Elements Course Descriptions
Lower-Division
CS 301K: Foundations of Logical Thought
An entertaining and engaging introduction on how to think logically to solve problems.
CS 302: Computer Fluency
Learn how computing and computers work by applying technology to solve everyday problems. Involves discussion of social impacts, including privacy and security issues.
CS 303E: Introduction to Programming
An introduction to programming concepts using a simple but powerful scripting language. Involves problem solving and fundamental algorithms for various applications. CS 303E, CS 305J, or equivalent is required for certification.
CS 313E: Elements of Software Design
Learn how to use basic programming skills to design software, create graphical user interfaces (GUIs), and use pre-existing software components to create new usable systems. Students with prior programming experience may take CS 313E instead of CS 303E.
Upper-Division
Students must complete at least 6 hours upper-division coursework for certification.
CS 320N: Topics in Computer Science
Topics will vary each semester but may include the following:
- Visual Programming - An exploration of programming basics through an intuitive 3-D graphical environment that allows you to rapidly build virtual worlds.
- Computers from the Ground Up - Learn concepts in computer architecture and operating systems by actually building a computer.
- Contemporary Issues in Computing - An exploration of issues that straddle the boundaries between computer science, philosophy, public affairs, business, and other disciplines. Topics may include computer crime, human and machine interactions, and intellectual property rights.
- Great Ideas in Computing - Learn about the intellectual innovations that have transformed the modern world in remarkable ways including what types of problems have computational solutions, why speed matters, and what cyberspace is all about.
All courses listed below require CS 303E, CS 305J, or equivalent as a prerequisite. Some courses additionally require CS 313E when noted.
323E: Elements of Scientific Computing.
Learn the fundamentals of software issues related to scientific computing. Topics include floating-point computations, numerical computation errors, interpolation, integration, solution of linear systems of equations, optimization, and initial value problems of ordinary differential equations.
CS 324E: Elements of Graphics and Digital Media
An introduction to basic 2-D and 3-D computer graphics systems and how to manipulate digital media. Other topics may include animation, interactive graphics and game design, graphical user interfaces, and visual information presentation. CS 313E required.
CS 326E: Elements of Networking
Learn the principles and basic concepts of the Internet and the World Wide Web, including wired and wireless networks, security, privacy, hypertext and HTML, Wikis, and file sharing via peer-to-peer networking.
CS 327E: Elements of Databases
An introduction to SQL and the fundamentals of database technology to facilitate information searches. Learn valuable skills used in many work environments and research practices. CS 313E required.
CS 329E: Topics in Elements of Computing
Topics will vary each semester but may include the following:
- Elements of Algorithm Design and Analysis -
Explore applications of algorithm design for computational
problems in biology and other disciplines, including whole genome sequencing, phylogeny reconstruction, and multiple sequence alignment. No formal background in programming or biology required.
- Elements of Artificial Intelligence - Obtain the computational and mathematical background required to understand the science of building state-of-the-art programs that can reason, learn, move, and communicate.
- Elements of Computing in Society - Analyze computing and its role in society. Topics may include privacy, free speech on the Internet, newspapers vs. bloggers, defending against hackers, copyright laws, who's responsible if a program fails, and what happens if computers and robots take over human jobs.
- Elements of Modeling Biological Data -
Learn the basics of organizing experimental data in flexible databases, including project planning and online results publication with graphical data-modeling methods and integral support tools.
No formal background in programming or biology required.
- Elements of Navigating Cyberspace -
Peak beneath the surface of the Internet to see how modern digital media actually operate. Topics may include how music and audio - such as iTunes and YouTube - work online, spyware and phishing, addresses and domains, Wikis, and CGI scripting.
- Elements of Web Programming - Create your own digital presence on the World Wide Web by learning how to build web sites and databases using the latest technology. CS 313E required.
