Computer Science Course Descriptions for Spring of 2007

CMPSCI 105: Computer Literacy (R2)

Professor: Verts

Microcomputers are now used widely 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, software, and mathematical aspects of computers. Then four application areas are discussed: word processing, spreadsheets, databases and telecommunications (access to the Internet). Weekly lab assignments are an integral part of the course. There are optional lab times set up for students who do not have the proper equipment available to them. 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

SAME AS 105.

CMPSCI 105D: Computer Literacy (R2)

Professor: Verts

SAME AS 105.

CMPSCI 105E: Computer Literacy (R2)

Professor: Verts

SAME AS 105.

CMPSCI 120: Introduction to Problem Solving with the Internet (R2)

Professor: Kirlin

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 121: Introduction to Problem Solving with Computers (R2)

Professor: Learned-Miller

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 7 programming projects are assigned. In addition there are assigned homework problems, a midterm exam and a final. No computer science prerequisite, although basic math skills (e.g. R1) and basic computer literacy (as taught in CMPSCI 105) are assumed. Use of computer is required. Prerequisite: R1. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 123(191B): Intro to Java II

Professor: Lehnert

CmpSci 191B (123) is a programming course in Java for students who have previous programming experience in Java, C or C++. Students will be introduced to a variety of advanced topics such as inheritance, polymorphism, interface design, threads, and design patterns. Object-oriented concepts will be covered in great detail, but 123 assumes general familiarity with basic programming concepts such as arithmetic operators, boolean operators, conditional control structures, iterative control structures, and arrays. Students will have an opportunity to strengthen object-oriented programming skills through a series of required programming projects.

CMPSCI 145(195A): Representing, Storing and Retrieving Information

Professor: Verts

An introductory course in the use of data in computer systems, a core course for the Information Technology certificate. Formats for representing text, numbers, sound, images, etc., as strings of bits. Equations of lines and courves, modeling of synthetic scenes (i.e., ray tracing), exploring the frequency domain and holography. Basic information theory, use and limitations of file compression and encryption. 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. Review of historical, pre-computer methods of information representation. 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. Prerequisite: R1. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 187: Programming with Data Structures (R2)

Professor: Allan

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 include linked 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 123 (191B) (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 197C: ST-Programming In C++

Professor: Corner, Smucker

A brief introduction to the C++ programming language for students with a good working knowledge of Java. Students are expected to have edlab accounts. Prerequisites: 121 and 187 or permission of instructor.

CMPSCI 201: Architecture and Assembly Language (E)

Professor: Rosenstein

Lecture, discussion, lab. The architecture and machine-level operations of modern computers at the logic, component, and system levels. Topics include integer, scaled, and floating point binary arithmetic; Boolean algebra and logic gates; control, arithmetic-logic, and pipeline units; addressing modes; cache, primary, and virtual memory; system buses; input-output and interrupts. Simple assembly language for a modern embedded processor is used to explore how common computational tasks are accomplished by a computer. Two lectures, one discussion, and one lab session per week. Laboratory exercises, homework exercises, in-class quizzes, two midterm exams, and a final exam. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 187 or ECE 242 or equivalent. 4 credits.

CMPSCI 250: Introduction to Computation (E)

Professor: Siegelmann

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 midterm exams, timed final. Corequisite: MATH 132/136 or equivalent. Prerequisite: MATH 131 and (CMPSCI 187 or ECE 242). CS ENG majors may take CMPSCI 250 with ECE 242. Contact your Department Advisor. 4 credits.

CMPSCI 251(291A): Introduction to Computation II

Professor: Barrington

Introduction to Computation II is a second course in the mathematical foundations of computer science, following on CMPSCI 250. It will be required for majors in the proposed new CMPSCI curriculum. For current CMPSCI students, it may serve toward CMPSCI major requirements as an upper-level math elective. The five main topics covered provide a theoretical foundation for understanding topics such as machine learning, information retrieval, and computer networks as well as the later courses in theoretical computer science: -- review of induction and recursion -- graphs and graph algorithms -- probabilistic reasoning -- information theory and coding -- finite-state machines, Markov processes, and Turing machines Prerequisite: CMPSCI 250 or equivalent. Three lectures and one discussion per week -- four credits.

CMPSCI 287: Programming Language Paradigms

Professor: Lehnert

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 (e.g. 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" that exhibit behavior. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 187 or ECE 242. Corequisites: CMPSCI 250 and MATH 132. 4 credits.

CMPSCI 305: Social Issues in Computing

Professor: 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 business with 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. Prerequisite: ENGLWP 112 or CW. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 311: Introduction to Algorithms

Professor: Sitaraman

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 algorithm to theoretical predictions. Mathematical experience (as provided by CMPSCI 250) is required. You should also be able to program in Pascal or C (or some other closely related language). Prerequisite: CMPSCI 250 or MATH 455. 4 credits.

CMPSCI 320: Introduction to Software Engineering

Professor: Fisher

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. Several quizzes, major term project. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 287. 4 credits.

CMPSCI 377: Operating Systems

Professor: Berger

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/C++, 3 exams, 6 or more written homeworks. Prior experience with C/C++ is helpful, but not required. Prerequisites: CMPSCI 187 and (CMPSCI 201 or ECE 232). 4 credits.

CMPSCI 383: Artificial Intelligence

Professor: Utgoff

Introduction to techniques for building intelligent systems. Problem solving, state-space representation, heuristic search techniques, game playing, knowledge representation, logical reasoning, planning, reasoning under uncertainty, and machine learning. The course can be taken as part of the core CS program, as a grounding for further study in AI, or to gain familiarity with AI methods for application in other fields. Prerequisites: CMPSCI 250 and CMPSCI 287 and CMPSCI 311. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 391S: Seminar - Fundamentals of Graphic Communication

Professor: Wang, Sindelar

This course provides an understanding of computer-based design and multimedia production. Basic concepts in the areas of graphic design, animation, video editing and object-oriented programming will be covered preparing students for more advanced studies in 2D and 3D animation and in multimedia programming. Course work consists mainly of several student projects, built incrementally as several smaller sub-projects. Each student s project will be presented via the World Wide Web and discussed in class. Students interaction is encouraged through peer reviews and in-class exercises. Topics include HTML, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), file transfer, designing and drawing characters, image formats/image compression for the web, modeling and animation.

CMPSCI 396H: Honors Independent Study in Computer Science

Professor: Barrington

CMPSCI 397B: Three-Dimensional Modeling and Digital Editing

Professor: ** Section Deleted

This seminar is dedicated to the production of high quality 3-dimensional computer modles 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. We focus on development of humanoid characters. Each student will design his/her own character and lectures and homework will support students to model faces and bodies. Modeling topics include designing, joints, creating chains with constraints and producing realistic facial movement. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 397D: Interactive Web Animation

Professor: ** Section Deleted

This course teaches basic animation for the Web, interactivity, color theory, design, action scripting, and transitions. Students maintain their own web sites and submit projects every 2 weeks in Flash. Individual as well as, a final project are required. Knowledge of basic Web development, e.g., HTML, Java Script. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 391F or 391S; CMPSCI 551 and CMPSCI 552 preferred. Permission of instructor is required. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 397E: Seminar - Character Animation

Professor: ** Section Deleted

This class focuses exclusively on character animation techniques. Animation topics include action andpose, timing, overlap, pacing, and simulating and exaggerating physical laws. Constraints will be used to create animation and lipsync. Voice tracks will be used to simulate speech. Student will create their own final project or work in a small team. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 401: Formal Language Theory

Professor: Rosenberg

The course will introduce the abstract branch of Computer Science known as Computation Theory, via "big ideas" that underlie the field. The course will focus on: [1] The Theory of Finite Automata (What are the capabilities and limitations of finite-state transition systems?); [2] Computability Theory (What are the ultimate limitations of digital computing systems?); [3] Complexity Theory (Abstractly, this is Computability Theory with "within given resource bounds" [e.g., time, memory] replacing "ultimate.") The treatment of Finite Automata will culminate in the seminal Kleene-Myhill and Myhill-Nerode characterization theorems. The treatment of Computability Theory will lead through proofs of noncomputability to the sweeping Rice-Myhill-Shapiro Theorem. The treatment of Complexity Theory will develop the theory of problem reductions, leading to the Cook-Levin Theorem and NP-Completeness. PREREQUISITE: CMPSCI 250 and 311, or their equivalents.

CMPSCI 403: Introduction to Robotics: Mechanics, Dynamics, and Control

Professor: Brock

This class covers theoretical and practical methods in the context of mobile robotics. These methods and concepts will tell you how robotic hardware works, how to make a robot move, how to localize in an unknown environment, how to build maps during exploration, and much more. The class focuses on lab exercises on real mobile robots but at the same time will cover in an applied fashion concepts from kinematics, dynamics, control, probability, motion planning, computer vision, and AI. Prerequisites: calculus, linear algebra, and programming skills. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 445: Information Systems

Professor: Kulp

An introduction to database systems. The course is primarily concerned with the relational data model and its practical application in relational database systems. Topics include structured query language (SQL), entity-relationship modeling, normalization theory, physical data organization and indexing, query processing, query optimization, and transaction management. Database security is also addressed. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 287. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 453: Computer Networks

Professor: Ganesan

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, emerging high-speed networks, network management, and network security. Examples will be drawn primarily from the Internet (e.g., TCP, UDP, and IP) protocol suite. There will be written assignments, programming assignments (in C), one midterm, and a final exam. Prerequisites: A rudimentary understanding of computer architecture and operating systems, while not required, would be helpful. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 491P: Seminar-Outdoor Mobile Network Environment II

Professor: Corner, Levine

Students in this class will work in teams to deploy one of several federated projects that provide pervasive and mobile networking in the Amherst area. The projects involve either Cisco mesh networking in downtown Amherst, PVTA buses equipped with computers and networking, custom-built solar powered throwbox nodes, and modified meraki network devices. Students will design new or modify existing software and operating systems that run on each platform to provide novel networking services.

CMPSCI 491QQ: Practical Sensor Network Design and Deployment

Professor: Ganesan, Shenoy

This goal of this course is to offer hands-on exposure in designing, deploying and measuring outdoor wireless sensor networks. Student will be required to work in teams to carry out a semester long course project on the design and deployment of multi-hop long-range wireless networks, design of sensor software or hardware architectures, and deployment of wireless sensor platforms in new applications of sensor networks (e.g.: environmental or structural monitoring). The deployments will involve challenging networking, software systems, embedded systems development, or deployment effort depending on interest. Students who want to work on the systems aspects should have strong programming and hacking skills, and students interested in embedded systems aspects should have PCB design and embedded software programming skills. Also, interdisciplinary students wishing to use sensor network techniques in their disciplines are encouraged to take this course. This seminar is offered in both an undergraduate and graduate versions - the graduate version will involve more complex assignments.

CMPSCI 491T: Seminar - Technology and Aging

Professor: Hanson

We will all be senior citizens sooner or later. In light of the looming healthcare crisis faced by all industrialized countries, there is a growing need to commit resources to preventive care and lifestyle support. Technology is seen as playing a major role in this effort. This course will be an examination of contemporary issues in the deployment of technology in support of graceful aging. Our main emphasis will be on leading edge technology: What is being developed now, including low cost distributed sensor networks and small mobile robots, that might be applicable? Depending upon the class participants, we will look at various aspects of the cognitive, physical, and social aspects of aging and what role (assistive) technology is or might play in allowing elders to maintain independent lifestyles for as long as possible. The course will meet once a week for two hours. Class time will consist of talks by both class participants and outside guests. The course will require substantial individual research. Evaluation criteria will include course involvement, talks/papers, and one or more projects. This course will be given concurrently with 691TA. Enrollment: permission of instructor.

CMPSCI 499P: Honors Project

Professor: Barrington

CMPSCI 499T: Honors Thesis

Professor: Barrington

CMPSCI 499Y: Honors Research

Professor: Barrington

CMPSCI 530: Programming Languages

Professor: Wileden

This course undertakes a detailed examination of the fundamental principles underlying the design and implementation of modern programming languages. We address a wide range of programming language concepts and issues from both a practical and a theoretical perspective. Special attention is given to type systems and typechecking, since these are central to all subsequent developments. We also examine other important contemporary language features such as object orientation, modularity, polymorphism and concurrency. While the predominant paradigm for contemporary programming languages -- the imperative, object-oriented paradigm -- is our primary focus, and the functional paradigm is our secondary focus, we will place special emphasis on web-programming as a source of examples and a basis for assignments and projects. Homework problems, programming exercises and projects reinforce the material covered in lectures and readings. Prerequisites: CMPSCI 287. Honors module when requested. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 551: Three-Dimensional Animation and Digital Editing

Professor: Wang

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 ten minute 3-dimensional animated piece. Using computer-generated graphical analogies as well as cartoon caricature, the video is designed to educate and entertain. The class does not have lab facilities for all students interested in this material and thus we limit the class to students who do well on the first assignment. This assignment will be graded and returned to students before the end of the Add/Drop period. Students are cordially invited to attend the first class, the first Tuesday/Thursday of the semester. At that time we will explain the course, what is expected of students and the entry condition. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 553(591U): Interactive Web Animation

Professor: Wang

This course teaches basic animation for the Web, interactivity, color theory, design, action scripting, and transitions. Students maintain their own web sites and submit projects every 2 weeks in Flash. Individual as well as a final project are required. Knowledge of basic Web development, e.g., HTML, Java Script. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 391F; CMPSCI 551 and CMPSCI 552 preferred. Permission of instructor is required. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 570(591A): Computer Vision

Professor: Learned-Miller

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. Statistical methods in computer vision.The graduate version CMPSCI 670(691A) requires more work than this version of the course. Prerequisite: Linear algebra, calculus, basic knowledge of probability, and an ability to program. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 591B: Seminar - Introduction to Computer Graphics

Professor: Wang

This course teaches the fundamentals of three-dimensional computer graphics, including modeling, rendering, illumination, and animation. Students will learn and implement the standard rendering pipeline, defined as the stages of turning a three-dimensional model into a shaded, lit, texture-mapped two-dimensional image. The completion of this course will prepare the students ready for any of the advanced computer graphics courses. Prerequisites: This course requires substantial programming effort. Standard C/C++ concepts such as pointers, lists, and memory allocation will be used extensively. Students are expected to be familiar with basic linear algebra (vectorand matrix arithmetic) and calculus.

CMPSCI 591D: Seminar - Applied Cryptography

Professor: Fu

Applied cryptography spans many disciplines including computer systems, computation, mathematics, and law. This experimental course aims to teach students both the theoretical foundations of cryptography and the humility of building practical cryptographic systems. Topics will include computational indistinguishability, cryptographic attacks, applications of cryptography, and advanced topics in block ciphers, hash functions, and public key cryptography. Students will be evaluated based on final group projects, class participation, problem sets with hands-on labs, and quizzes. Prerequisites: CMPSCI 311 and CMPSCI 377. Prior experience with number theory is recommended. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 591F: Seminar - Software Engineering Management Practicum

Professor: Fisher

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. 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 591G: Seminar - Computer Networking Lab

Professor: Venkataramani

CMPSCI 591O: Seminar - Character Animation

Professor: Wang

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 andpose, timing, overlap, pacing, and simulating and exaggerating physical laws. Student will create their own final project or work in a small team. Prerequisites: CMPSCI 551 (591x)--3D Animation and Digital Editing or equivalent experience and a personal computer. 3 credits.

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

Professor: Wang

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. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 551 with grade of B or better. 3 credits.

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

Professor: Wang

TAs are responsible for providing assistance to the instructor and students of CMPSCI 591O Seminar-Character Animation. Activities will include critiquing students work and providing useful feedback. Grading 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 in the animation laboratory. Grading will also be based on advanced projects by the student and presented at the end of the semester. Prerequisite: CMPSCI 591O with grade of B or better. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 601: Computation Theory

Professor: Immerman

An in-depth introduction to the main models and concepts of the mathematical theory of computation, including: Computability: What problems can be solved in principle? How might you prove that a problem can't be solved? Complexity: What problems can be solved within given resource constraints? How do constraints on different resources (e.g., time, space, or parallel time) relate? Logic: What are the best ways to formally specify a problem, and how do these specifications relate to the difficulty of the problem? Prerequisites: Undergraduate-level courses in discrete mathematics (e.g., CMPSCI 250) and analysis of algorithms (e.g., CMPSCI 311 or better yet 611), plus additional mathematical maturity (e.g., CMPSCI 611, A's in 250 or 311, or other mathematical background). Previous background in formal languages (e.g., CMPSCI 401) is quite desirable. Course requirements: about eight problem sets, timed midterm and final. Also open to qualified undergraduates. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 603: Robotics

Professor: Grupen

In addtion to traditions rooted in mechanics and dynamics, geometrical reasoning, and artificial intelligence, the study of robot systems is growing to include many issues traditionally part of the computing sciences; distributed and adaptive control, architecture, software engineering, real-time systems, information processing and learning. In robotics, processing and its relationship to mechanical function are dependent on the target platform and the world in which it is situated. Designing an embedded computational system for sensory and motor processes requires that designers appreciate and understand all of these disciplines. This course is concerned with the design and analysis of adaptive, closed-loop physical systems. The focus will be sensory and motor systems that interpret and manipulate their environments. Toward this end, we will study mechanisms (kinematics and dynamics), actuators, sensors (with a focus on active vision), signal processing, associative memory, feedback control theory, supervised and unsupervised learning, and task planning. Interesting examples of integrated sensory, motor, and computational systems can be found in nature, so occassionally we will relate the subject matter to biological systems. Students willexperiment with system identification and control, image processing, path planning, and learning on simulated platforms to reinforce the material presented in class. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 630(691F): Programming Languages

Professor: Wileden

This course undertakes a detailed examination of the fundamental principles underlying the design and implementation of modern programming languages. We address a wide range of programming language concepts and issues from both a practical and a theoretical perspective. Special attention is given to type systems and type checking, since these are central to all subsequent developments. We also examine other important contemporary language features such as object orientation, modularity, polymorphism and concurrency. While the predominant paradigm for contemporary programming languages -- the imperative, object-oriented paradigm -- is our primary focus, and the functional paradigm is our secondary focus, we will place special emphasis on web-programming as a source of examples and a basis for assignments and projects. Homework problems, programming exercises and projects reinforce the material covered in lectures and readings. Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 635: Modern Computer Architecture

Professor: Weems

This course examines the structure of modern computer systems. We explore hardware and technology trends that have led to current machine organizations, then consider specific features and their impact on software and performance. These may include superscalar issue, caches, pipelines, branch prediction, and parallelism. Midterm and final exams, team project, homework, in-class exercises. Prerequisites: CMPSCI 535 or equivalent. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 645: Database Design and Implementation

Professor: Diao

This course covers the design and implementation of traditional relational databases and advanced data management systems. The course will treat fundamental principles of databases: the relational model, conceptual design, query languages, and selected theoretical topics. We also cover core database system implementation including storage and indexing, query processing and optimization, as well as transaction management, concurrency, and recovery. Additional topics will address the challenges of modern decentralized data management. These include distributed databases, XML data management, stream-based systems, information integration, and database security. Prerequisites: an undergraduate-level course on operating systems or databases. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 670(691A): Computer Vision

Professor: Learned-Miller

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. Statistical methods in computer vision. 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, basic knowledge of probability, and an ability to program. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 677: Operating Systems

Professor: Shenoy

This course provides an in-depth examination of principles of distributed operating systems. Covered topics include processes and threads, concurrent programming, distributed interprocess communication, distributed process scheduling, shared virtual memory, distributed file systems. In-depth examples will be taken from current operating systems such as UNIX and MACH. Some coverage of operating system principles for multiprocessors will also be included. Prerequisites: The student should be able to easily program in a high-level language such as C, have had a course on data structures, be familiar with elements of computer architecture and have had previous exposure to the operating system concepts of processes, virtual memory, and scheduling. A previous course on uniprocessor operating systems (e.g., CMPSCI 377) will be helpful but not required. 3 credits.

CMPSCI 691DD: Seminar - Research Methods

Professor: Jensen

This course introduces graduate students to basic ideas about conducting a personal research program. Students will learn basic methods for activities such as reading technical papers, selecting research topics, devising research questions, planning research, analyzing experimental results, modeling and simulating computational phenomena, and synthesizing broader theories. The course will be structured around three activities: lectures on basic concepts of research strategy and techniques, discussions of technical papers, and preparation and review of written assignments. Significant reading, reviewing, and writing will be required, and students will be expected to participate actively in class discussions.

CMPSCI 691II: Seminar - Computation Modeling of Emotions and Religions in the Brain

Professor: Siegelmann

CMPSCI 691QQ: Seminar - Practical Sensor Network Design and Deployment

Professor: Ganesan, Shenoy

This goal of this course is to offer hands-on exposure in designing, deploying and measuring outdoor wireless sensor networks. Student will be required to work in teams to carry out a semester long course project on the design and deployment of multi-hop long-range wireless networks, design of sensor software or hardware architectures, and deployment of wireless sensor platforms in new applications of sensor networks (e.g.: environmental or structural monitoring). The deployments will involve challenging networking, software systems, embedded systems development, or deployment effort depending on interest. Students who want to work on the systems aspects should have strong programming and hacking skills, and students interested in embedded systems aspects should have PCB design and embedded software programming skills. Also, interdisciplinary students wishing to use sensor network techniques in their disciplines are encouraged to take this course. This seminar is offered in both an undergraduate and graduate versions - the graduate version will involve more complex assignments.

CMPSCI 691R: Seminar - Reliability in Information Integration and Collaborative Authoring

Professor: Miklau

Databases and text collections are increasingly formed by integrating data that is gathered from diverse sources or authored by diverse individuals. Examples include structured databases extracted and integrated from the Web, collaboratively-authored blogs and wikis, and scientific databases that are shared, freely annotated, and republished.These applications are characterized by open authorship: it is usually impossible to restrict who can contribute to the underlying data, or to directly constrain contributor's actions. Human error, malice, or simple disagreement is often unavoidable. In addition, data integration and data extraction procedures are imperfect. Databases and text collections must therefore cope with incorrect, uncertain, or inconsistent data.This seminar will survey a range of techniques for preventing, detecting (or in some cases, merely tolerating) unreliable data. Topics will be drawn from the fields of databases, information retrieval, and security. Highlights include:- Recording the provenance of data to provide evidence of its accuracy.- Capturing uncertainty in databases, and using probabilistic models to represent expectations of correctness in a data set. - The distributed management of identity, trust and reputation as a basis of judging author reliability (and by extension, content reliability).- The sensitivity of ranking to malicious behavior, and related spam resistance techniques.- The application of cryptography to authenticity in distributed data publishing.

CMPSCI 691T: Seminar - Technology and Aging

Professor: Hanson

We will all be senior citizens sooner or later. In light of the looming healthcare crisis faced by all industrialized countries, there is a growing need to commit resources to preventive care and lifestyle support. Technology is seen as playing a major role in this effort. This course will be an examination of contemporary issues in the deployment of technology in support of graceful aging. Our main emphasis will be on leading edge technology: What is being developed now, including low cost distributed sensor networks and small mobile robots, that might be applicable? Depending upon the class participants, we will look at various aspects of the cognitive, physical, and social aspects of aging and what role (assistive) technology is or might play in allowing elders to maintain independent lifestyles for as long as possible. The course will meet once a week for two hours. Class time will consist of talks by both class participants and outside guests. The course will require substantial individual research. Evaluation criteria will include course involvement, talks/papers, and one or more projects. This course will be given concurrently with 491TA; graduate students will be expected to assume a leadership role in the course and to give at least one major presentation.

CMPSCI 701: Advanced Computer Science Topics

Professor: Allan

This is a 6 credit reading course corresponding to the master s project. The official instructor is the GPD although the student does the work with and is evaluated by the readers of his or her master s project.

CMPSCI 791BB: Seminar - Advanced Machine Learning

Professor: Mahadevan

This course will explore a novel framework for learning that exploits the unique properties of the Laplace operator in extracting structure from data. The Laplace operator has been called the most beautiful object in all of math and physics. In the Laplacian framework, information flow through a data set is modeled like heat diffusing through a physical medium. This viewpoint has been surprisingly useful in designing a diverse range of powerful learning algorithms, including clustering, developmental learning, dimensionality reduction, regression, reinforcement learning, and (semi-)supervised learning. The course will cover the foundations underlying Laplacian methods, as well as state-of-the-art algorithms and applications.

CMPSCI 791JJ: Seminar - Conway Game Theory

Professor: Barrington

CMPSCI 791M: Seminar -Multi-Agent Organizations

Professor: Lesser, Corkill

Multi-Agent Organizations will play a critical role in the development of larger and more complex agent-based systems. Organization ideas are also relevant to the design, implementation and on-going management of large and complex distributed systems. As systems grow to include hundreds or thousands of agents, we must move from an agent-centric view of coordination and control to an organization-centric one. Organizational control is a multilevel control approach in which organizational goals, roles, and responsibilities are dynamically developed, distributed, and maintained to serve as guidelines for making detailed operational control decisions by the individual agents. By restricting the scope of local control decisions and communication actions, these organizational guidelines lower the cost of distributed resource allocation and agent coordination, help limit inappropriate agent behavior, and reduce the amount of communication necessary for agents to work together effectively. In this seminar, we will explore current issues in using designed and emergent organizational coordination in multi-agent systems. We will survey classic and recent work in organizational control of multi-agent systems and computational organization research. Participants will prepare presentations of papers and lead class discussions.

CMPSCI 891M: Theory of Computation

Professor: Immerman

The theory seminar is a weekly meeting in which topics of interest in the theory of computation - broadly construed - are presented. This is sometimes new research by visitors or local people. It is sometimes work in progress, and it is sometimes recent material of others that some of us present in order to learn and share.

CMPSCI 899: PhD Dissertation

Professor: Staff

CMPSCI H03: Honors Colloquium for CMPSCI 320

Professor: Fisher

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 stages of 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 H07: Honors Colloquium for CMPSCI 401

Professor: Rosenberg

Students will study additional topics in computability and complexity, through discussions (1 hour/week with professor), readings, and exercises. Specific topics will depend on student interest but may include algebraic automata theory, alternate models of computability, and interactive proofs. 1 credit.

CMPSCI H09: Honors Colloquium for CMPSCI 530

Professor: Wileden

The Honors section will meet with the instructor one hour per week to conduct additional exploration in the area of programming languages. Programming projects are also possible if student interest allows. 1 credit.

CMPSCI H14: Honors Colloquium for CMPSCI 453

Professor: Ganesan

Students enrolled in the honors section of CMPSCI 453 will meet for an additional hour per week with the instructor to discuss a project in advanced topics in Computer Networks including wireless networks and sensor networks. The project will involve hands-on exposure in designing, deploying and measuring outdoor wireless sensor networks. 1 Credit.

Last automatic generation: 6/22/2007 at 1:55:39 PM