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Catalog 2003-2005
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100-200 | 300 | 400 | Graduate Courses

Computer Science
www.cs.iastate.edu
Carl K. Chang, Chair of Department
Professors: Bergman, C. Chang, Fernandez-Baca, Honavar, Kothari, Leavens, J. Lutz, Maddux, Miller, Slutzki, Wong
Professors (Emeritus): Brearley, Oldehoeft, Stewart, Thomas
Associate Professors: Aluru, J. M. Chang, Chaudhuri, Cruz-Neira, Gadia, Huang, R. Lutz, Prabhu, Tyagi
Associate Professors (Adjunct): Kendall
Assistant Professors: Aduri, Chou, Eulenstein, Jia, Lumpe, Margaritis, Miner, Ruan, Tavanapong, Tian

Undergraduate Study
The curriculum in Liberal Arts and Sciences leading to a bachelor of science degree with a major in computer science is designed to prepare students for positions as computer scientists with business, industry, or government, or for graduate study in computer science. This program has been accredited by the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board, Inc.

To complete an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, a student must satisfy the requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (see Liberal Arts and Sciences, Curriculum) and include the following courses within the group requirements: Phil 343; Sp Cm 212; 14 credits of math and statistics including Math 165, Math 166, Stat 330, and at least one math course from Math 265, 266, 304, 307, 314, or 317; a minimum of 12 credits of natural science including Phys 221, 222, and at least one additional natural science course from the following list: A Ecl 312, Anthr 202, 307, BBMB 221, Biol 201, 201L, 202, 202L, 312, Bot 304, Chem 163-231, Ent 370, Env S 324, FS HN 167, Gen 260, Geol 101, 102, 201, 306, 311, 412, Mat E 207, 211, Mteor 206, 301, Psych 310, Zool 155, 156, 258, 310; English proficiency requirement: Engl 104, 105 and one of Engl 302, 305, 309 or 314. The minimum grade accepted in each of the three required English courses is a C-.

Students wishing to pursue the B.S. degree in computer science must first successfully complete the premajor program consisting of the following courses and minimum grade requirements:

Course Minimum Grade
104 C-
227 C-
228 C-
Math 165 C-

Students majoring in computer science must successfully complete this premajor program prior to taking any other courses in the Department. Thus, for computer science majors, this premajor serves as a necessary prerequisite to all the other courses offered by the Department.

A minimum of 44 credits is required for the B.S. degree in computer science. The required courses are: Com S 101, 104, 203, Cpr E 210, Com S 227, 228, 309, 311, 321, 330, 331, 342, 352, 362 or 363. In addition, two advanced-level courses must be selected from the following groups:
Group W: 440, 454, 476
Group B: 401, 425, 430, 461, 472, 474
Group N: 418, Math 421, Math 471, Math 481, Cpr E 484, Cpr E 485, Cpr E 489,
M E 519

Courses in Group W require written reports and those in Group B require both oral and written reports. Students must take one course from Group B and one course from any group.

Students must earn a C- or better in each course in the department which is a prerequisite to a course listed in the student’s degree program.

Graduate Study
The department offers work for the degrees master of science and doctor of philosophy with a major in Computer Science. The doctor of philosophy may also be earned with computer science as a co-major with some other discipline. Additionally, the department offers minor work to students majoring in other departments.
Established research areas include algorithms, artificial intelligence, computational complexity, computer architecture, bioinformatics, computational biology, computer networks, database systems, formal methods, information assurance, machine learning and neural networks, multimedia, operating systems, parallel and distributed computing, programming languages, robotics, and software engineering. There are also numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary research.

Typically, students beginning graduate work in Computer Science have completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science. However, some students with undergraduate majors in other areas, such as mathematical, physical, or biological science or engineering, become successful graduate students in Computer Science.

For the degree master of science, a minimum of 31 semester credits are required. A thesis demonstrating research and the ability to organize and express significant ideas in computer science is required.

Com S 591 is required and it is taken during the first semester of a normal Graduate program.

The purpose of the doctoral program is to train students to do original research in Computer Science. Each student is also required to attain knowledge and proficiency commensurate with a leadership role in the field. The Ph.D. requirements, governed by the student’s program of study committee within established guidelines of the department and the graduate college, include coursework, demonstrated proficiency in three areas of Computer Science, a research skills requirement, a preliminary examination, and a doctoral dissertation and final oral examination.

The department recommends that all graduate students majoring in Computer Science teach as part of their training for an advanced degree.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 309, 311, 321, 330, 331, 342, 352, 362, 363, 381, 401, 411, 425, 426, 430, 440, 454, 455, 461, 471, 472, 474, 476, 481, 484.

Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students
Com S 101. Orientation. (1-0) Cr. R. Half semester. F.S. Introduction to the procedures and policies of Iowa State University and the Department of Computer Science, test-outs, honorary societies, etc. Issues relevant to student adjustment to college life will also be discussed. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Com S 103. Computer Applications. (3-2) Cr. 4. F.S. Introduction to computer literacy and applications. Applications: Windows, Internet browser/HTML, word processing, spreadsheets, database management and presentation software. Literacy: history of computing, structure of computers, telecommunications, computer ethics, computer crime, and history of programming languages. No prior computer experience necessary.

Com S 104. Introduction to Computers. (3-2) Cr. 4. F. Use of personal computer and workstation operating systems and software. Overview of machine architecture and telecommunications. Project-oriented approach to word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database management, Internet usage, HTML and other software. Beginning programming in Visual Basic, Unix. Topics from computer history, programming languages, algorithm development, and societal impact. No prior computer experience necessary. This course is for computer science pre-majors.

Com S 107. Applied Computer Programming. (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 103, Math 104 or 140 or 150. Introduction to computer programming for non-majors using a language such as the Visual Basic language. Basics of good programming and algorithm development. Graphical user interfaces.

Com S 201. Computer Programming in COBOL. (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 107 or 207 or 227. Computer programming in COBOL. Emphasis on the design, writing, debugging, and testing of business applications programs in a transaction-oriented environment.

Com S 203. Careers in Computer Science. (1-0) Cr. R. Half semester. F.S. Computer science as a profession. Introduction to career fields open to computer science majors. Relationship of coursework to careers. Presentations by computer science professionals. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Com S 207. Programming I. (3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Math 150 or placement into Math 140/141/142 or higher. An introduction to computer programming using an object-oriented programming language. Emphasis on basics of good programming techniques and style through extensive practice in top-down design, writing, running, and debugging small programs. Procedural abstraction. Use of abstract data types. This course is designed for nonmajors. Credit may not be applied toward graduation for both 207 and 227.

Com S 208. Programming II. (3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 207, credit or enrollment in Math 151, 160, or 165. An introduction to data structures and algorithm analysis. Recursion. List and file processing. Dynamic data structures. Data abstraction and implementation. Emphasis on design, writing, documenting and testing medium-sized programs. This course is designed for nonmajors. Credit may not be applied toward the major.

Com S 227. Introduction to Object-oriented Programming. (3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 104 or 107 or prior programming experience, credit or enrollment in Math 165. An introduction to object-oriented design and programming techniques. Symbolic and numerical computation. Recursion and iteration. Modularity procedural and data abstraction, specifications and subtyping. Object-oriented techniques. Imperative programming. Emphasis on principles of programming and object-oriented design through extensive practice in design, writing, running, debugging, and reasoning about programs. This course is designed for majors. Credit may not be applied toward graduation for both 207 and 227.

Com S 228. Introduction to Data Structures. (3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 227, Math 165, credit or enrollment in 104 and Math 166. An object-oriented approach to data structures and algorithms. Object-oriented analysis, design, and programming, with emphasis on data abstraction, inheritance and subtype polymorphism. Abstract data type specification and correctness. Collections and associated algorithms, including stacks, queues, trees, searching, sorting, graphs and file processing. Analysis of algorithms. Emphasis on object-oriented design, writing and documenting medium-sized programs. This course is designed for majors.

Com S 290. Independent Study. Cr. arr. F.S. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.
H. Honors

Com S 309. Software Development Practices. (3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 228, Engl 104. A practical introduction to methods for managing software development. Process models, requirements analysis, structured and object-oriented design, coding, testing, maintenance, cost and schedule estimation, metrics. Programming projects. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 311. Design and Analysis of Algorithms. (3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 228, Math 166, Engl 104, and either 330 or Cpr E 310. Basic techniques for design and analysis of efficient algorithms. Sorting, searching, graph algorithms, computational geometry, string processing and NP-completeness. Design techniques such as dynamic programming and the greedy method. Asymptotic, worst-case, average-case and amortized analyses. Data structures including heaps, hash tables, binary search trees and red-black trees. Programming projects. Credit may not be applied toward graduation for both 311 and 381. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 321. Introduction to Computer Architecture and Machine-Level Programming. (3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 228, Cpr E 210 and Engl 104. Introduction to computer architecture and organization. Emphasis on evaluation of performance, instruction set architecture, datapath and control, memory-hierarchy design, and pipelining. Assembly language on a simulator. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 330. Discrete Computational Structures. (3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 228, Math 166 and Engl 104. Concepts in discrete mathematics as applied to computer science. Logic, proof techniques, set theory, relations, graphs, combinatorics, discrete probability and number theory. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 331. Theory of Computing. (Same as Ling 331.) (3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: Math 166, Engl 104, and either 330 or Cpr E 310. Models of computation: finite state automata, pushdown automata and Turing machines. Study of grammars and their relation to automata. Limits of digital computation, unsolvability and Church-Turing thesis. Chomsky hierarchy and relations between classes of languages. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 342. Principles of Programming Languages. (3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 321, Engl 104, 330 or Cpr E 310, and either 309, 362 or 363. Organization of programming languages emphasizing language design concepts and semantics. Study of language features and major programming paradigms, especially functional programming. Programming projects. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 352. Introduction to Operating Systems. (3-1) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 321, Engl 104, and either 362 or 363. Survey of operating system issues. Introduction to hardware and software components including: processors, peripherals, interrupts, management of processes, threads and memory, deadlocks, file systems, protection, virtual machines and system organization, and introduction to distributed operating systems. Programming projects. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 362. Object-Oriented Analysis and Design. (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 228 and Engl 104. Object-oriented requirements analysis and systems design. Design notations such as the United Modeling Language. Design Patterns. Group design and programming with large programming projects. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 363. Introduction to Database Management Systems. (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Prereq: 228 and Engl 104. Relational, object-oriented, and semistructured data models and query languages. SQL, ODMG, and XML standards. Database design using entity-relationship model, data dependencies and object definition language. Application development in SQL-like languages and general purpose host languages with application program interfaces. Information integration using data warehouses, mediators and wrappers. Programming Projects. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 381. Introduction to Data Structures for Biologists. (4-0) Cr. 4. S. Prereq: 207 or equivalent programming experience. An object-oriented approach to programming and data structures for biologists. Object-oriented programming. Strings. Stacks. Queues. Recursion. Lists. Trees. Graphs. Sorting, Algorithm Analysis. The course is designed to provide the fundamentals of data structures and programming for biology students that already have basic programming skills. Not for major credit. Credit may not be applied toward graduation for both 311 and 381. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 398. Cooperative Education. Cr. R. Required of all cooperative students. Prereq: Permission of department chair. Students must register for this course prior to commencing each work period.

Com S 401. Computer-Based Information Systems. (2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Engl 105, Sp Cm 212, an additional 9 Com S credits at the 200 level or above and either 362 or 363. Systems concepts and implementations for supporting production-oriented information systems; data and terminal access methods; operating systems implementations; database management systems implementations; data dictionary considerations; data communication considerations, lab experiments and implementations. Oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 418. Introduction to Computational Geometry. (Dual-listed with 518.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2005. Prereq: 311 or permission of instructor, Engl 105, Sp Cm 212. Introduction to data structures, algorithms, and analysis techniques for computational problems that involve geometry. Line segment intersection, polygon triangulation and visibility problems, range queries, point location, arrangements and duality, Voronoi diagrams and Delaunay triangulation, convex hulls. Other selected topics. Programming assignments. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 421. Logic for Mathematics and Computer Science. (Same as Math 421.) See Mathematics.

Com S 425. High Performance Computing for Scientific and Engineering Applications. (Same as Cpr E 425.) (3-1) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 311, 330, Engl 105, Sp Cm 212. Introduction to high performance computing using different computing platforms including parallel computers and workstation clusters. Discussion of performance, visualization, and software development issues. Sample applications from science and engineering. Practical issues in high performance computing will be emphasized via a number of programming projects and case studies. Oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 426. Introduction to Parallel Algorithms and Programming. (Dual-listed with 526, same as Cpr E 426.) See Computer Engineering. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 430. Advanced Programming Tools. (3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 311, 362 or 363, Engl 105, Sp Cm 212. Topics in advanced programming techniques and tools widely used by industry (e.g., event-driven programming and graphical user interfaces, standard libraries, client/server architectures and techniques for distributed applications). Emphasis on programming projects in a modern integrated development environment. Oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 440. Principles and Practice of Compiling. (Dual-listed with 540.) (3-1) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 331, 342, Engl 105, Sp Cm 212. Theory of compiling and implementation issues of programming languages. Programming projects leading to the construction of a compiler. Projects with different difficulty levels will be given for 440 and 540. Topics: lexical, syntax and semantic analyses, syntax-directed translation, runtime environment and library support. Written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 454. Distributed and Network Operating Systems. (Dual-listed with 554; same as Cpr E 454.) (3-1) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2005. Prereq: 311, 352, Engl 105, Sp Cm 212. Laboratory course dealing with practical issues of design and implementation of distributed and network operating systems and distributed computing environments (DCE). The client server paradigm, inter-process communications, layered communication protocols, synchronization and concurrency control, and distributed file systems. Graduate credit requires additional in-depth study of advanced operating systems. Written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 455. Simulation: Algorithms and Implementation. (Dual-listed with 555.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 311and 330, Stat 330, Engl 104, Sp Cm 212. Introduction to discrete-event simulation with a focus on computer science applications, including performance evaluation of networks and distributed systems. Overview of algorithms and data structures necessary to implement simulation software. Discrete and continuous stochastic models, random number generation, elementary statistics, simulation of queuing and inventory systems, Monte Carlo simulation, point and interval parameter estimation. Graduate credit requires additional in-depth study of concepts. Oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 461. Database Systems Concepts and Internals. (3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 311, Engl 105, Sp Cm 212 and Com S 363. Data models. Algebraic, first order, and user oriented query languages. Data storage, access methods, query execution, and transaction management. Parallel and distributed databases. Special purpose databases. Information integration using data warehouses, mediators, wrappers, and data mining. Oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 471. Computational Linear Algebra and Fixed Point Iteration. (Same as Math 471.) See Mathematics. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 472. Principles of Artificial Intelligence. (Dual-listed with 572.) (3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 311, 330 or Cpr E 310, Stat 330, Engl 105, Sp Cm 212, Com S 342 or comparable programming experience. Specification, design, implementation, and selected applications of intelligent software agents and multi-agent systems. Computational models of intelligent behavior, including problem solving, knowledge representation, reasoning, planning, decision making, learning, perception, action, communication and interaction. Reactive, deliberative, rational, adaptive, learning and communicative agents and multiagent systems. Artificial intelligence programming. Graduate credit requires a research project and a written report. Oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 474. Elements of Neural Computation. (3-1) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 311, 330 or Cpr E 310, Stat 330, Math 165, Engl 105, Sp Cm 212, Com S 342 or comparable programming experience. Introduction to theory and applications of neural computation and computational neuroscience. Computational models of neurons and networks of neurons. Neural architectures for associative memory, knowledge representation, inference, pattern classification, function approximation, stochastic search, decision making, and behavior. Neural architectures and algorithms for learning including perceptions, support vector machines, kernel methods, bayesian learning, instance based learning, reinforcement learning, unsupervised learning, and related techniques. Applications in Artificial Intelligence and cognitive and neural modeling. Hands-on experience is emphasized through the use of simulation tools and laboratory projects. Oral and written reports. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 477. Problem Solving Techniques for Applied Computer Science. (Dual-listed with 577.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 228, 330 or Cpr E 310, Math 166 and Math 307 (or Math 317), or consent of the instructor. Selected topics in applied mathematics and modern heuristics that have found applications in areas such as geometric modeling, graphics, robotics, vision, human machine interface, speech recognition, computer animation, etc. Polynomial interpolation, roots of polynomials, resultants, solution of linear and nonlinear equations, approximation, data fitting, fast Fourier transform, linear programming, nonlinear optimization, Lagrange multipliers, genetic algorithms, integration of ODEs, curves, curvature, Frenet Formulas, cubic splines, and Bezier curves. Programming components. Written report for graduate credit.

Com S 481. Numerical Solution of Differential Equations and Interpolation. (Same as Math 481.) See Mathematics. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Com S 490. Independent Study. Cr. arr. F.S. Prereq: 6 credits in computer science, permission of instructor. No more than 9 credits of 490 may be counted toward graduation. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.
H. Honors

Courses Primarily for Graduate Students, Open to Qualified Undergraduate Students
Com S 502. Complex Adaptive Systems Seminar. (Same as CAS 502, E E 502.) (1-0) Cr. 1. F.S. Prereq: Admissions to CAS minor. Understanding core techniques in artificial life are based on basic readings in complex adaptive systems. Understand techniques of complex system analysis methods including: Evolutionary computation, Neural nets, Agent based simulations (Agent based Computational Economics). Large-scale simulations are to be emphasized, e.g. power grids, whole ecosystems.

Com S 503. Complex Adaptive Systems Concepts and Techniques. (Same as CAS 503, E E 503.) (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Admission to CAS minor. Understanding of Computer Modeling of Complex Systems, Complex adaptive systems approach to the study of evolutionary computation, neural computation, cellular computation, computational models of immune systems, complexity theory, computational economics, and other fields of application.

Com S 507. Numerical Solution of Ordinary Differential Equations. (Same as Math 507.) See Mathematics.

Com S 511. Design and Analysis of Algorithms. (Same as Cpr E 511.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 311. A study of basic algorithm design and analysis techniques. Advanced data structures, amortized analysis and randomized algorithms. Applications to sorting, graphs, and geometry. NP-completeness and approximation algorithms.

Com S 512. Formal Methods in Software Engineering. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 311, 330. A survey of formal methods relevant to the software life-cycle process including requirements, specifications, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance. Implications of formal results for software prototyping and automated testing.

Com S 515. Software System Safety. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 309 or 311, 342. An introduction to the analysis, design, and testing of software for safety-critical and high-integrity systems. Analysis techniques, formal verification, fault identification and recovery, model checking, and certification issues. Emphasizes a case-based and systematic approach to software’s role in safe systems.

Com S 518. Introduction to Computational Geometry. (Dual-listed with 418.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2005. Prereq: 311 or permission of instructor. Introduction to data structures, algorithms, and analysis techniques for computational problems that involve geometry. Line segment intersection, polygon triangulation and visibility problems, range queries, point location, arrangements and duality, Voronoi diagrams and Delaunay triangulation, convex hulls. Other selected topics. Programming assignments. A scholarly report must be submitted for graduate credit.

Com S 525. Numerical Analysis of High Performance Computing. (Same as Cpr E 525, Math 525.) See Computer Engineering or Mathematics.

Com S 526. Introduction to Parallel Algorithms and Programming. (Dual-listed with 426, same as Cpr E 526.) See Computer Engineering.

Com S 531. Theory of Computation. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 331. A systematic study of the fundamental models and analytical methods of theoretical computer science. Computability, the Church-Turing thesis, decidable and undecidable problems, and the elements of recursive function theory. Time complexity, logic, Boolean circuits, and NP-completeness. Finite-state and pushdown computation.

Com S 540. Principles and Practice of Compiling. (Dual-listed with 440, same as Cpr E 540.) (3-1) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 331, 342, Engl 105, Sp Cm 212. Theory of compiling and implementation issues of programming languages. Programming projects leading to the construction of a compiler. Projects with different difficulty levels will be given for 440 and 540. Topics: lexical, syntax and semantic analyses, syntax-directed translation, runtime environment and library support. Written reports.

Com S 541. Programming Languages. (3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 342 or 440. Survey of the goals and problems of language design. Formal and informal studies of a wide array of programming language features including type systems, naming, state, and control. Creative use of functional and declarative programming paradigms.

Com S 548. Fundamental Algorithms in Computational Biology. (Same as BCB 548, Gen 548.) (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 311 and some knowledge of programming. Introduction, design and analysis of fundamental algorithms and methods for molecular biology. Topics include pairwise sequence alignment, alignment heuristics, biological database and retrieval systems, multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetic trees, physical mapping, genome rearrangements, DNA-chips, fragment assembly, protein folding, and genetic networks.

Com S 549. Advanced Algorithms in Computational Biology. (Same as BCB 549, Cpr E 549.) (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 311 and either 228 or 208. Design and analysis of algorithms for applications in computational biology, pairwise and multiple sequence alignments, approximation algorithms, string algorithms including in-depth coverage of suffix trees, semi-numerical string algorithms, algorithms for selected problems in fragment assembly, phylogenetic trees and protein folding. No background in biology is assumed. Also useful as an advanced algorithms course in string processing.

Com S 550. Evolutionary Problems for Computational Biologists. (Same as BCB 550, Gen 550.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 311 and some knowledge of programming. Discussion and analysis of basic evolutionary principles and the necessary knowledge in computational biology to solve “real world” problems. Topics include character and distance based methods, phylogenetic tree distances, and consensus methods, and approaches to extract the necessary information from sequence-databases to build phylogenetic trees.

Com S 551. Computational Techniques for Genome Assembly and Analysis. (Same as BCB 551.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 311 and some knowledge of programming. Huang. Introduction to practical sequence assembly and comparison techniques. Topics include global alignment, local alignment, overlapping alignment, banded alignment, linear-space alignment, word hashing, DNA-protein alignment, DNA-cDNA alignment, comparison of two sets of sequences, construction of contigs, and generation of consensus sequences. Focus on development of sequence assembly and comparison programs.

Com S 552. Principles of Operating Systems. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 352. A comparative study of high-level language facilities for process synchronization and communication. Formal analysis of deadlock, concurrency control and recovery, and system performance. Protection issues including capability-based systems, access and flow control, encryption, and authentication.

Com S 554. Distributed and Network Operating Systems. (Dual-listed with 454, same as Cpr E 554.) (3-1) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2005. Prereq: 311, 352. Laboratory course dealing with practical issues of design and implementation of distributed and network operating systems and distributed computing environments (DCE). The client server paradigm, inter-process communications, layered communication protocols, synchronization and concurrency control, and distributed file systems. Graduate credit requires additional in-depth study of advanced operating systems. Written reports.

Com S 555. Simulation: Algorithms and Implementation. (Dual-listed with 455.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Com S 311and 330, Stat 330. Introduction to discrete-event simulation with a focus on computer science applications, including performance evaluation of networks and distributed systems. Overview of algorithms and data structures necessary to implement simulation software. Discrete and continuous stochastic models, random number generation, elementary statistics, simulation of queuing and inventory systems, Monte Carlo simulation, point and interval parameter estimation. Graduate credit requires additional in-depth study of concepts. Oral and written reports.

Com S 556. Analysis Algorithms for Stochastic Models. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Com S 331, Math 307, and Stat 330. Introduction to the use of stochastic models to study complex systems, including network communication and distributed systems. Data structures and algorithms for analyzing discrete-state models expressed in high-level formalisms. State space and reachability graph construction, model checking, Markov chain construction and numerical solution, computation of performance measures, product-form models, approximations, and advanced techniques.

Com S 561. Principles of Database Systems. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 311, 363. Database models. Algebraic, first order, and user-oriented query languages. Database schema design. Physical storage, access methods, and query processing. Transaction management, concurrency control, and crash recovery. Database security. Parallel and distributed databases, and special purpose databases. Data warehousing and data mining.

Com S 562. Implementation of Database Systems. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 461 or 561. Implementation topics and projects are chosen from the following: Storage architecture, buffer management and caching, access methods, design, parsing and compilation of query languages and update operations, application programming interfaces (APIs), user interfaces, query optimization and processing, and transaction management for relational, object-oriented, semistructured (XML), and special purpose database models; client-server architectures, metadata and middleware for database integration, web databases.

Com S 572. Principles of Artificial Intelligence. (Dual-listed with 472.) (3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 311, 331, Stat 330, Com S 342 or comparable programming experience. Specification, design, implementation, and selected applications of intelligent software agents and multi-agent systems. Computational models of intelligent behavior, including problem solving, knowledge representation, reasoning, planning, decision making, learning, perception, action, communication and interaction. Reactive, deliverative, rational, adaptive, learning and communicative agents. Artificial intelligence programming. Graduate credit requires a research project and a written report. Oral and written reports.

Com S 573. Machine Learning. (3-1) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 311, 331 , 362, Stat 330. Algorithmic models of learning. Design, analysis, implementation and applications of learning algorithms. Learning of concepts, classification rules, functions, relations, grammars, probability distributions, value functions, models, skills, behaviors and programs. Agents that learn from observation, examples, instruction, induction, deduction, reinforcement and interaction. Computational learning theory. Data mining and knowledge discovery using artificial neural networks, support vector machines, decision trees, Bayesian networks, association rules, dimensionality reduction, feature selection and visualization. Learning from heterogeneous, distributed, dynamic data and knowledge sources. Learning in multi-agent systems. Selected applications in automated knowledge acquisition, pattern recognition, program synthesis, bioinformatics and Internet-based information systems.

Com S 574. Intelligent Multiagent Systems. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Stat 330, Com S 331, Com S 572 or Com S 573 or Com S 472 or Com S 474. Specification, design, implementation, and applications of multi-agent systems. Intelligent agent architectures, agent infrastructures, languages and tools for design and implementation of distributed multi-agent systems, multi-agent organizations, communication, interaction, cooperation, team formation, negotiation, competition, and learning. Agent based distributed computing. Agent-oriented software engineering. Applications in distributed intelligent information networks for information retrieval, inference, and discovery from heterogeneous, autonomous, distributed, dynamic information sources.

Com S 576. Motion Strategy: Algorithms and Applications. (Dual-listed with 476.) (3-1) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Engl 105, Sp Cm 212, Com S 311 or M E 519, or consent of instructor. Recent techniques for developing algorithms that automatically generate continuous motions while satisfying geometric constraints. Applications in areas such as robotics and graphical animation. Basic path planning. Kinematics, configuration space, and topological issues. Collision detection. Randomized planning. Nonholonomic systems. Optimal decisions and motion strategies. Coordination of multiple bodies. Representing and overcoming uncertainties. Visibility-based motion strategies. Implementation of software that computes motion strategies. Written reports.

Com S 577. Problem Solving Techniques for Applied Computer Science. (Dual-listed with 477.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 228, 330 or Cpr E 310, Math 166 and Math 307 (or Math 317), or consent of the instructor. Selected topics in applied mathematics and modern heuristics that have found applications in areas such as geometric modeling, graphics, robotics, vision, human machine interface, speech recognition, computer animation, etc. Polynomial interpolation, roots of polynomials, resultants, solution of linear and nonlinear equations, approximation, data fitting, fast Fourier transform, linear programming, nonlinear optimization, Lagrange multipliers, genetic algorithms, integration of ODEs, curves, curvature, Frenet Formulas, cubic splines, and Bezier curves. Programming components.

Com S 583. Reconfigurable Computing Systems. (Same as Cpr E 583.) See Computer Engineering.

Com S 585. Advanced Computer Architecture. (Same as Cpr E 585.) See Computer Engineering.

Com S 586. Computer Network Architectures. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 511, 552 or Cpr E 489. Design and implementation of computer communication networks: layered network architectures, local area networks, data link protocols, distributed routing, transport services, network programming interfaces, network applications, error control, flow/congestion control, interconnection of heterogeneous networks, TCP/IP, ATM networks, network security and web computing.

Com S 587. Principles of Distributed and Network Programming. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 352 or Cpr E 489 or equivalent. Programming paradigms for building modern distributed applications, including multithreaded client-server programming, distributed object frameworks and programming languages. Web-based computing. Directory services. Mobile computing. Network multimedia applications. Reliability and manageability of networked systems, including aspects of distributed system security, verification of concurrent systems, and network management.

Com S 590. Special Topics. Cr. arr. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Com S 591. Graduate Orientation Seminar. (1-0) Cr. 1. F. Prereq: Graduate classification. Topics include an introduction to ISU computing facilities, M.S. and Ph.D. degree requirements, career choices, ethics, literature searching, technical presentations, technical writing, ethics in writing, and discussion of research interests and projects by members of the graduate faculty. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Com S 594. Computational Molecular Biology. (Same as BCB 594, Gen 594, Math 594.) (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: BCB 484, BCB 495, Stat 432 or equivalent courses and programming experience (C, C++, or Pearl). State-of-the-art introduction to bioinformatics with emphasis on concepts and principles, combined with hands-on (keyboard) applications. Topics typically include: molecular databases, score-based sequence analysis, amino acid substitution scoring matrices, query search problems, dynamic programming and other methods for pairwise sequence alignment, motif identification, multiple sequence alignment, construction of phylogenetic trees from sequence data, gene structure prediction, protein structure prediction.

Com S 596. Genomic Data Processing. (Same as BCB 596, Gen 596.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Some knowledge of programming. Chou. Practical aspects of genomic data processing. Emphasis on projects that carry out major steps in data processing using important bioinformatic tools. Topics include base-calling, raw sequence cleaning and contaminant removal; shotgun assembly procedures and EST clustering methods; genome closure strategies and practices; sequence homology search and function prediction; annotation and submission of GenBank reports; and data collection and dissipation through the Internet.

Courses for Graduate Students
Com S 610. Seminar. Cr. arr. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Com S 611. Advanced Topics in Analysis of Algorithms. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2005. Prereq: 511, 531. Advanced algorithm analysis and design techniques. Graph algorithms, algebraic algorithms, NP-completeness, probabilistic and parallel algorithms, intractable problems.

Com S 612. Distributed Algorithms. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2004. Prereq: 511 or 531. An advanced course in the theory of distributed computation. Synchronous, asynchronous and partially synchronous distributed systems. Consensus, mutual exclusion and clock synchronization. Broadcast and multicast. Shared memory and message passing systems. Wait-free object simulations. Distributed shared memory, fault-tolerance and randomization.

Com S 624. Advanced Topics in Computer Architecture. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2004. Prereq: 524. Current topics in computer architecture design and implementation. Advanced pipelining, cache and memory design techniques. Interaction of algorithms with architecture models and implementations. Tradeoffs in architecture models and implementations.

Com S 625. Issues in Parallel Programming and Performance. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2005. Prereq: 511, Cpr E 585. Parallel solutions of numerical and non-numerical problems, implementation of parallel programs on parallel machines, performance and other computational issues in parallel programming.

Com S 626. Parallel Algorithms for Scientific Applications. (Same as Cpr E 626.) See Computer Engineering.

Com S 631. Computational Complexity. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2004. Prereq: 531. Advanced study in the quantitative theory of computation. Time and space complexity of algorithmic problems. The structure of P, NP, PH, PSPACE, and other complexity classes, especially with respect to resource-bounded reducibilities and complete problems. Complexity relative to auxiliary information, including oracle computation and relativized classes, randomized algorithms, advice machines, Boolean circuits. Kolmogorov complexity and randomness.

Com S 633. Randomness in Computation. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2003. Prereq: 531. Advanced study of the role of randomness in computation. Randomized algorithms, derandomization, and probabilistic complexity classes. Kolmogorov complexity, algorithmic information theory, and algorithmic randomness. Applications chosen from cryptography, interactive proof systems, computational learning, lower bound arguments, mathematical logic, and the organization of complex systems.

Com S 634. Theory of Games, Knowledge and Uncertainty. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2005. Prereq: 330. Fundamentals of Game Theory: individual decision making, strategic and extensive games, mixed strategies, backward induction, Nash and other equilibrium concepts. Discussion of Auctions and Bargaining. Repeated, Bayesian and evolutionary games. Interactive Epistemology: reasoning about knowledge in multiagent environment, properties of knowledge, agreements, and common knowledge. Reasoning about and representing uncertainty, probabilities, and beliefs. Uncertainty in multiagent environments. Aspects and applications of game theory, knowledge, and uncertainty in other areas, especially Artificial Intelligence and Economics, will be discussed.

Com S 641. Semantic Models for Programming Languages. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2004. Prereq: 531, 541. Operational and other mathematical models of programming language semantics. Type systems and their soundness. Application of semantics to program correctness, language design and translation.

Com S 652. Topics in Distributed Operating Systems. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2003. Prereq: 552. Concepts and techniques for network and distributed operating systems: Communications protocols, processes and threads, name and object management, synchronization, consistency and replications for consistent distributed data, fault tolerance, protection and security, distributed file systems, design of reliable software, performance analysis.

Com S 661. Advanced Topics in Database Systems. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2004. Prereq: 461 or 561. Advanced topics chosen from the following: database design, data models, query systems, query optimization, incomplete information, logic and databases, multimedia databases; temporal, spatial and belief databases, semistructured data, concurrency control, parallel and distributed databases, information retrieval, data warehouses, wrappers, mediators, and data mining.

Com S 672. Computational Models of Learning. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2004. Prereq: Stat 330, Com S 331, Com S 572 or Com S 573 or Com S 472 or Com S 474. Algorithmic models of learning. Computational learning theory, PAC learning, Bayesian Learning, Minimum description length, Information theoretic and related frameworks. Selected topics in deductive learning, inductive learning, reinforcement learning, active learning, distributed learning, incremental learning, multi-task learning, multi-strategy learning, causal inference, grammatical inference, learning with structured representations and automated scientific discovery. Selected applications.

Com S 673. Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Modeling. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2005. Prereq: Stat 330, Com S 331, Com S 572 or Com S 573 or Com S 472 or Com S 474. Advanced study of selected topics from among the following: knowledge representation and inference including theoretical and philosophical foundations, computational approaches to representation of inference using, and reasoning about knowledge, beliefs, goals, actions, and behaviors. Intelligent agents and Multi-agent systems including agent architectures, agent infrastructures, languages and tools for design and implementation of distributed multi-agent systems, multi-agent learning, organizations, communication, interaction, cooperation, negotiation. Distributed intelligent information networks for information retrieval, inference, and discovery from heterogeneous, autonomous, distributed, dynamic information sources with emphasis on applications in bioinformatics and information assurance.

Com S 699. Research. Cr. arr. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only. Approval of instructor.

 
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