Practical Series in Computer Science Course Descriptions

CS - 101. Introduction to Computer Systems and Applications (3)

The use of computers in a variety of personal and professional contexts, including word processing, spreadsheet analysis, database management, and presentation software. This course is essentially equivalent to CSSV 141 (Word Processing), CSSV 151 (Spreadsheet Analysis: Introductory), and CSSV 181 (Creating Presentations with Power Point I). Taught in lecture/lab format. Offered every Fall.

CS - 109. Computer Literacy (3)

Capabilities, limitations, and ethical issues associated with the use of computers; history and increasing impact on society. Instruction in topics selected from: use of networks, library systems, and various common software packages. Two hours lecture and two hours lab. Offered intermittently.

CS - 131. Creating Images: Photoshop I (1)

Prerequisite: Basic Windows or Macintosh skills. First in a three-part series. Introduction to image design, manipulation and processing for utilization in print, on the web and photographically. Acquiring images through scanning, from the Web and other sources. Introduction to Adobe Photoshop tools and palettes. Use of Photoshop tool in image correction, development and collaging. Students develop a portfolio of images. Taught in lecture/lab format using Adobe Photoshop. Offered Fall/Spring.

CS - 132. Creating Images: Photoshop II (1)

Prerequisite: PSCS - 131 or consent of instructor. Second in a three-part series. Introduction to image design, manipulation and processing for utilization in print, on the web and photographically. Painting, filling, and layering techniques. Masks, channels, electronic photo retouching, use of pen tool to create paths. Students develop a portfolio of images. Taught in lecture/lab format using Adobe Photoshop. Offered Fall/Spring.

CS - 133. Creating Images: Photoshop III (1)

Prerequisite: PSCS - 132 or consent of instructor. Third in a three-part series. Introduction to image design, manipulation and processing for utilization in print, on the web and photographically. Advanced layer and filter techniques, combining artwork from different sources. Color theory in relation to preparation of artwork for negative and positive printing, web and web animation. Students develop a portfolio of images. Taught in lecture/lab format using Adobe Photoshop. Offered Fall/Spring.

CS - 141. Word Processing (1)

Basic word processing including the creation, editing, merging and printing of documents. Block operations, search and replace, spell checking, footnotes, headers/footers, and type styling. Taught in lecture/lab format with exercises selected from contemporary word processors such as Microsoft Word. Offered every Spring.

CS - 142. Creative Tools: Publishing I (1)

Prerequisites: PSCS - 101 or PSCS - 141. Survey of desktop publishing systems and capabilities, including document import, layout, page formatting, zooming, printer and font setup. Enhancing publications through graphics; basic drawing tools; captions, logos, and photographs; cropping and panning techniques. Taught in lecture/lab format using Adobe Pagemaker. Offered every Spring.

CS - 143. Desktop Publishing II (1)

Prerequisite: PSCS - 142. Wrapping text around graphics. Adjusting text through manual kerning. Use of templates, style sheets, and clip art. Production of brochures, reports, journal articles, advertisements, newspapers, artistic works, books, etc. Taught in lecture/lab format using Adobe Pagemaker. Offered every Spring.

CS - 151. Spreadsheet Analysis: Introductory (1)

Learn to use Microsoft Excel as a spreadsheet tool to analyze and manage data. Topics: Windows Explorer, workbook window, menus, toolbars, commands, basic formulas, editing and formatting, simple functions, print options, opening/closing workbooks, worksheets, file management, numeric labels, values, date formats, serial dates, date calculation, mathematical operators, and relative versus absolute cell referencing. Taught in lecture/lab format using Microsoft Excel. Offered Fall/Spring.

CS - 152. Spreadsheet Analysis: Intermediate (1)

Prerequisites: PSCS - 101 or PSCS - 151. Learn to use Microsoft Excel as a spreadsheet tool to analyze data using advanced features, functions and charts. This course prepares students for CSSV 153. Topics: Charts (pie, column, line, area, bar, combination, exploding, 3-D), data mapping, link workbooks, 3-D formulas, IF functions, Lookup functions (vertical and horizontal), inserting comments, color fonts and background, autoformat, lock, protect and hide data or worksheets. Taught in lecture/lab format using Microsoft Excel. Offered Fall/Spring.

CS - 153. Spreadsheet Analysis: Advanced (1)

Prerequisite: PSCS - 152. Learn to use Microsoft Excel as a spreadsheet tool to analyze data using databases and macros. Enhance worksheet with Auto Shapes, Word-Art, pictures, clip art, drawing, graphic objects, text box, callouts. Analyze data using lists and database, data form, name list, auto filter, advanced filter, database functions, subtotals, PivotTables. Create macros and hyperlinks. Develop a customized spreadsheet application in student's field. Taught in lecture/lab format using Microsoft Excel. Offered Fall/Spring.

CS - 161. Database Computing I (1)

Overview of the design of database management systems and issues in the design of a relational database schema. Introduction to database creation, editing, querying, and report generation using a commercial database system. Taught in lecture/lab format. Offered every Fall.

CS - 162. Designing and Using Relational Databases (1)

Prerequisite: PSCS - 161. Application of basic principles to the design of relational databases: elimination of partial, transitive, and multivalued dependencies. Customized forms and reports. Importing and exporting data. Linking databases with the world-wide web. Taught in lecture/lab format. Offered every Fall.

CS - 163. Structured Query Language and Database Programming (1)

Prerequisite: PSCS - 162. Introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL). Incorporation of macros and customized functions into databases. Taught in lecture/lab format. Offered every Fall.

CS - 171. Introduction to Web Site Design (1)

Introduction to the Internet, web browsers, and e-mail. Procedures for accessing information on the web, including the use of search engines. Survey of major information sources. Taught in lecture/lab format. Offered Fall/Spring.

CS - 172. Web Site Design (1)

Creating and publishing web pages using editors such as Microsoft FrontPage and Netscape Composer. Font styles, colors, backgrounds, graphics, tables, and hypermedia links. Introduction to HTML. Taught in lecture/lab format. Offered Fall/Spring.

CS - 173. Advanced Web Site Design (1)

Prerequisite: PSCS - 172 or equivalent. Enhancing web pages using image maps, advanced graphics, frames, forms, style sheets, dynamic HTML, JavaScript, and Java Applets. Use of advanced composers such as NetObjects Fusion and Dreamweaver. Taught in lecture/lab format. Offered Fall/Spring.

CS - 177. Web 2.0: Blogs, Wikis, Maps & Apps (2)

As Tim Berners-Lee originally conceived the World-Wide Web, it should be user oriented and driven. With Web 2.0, it is finally getting there. With this course you should be able to use and set up your own Web 2.0 facilities, such as blogs (weblogs), wikis (information communities), and combinations such as RSS, mashups, tagging, and social networking; appreciate and evaluate the range of modern interactive applications on the World Wide Web; find and explore innovative interactive sites; and imagine the advances coming on the Web. Lecture and lab combined. No programming experience required.

CS - 181. Presentations with Power Point (1)

Planning, production, and implementation of computer-based multimedia presentations. Editing and formatting slides for individual and large-group presentations. Using ClipArt, WordArt, drawing tools and AutoShapes. Creating organization charts. Includes text, graphics, charts, tables, and templates. Involves individual student projects. Taught in lecture/lab format using PowerPoint software. Offered Fall/Spring.

CS - 182. Animations with Flash (1)

Customizing presentations. Integrating presentations with word processing and spreadsheet software. Preparing presentations for publication on the internet using hyperlinks, and other advanced applications. Involves individual student projects. Taught in lecture/lab format using PowerPoint software. Offered Fall/Spring.

CS - 183. Creating Animated Interfaces with Flash (1)

Introduction to animated multimedia presentations. Designing productions using techniques combining graphics, animation, sound, clip art, and interactivity. Involves individual student projects. Taught in lecture/lab format using MacroMedia Director software or equivalent. Offered Fall/Spring.

CS - 191. Computer Graphics and Animation (1)

Three-dimensional virtual worlds created with the Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) for use in worldwide web pages. Basic structures and adjustment of predefined simple and complex scenes. Survey of higher level tools for creating VRML worlds and other approaches to 3D web content. Taught in lecture/lab format using proprietary software and shareware. Offered every Spring.

CS - 192. 3D Computer Graphics: Modeling and Rendering (1)

Procedures used to construct three-dimensional computer graphics images; examples of 3D modeling paradigms (e.g., wireframe, functions, procedures); surface treatments (color, shading, texture and bump mapping); and rendering methods (raytracing, rasterization); demonstrations and hands-on model and 3D still-image creation. Taught in lecture/lab format using proprietary software and shareware. Offered every Spring.

CS - 193. 3D Computer Graphics: Animation Systems (1)

Survey of modern high-level systems for 3D object and character animation. Workflow, views, interface options in modern high-end 3D graphics production. Demonstrations of shaders, deformers, skeletons, inverse kinematics, particle systems, keyframing, camera path, and lighting. Creation of a short animation. Taught in lecture/lab format using proprietary software and shareware. Offered every Spring.