DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER AND

INFORMATION SCIENCE (CIS)

Thomas W. Cole, Jr., Research Center for Science and Technology Room 1015

Telephone: 404-880-6951

Master of Science in Computer Science

August 2008

The department of Computer and Information Science proposes changes to the MS program. These changes allow this degree program to better align to current development in Computer Science and to be more competitive in the market.

The thirty hours program will be offered in two tracks: with thesis and with-out thesis. The first track enables students who are interested in an academic carrer to establish a record or significant research. The second track is geared toward students who are interested in advancing in their professional carrier with a graduate degree.

Students can elect courses from three concentrations: Computer Science Engineering, Networks and Security, and Internet Technologies. A number of electives has been added to the program for these concentrations.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The department will consider an applicant who has:

a. At least a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an approved college or university and is prepared for advanced study as shown by her/his previous scholastic records;

b. Completed at least twenty-one (21) semester hours of courses above the sophomore level in the area of pursuit;

c. Submitted the results of the general and advanced sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and three letters of recommendation by professionals, two of which are related to the area to be pursued; and

d. Satisfied any additional requirements listed by the School of Arts and Sciences and the University.

Applicants who do not have a baccalaureate degree in Computer Science or a related field may be required to take up to twelve (12) semester hours of courses out of the sequence of CCIS 571 to CCIS 576. The department may waive one or more requirements if an applicant demonstrates superior performance (“B” grade or above) in any of these classes.

Requirements for the M.S. Degree in Computer Science without thesis:

The program requires a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of course including:

a. Twelve (12) hours of graduate core courses, i.e. four courses out of CCIS 672, CCIS 673, CCIS 674, CCIS 675 and CCIS 691;

b. Three (3) hours of Graudate Seminar CCIS 601; and

c. Fifteen (15) hours of concentration electives. Concentration electives are available in Computer Science Engineering (CSE), Networks and Security, and Internet Technology.

Requirements for the M.S. Degree in Computer Science with thesis:

The program requires a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of course including:

a. Twelve (12) hours of graduate core courses, i.e. four courses out of CCIS 672, CCIS 673, CCIS 674, CCIS 675 and CCIS 691;

b. Six (6) hours of concentration electives. Concentration electives are available in Computer Science Engineering (CSE), Networks and Security, and Internet Technology;

c. Attendance of Graudate Thesis Seminar CCIS 602; and

d. Twelve (12) hours of Thesis Research distributed over at least two semesters.

Students who enrol in the with-thesis-track must submit and defend a graduate thesis according to the guidelines of the Graduate Handbook.

Course Description

CCIS 500: Applications Software. 3 credits

For non-majors. emphasizing hands-on training in the use of Microsoft Office Suites, including application-oriented projects in word processing, spreadsheets, database design, and presentations design. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

CCIS 503: Business Application Tools. 3 credits

For non-majors. Business tools for data analysis, spreadsheet and elementary database management; programming with SAS, SPSS-X, Lotus 1-2-3, DBASE III+, etc.

CCIS 509: Introduction to Information Systems. 3 credits

Study of Information Systems at an introductory level. Topics include data structures, hardware concepts, software engineering, programming languages, and operating systems.

CCIS 571: Introduction to Algorithms. 3 credits

Study of algorithm design, using appropriate data structures. Topics in algorithms for sorting, searching and graph traversal and complexity issues.

CCIS 572: Introduction to Computer Architecture. 3 credits

Study of logical organization of computer hardware and functional components.

CCIS 573: Introduction to Operating Systems. 3 credits

Study of basic operating system structures and designs, including process management, resource management and implementation.

CCIS 574: Introduction to Database Systems. 3 credits

Study of basic concepts of data bases, query processing and other topics of interest.

CCIS 575: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence. 3 credits

Introductory study of intelligent problem solving and search algorithms, inference systems, machine intelligence and knowledge organization.

CCIS 576: Programming Languages and Compilers. 3 credits

Overview of syntactic, semantic and pragmatic principles of programming. Parsing, translation and compiler construction.

CCIS 601: Graduate Seminar. 1 credits

Weekly seminar for all graduate students in the non-thesis track and the five year BS/MS program.

CCIS 602: Graduate Thesis Seminar. 0 credits

Weekly seminar for all graduate students in the thesis track.

CCIS 671: Algorithm Design and Analysis. 3 credits

Study of algorithm design and analysis techniques. Topics include designing algorithms for sorting, order statistics, set manipulation, graphs, fast Fourier transforms and mathematical manipulations. An introduction to NP completeness theory.

Prerequisites: CCIS 371, CCIS 571.

CCIS 672: Computer Organization. 3 credits

Advanced study of logical organization of functional components of computers,including processors, control units and memory. Topics also include interconnection networks, memory hierarchies, array and pipeline machines. Prerequisites: CCIS 372, CCIS 572.

CCIS 673: Operating Systems Design. 3 credits

Advanced study of major issues in operating systems including resource management, concurrent programs and duality of operating systems.

Prerequisites: CCIS 373, CCIS 573.

CCIS 674: Database Design. 3 credits

Advanced study of database design including data models, relational interfaces, relational database design, query optimization, crash recovery and concurrency control. Concepts are reinforced via design projects.

Prerequisite: CCIS 374 or CCIS 574.

CCIS 675: Artificial Intelligence. 3 credits

Advanced study of problem solving, theorem proving, knowledge representation,expert systems, learning and natural language processing.

Prerequisite: CCIS 375 or CCIS 575.

CCIS 676: Theory of Programming Languages Design. 3 credits

Study of features of modern programming languages and issues of modular, concurrent, functional, logic and object programming. Topics also include exception handling and software reuse.

Prerequisite: CCIS 376 or CCIS 576.

CCIS 681: Computability Theory. 3 credits

Introduction to computability theory including recursive function theory, Turingmachines and self-modifying programs.

Prerequisites: CCIS 271, CCIS 371 or CCIS 571.

CCIS 683: Algorithms for Parallel Computers. 3 credits

Study of parallel algorithms and architecture. Topics include design and analysis of parallel algorithms for sorting, searching, graphs, mathematical manipulations and numerical problems. Prerequisites: CCIS 671 and CCIS 672.

CCIS 691: Software Engineering. 3 credits

Study of the concept of software process as a framework for developing software systems with emphasis on various management issues. Topics in alternative models for the software process.

Prerequisite: CCIS 321 or graduate standing.

CONCENTRATION: COMPUTER SCIENCE ENGINEERING

CCIS 701: Logic Circuit Design. 3 credits

Study of the design of switching and sequential circuits, including timing, structure, realization and modular logic design and related problems of physical design and modeling.

Prerequisite: CCIS 121, CCIS 372 or CCIS 572.

CCIS 702: VLSI Design. 3 credits

Study of VLSI systems design, emphasizing quantitative characterization, analysis and computer techniques.

Prerequisite: CCIS 701.

CCIS 703: Microprocessor Design. 3 credits

Introductory study of the concept, design and operation of microprocessors. Topics include architecture, programming, comparative microprocessor evaluation, system design techniques and applications.
Prerequisite: CCIS 372 or CCIS 572, CCIS 701, CCIS 702.

CCIS 709: Digital Signal Processing 3 credits

Study of signals in a digital representation and the processing methods of these signals. Topics include time-series analysis, transformations, and filters.

Corequisite: CCIS 709L

CCIS 709L: Digital Signal Processing Laboratory 0 credits

Hands-on projects in Digital Signal Processing.

Corequisite: CCIS 709.

CCIS 710: Embedded Systems 3 credits

Embedded systems are computers that are often specialized for a single task. Topics include system architecture, real-time system, input/output devices and development kits.

Corequisite: CCIS 710L.

CCIS 710L: Embedded Systems Laboratory 0 credits

Hands on projects in Embedded Systems

Corequisite: CCIS 710.

CCIS 711: Image Processing 3 credits

Study of theories of image manipulation and feature extraction. Topics include pixel transformation, filters, edge-detection, color spaces and corrections, and compression.

Prerequisites: CCIS 709 and CMAT 321.

Corequisite: CCIS 711L.

CCIS 711L: Image Processing Laboratory 0 credits

Hands on projects in Image Processing

Corequisite: CCIS 711.

CCIS 712: Computer Vision 3 credits

Topics include feature extraction, pattern recognition, spatial recognition, fast color tracking, and stereoscopic vision.

Prerequisite: CCIS 711.

Corequisite: CCIS 712L.

CCIS 712L: Computer Vision Laboratory 0 credits

Hands on projects in Computer Vision.

Corequisite: CCIS 712.

CCIS 713: Robotics 3 credits

Topics include hierarchical and reactive paradigms, localization and navigation, analysis of range and vision sensors, planning, and multi-agent paradigms.

Prerequisite: CCIS 675.

Corequisite: CCIS 713L.

CCIS 713L: Robotics Laboratory 0 credits

Hands on projects in Robotics.

Corequisite: CCIS 713.

CCIS 714: Distributed Systems 3 credits

Provides a comprehensive overview of the concepts relevant to information security. Concepts include development of security policy, malicious code, general purpose protection of resources, trusted systems, and cryptography.

CCIS 715: Pattern Recognition. 3 credits

Introduction to theory and application of decision-theoretic and syntactic methods of pattern recognition. Topics include deterministic and statistical algorithms, cluster seeking and automatic learning of decision functions and grammars. Prerequisite: CMAT 321.

CONCENTRATION: NETWORKS AND SECURITY

CCIS 720: Data Communication 3 credits

Study of theories and methods to data communication techniques, data link control, multiplexing and communication networking.

CCIS 721: Information Security 3 credits

Provides a comprehensive overview of the concepts relevant to information security. Concepts include development of security policy, malicious code, general purpose protection of resources, trusted systems, and cryptography.

CCIS 722: Computer Forensics 3 credits

The objective of computer forensics is to pertain legal evidence found in computer files and storage media. Topics include methods and tools to recover deleted or distorted data, encryption, intrusion detection, and analysis of log files.

CCIS 723: Wireless and Wired Networks 3 credits

Study of design and analysis techniques for wireless and wired computer networks. Topics include network device hardware, topologies, medium access control, protocol models like OSI, routing, and QoS.

CCIS 724: Tools for Information Assurance. 3 credits

Study of commercial off-the-shelf and research tools relevant to information assurance. Topics include: firewalls, password cracking, system administration tools, intrusion detection and prevention, and wireless security.

CONCENTRATION: INTERNET TECHNOLOGY

CCIS 729: Internet Application Design. 3 credits

Internet applications require software on the client side and on the server side. This course focuses on server side programming. Topics include Common Gateway Interface (CGI), server pages, database access, and AJAX.

Prerequisite: CCIS 574.

CCIS 730: Digital Multi-media. 3 credits

Introduction of concepts and tools to create and distribute digital photographs, video and sound. Topics include data formats, streaming protocols, compression algorithms, bandwidth requirements, perceived quality, water-marking, digital signatures, and Digital Rights Protection.

CCIS 731: Human Computer Interfaces. 3 credits

Study of human factors involved in interaction with computers. Topics include terminal emulation, split-screen technology, menu-driven input, command-line processing and response-time considerations.

CCIS 732: E-Commerce with Web-services. 3 credits

Study of electronic commerce applications. Topics include technical infrastructure, business strategies, performance metrics, and policies.

CCIS 735: Knowledge-intensive Systems. 3 credits

Study of expert systems, data-mining, and knowledge representation. Topics include rule-based programming, semantic web, reasoning, cluster analysis and self-organizing maps.

Prerequisite: CCIS 675.

RESEARCH AND PRACTICAL TRAINING

CCIS 800: Practical Training. 3 credits

Advanced practical training with government laboratories and industry via cooperative education and internship programs. To receive credit for this course, a student must register prior to undertaking the proposed work. Prerequisite: consent of the department.

CCIS 801: Topics in Computer Science. 3 credits

Advanced study of a topic of current interest in the department, leading to a publishable technical report. Note: May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: consent of the department.

CCIS 803: Research/Design Project. 3 credits

Research or design project under supervision of a member of the faculty of the department.

CCIS 821: Thesis Research. 3-9 credits