Computer Science

USAO offers an outstanding bachelor's degree program in computer science. USAO's unique Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) program combined with technical courses in computer science, mathematics, and business produces graduates with a competitive advantage. IDS courses provide computer scientists with an integrated understanding of other disciplines which have been recognized as important in the transfer of technology to other fields.

Students may select from one of two program tracks. The scientific track combines course work in computer science with advanced mathematics, such as calculus, linear algebra, statistics, and numerical analysis for students interested in careers in scientific applications or in pursuing graduate work in computer science. The Management of Information Systems track combines courses in computer science with courses in accounting, economics, business administration, management, and marketing for students interested in seeking immediate business careers.

Regardless of which track is selected, students must complete a minimum of 30 hours of computer science course work. Common to both tracks is a programming language core based upon three trimesters of COBOL and C. The remainder of the computer science course work is taken from computer organization, database design, programming languages, operating systems, and other special topics.  

USAO's computer facilities are state-of-the-art. Computer science course work is taught using Windows-based computers networked to a DEC VAX 4700 mid-range computer. These facilities provide for an environment in which students will learn computing on systems that they will encounter when they leave USAO. The computer science faculty recommends that computer science majors purchase an Windows-based computer when they begin the program.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Scientific Track

Required Course Core (42 hours):
Course Title Hours Required
CSCI 2143 Programming in "C" I 3
CSCI 2243 Programming in "C" II 3
CSCI 2343 Programming in COBOL 3
CSCI 3043 Discrete Mathematics 3
CSCI 3143 Data Structures 3
CSCI 3443 Graphical User Interface/OOP 3
CSCI 3453 Computer Organization 3
CSCI 4053 Database Design* 3
CSCI 4143 Programming Languages* 3
CSCI 4153 Algorithm Analysis 3
CSCI 4163 Software Engineering 3
CSCI 4453 Computer Architecture* 3
CSCI 4713 Operating Systems 3
CSCI 4753 Computer Networks* 3
CSCI 4880 Special Topics* 3
CSCI 4911 Senior Colloquium 3

Supporting courses (22 hours):
MATH 1145 Calculus I/Analytical Geometry 5
MATH 2225 Calculus II/Analytical Geometry 5
MATH 3233 Linear Algebra 3
MATH 3243 Calculus III 3
MATH 4303 Probability/Statistics 3
MATH 4413 Numerical Analysis 3

 * Choose four of these for 12 hours


Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Management of Information Systems Track

Required Course Core (39 hours):
Course Title Hours Required
CSCI 2143 Programming in "C" I 3
CSCI 2243 Programming in "C" II 3
CSCI 2343 Programming in COBOL 3
CSCI 2353 File Organization 3
CSCI 3043

Discrete Mathematics*

 3
CSCI 3143 Data Structures 3
CSCI 3443 Graphical User Interface/OOP 3
CSCI 3453 Computer Organization 3
CSCI 4053 Database Design 3
CSCI 4143 Programming Languages* 3
CSCI 4163 Software Engineering 3
CSCI 4243 Algorithm Analysis* 3
CSCI 4453 Computer Architecture* 3
CSCI 4713 Operating Systems 3
CSCI 4753 Computer Networks* 3
CSCI 4880 Special Topics* 1-4
CSCI 4911 Senior Colloquium 3

Supporting Courses (24 hours):
MATH 1123 College Algebra 3
MATH 2203 Elementary Statistics 3

and

ACCT 2103 Principles of Accounting I 3
ACCT 2203 Principles of Accounting II 3
BADM 3223 Business Communication 3
BADM 3243 Principles of Marketing** 3
ECON 2113 Principles of Economics I 3
ECON 2123 Principles of Economics II 3
MGMT 3253 Business Organization/Management 3
MGMT 3373 Human Resource Management** 3

* Choose four of these for 12 hours
** Choose one of the courses listed

Minor in Computer Science

27 hours, including CSCI 2143, CSCI 2243, CSCI 2343, CSCI 3143, CSCI 3453, plus 12 hours of computer science courses to be selected with approval of computer science advisor.

 

COURSE LISTINGS in COMPUTER SCIENCE

1143 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SCIENCE
 General computer concepts including computer capabilities, data representation and programming techniques (BASIC language). 3 hours.

2043 PROGRAMMING IN BASIC
 Programming in Basic. Topics covered include formatted output, logical operation, looping, arrays, graphics, and sequential and random files. 3 hours. Prerequisites: IDS 2003 or CSCI 1143, and MATH 1113. 

2143 PROGRAMMING IN "C" I
 "C" I is an introduction to programming techniques and covers basic programming with functions. Character processing, data types, arrays and storage classes are included with an introduction to pointers. This is a foundation course for computer science majors and an introduction for general programming techniques. 3 hours.

2243 PROGRAMMING IN "C" II
 "C" I is a continuation of "C" I and covers pointers in greater detail. Both linear and multidimensional arrays are introduced and then correlated to pointer access. Strings will be presented and pointer association with these and recursive techniques. File access will be complemented with software tools and an introduction to C++ and Object Oriented Programming. 3 hours. Prerequisite: CSCI 2143

2343 PROGRAMMING IN COBOL
 General problem solving techniques and design of the COBOL language. Formulation and solution of representative business problems (such as payroll and inventory) using business-oriented language (COBOL). 3 hours. Prerequisites: IDS 2003 or CSCI 1143, and Math 1113. 

2353 FILE ORGANIZATION
 File processing concepts, alternative file organization including sequential, indexed, and relative. Programming solution of practical business applications using alternate file organization methods. 3 hours. Prerequisite: CSCI 2343. 

2443 SYSTEM ANALYSIS & DESIGN
 Principles, techniques, and procedures for analyzing, designing, and implementing systems for information management and application of business programs and database systems for implementation of representative systems. 3 hours. Prerequisite: CSCI 2353.   

2543 DIGITAL DESIGN
 Elements of number systems, Boolean algebra, minimization procedures, combinational logic, sequential logic, finite state machines, analysis and synthesis of circuits. 3 hours. Prerequisites: CSCI 1143, CSCI 2243 and MATH 1123.

2643 ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING
 Study of machine representation of numbers and characters, instruction formats and addressing techniques using an assembly language. Topics include input/output routines, arrays, macros, and file management. 3 hours. Prerequisites: CSCI 2243 and CSCI 2543. 

2880 SPECIAL TOPICS
 Special topics in computer science. 1-4 hours (may be repeated for total of 6 hours).

2900 WORKSHOP
 Guided study in computer science under faculty supervision; various topics and methods of instruction. 1-4 hours (may be repeated for total of 6 hours with change in title and topic). 

2990 TUTORIAL
 Independent study in computer science under faculty supervision. 1-4 hours (may be repeated for total of 9 hours with change in title and content).

3043 DISCRETE MATHEMATICS
 Mathematics for foundations of computer science. Topics include sets, functions, relations, symbolic logic, algebraic structures, graphs and counting techniques. 3 hours. Prerequisite: MATH 1145 or permission of instructor. 

3143 DATA STRUCTURES
 Study of data structures, including arrays, stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, sorting and files. Various algorithms studied and implemented on existing systems. 3 hours. Prerequisite: CSCl 2243. 

3343 GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE-OBJECT ORIENTED PROGRAMMING
 Graphical User Interface is an introduction to human-computer interaction and graphical user interfaces with object oriented programming.  Topics include drawing in 2-D primitives, the 2-D graphic pipeline, human-computer interaction, window systems, and some extensions of 3-D graphics.  Current graphics programming tools will be used with object oriented programming techniques.  Prerequisite: CSCI 2243.

3453 COMPUTER ORGANIZATION
 Introduction to organizing and structuring hardware components of computers and the mechanics of information transfer and control. 3 hours. Prerequisite: CSCI 2543 or CSCI 2643. 

4053 DATABASE DESIGN
 Fundamental concepts of database design and management, including relational, network, and hierarchical database systems. 3 hours. Prerequisites: CSCI  2353 and CSCI 3143. 

4143 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
 Introduction to structure and facilities of procedure-oriented programming languages. Several languages will be presented to demonstrate capabilities. 3 hours. Prerequisites: CSCI 2143, CSCI 2343, and CSCI 3143. 

4153 ALGORITHM ANALYSIS
 Fundamental algorithms, including sorting, searching, string processing, graph algorithms, mathematical algorithms, and NP-complete problems. 3 hours. Prerequisite: CSCI 3143 and CSCI 3143. 

4163 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
 Development of software as an engineering product which requires planning, analysis, design, implementation, and testing. 3 hours. Prerequisite: CSCI 3243. 

4453 COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
 Basic concepts of computer systems design and communication between components along with examples of architectures of different generations of computer systems. 3 hours. Prerequisite: CSCI 3453. 

4713 OPERATING SYSTEMS
 Investigation of fundamental concepts of operating systems, including program management, input/output control systems, systems deadlock, and file management. Different operating systems compared. 3 hours. Prerequisite: CSCI 3143. 

4880 SPECIAL TOPICS
 Special advance topics in computer science in areas of formal language and Automata, compiler theory, artificial intelligence, parallel processing, and network theory. 1-4 hours. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. 

4900 WORKSHOP
 Related topics and problems in computer science. 1-4 hours (may be repeated for total of 9 hours with change in title and content). Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

4990 TUTORIAL
 Independent study in computer science under faculty supervision. 1-4 hours (may be repeated for total of 9 hours with change in title and content).

4911 SENIOR COLLOQUIUM
 A forum where faculty and students present new developments in computer science.  Also, review of fundamental computer science concepts.