May 02, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalogue 
    
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2018-2019 Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions

Course Numbering

The College of Wooster uses a five-digit course numbering system. The first three digits indicate the primary course number. The next two digits are the secondary course number and indicate whether there is a special focus for the course. For example:

The first letters are the department or program abbreviation. The next three digits are the primary course number (101 is the primary course number for all Introduction to Historial Study courses). The last two digits are the secondary course number. These two digits indicate that the special focus for this HIST 101 course is The History of Islam. A course with a given three-digit primary course number can only be taken once for credit unless specifically indicated otherwise by the department.

The following policy has been used in assigning primary course numbers:

  • 100-level courses are usually introductory courses; some 100-level courses do have prerequisites, and students are advised to consult the description for each course.
  • 200-level courses are usually beyond the introductory level, although many 200-level courses are open to first-year students and to majors and non-majors.
  • 300-level courses are seminars and courses primarily for majors but open to other students with the consent of the instructor.
  • The following numbers are for Independent Study: I.S. 40100 (Junior Independent Study), I.S. 45100 and I.S. 45200 (Senior Independent Study).

In addition to the regular course offerings, many departments offer individual tutorials under the number 40000 and internships under 41000. On occasion, departments will offer a course on a special topic as approved by the Educational Policy Committee, designated 19900, 29900, or 39900.

Abbreviation

In keeping with the general education requirements of the College’s curriculum
(see Degree Requirements ), course listings employ the following abbreviations:

W Writing Intensive 

C Studies in Cultural Difference

R Religious Perspectives

Q Quantitative Reasoning

AH Learning Across the Disciplines: Arts and Humanities

HSS Learning Across the Disciplines: History and Social Sciences 

MNS Learning Across the Disciplines: Mathematical and Natural Sciences

Except where otherwise noted, all courses carry one course credit.
 

Computer Science
  

  • CSCI 10000 - Scientific Computing

    Course Credit: 1
    SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING The purpose of this course is to show some of the connections between computer science and other disciplines such as mathematics and the natural sciences. We will study the fundamental computer science concepts for the design and implementation of solutions to problems that can be solved through approximations, simulations, interpolations, and recursive formulas. Annually. Fall and Spring. [MNS]
  

  • CSCI 10200 - Multimedia Computing

    Course Credit: 1
    MULTIMEDIA COMPUTING The purpose of this course is to show some of the connections between the humanities, social science, and computer science. We will study the fundamental computer science concepts for the design and implementation of animations, simulations, simple computer games and three-dimensional virtual worlds. Annually. Fall. [MNS]
  

  • CSCI 11000 - Imperative Problem Solving

    Course Credit: 1
    IMPERATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING This course emphasizes the imperative view of problem solving, supported by problem solutions implemented in the C programming language. Some topics include: top-down and procedural design; algorithm development for interesting problems such as the Sieve of Eratosthenes, a Magic Square, displaying the Mandelbrot Set; introduction to recursion; C language constructs such as variables, sequential statements, control structures, functions, parameters, pointers, arrays; and introduction to the C standard library. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-10000 or CSCI-10200 Annually. Fall and Spring. [MNS]
  

  • CSCI 12000 - Data Structures and Algorithms

    Course Credit: 1
    DATA STRUCTURES AND ALGORITHMS Building on the basic problem solving skills developed in CS 11000, this course adds tools to solve more complex problems using the C++ programming language. It introduces classic data structures used to store collections of data efficiently. It further develops software-engineering practices-including testing, documentation, and object-oriented programming-that aid in the construction of solutions for complex problems. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-11000; CSCI-12000L Annually. Fall and Spring. [MNS]
  

  • CSCI 20000 - Algorithm Analysis

    Course Credit: 1
    ALGORITHM ANALYSIS This course covers standard and advanced algorithms for problem solving in computer science. Brute force, recursion, greedy strategies, and dynamic programming techniques are applied to real world problems. Time-space analysis is performed for various algorithm and data structure pairings. The limitations of algorithms are also studied in the context of NP-completeness. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-12000, and either MATH-21500, MATH-22300, OR MATH-21100 Annually. Spring.
  

  • CSCI 21000 - Principles of Computer Organization

    Course Credit: 1
    PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTER ORGANIZATION This course provides an overview of computer systems design and architecture, and machine language. Topics include: instruction set design, register transfers, data-path design, pipelining, controller design, memory systems, addressing techniques, microprogramming, computer arithmetic. A survey of popular computer systems and microprocessors reinforce how real computer systems are designed. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-12000 Fall.
  

  • CSCI 21200 - Operating Systems

    Course Credit: 1
    OPERATING SYSTEMS Beginning with a brief historical perspective of the evolution of operating systems over the last fifty years, students are introduced to the important 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), and file systems. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-12000 Fall.
  

  • CSCI 22000 - Theory of Computation

    Course Credit: 1
    THEORY OF COMPUTATION The theory of abstract machines and formal languages is introduced in this course. Computability by finite automata, pushdown automata, and Turing machines is examined and related to pattern matching, lexical analysis, compilation and programming for digital computer systems. Proofs by induction, construction, contradiction, and reduction are used to formalize computability theory and the limitations of computing. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-12000, and either MATH-21500 OR MATH-22300 Fall.
  

  • CSCI 22200 - Programming Languages

    Course Credit: 1
    PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES Beginning with a study of the historical development of programming languages, students are introduced to the decisions involved in the design and implementation of such programming language features as elementary, structured, and user-defined data types, sub-programs, sequence control, data control, and storage management. Selected features of several existing languages are examined in the context of these issues. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-12000 Fall.
  

  • CSCI 23000 - Software Engineering–Mobile Computing

    Course Credit: 1
    SOFTWARE ENGINEERING - MOBILE COMPUTING Software engineering is the discipline concerned with the application of theory, knowledge, and practice to effectively and efficiently build reliable software systems that satisfy the requirements of customers and users. Students are introduced to the field of software engineering in the context of the design and implementation of software for mobile devices. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-12000 Spring.
  

  • CSCI 23200 - Software Engineering-Databases

    Course Credit: 1
    SOFTWARE ENGINEERING - DATABASES Software engineering is the discipline concerned with the application of theory, knowledge, and practice to effectively and efficiently build reliable software systems that satisfy the requirements of customers and users. Students are introduced to the field of software engineering in the context of the design and implementation of database-driven software applications. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-12000 Spring.
  

  • CSCI 27900 - Problem Seminar

    Course Credit: 0.25
    PROBLEM SEMINAR This course provides the opportunity for students to practice solving challenging computer science problems. Typically, this is for those students intending to prepare for the ACM programming contest in which the College participates. The ACM contest is the culmination of this course. May be repeated. S/NC. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-11000 Fall.
  

  • CSCI 30000 - Computer Graphics

    Course Credit: 1
    COMPUTER GRAPHICS This course explores the theory and application of computer graphics through the evolution of graphics algorithms and rendering hardware. Topics include 2-D and 3-D transformations and projections, illumination models, texture mapping, animation techniques, user interfaces, and rendering algorithms. Group projects, lab assignments and in class activities expose students to the practical problems inherent in computer graphics problem solving. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-20000, CSCI-23000 OR CSCI-23200, and MATH-21100 Fall.
  

  • CSCI 31000 - Machine Intelligence

    Course Credit: 1
    MACHINE INTELLIGENCE This course is a hands-on introduction to machine learning and artificial intelligence. The main question addressed is: How can we design good computer algorithms that improve automatically through experience (e.g. similar to the way humans learn)? Multiple machine learning models are examined. The goal of the course is that students begin to understand some of the issues and challenges facing machine learning while being exposed to the pragmatics of implementing machine learning systems. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-20000, CSCI-23000, OR CSCI-23200 Spring.
  

  • CSCI 32000 - User Interface Design

    Course Credit: 1
    USER INTERFACE DESIGN This course explores human computer interaction theory within the framework of user interface design. The material includes user centered design principles, prototyping and evaluation techniques and implementation of interfaces. Human capabilities (including the human information processor model, perception, motor skills, color, attention, and errors) are discussed. Small and medium scale user interfaces are developed during the semester along with several team projects. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-20000, CSCI-23000, OR CSCI-23200 Fall.
  

  • CSCI 33000 - Computer Networking and Communication

    Course Credit: 1
    COMPUTER NETWORKING AND COMMUNICATION This course provides a broad introduction to fundamental concepts in the design and implementation of computer communication networks, their protocols, and applications. Topics to be covered include: network design principles, protocol layering, naming and addressing, TCP/IP protocol, unicast and multicast routing, flow control, routing algorithms, network security. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-20000, CSCI-23000, OR CSCI-23200 Spring.
  

  • CSCI 40000 - Tutorial

    Course Credit: 0.25
    Maximum Credit: 1
    TUTORIAL This course is given for topics not normally covered in regular courses. May be repeated.
  

  • CSCI 41000 - Internship

    Course Credit: 0.25
    Maximum Credit: 1
    INTERNSHIP A structured, usually off-campus, experience in which a student extends classroom knowledge to a work position within a community, business, or governmental organization. Student interns work and learn under the joint guidance of a host organization supervisor and a College of Wooster mentor. The student must arrange the internship in advance through the appropriate department or program. No more than six internships, and a maximum of four Wooster course credits, will count toward graduation.
  

  • CSCI 45100 - Independent Study Thesis

    Course Credit: 1
    SENIOR INDEPENDENT STUDY–SEMESTER ONE The first semester of the Senior Independent Study project, in which each student engages in creative and independent research guided by a faculty mentor and which culminates in a thesis and an oral examination in the second semester. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-20000 Annually. Fall and Spring.
  

  • CSCI 45200 - Independent Study Thesis

    Course Credit: 1
    SENIOR INDEPENDENT STUDY–SEMESTER TWO The second semester of the Senior Independent Study project, which culminates in the thesis and an oral examination. Prerequisite(s): CSCI-45100 Annually. Fall and Spring.