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CSS 105 Introduction to Programming thru Animated Storytelling (5) VLPA,QSR
Applies problem solving using creative media technology such as computer animation and simulation contemporary. Addresses social, scientific, ethical, and business underpinnings of information technology. Does not count credit toward the CSS degree or I/TCSS minor.
Instructor Course Description:
Kim N. Gunnerson
CSS 106 Computer Animation (5) VLPA/NW,QSR
Uses the creation of computer generated animation as a means to study communication of ideas based on digital media. Studies modeling, rendering, and animation with hands-on experimentation and practices.
CSS 161 Fundamentals of Computing (5) NW,QSR
Introduction to programming concepts within social, cultural, scientific, mathematical, and technological context. Topics include programming fundamentals (control structures, data types and representation, operations, functions and parameters), computer organization, algorithmic thinking, introductory software engineering concepts (specifications, design, testing), and social and professional issues (history, ethics, applications).
CSS 162 Programming Methodology (5) NW,QSR
Transition from basic programming skills to a rigorous process of software development. Familiarization with higher level programming techniques (recursion, generic programming) and constructs (object-orientation, lists, stacks, queues, searching, sorting). Emphasizes connection between mathematical/algorithmic thought (logic, sets, functions, number bases) and implementation. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.7 in CSS 161.
Instructor Course Description:
Michael D Stiber
CSS 198 Supervised Study (1-5, max 6)
Supervised exploration of computing-related topic or concept.
CSS 199 Computing Research (1-5, max. 6)
Exploration of computing research activities and processes as specified in a contract with a faculty member.
CSS 211 Computers and Society (5) I&S
Exploration and discussion of issues related to the development, support, and usage of computing technology in today' s society. Topics vary each quarter but include coverage of areas related to intellectual property rights, privacy, freedom of speech, liability, ethics, and labor.
CSS 225 Physics and Chemistry of Computer Components and Their Manufacture (5) QSR Jackels
Examination of the basic physics and chemistry underlying the design and manufacture of computer components. Introduction to the electronic structure of the solid state, the nature of p-n junctions, and basic transistor design. Aspects of materials and polymer science and photolithography employed in microchip manufacture. May not be repeated.
CSS 263 Programming and Discrete Mathematics (5)
Abstract representation as tools for software design. Fundamentals of mathematical thinking (predicate calculus, functions, relations, proofs, computational complexity) applied to abstract data types (lists, stacks) queues) and algorithmic strategies (divide-and-conquer, grey). Pointers and memory management in programming languages. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.5 in both CSS 162 and B CUSP 124.
Instructor Course Description:
Michael D Stiber
CSS 290 Topics in Computing (1-5, max, 10)
Examines current topics and issues associated with computing that are of broad relevanace.
Instructor Course Description:
Wanda V Gregory
CSS 301 Technical Writing for Computing Professionals (5)
Explores methods for writing effective system specifications, user documentation and requests for proposals (RFPs). Examines RFP analysis techniques, writing plans, proposals, marketing documentation, and customer communications. May not be repeated.
Instructor Course Description:
Laurie Joy Anderson
CSS 330 Topics in Mathematics for Software Development (1-5, max. 10)
Topics in intermediate mathematics as applied within the context of computer software application development. Topics chosen from the fields of intermediate calculus and finite mathematics.
CSS 332 Programming Issues with Object-Oriented Languages (2) Zander
Covers language and development/execution environment differences, including data types, control structures, arrays, and I/O; addressing and memory management issues including pointers, references, functions, and their passing conventions; object-oriented design specifics related to structured data and classes. Co-requisite: CSS 342
CSS 341 Fundamentals of Programming Theory and Applications (5)
Fundamental concepts and techniques for analysis, design and implementation of computer programming. Prerequisite: CSS 161; may not be repeated.
Instructor Course Description:
Charles F Jackels
CSS 342 Mathematical Principles of Computing (5)
Integrating mathematical principles with detailed instruction in computer programming. Explores mathematical reasoning and discrete structures through object-oriented programming. Includes algorithm analysis, basic abstract data types, and data structures. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.5 in CSS 162; B CUSP 124; may not be repeated.
Instructor Course Description:
Michael D Stiber
Valentin N. Razmov
CSS 343 Data Structures and Algorithms (5) Stiber, Zander
Develops competencies associated with problem-solving, algorithms, and computational models. Covers abstract data types and data structures, efficiency of algorithms, binary tree representations and traversals, searching, dictionaries, priority queues, hashing, directed graphs and graph algorithms, and language grammars. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.0 in CSS 301; minimum grade of 2.0 in either CSS 263 or CSS 342; minimum grade of 2.0 in either B CUSP 125 or MATH 125; may not be repeated.
Instructor Course Description:
Michael D Stiber
Carol Zander
CSS 350 Management Principles for Computing Professionals (5) Erdly
Through a team software project, explores critical interpersonal, communication, leadership, decision-making, social, and cultural theories drawn from contemporary research in anthropology, sociology, psychology, and business. Prerequisite: CSS 301, which may be taken concurrently; may not be repeated.
CSS 360 Software Engineering (5) Cioch
Surveys the software engineering processes, tools, and techniques used in software development and quality assurance. Topics include life-cycle models, process modeling, requirements analysis and specification techniques, quality assurance techniques, verification and validation, testing, project planning, and management. Prerequisite: CSS 301, which may be taken concurrently; either CSS 263, CSS 341 or CSS 342 which may be taken concurrently; may not be repeated.
CSS 370 Analysis and Design (5) Cioch
Methods and tools to capture and communicate requirements, proposed solutions, and design to management, customers, and software developers. Data, process, and object modeling using languages such as data flow diagrams, entity/relationship diagrams, and unified modeling language use cases and class and sequence diagrams. Prerequisite: 2.0 in CSS 301; 2.0 in either CSS 263 or CSS 342; 2.0 in CSS 360; may not be repeated.
CSS 371 The Business of Technology (5) Berger
Methods for aiding software development, communicating progress to customers/management, and developing marketing strategies for the product. Incorporates social, psychological, and ethical issues. May not be repeated. Offered: jointly with B EE 371.
CSS 385 Introduction to Game Development (5) VLPA/NW Sung
Examines the fundamental issues in designing and developing computer video games; creative and artistic elements, story narration, software architecture, interaction model, mathematic, physics, special effects, and in-game AI logic. Experiences elements in game design: world setting, game play, and interface; and experiences implementing games: conceptualization, prototyping, and play testing. Prerequisite: CSS 342. Offered: Sp.
CSS 390 Special Topics (1-5, max. 10)
Examines current topics and issues associated with computing and software systems.
Instructor Course Description:
Laura B. Schildkraut
Mark Kochanski
Wanda V Gregory
Carol Zander
CSS 411 Computing Technology and Public Policy (5) I&S
In depth investigation of economical, political, organizational, and societal ramifications of using computing technology. Evaluates current policy approaches, determines trends, and proposes changes. Topics vary by quarter.
Instructor Course Description:
Mark Kochanski
CSS 421 Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems (5) NW,QSR
An introduction to the architecture of modern microprocessors and operating systems. Examines the basic theories and concepts of how hardware and software cooperatively interact to accomplish real-world tasks. Prerequisite: either CSS 263 or CSS 342.
CSS 422 Hardware and Computer Organization (5) Berger
An introduction to the architecture, operation, and organization of a modern computing machine. Topics covered include basic logic operations, state-machines, register models, memory organization, peripherals, and system issues. Assembly language taught in order to understand the instruction set architecture and memory model of the computer. Prerequisite: CSS 162; may not be repeated. Offered: jointly with B EE 422.
CSS 427 Introduction to Embedded Systems (5) Berger
Introduction to the process of specifying and designing embedded systems. Follows the embedded systems development; software and hardware partitioning, processor selection, real-time operating systems, coding in assembly language and C, debugging, and testing. Lab experiments reinforce fundamental concepts using embedded design and debug tools. Prerequisite: CSS 422 or B EE 422; may not be repeated. Offered: jointly with B EE 427.
CSS 428 Advanced Embedded Systems (5)
Advanced topics and experiments in embedded systems. Topics may include real-time performance analysis, mission critical software design, RTOS kernel design, memory management, flash programming, VHDL design, real-world interfacing, and real-time debugging tools. Lab experiments include A/D conversion, flash programming, hard real-time interrupt-driven input/output. Prerequisite: CSS 427.
CSS 430 Operating Systems (5)
Principles of operating systems, including process management, memory management, auxiliary storage management, and resource allocation. Focus on the structure of the popular desktop and real-time operating systems. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.0 in CSS 343; may not be repeated.
CSS 432 Network Design (5)
Examines methods for designing LANs and WANs that optimize Quality of Service (QoS). Covers theoretical and practical element of the OSI protocol stack; routing protocols including OSPF and BGP; networking management/architecture; router configuration; security; and Internet policies. Explores emerging networking technologies. Prerequisite: CSS 301; either CSS 421 or CSS 422 which may be taken concurrently; may not be repeated.
CSS 434 Parallel and Distributed Computing (5) Fukuda
Concepts and design of parallel and distributed computing systems. Topics include: fundamentals of OS, network and MP systems; message passing; remote procedure calls; process migration and mobile agents; distributed synchronization; distributed shared memory; distributed file system; fault tolerance; and grid computing. Prerequisite: CSS 343.
Instructor Course Description:
Munehiro Fukuda
CSS 442 Object-Oriented Programming and Design (5) Zander
Topics include advanced programming methodologies for PC/workstation-based GUI applications and object-oriented modeling, programming, and design. Study and design applications in a large-scale team environment. Introduce design patterns. Prerequisite: CSS 343; CSS 370; may not be repeated.
CSS 443 Advanced Programming Methodologies (5) Sung
Examines programming methodologies, both theoretical and practical application aspects. From a theoretical aspect, explores approaches to analyzing and designing algorithms. In relation to practical applications, studies thread-based distributed application development. Prerequisite: CSS 343; may not be repeated.
Instructor Course Description:
Kelvin H. Sung
CSS 448 Introduction to Compilers (5) Zander
Introduction to the structures and organization of programming languages; fundamentals of translation; regular expressions and context-free grammars; syntax and lexical analysis, symbol tables, semantics and parsing, code generation; translation techniques such as LR, LL, and recursive descent. Prerequisite: CSS 343; may not be repeated.
Instructor Course Description:
Carol Zander
CSS 450 Computer Graphics (5) Sung
Introduces the hardware devices, reviews the mathematics, and discusses the algorithms of computer graphics in 2-D space. Discusses basic computer graphics terminology, concepts, algorithms, and how to design and implement 2-D interactive computer graphics-related programs. Prerequisite: CSS 342; may not be repeated.
Instructor Course Description:
Kelvin H. Sung
CSS 451 3-D Computer Graphics (5) Sung
Introduces practical and popular three-dimensional (3-D) graphic algorithms. Examines modeling (how to build 3-D objects), animation (how to describe the motion of objects), and rendering (how to generate images of 3-D objects in animation). Prerequisite: CSS 342; may not be repeated.
Instructor Course Description:
Kelvin H. Sung
CSS 455 Introduction to Computational Science and Scientific Programming (5) Jackels
Introduction to principles and fundamental algorithms of scientific computing, including applied linear algebra and numerical methods. Group projects address current computational problems in the physical, biological, and life sciences. Prerequisite: B CUSP 125; either CSS 162 or CSS 341; may not be repeated.
Instructor Course Description:
Charles F Jackels
CSS 457 Multimedia and Signal Computing (5) Stiber
How multimedia information is captured, represented, processed, communicated, and stored in computers. Topics include: physical properties of sound and images, digitization, digital signal processing, filtering, compression, JPEG and MPEG algorithms, and storage and network communication. Prerequisite: either CSS 263 or CSS 342; may not be repeated.
Instructor Course Description:
Michael D Stiber
CSS 458 Fundamentals of Computer Simulation Theory and Application (5) Rasmussen
Covers all aspects of computer simulation including theory, implementation, and application. Presents real-life interdisciplinary examples. Final student project models a real-life situation with a computer simulation. Prerequisite: either CSS 263 or CSS 342; may not be repeated; recommended: statistics.
CSS 461 Software Project Management (5) Cioch
Fundamental skills required for effective software project management, including project planning and tracking and people management. Topics include risk analysis, project scope, scheduling, resource allocation, cost estimation, negotiation, monitoring and controlling schedule, software metrics, quality management, process improvement, staffing, leadership, motivation, and team building. Prerequisite: CSS 360; may not be repeated.
CSS 473 Entrepreneurship Seminar (5)
Creates or works within a new venture. New venture situations include for-profit and non-profit companies and launching new products/services within existing companies. Develops a business plan. Offered: jointly with B BUS 443.
CSS 474 Product Development Lab (5)
Includes a technology project and product development within the dynamic of time-pressured competition. Focuses on systematically improving products to beat competition and win the customer. Topics include benchmarking, competitive intelligence, and managing small group product development. Offered: jointly with B BUS 444.
CSS 475 Database Systems (5)
Methods for obtaining requirements and designing database systems; differences between hierarchical, relational, and network database designs; techniques for designing and coding effective reporting procedures. Prerequisite: either CSS 263, CSS 341 or CSS 342; CSS 360; may not be repeated.
Instructor Course Description:
Kalpana Viswanathan
CSS 478 Usability and User-Centered Design (5)
Application of human information processing models, theories and human-computer interaction principles for designing interactive systems. Emphasis is on how usability methods could be incorporated into the system design lifecycle. Topics include user survey, heuristic evaluation, task analysis and experimental testing. Prerequisite: CSS 360; may not be repeated.
CSS 480 Principles of Human-Computer Interaction (5) Erdly
Examines fundamentals of human perception, human cognition, attention and memory constraints; role of user experience and intelligence; input and output devices; standards compliance; design of systems for individual versus collaborative work settings; rapid prototyping, user-centered design techniques, and design evaluation methods. Prerequisite: CSS 360; may not be repeated.
CSS 482 Expert Systems (5)
Theory and application of expert systems: computer systems that capture and use human expertise. Applications include computer configuration, fault diagnosis, computer-aided instruction, data interpretation, planning and prediction, and process control. Prerequisite: CSS 343; may not be repeated.
Instructor Course Description:
Michael D Stiber
CSS 485 Introduction to Artificial Neural Networks (5) Stiber
Application of biological computing principles to machine problem solving. State of the art in artificial neural networks (ANNs), including vision, motor control, learning, data analysis. Topics include ANN architectures, algorithms: perceptrons, Widrow-Hoff, backpropagation, Hebbian networks. Prerequisite: CSS 343; may not be repeated; recommended: prior exposure to linear algebra, probability, and calculus.
Instructor Course Description:
Michael D Stiber
CSS 487 Computer Vision (5) Olson
Methods for extracting content from digital images. Topics typically include linear filters, edge detection, segmentation, stereo vision, motion estimation, and object recognition: Examines applications of computer vision, such as image databases and robot navigation. Prerequisite: CSS 343.
CSS 490 Special Topics in Computing and Software Systems (1-5, max. 20)
Examines current topics and issues associated with computing and software systems. Offered: AWSpS.
Instructor Course Description:
Alan Leong
James Jeffry Howbert
Michael D Stiber
CSS 496 Applied Computing Seminar (5)
Group seminar project requires software development and research project in applied computing. Objectives include: integrating minor or concentration with computing, reviewing professional literature, writing technical documents, and presenting project results to technologists/end-users. Prerequisite: CSS 301; CSS 342; CSS 350; CSS 360; CSS 421; three additional CSS courses.
CSS 497 Cooperative Education (1-10-, max. 10)
Completion of project as delineated in a contract between student, faculty advisor, and community sponsor. Prerequisite: CSS 350; CSS 370; CSS 422; CSS 430; two additional CSS courses.
CSS 498 Independent Study (1-5, max. 10)
Individual study by arrangement with instructor.
CSS 499 Undergraduate Research (1-5, max. 10)
Design and implementation of a research study as specified in a contract with a faculty member.
CSS 501 Data Structures and Object-Oriented Programming I (4)
Covers data structures and object-oriented programming. Studies basic and advanced data types, their uses, and implementations. Students design solutions to programming problems using object-oriented techniques with various data types. Covers algorithms and their tradeoffs. Uses modern software engineering practices.
CSS 502 Data Structures and Object-Oriented Programming II (4)
Covers advanced data structures including trees, balanced trees, heaps, graphs, and hash tables along with associated algorithms. Covers object-oriented programming with a focus on design and implementation of problems using inheritance and polymorphism. Introduces formal automata theory. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.7 in CSS 501.
CSS 503 Systems Programming (4)
Examines the logical design and programming aspects of operating systems and network communication. Topics include processes, threads, synchronization, deadlocks, memory management, virtual memory, file systems, and client-server network programming. Prerequisite: minimum grade of 2.7 in CSS 502.
CSS 506 Software Development Processes (2)
Provides a foundation in software engineering processes, methods, and practices associated with prescriptive and agile software process models. Includes the creation of artifacts commonly used to communicate, justify, and manage computing projects.
CSS 507 Software Modeling Techniques (2)
Provides the concepts and skills needed to use modeling in software analysis and design to foster understanding and communications of a problem and its potential solutions. Includes the creation of modeling artifacts for projects by hand and using CASE tools. Prerequisite: CSS 506.
CSS 508 Software Testing and Quality (2)
Reviews approaches, concepts, and techniques used to validate and verify software and methods used to improve software processes. Students reflect on the applicability of software engineering and computer science methods. Prerequisite: CSS 507.
CSS 534 Parallel Programming in Grid and Cloud (5)
Exploration of theoretical programming methodology and practical middleware design used for parallel programming in grid and cloud systems. Uses different programming models, parallelizing patterns, and middleware systems for designing application-specific fault-tolerant parallel software. Prerequisite: CSS 543 or permission of instructor.
CSS 543 Advanced Programming Methodologies (5)
Builds on knowledge of data structures and operating systems, introducing thread based and component based multi-tier programming. Reviews synchronization mechanisms and design/implementation of concurrent applications, discusses language/system independent software resuse, component technology, and multi-tier application design and development.
CSS 552 Topics in Rendering (5) Sung
Studies core algorithms and technologies in synthesizing high quality images, including: camera models, 3D viewing, visibility sampling and approximation, light source models, material property approximation, illumination models, human vision system, and texture synthesis. Offered: W.
CSS 555 Evaluating Software Design (5)
Studies best software engineering practices and methods used in prescriptive and agile approached to create and evaluate software design from an quality principled point-of-view. Considers design from quality dimensions such as performance, scalability, maintainability, usability, and security.
CSS 565 Research Methods in Software Development (5)
In-depth study of research design and data analysis techniques for computing-related research activities. Students prepare a research proposal; examine experimental, quasi-experimental, and qualitative design strategies; perform meta-analytic research, define and collect appropriate software metrics; and perform appropriate advanced statistical analyses.
CSS 572 Evidence-Based Design (5)
Provides a foundation in evidence-based user-centered design theory, methods, and practices for creating innovative software-enabled products.
CSS 577 Secure Software Development (5)
Augment standard software engineering practices with practices to develop applications with low security risks. Covers security risk analysis and assessment, design practices, STRIDE, threat modeling, secure coding practices, fuzz and penetration testing, security response, and security-analysis tools. Prerequisite: CSS 555; CSS 565, or instructor permission.
CSS 583 Knowledge Management Systems (5)
Explores contemporary theoretical and practical implications of how to create and manage knowledge as acquired using technology. Uses different strategies such as XML, RDF, RDFS, and other approaches to provide methods and structures to organize and reference data for use within a variety of knowledge domains.
CSS 587 Advanced Topics in Computer Vision (5)
Covers advanced topics in computer vision. Includes image and video databases, object recognition, video processing, scene reconstruction, and robot vision. Students implement projects on current topics in computer vision research.
CSS 590 Special Topics in Computing (5, max. 15)
Special topics in computer science and software engineering. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
CSS 595 Capstone Project I (5)
First of the two-quarter capstone project sequence. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
CSS 596 Capstone Project II (5)
Second of the two-quarter capstone project sequence. Prerequisite: CSS 595; permission of instructor.
CSS 600 Independent Study or Research (1-5, max. 6)
Independent study or research on computing topics conducted under the direction of one or more instructors. Offered: AWSpS.
CSS 700 Master's Thesis (*)
