New Courses
Cat. I
This course provides a broad view of computer networks. The course exposes students to all seven layers of OSI Reference Model while providing an introduction into newer topics such as wireless networking and Internet traffic concerns. The objective is to focus on an understanding of fundamental concepts of modern computer network architecture from a design and performance perspective. Topics covered include: physical layer considerations, network protocols, wide area networks, local area networks, wireless networks, switches and routing, congestion, Internet traffic and network security. Students will be expected to do systems/network programming and make use of simulation and measurement tools to gain an appreciation of current network design and performance issues.
Recommended background: CS2303 or CS2301.
Intended audience: computer science, RBE and IMGD majors.
CS 4516 Advanced Computer Networks
Cat II
This course provides an in-depth look into computer networks. While repeating some of the areas from CS3516, the goal is to go deeper into computer networks topics. This in-depth treatment in topics such as routing, congestion control, wireless layer protocols and physical signaling considerations will require the use of basic queuing theory and probability to provide a more formal treatment of computer networks performance. Other topics covered include: LAN and WLAN technologies, mobile wireless networks, sensor networks, optical networks, network security, intrusion detection and network management. Students will be expected to do more sophistical network programming than seen in CS3516 and will conduct laboratory activities involving measuring the performance of modern networking applications running on both wired networks and infrastructure wireless networks.
Intended audience: computer science majors.
Undergraduate credit may not be earned both for this course and for CS 513.
Recommended background: CS 3013, CS3516 and knowledge of probability.
MA4891 Topics in Mathematics: Practicum in Industrial Mathematics
How do you know whether a story in the media is true? How do you evaluate quantitative evidence that is presented? How do you judge the conclusions drawn from this quantitative evidence? What skills does a person need in order to approach these tasks independently and confidently? The ability to mathematically model a problem, formulate a solution, and articulate this solution in the problem's original context can effectively answer these questions.
In this course, students develop these skills through formulating mathematical models on topics of their choice from articles in the latest Science Times section of the New York Times. Students pick the article of interest, develop a question not answered in the article, formulate a model to answer the question, find solutions, and then present their results. Through this case-study approach, students experience the relevance of mathematics in sciences, technology and society.
The course will be excellent preparation for the Consortium on Mathematics and its Applications Mathematical Contests in Modeling (MCM) and the Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling (ICM). You can find more information about these contests at comap website.
Recommended Background: Experience with differential equations, probability and linear algebra, along with some working knowledge of Matlab and/or Maple.
CH 4170. Experimental Biochemistry II
Cat. I
This laboratory course focuses on modern DNA technologies and general applications of gene manipulation. Topics include gene amplification and recombination, promoter and plasmid engineering, gene expression and analysis, model systems, genomics and transgenics. Experiments in this course are integrated into an overall genetic engineering project throughout the term that will involve techniques such as electrophoresis, quantitative spectrofluorimetry, and real-time quantitative PCR. Methods of data analysis, common statistical approaches and technical writing will be emphasized throughout the course.
Recommended background: CH4110, CH4120, CH4130.
ENV 1100 Introduction to Environmental Studies
Cat. I
The study of environmental problems and their solutions requires an interdisciplinary approach. This course will examine current environmental issues from the intersection of several key disciplines including: environmental philosophy and history, environmental policy, and science. The course will develop these different approaches for analyzing environmental problems, explore the tensions between them, and present a framework for integrating them. Topics such as environmental justice, developing nations, globalization, and climate change policy will be explored.
ENV 2200 Environmental Studies in the Various Disciplines
Cat. II
Many disciplines contribute to the study of the environment. This course presents an overview of the approach taken by some of these disciplines, which may include biology, chemistry, engineering, geography, public policy, philosophy, history, and economics, and how they interact to help us understand environmental problems and solutions. Through an examination of the assumptions made and lenses used by different disciplines students will gain insight into how different actors and institutions frame environmental issues and how to overcome barriers to communication between disciplines. To ground the exploration of these disciplines contemporary environmental issues and policy programs will be explored.
Recommended background: ENV 1100.
This course will be offered in 2008-09 and in alternating years thereafter.
ENV 2400 Environmental Problems and Human Behavior
Cat. II
This course examines how people think about and behave toward the environment. Environmental problems can ultimately be attributed to the environmental decisions and actions of human beings. These behaviors can in turn be understood as resulting from the nature and limitations of the human mind and the social context in which behavior takes place. Knowledge of the root causes of environmentally harmful behavior is essential for designing effective solutions to environmental problems. The goals of the course are (1) to provide students with the basic social science knowledge needed to understand and evaluate the behavioral aspects of such important environmental problems as air and water pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, preserving biological diversity, and hazardous waste and (2) to help students identify and improve shortcomings in their knowledge and decisions related to the environment. Topics will include, but not be limited to: environmental problems as "tragedies of the commons"; public understanding of global warming and global climate modeling; folk biology; risk perception; intelligent criticism of environmental claims; making effective environmental choices; strategies for promoting pro-environmental behavior; and human ability to model and manage the global environmental future.
Recommended background: ENV 1100.
Suggested background: PSY 1400, PSY 1401, or PSY 1402.
Students may not receive credit for both PSY 2405 and ENV 2400.
This course will be offered in 2009-10 and in alternate years thereafter.
ENV 4400 Senior Seminar in Environmental Studies
Cat. I
This course is intended for Environmental Studies majors. The course is designed to integrate each student’s educational experience (e.g., core environmental courses, environmental electives, and environmental projects) in a capstone seminar in Environmental Studies. Through seminar discussions and writing assignments students will critically reflect on what they learned in their previous courses and project experiences. In teams, students will prepare a final capstone paper and presentation that critically engages their educational experience in environmental studies and anticipates how their courses and experiences will translate into their future personal and professional environmental experiences.
Recommended background: ENV 1100, ENV 2200 or ENV 2400, completion or concurrent enrollment in IQP and MQP.
Cat. I
This course focuses on the art of 3D computer modeling for graphics,animation, game design, and image visualization. Techniques in polygon, NURB, and subdiv modeling will be explored, as well as deformations, texture mapping, lighting, cameras, rendering, and MEL scripting. Realistic and stylized modeling concepts will be developed, including optimization for rigging and game design. Historical context in relation to traditional sculpture will be discussed.
Recommended background: AR1100 and AR1101.
IMGD 2201/AR 2201 The Art of Animation
Cat. I
This course examines the fundamentals of computer generated 2D and 3D modeling and animation as they apply to creating believable characters and environments. Students will learn skeletal animation and traditional polygonal animation, giving weight and personality to characters through movement, environmental lighting, and changing mood and emotion. Students will be expected to master the tools of 3D modeling and skinning, and scripting of behaviors.
Recommended background: AR 1101.
IMGD 2500 Design of Tabletop Strategy Games
Cat. II
The objective of the course is to teach students how to design board strategy games. The design principles are transferable to other types of games, such as computer games. Game quality issues such as rules unambiguity, depth, complexity, branching width, balance, and historical content are examined. Basic elements and types of game rules, such as map gridding, restricted play choices, resource limitations, and depths of game economics are discussed. Central to the course is the game design project: students design, playtest, and develop their own game. One two-hour laboratory a week covers play, and playtesting, and supports the game design project.
Recommended background: IMGD 1000
MA 4891 Discrete and Computational Geometry
Discrete & Computational Geometry is a new discipline in mathematics and computer science, covering a broad range of topics in which geometry plays a fundamental role.
This course will introduce basic geometric concepts including polytopes, line arrangements, tilings, configuration spaces, and geometric complexity.
Applications in the basic sciences in particular to statistical physics (physics of glasses), mechanical engineering and robotics(linkages and their configuration spaces), biology (protein folding) will be introduced via examples drawn from recently published papers.
Prerequisites: Knowledge of Linear Algebra and some programming is helpful (but not absolutely necessary).
This course will teach basic rowing training techniques and principles with the goal for students to develop and implement an individualized conditioning program for themselves. All classes will be conducted on-campus through the use of rowing machines located in Alumni Gym.
This course will teach basic walking training techniques and principles with the goal for students to develop and implement an individualized conditioning program for themselves.
Introduction to basic rules and individual/team skill development with practical application through game competition.
SP3532. Studies in Spanish Literature: Artistic Expression and Nation Building.
This course introduces students to the study of Spanish literature through analytical readings of essays, poetry, drama, and fiction of representative Spanish writers from medieval to contemporary times. The selected authors to be studied reflect Spanish society's cultural and political efforts conducive to a nation building process. Among the topics to be covered are: Literary and artistic movements, nationalist and religious discourses, cultural miscegenation, gender issues, regional, political and class conflicts, the role of the intellectual, and strategies for the construction of identities.
This course is taught in Spanish.
Recommended Background: SP 3522 and SP 3528.
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