation Lab assisting students. TAs setup and maintain hardware and software needed for lectures - 3 or 4 commercial graphics packages. TAs take a lead role in the final course production, a group effort of 6-8 weeks work. Each TA manages 4-5 students organized in groups for 1) character animation, 2) lighting, 3) special effects, 4) surfaces, and 5) editing. The TA creates weekly tasks for each student in his/her group and makes sure that the work is complete and passed along to the next group on time. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 596B: Independent Study - TA for CMPSCI 552 Interactive Multimedia Production

Professor: Woolf

TAs are responsible for developing student assignments weekly and for group grading of assignments every two weeks. They typically give one lecture per semester, plus spend 6 hours/week in the Animation Lab assisting students. Setup/maintain hardware and software needed for lectures - 1 or 2 commercial graphics packages in addition to the Director. Also setup and maintain an internet site into which students put their class assignments. Work with students on individual Director final projects; maintain communiction between 12-15 students, intstructors and TAs. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 596C: Independent Study - TA for CMPSCI 591O Seminar-Character Animation

Professor: Woolf

The objective of this Independent Study is to provide assistance to the instructor and students of CMPSCI 591O Seminar-Character Animation, as a former student experienced in the use of the software the class utilizes as well as the techniques taught inclass. Activities throughout the semester will include regular attendance of class in order to help critique the students work and provide useful feedback. Collecting and assisting in the evaluation of the class projects and homework assignments, and spending at least 6 hours each week in the laboratory to help the students with their daily work for the class. Evaluation will be done by the instructor based upon the quality of assistance to the students, attendance at the lectures and hours spent inthe animation laboratory. Grading will also be based on certain advanced projects that the instructor will evaluate for presentation at the end of the semester. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 610: Compiler Techniques

Professor: Moss

This course explores the basic problems in the translation of programming languages focusing on theory and common implementation techniques for compiling traditional block structured programming languages to produce assembly or object code for typical machines. The course involves a substantial laboratory project in which the student constructs a working compiler for a considerable subset of a realistic programming language. The lectures are augmented by an optional laboratory section that covers details of the programming language used to build the compiler, the operating system, the source language, and various tools. In addition to lectures in common with CMPSCI 410 (491A), CMPSCI 610 includes an extra weekly meeting covering the theoretical aspects in greater depth. Use of computer required. Text: Crafting a Compiler in C, by Fischer and LeBlanc. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 377 or 402. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 611: Advanced Algorithms

Professor: Adler

Principles underlying the design and analysis of efficient algorithms. Topics to be covered include: divide-and-conquer algorithms, graph algorithms, matroids and greedy algorithms, randomized algorithms, NP-completeness, approximation algorithms, universal hashing. Prerequisites: The mathematical maturity expected of incoming Computer Science graduate students, knowledge of algorithms at the level of CMPSCI 311. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 611X: Advanced Algorithms

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CMPSCI 613: Model Checking

Professor: Immerman

An in-depth, hands-on introduction to the theory and practice of model checking. We we learn how to check that hardware and protocol designs satisfy correctness conditions specified by temporal logic or finite automata. Topics include: Modeling reactive modules, Temporal Logic, Model Checking Temporal Logic, Binary Decision Diagrams, Symbolic Model Checking: SMV, Automata theoretic model checking: SPIN and COSPAN, Abstraction: dealing with state explosion by making the models smaller, Partial order reduction, Real-time modules and timing verification. Requirements: problem sets, in class midterm, and final project. Prerequisites: Mathematical maturity at the level of an A in CMPSCI 250.

CMPSCI 620X: Advanced Software Engineering: Synthesis and Development

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CMPSCI 621: Advanced Software Engineering: Analysis and Evaluation

Professor: Clarke

Software systems have become an integral part of our societal infrastructure. Software controls life-critical applications, such as air traffic control and medical devices, and is of central importance in telecommunication and electronic commerce. In this course, we will examine state of the art practices for testing and analyzing software systems that require high assurance. We will initially look at techniques developed for sequential systems but then examine the complexity that arises from distributed systems. Laboratory requirements: students will be required to carry out an individual or group project that applies or extends some of the techniques described in class. Text: course material will be drawn from the software engineering literature.Prerequisites: CMPSCI 320, Introduction to Software Engineering (or equivalent course). This course is taught concurrently with CMPSCI 521, but students taking CMPSCI 621 are expected to do additional and more challenging homework problems and projects. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 621X: Advanced Software Engineering: Analysis and Evaluation

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CMPSCI 630X: Programming Languages

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CMPSCI 653: Computer Networking

Professor: Levine

Computer Networks is a graduate course that introduces fundamental concepts in the design and implementation of computer communication networks and their protocols. Topics include: layered network architectures, applications, transport, congestion, routing, data link protocols, local area networks, multimedia networking, network management, and network security. An emphasis will be placed on the protocols used in the Internet. Final grades will be determined by written homeworks, programming assignments and two exams. Prerequisites: A rudimentary understanding of computer architecture and operating systems. Text: "Computer Networking, a top down approach featuring the Internet," Jim Kurose and Keith Ross. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 653X: Computer Networking

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CMPSCI 670: Computer Vision

Professor: Manmatha

People are able to infer the characteristics of a scene or object from an image of it. In this course, we will study what is involved in building artificial systems which try to infer such characteristics from an image. Topics include: Basics of image formation - the effect of geometry, viewpoint, lighting and albedo on image formation. Basic image operations such as filtering, convolution and correlation. Frequency representations of images. The importance of scale in images. Measurements of image properties such as color, texture, appearance and shape. Inference of motion and structure from moving objects and images. Detecting and recognizing objects in images. This course is the graduate version of CMPSCI 570(591A) and it requires more work compared to the undergraduate version CMPSCI 570(591A). Prerequisite: Linear algebra, calculus and an ability to program. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 673: Performance Evaluation

Professor: Towsley

This course provides an introduction to the tools and techniques needed to construct and analyze performance models of systems such as computer systems, communication networks, and manufacturing systems. The course covers discrete and continuous time Markov chain models, queues in isolation, queueing networks, and approximate techniques. Several in-depth modeling case studies will be drawn from the areas of computer architecture, parallel and distributed systems, and networks. Course Requirements:Written assignments, one midterm and one final exam. Prerequisites: Proof of a previous undergraduate-level course in probability is REQUIRED. Familiarity with a high-level programming language such as C, PASCAL, FORTAN, or PL/I is recommended. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 673X: Performance Evaluation

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CMPSCI 677X: Operating Systems

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CMPSCI 683: Artificial Intelligence

Professor: Lesser

In-depth introduction to Artificial Intelligence focusing on techniques that allow intelligent systems to operate in real-time and cope with missing information, uncertainty, and limited computational resources. Topics include: advanced search and problem-solving techniques, resource-bounded search, principles of knowledge representation and reasoning, meta-reasoning, reasoning under uncertainty, Bayesian networks and influence diagrams, decision theory and the value of information, perception and interpretation problems, planning and scheduling, intelligent agents architectures, and learning. Prerequisites: Undergraduate background in Computer Science, and an undergraduate Artificial Intelligence course (CMPSCI 383 or equivalent). 3 credits.

CMPSCI 683X: Artificial Intelligence

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CMPSCI 687: Reinforcement Learning

Professor: Barto

A comprehensive introduction to reinforcement learning, an approach to artificial intelligence emphasizing learning from interaction to achieve goals in stochastic environments. The focus is on algorithms that learn what actions to take so as to optimize long-term performance. The course covers Markov decision processes, dynamic programming, temporal-difference learning, Monte Carlo learning methods, eligibility traces, the role of neural networks, and the integration of learning and planning. Prerequisites: Basic probability theory and programming skills. A prior course in artificial intelligence is recommended. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 691O: Seminar - Tools for Explanatory and Tutoring Systems

Professor: Woolf

This seminar examines recent work in explanatory and tutoring systems. We will explore research issues in: Collaboratory Environments, Dialogue Systems, Machine Learning, Teaching Strategies Simulators, Authoring Tools and User Models. The objective of the course is to stimulate awareness of research issues and to promote sound analytic and design skills as they pertain to building knowledge representations and control strategies. Relevant topics and applications will be presented through readings in the recent literature. Each student will prepare written critiques of each paper, lead several in-class discussions and prepare appropriate questions about the research. Several working systems will be available for hands-on critique. Readings for the course are contained in several bound volumes of articles and technical reports available in the main CMPSCI office. There is a charge for these volumes. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 710: Advanced Compiler Techniques

Professor: McKinley

Advanced compiler techniques will study the construction of optimizing compilers with a focus on uniprocessor architectures. The course will cover data-flow analysis, program optimization, and code generation across basic blocks, procedures, and complete programs. Classical topics such as interprocedural and intraprocedural analysis, intermediate representations, register allocation, and scheduling will be presented in the context of modern uniprocessors. The course will also cover dependence analysis and loop transformations: the building blocks for optimizing for memory hierarchies and parallel machines. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 891M: Theory of Computation

Professor: Adler

Lectures on various topics in the theory of computation by CMPSCI theory faculty, possible guest speakers, and seminar students. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in CMPSCI or permission of the instructor. 1 credit.

CMPSCI H01: Honors Colloquium for CMPSCI 201

Professor: Graham

We select one or more of the course topics and explore them in more depth than is possible in the main course. In particular, we see how the architectural concepts are applied in a real computer rather than the simple instructional computer used in class. Readings are assigned and discussed in once-a-week meetings. Students are assigned one or more projects using an Intel I86 based computer, such as the IBM PC, that require application of the concepts studied in class. Grades are based on written reports, participation in discussions, and the application of concepts in the projects. 1 credit.

CMPSCI H02: Honors Colloquium for CMPSCI 320

Professor: Osterweil

In this course, students learn and gain practical experience with software engineering principles and techniques. The practical experience centers on a semester-long team project in which a software development project is carried through all the stagesof the software life cycle. Honors students will be expected to assume responsibility for some of the more complex aspects of the project as well as to study more advanced concepts. 1 credit.

CMPSCI H03: Honors Colloquium for CMPSCI 445

Professor: Allan

Practical issues of database design and implementation. Students will substantially extend a project that is part of the CMPSCI 445 class by implementing components of a database system. Where appropriate, students will browse and discuss current related research. Individual projects and group discussion is the criteria for grading/evaluation. 1 credit.

CMPSCI H04: Honors Colloquium for CMPSCI 491A(410)

Professor: Moss

In addition to scheduled class hours, an additional class for advanced topics will be required. The course contains a five-part programming project and the honors students will be required to complete more advanced functionality for each of the parts. 1 credit.

CMPSCI H05: Honors Colloquium for CMPSCI 521

Professor: Clarke

This course explores testing and analysis techniques for software systems, particularly large, complex systems used in safety applications such as medical devices and air traffic control. Honors students will work with the instructor on special projects, depending on their individual interests and opportunities that arise. For example, students might help implement or enhance a specific technique, conduct an experimental study using a small number of techniques, or design a quality assurance plan fora company or project. Recommended for Juniors and Seniors; Majors. 1 credit.

CMPSCI H06: Honors Colloquium for CMPSCI 287

Professor: Moll

Description not on file. 1 credit.

Last automatic generation: 8/4/2005 at 11:45:30 AM