Courses Offered
Computer Information Systems | Computer Science
Computer Information Systems Courses
For information specific to a given term including the academic calendar and exam schedules, visit the Elon OnTrack site. By choosing Search for Sections, you can search for courses offered in a given semester with times and instructors.
Computing Sciences course descriptions and prerequisites are shown below.
CIS 112 PROBLEM SOLVING WITH SPREADSHEET APPLICATIONS 2 sh
This course involves projects requiring quantitative reasoning. Microsoft Excel is used for what-if analysis and graphical presentation of data. Fundamental functions, worksheet database features and the use of Excel to create static and dynamic web pages are covered. Prerequisite: None. Offered when demand is sufficient.
CIS 113 INTRODUCTION TO DATABASE SYSTEMS 2 sh
This course uses a personal database system (Microsoft Access) to implement projects requiring the organization, manipulation and retrieval of data. Students learn how to analyze and present their data using forms, reports and views. Basic and advanced techniques for data retrieval using elementary SQL and joining multiple tables are covered. No credit for students with credit for CIS 211. Prerequisite: None. Offered when demand is sufficient
CIS 114 INTRODUCTION TO WEB SITE DEVELOPMENT 2 sh
This course develops projects which require the organization and presentation of information on Internet web sites using HTML and a high level tool. Prerequisite: None. Offered when demand is sufficient.
CIS 211 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS 4 sh
This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of Information Systems (IS) in organizations. The course examines the role of computers, databases, networking and application software in managing the business organization and examines their integration with other functions such as production, marketing and finance. The fundamentals of business-process modeling are explored using process flow diagrams. Basic database management is presented to understand the design of tools for organization, manipulation and retrieval of data. The ethical, strategic and global aspects of Information Systems are explored. Prerequisite: None. Offered: fall and spring.
CIS 216 PROGRAMMING IN A VISUAL ENVIRONMENT 4 sh
This course utilizes a programming language with a visual development environment to implement computer applications. Common visual and data objects are incorporated into projects. Code is developed to respond to events induced on these objects by users or other code. Students design and present group and individual projects. Prerequisite: None. Offered fall and spring.
CIS 220 COMPUTERS AND TEACHING 3 sh
This course is designed for students who are planning to teach at the elementary, middle, or secondary level and provides an introduction to the role of technology in teaching and learning in K-12 schools. The course provides opportunities for students to develop basic skills in using technology and in selecting and applying technology appropriately to enhance teacher productivity and student learning. Prerequisite: EDU 211. Offered fall and spring.
CIS 245 OPERATING SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS 4 sh
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of operating systems and networks needed for today's client-server and distributed processing environments. Topics include resource and device management, process scheduling, and network connectivity. Students use current network operating systems to solve installation, configuration and maintenance problems involving hardware and software. Not available to students who have already completed CSC 342. Prerequisite: None. Offered fall.
CIS 301 DATABASE MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS 4 sh
This course focuses on designing, implementing and using database systems, with emphasis on relational and object-relational models. Students design and deploy relational database models. Students will learn SQL and will be able to design complex reports and queries to answer business problems. This course also provides a short introduction to basic concepts of data analysis and data mining using simple descriptive statistics and SQL. Prerequisite: CIS 216 or CSC 130. Offered spring.
CIS 310 USER-CENTERED WEB DESIGN 4 sh
This course provides a complete overview of Web development, including theories of information architecture and user interface design. Students will develop Web sites of medium complexity after learning the basics of page markup and interactive Web programming. Prerequisite: None. Offered spring.
CIS 320 BUILDING COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENTS 4 sh
This course examines tools for knowledge sharing and content development, such as intranets, weblogs, instant messaging and content management systems. Students will gain an understanding of knowledge management techniques and applications through laboratory assignments, case studies and discipline-based research. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or higher. Offered fall.
CIS 325 WEB DEVELOPMENT 4 sh
This course provides a complete overview of the Web site development process. Students will create complex, interactive Web sites. Prerequisite: CIS 301. Offered fall.
CIS 330 SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN 4 sh
This in-depth study of standard techniques for analyzing and designing Information Systems (IS) emphasizes effective written and oral communication as students examine a system using a realistic business scenario. Appropriate CASE tools (Visible Analyst and/or Visio) are used during the analysis phase. Visual Basic, Crystal Reports and Access are used during the implementation phase to create a simulated software application. Prerequisite: CIS 301. Offered fall.
CIS 345 NETWORK DESIGN AND SECURITY 4 sh
This course focuses on the design of networks for data and voice communications. Topics include data communications protocols and standards, local and wide area network design alternatives, voice transmission and security planning. Students gain hnds-on experience using tools to diagram network designs and simulate network performances. Prerequisite: CIS 245 or CSC 342. Offered spring.
CIS 371 SPECIAL TOPICS 1-4 sh
Topics such as decision support and expert systems, data communications and networks, and design patterns are offered when demand is sufficient.
CIS 430 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT 4 sh
Project teams identify a business situation requiring information systems (IS) improvement. Concepts and tools for analysis and design methodology are applied. The team carries this design through the implementation phase using appropriate CASE tools. This project is more in-depth than the simulation of CIS 330. Project documentation is presented in the form of a user?s manual. Several class presentations are required throughout the semester, culminating with the final working software application. Prerequisite: CIS 330. Corequisite: CIS 325 or CIS 345. Offered spring.
CIS 450 SEMINAR IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS 4 sh
The capstone experience for senior CIS majors involves a close review of the conceptual and theoretical foundations of the discipline. Contemporary issues, problems, and trends in CIS are discussed. Students will complete a major research paper and presentation. Prerequisites: Senior standing and at least one 300-level CIS course. Offered spring.
CIS 465 MIS STRATEGIES FOR E-BUSINESS 4 sh
The MIS capstone course explores tactical and strategic management of information systems (IS) at the business unit and enterprise level. Students examine current IS issues facing specific industries: healthcare, banking and retail, and also explore management of IS on a global scale and within various countries/regions. The course involves a project focused on design and development of an e-Business software application. Prerequisite: one course from CIS 325, CIS 330. Offered spring.
CIS 481 INTERNSHIP IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS 1-4 sh
Advanced work experiences in Computer Information Systems (CIS) are offered on an individual basis when suitable opportunities can be arranged. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
CIS 491 INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-4 sh
CIS 499 RESEARCH 1-4 sh
Students engage in undergraduate research under the direction of a computing sciences faculty member. Maximum of eight semester hours total credit. Prerequisite: Eligibility as determined by the undergraduate research guidelines of Elon University and approval by the department.
Computer Science Courses
To see courses offered in a given semester with times and instructors, visit the Elon OnTrack site. Course descriptions and prerequisites are shown below.
CSC 111 BREAKING THE CODE 4 sh
This course "breaks the code" and mystique of computing for non-majors. A broad range of topics may be covered, including logical problem solving, the history of computing, the organization of data, social and ethical issues, and current research in computer science. Offered fall and spring.
CSC 130 COMPUTER SCIENCE I 4 sh
This introduction to programming and problem solving emphasizes applications from quantitative disciplines and incorporates weekly group practicum experiences. Offered fall and spring.
CSC 171 SPECIAL TOPICS 1-4 sh
Students study specialized pieces of software and programming languages. Prerequisite: CSC 130.
CSC 230 COMPUTER SCIENCE II 4 sh
This course continues the study of object-oriented programming with an emphasis on graphical user interfaces, event handling, inheritance, polymorphism, basic data structures, software engineering, recursion and the social context of computing. Prerequisite: CSC 130. Offered fall and spring.
CSC 330 COMPUTER SCIENCE III 4 sh
This course introduces concepts and methodologies to design and implement a distributed, multi-tier application. Students will cover advanced java features and look at advanced graphical user interface topics, multithreading, networking, java database connectivity and web applications. Prerequisite: CSC 230. Corequisite: MTH 206. Offered fall.
CSC 331 ALGORITHM ANALYSIS 4 sh
Students analyze structures and appropriate algorithms for sorting, merging and searching in the contexts of mass storage devices, internal main memory and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications. Topics include graph algorithms, dynamic storage allocation and garbage collection. Prerequisites: CSC 230 and MTH 206. Offered spring.
CSC 335 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES 4 sh
This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of formal languages. The topics of automata theory, grammar formalisms and Turing machines provide the theoretical foundation for practical issues such as data typing, control structures and parameter passing. Programming assignments involve the use of several languages. Prerequisite: CSC 230, MTH 206. Offered spring.
CSC 342 COMPUTER SYSTEMS 4 sh
This course involves the study of the basic building blocks of modern computer systems. Topics include digital logic, machine-level representation of data, assembly-level organization, operating system primitives and concurrency. Prerequisite: CSC 230, MTH 206. Offered fall.
CSC 351 THEORY OF COMPUTATION 4 sh
In this introduction to theoretical computer science and analysis of discrete mathematical structures which find application in computer science, topics may include predicate calculus, groups, coding theory, graphs, trees, formal languages, grammars, finite state automata, Turing machines and complexity theory. CSC 351 is cross-listed with MTH 351. Prerequisites: CSC 130, MTH 121, 206. Corequisite: CSC 230. Offered when demand is sufficient.
CSC 371 SPECIAL TOPICS 1-4 sh
Topics such as genetic programming, grid computing, decision analysis, design of data base management systems, robotics, simulation and high performance computing are offered when demand is sufficient.
CSC 410 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 4 sh
An introduction to the area of Artificial Intelligence systems. Students will learn concepts of knowledge representation, reasoning, acting under uncertainty, and learning. Applications studied will include game playing, natural language, and expert systems. Prerequisite: CSC 331. Offered fall alternating years.
CSC 415 NUMERICAL ANALYSIS 4 sh
(Cross-listed with MTH 415.)
CSC 420 GAME PROGRAMMING and COMPUTER GRAPHICS 4 sh
A study of two major areas of programming video games: graphics and gaming. Students will learn the fundamentals of two- and three-dimensional graphic programming, including object transformations, ray tracing, collision detection, and animation as well as the components of gaming including intelligent game playing, types of games, and creating engaging storylines. Prerequisite: CSC 230. Offered fall alternating years.
CSC 430 ADVANCED PROGRAMMING CONCEPTS 4 sh
This course will focus on advanced programming concepts beyond the core computer science material. The material in the course continually evolves guided by the needs of students, the expertise of faculty members and technology trends. Currently, the course focuses on developing enterprise level, multi-tier distributed applications. The course explores the major technologies used by server side applications. Using a commercial application server, students will design and implement a significant programming project using either Enterprise JavaBeans or WebServices. Prerequisites: CSC 330, CSC 331. Offered spring alternating years.
CSC 431 HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING 4 sh
This course gives an introduction to high performance computing and its applications whtin science and engineering. The main emphasis of the course is on techniques and tools for efficiently solving large and computationally intensive problems on parallel computers. Prerequisite: CSC 331, 342. Offered spring alternating years.
CSC 442 MOBILE COMPUTING 4 sh
This course introduces the emerging field of mobile and wireless computing. This course will cover a range of topics including wireless networking, location-aware computing, ad-hoc networks and the development of software for mobile devices. Prerequisites: CSC 330, 342. Offered spring.
CSC 462 SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT/CAPSTONE 4 sh
This capstone course combines a range of topics integral to the specification, design, implementation, and testing of a medium-scale software system with the practical experience of implementing such a project as a member of a team. In addition to material on software engineering, the course includes material on human computer interaction and on professionalism and ethical reponsibilities in software development.. Prerequisites: CSC 330, CSC 335. Offered fall.
CSC 481 INTERNSHIP IN COMPUTER SCIENCE 1-4 sh
Advanced work experiences in Computer Science are offered on an individual basis when suitable opportunities can be arranged. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
CSC 491 INDEPENDENT STUDY 1-4 sh
CSC 499 RESEARCH 1-4 sh
Students engage in undergraduate research under the direction of a computing sciences faculty member. Maximum of eight semester hours total credit. Prerequisite: Eligibility as determined by the undergraduate research guidelines of Elon University and approval by the department.