2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Computer Science (CSC) Major


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Dennis Helder, Head
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Harding Hall 201
605-688-4526
e-mail:
dennis.helder@sdstate.edu
website: http://compsci.sdstate.edu/

 

Faculty 

Professors:  Salehnia, Shin; Professor Emeritus Bergum; Associate Professors: Hamer, Svec; Assistant Professors: Ezenwoye, Fourney Lim, Liu, Min; Instructors: Gamradt, Gibbons, Kurtenbach, Prohaska

Programs

The Program is structured to serve students in three ways:

  1. The program provides educational opportunities so that all students on campus can receive educational literacy in computers.
  2. The Program offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science as well as a degree for Secondary Computer Science teachers. A Certificate Program in Computer Applications sponsored by the Department can be obtained through Capital University Center, Pierre.  Computer Science majors must earn at least a “C” in all computer science courses. Applied electives should be chosen so as to provide the student with a strong background for graduate study or careers in business, industry or teaching at the secondary level. The choice of such courses should be discussed with the major adviser.
  3. For those students who need more support courses, a Computer Science minor is offered. The minor requires three programming  courses which permit students to match their Computer Science education with their major area. A grade of “C” or better is required in all minor coursework and a formal application for a Computer Science minor must be filed with the Computer Science Program two semesters before graduation. Failure to meet the  deadline may disqualify you from receiving a minor. Students interested in the Certificate Program in Computer Applications should visit with the Dean of Continuing and Extended Education on the SDSU campus or with the Director of the Certificate Program in Computer Applications at Capital University Center in Pierre.

Requirements for Computer Science Major - Bachelor of Science in Computer Science:


Freshman Year:


  • SGR Goal 3: Social Sciences/Diversity Credit: 6
    * (Fall)
  • IGR Goal 1: Land and Natural Resources Credit: 3
    * (Spring)

Sophomore Year:


  • SGR Goal 6: Natural Science from Department Credits: 4
    See note three below * (Fall and Spring)
  • SGR Goal 4: Humanities and Arts Credits: 6
    * (Spring)

Junior Year:


  • IGR Goal 3: Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness Credits: 3
    ** (Fall)
  • Electives Credits: 3 in Spring
  • Natural Science from Department approved list: 4 
    (Fall)(See Note Three)

Senior Year:


  • IGR Goal 2: Personal Wellness Credits: 2
    ** (Fall)
  • Applied Electives Credits: 6
    See note two below (Fall and Spring)

Notes:


Note One:May substitute MATH 381.

Note Two:Courses numbered 300 or above, at least 9 of the credits from CSC and SE courses, the rest may be from a support discipline and must support a coherent field of study.

Note Three:
PHYS 111-111L, Introduction to Physics I and Lab, and
*
PHYS 113-113L, Introduction to Physics II and Lab or
*
PHYS 211-211L, University Physics I and Lab, and
*
PHYS 213-213L, University Physics II and Lab or
*
CHEM 112-112L, General Chemistry I and Lab, and
*
CHEM 114-114L, General Chemistry II and Lab or
*
BIOL 151-151L, General Biology I and Lab, and
*
BIOL 153-153L, General Biology II and Lab
*

Computer Networking Emphasis:


The Computer Science Department offers an emphasis in computer networking. Student interested in Computer Networking Emphasis should take the courses below. This emphasis deals with the hardware and software issues in running a computer system. All EET courses have both lecture and laboratory components, so as the theory is taught, it is immediately reinforced with hands-on lab experience. The student starts with Electricity and Electronics course, which covers topics from basic electronics and microprocessors. This leads to the Computer Systems course, which specifically deals with the electronic hardware side of computers, and also with basic PC set-up software. Finally, there is a 2-semester sequence in the study of personal computer systems, networking, and data communications from a software and management point of view, concentrating on Intel-type personal computers.

Current Microsoft and Novell software systems are installed and explored by the students. This course of study is designed to prepare students to work with the installation of new systems, and the maintenance of existing Local-Area-Networks (LANs), looking at both hardware and software issues. An emphasis is placed on the complete system, including management of the system and the people and information involved. Students interested in Network should take the following courses:

EET courses may not be used to meet the requirement of 9 cr of CSC/SE courses numbered 300 or above.

Game Programming Emphasis:


The Computer Science program offers an emphasis in game programming. This emphasis deals with a wide range of both hardware and software related topics relating to game development. The Game Programming course will provide the students with an understanding of some of the tools used in game development such as C/C++, DirectX and OpenGL. The Artificial Intelligence course will provide the students with a foundation that will allow the students to understand how games can make effective decisions based upon the current game state. The Computer Networks course will provide the students with a foundation that will allow the students to understand how to deal with multiplayer LAN and WAN based games. The Microcontroller Systems Design course will provide the students with a foundation that will allow the students to understand how to communicate with the microcontrollers found inside of console and handheld gaming systems. The Embedded Systems Programming course will provide the students with a foundation that will allow students to understand how to develop games for console and handheld gaming systems. Students interested in the Game Programming Emphasis are encouraged to take courses from the list of elective courses below.
 
Courses:
  • CSc 450 – Game Programming* (3 credits)
    • Prerequisite: CSc 346 (Object Oriented Programming)
  • CSc 447 – Artificial Intelligence (3 credits)
    • Prerequisite: CSc 250 (Computer Science II)
  • CSc 474 – Computer Networks (3 credits)
    • Prerequisite: CSc 300 (Data Structures)
  • EE 347/347L – Microcontroller Systems Design (3/1 credits)
    • Prerequisite: EE 245 (Digital Systems)
    • Prerequisite: CSc 250 (Computer Science II)
  • SE 440 – Embedded Systems Programming (3 credits)
    • Prerequisite: EE 347 (Microcontroller Systems Design)
    • Prerequisite: SE 340 Software Test and Quality Assurance
 
*currently taught as CS 492

Information Technology Management Emphasis:


Information is one of the most important assets of any organization. The use of the computer and software in the current Information Age requires business to employ individuals savvy in producing, manipulating, and analyzing data. Business leaders understand that management of the organizational information systems must be entrusted to a competent and knowledgeable person. Students interested in Information Technology Management Emphasis should take courses:

Software Engineering Emphasis:


The Computer Science Program offers an emphasis in Software Engineering. This emphasis deals with the engineering design aspects of software such as quality control, software assurance, requirements and specifications as well as the human-machine interface. Students interested in the Software Engineering Emphasis should take the courses below.

Curriculum for Secondary Computer Science Teaching:


Freshman Year:


  • SGR Goal 6: Natural Sciences Credits:3
    * (Fall and Spring)
  • SGR Goal 3: Social Sciences/Diversity Credits: 3
    * (Spring)

Sophomore Year:


  • SGR Goal 4: Humanities and Arts/Diversity Credits: 6
    * (Spring)
  • IGR Goal 3: Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness Credits: 3
    ** (Fall)

Choose one of the following:


Note:


May substitute MATH 381.

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