Course Descriptions

These course descriptions are unofficial. Please go to the Saint Louis University course information page and follow the directions there to see official course listings.

CSCI 110 - Human-Computer Interaction

Introduction to the design, implementation, and evaluation of software user interfaces. Development of web-based multimedia applications. Security and encryption issues. Internationalization and localization. Prerequisite: 3 years of high school math. Offered occasionally. 3.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 112 - Web Development

Teaches students some fundamental Web development and computer programming skills. Covers basics of Web page design with HTML and JavaScript computer languages. Prerequisite MATH 120 or equivalent. Offered occasionally. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 130 - Computer Game Design

Introduces the design of computer and video games. Students learn the practical aspects of game implementation using computer game engines and 3D graphics tools, while simultaneously studying game concepts like history, genres, storylines, gameplay elements and challenges, and the design process. No computer science background required. Offered Spring Semester. 3.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 140 - Introduction To Computer Science

A broad survey of the computer science discipline, focusing on the computer's role in representing, storing, manipulating, organizing, and communicating information. Topics include hardware, software, algorithms, operating systems, networks. Prerequisite: 3 years of high school math. Note: This class may be taken concurrently with CSCI 150. Offered Fall and Spring. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 145 - Scientific Programming

Elementary computer programming concepts with an emphasis on problem solving and applications to scientific and engineering applications. Topics include data acquisition and analysis, simulation, and scientific visualization. Prerequisite: Calculus I (or concurrent enrollment). Credit not given for both CSCI 145 and CSCI 150. Offered Fall and Spring. 3.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 146 - Object-Oriented Practicum

Labs and lectures in object-oriented programming to supplement knowledge gained in CSCI 145 for students wishing to continue on to CSCI 180, who have not taken CSCI 150. Prerequisite: a "C-" or better in CSCI 145. Offered on an as-needed basis. 1.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 150 - Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming

An introduction to computer programming based upon early coverage of object-oriented principles such as classes, methods, inheritance and polymorphism, together with treatment of traditional flow of control structures. Good software development practices will also be established, including issues of design, documentation, and testing. Prerequisite: MATH 120 or equivalent. Offered Fall and Spring. 4.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 180 - Data Structures

The design, implementation, and use of data structures. Principles of abstraction, encapsulation, and modularity to guide in the creation of robust, adaptable, reusable and efficient structures. Specific data types to include stacks, queues, dictionaries, trees, and graphs. Prerequisites: at least a "C-" in either CSCI 145/146 or CSCI 150; passing grade or concurrent enrollment in MATH 135. Offered Fall and Spring. 4.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 224 - Computer Architecture

Introduction to the organization and architecture of computer systems, including aspects of digital logic, data representation, assembly level organization, memory systems, and processor architectures. Prerequisites: CSCI 145/146 or 150 and either CSCI 140 or ECE 205. Offered Spring Semester. 3.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 281 - Computer Ethics

This course examines the moral, legal, and social issues raised by computers and electronic information technologies for different stakeholder groups (professionals, users, business, etc.). Students are expected to integrate moral theories and social analysis for addressing such issues as intellectual property, security, privacy, discrimination, globalization, and community. Prerequisite: PHIL 205. Offered Spring Semester. 3.000 Credit Hours. Note: This course is cross-listed as PHIL 341;  students wishing to apply this to their Philosophy Core must register for PHIL 341.

CSCI 290 - Object-Oriented Software Design

An implementation-based study of object-oriented software development. Teams will design and create medium-scale applications. Additional focus on the design and use of large object-oriented libraries, as well as social and professional issues. Prerequisite: At least a "C-" in CSCI 180. Offered Fall Semester. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 293 - Special Topics

1.000 TO 4.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 298 - Independent Study

Prior approval of sponsoring professor and chair required. 0.000 TO 3.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 305 - Microprocessors

Crosslisted with ECE 305. Microprocessors/microcomputer structure, input/output. Signals and devices. Computer arithmetic, programming, interfacing and data acquisition. Prerequisite: CSCI 150 or CSCI 145. Corequisite: CSCI 306. Offered Fall Semester. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 306 - Microprocessor Lab

Crosslisted with ECE 306. Laboratory experiments to emphasize material covered in CSCI 305. Corequisite: CSCI 305. Offered Fall Semester. 1.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 314 - Algorithms

Introduction to analysis and complexity of algorithms. Big-O notation. Running time analysis of algorithms for traversing graphs and trees, searching and sorting. Recursive versus iterative algorithms. Complexity, completeness, computability. Prerequisites CSCI 180 and MATH 143. Offered Fall Semester. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 324 - Operating Systems

Theory and practice of operating systems, with emphasis on one of the UNIX family of operating systems. File organization and database systems. Focus on a multi-user system in the client-server model. Hands-on experience.  Prerequisites: CSCI 180 and either CSCI 224 or ECE 317. Offered Fall Semester. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 327 - Compilers

Introduction to the theory and techniques of compiler design, lexical analysis, finite state automata, context-free grammars, top-down and bottom-up parsing, syntax analysis, code generation. Other important issues such as optimization, type-checking, and garbage collection will be discussed.  Prerequisites: CSCI 180 and either CSCI 224 or ECE 317. Offered occasionally. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 334 - Network Programming I

Transmission media; packets, frames, and error-detection; LAN and WAN technologies; routing; Internet architecture and protocols; network performance; host computers; routers; protocol layers; Internet protocol addresses; datagrams; encapsulation; fragmentation; reassembly; Internet Control Message Protocol; network security and legal issues.  Prerequisite: CSCI 324. Offered Spring Semester. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 344 - Programming Languages

Overview of programming languages: procedural and functional languages. Exposure to functional languages. Analysis of solution strategies to variable binding and function calls. Problem solving paradigms and linguistic issues. Prerequisite: CSCI 290.Offered Spring Semester. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 357 - Computer Graphics I

Applications and implementation of computer graphics. Algorithms and mathematics for creating two and three dimensional figures. Animation and two and three dimensional transformations. Interaction, windowing, and perspective techniques. Coding using the graphics library OpenGL. Prerequisites: CSCI 180, MATH 244, and MATH 311 or MATH 315. Offered occasionally. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 371 - Databases

Fundamentals of Database systems: the relational model, file organization and indexes, relational algebra, structured query language, the entity relationship model, normalization, object databases. Prerequisite: CSCI 180. Offered Fall Semester. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 386 - Internship with Industry

Department permission required. 0.000 TO 3.000 Credit Hours. Internship

CSCI 390 - Software Engineering

Theory and practice of software engineering. Design and implementation of software systems. Levels of abstraction as a technique in program design. Organized around major group programming projects. Prerequisite: CSCI 290. Offered Spring Semester. 3.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 398 - Independent Study

Prior approval of sponsoring professor and chairperson required. 0.000 to 3.000 Credit Hours. Independent Study

CSCI 413 - Automata

The theory of automata and finite state machines. Regular languages and automata. Algebraic coding theory and shift registers. Algebraic matching theory. Prerequisite: CSCI 180. Offered occassionally. 3.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 425 - Advanced Operating Systems

Parallel processes; processor problems; linear address space and tree structured spaces of objects; resource allocation, queuing and network control policies; system balancing and thrashing; job allocation and process scheduling; multiprogramming systems; protection mechanisms for accessing jobs; pipelining and parallelism; distributed systems. Prerequisite: CSCI 324. Offered occasionally. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 434 - Network Programming II

Client Server interactions; socket interference; Domain Name Systems; e-mail registration and transfer; file transfer and remote file access; security and legal aspects of network management; web-servers and technologies; CGI and Java technologies. Prerequisite: CSCI 334. Offered occasionally. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 443 - Computer Security

Fundamental introduction to the broad area of computer security. Topics include access control, security policy design, network security, cryptography, ethics, securing systems, and common vulnerabilities in computer systems. Prerequisite: CSCI 180 is required. CSCI 324 and PHIL 341/CSCI 281 are recommended but not required. Offered occasionally. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 462 - Artificial Intelligence

Technologies of knowledge representation, including neural networks and object-attribute-value triples; methods of inference, pattern matching techniques; inexact reasoning and fuzzy logic techniques; introduction to expert systems; advanced search techniques; individual AI projects. Prerequisite: CSCI 180. Offered occasionally. 3.000 Credit Hours. 

CSCI 485 - Co-op with Industry

Full-time supervised work experience with an agency, firm, or organization that employs persons in this degree field. Learning plan and follow-up evaluation required. 0.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 486 - Internship with Industry

A work experience with an agency, firm, or organization that emplys persons in this degree field. Learning plan and follow-up evaluation required. 0.000 to 3.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 491 - Capstone Project

Some projects may have more specific prerequisites. Either a research project or a design project. Public presentation of the project required. Prerequisites: Senior Computer Science major. All required 200-level CS courses and six additional hours of computer science. Prerequisite: CSCI 290 and CSCI 224 (senior standing, all required 200 level CSCI courses plus six more hours). 3.000 Credit Hours. Note: Students entering SLU prior to Fall 2011 are formally required to take CSCI 491 as a requirement for the Computer Science Major, however those students may take the two-semester CSCI 496/497 pair in lieu of CSCI 491 if they wish.  Both will be offered during the transitional period. Students entering SLU from Fall 2011 and beyond must take CSCI 496/497.

CSCI 493 - Special Topics

1.000 TO 4.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 495 - Senior Residency

Required for graduation seniors. 0.000 Credit Hours. Senior Residency

CSCI 496 - Capstone Project I

The first part of a two-course sequence serving as a concluding achievement for graduating students. In this course, students develop a proposal, collect and formalize specifications, become acquainted with necessary technologies, and create and present a detailed design for completing the project. Prerequisite: Completion of all 200-level CSCI requirements and at least 75 credit hours toward graduation (i.e., second-semester junior standing or beyond). 2.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 497 - Capstone Project II

The continuation of CSCI 496. In the second part of the sequence, students complete their project based upon the design that was developed during the first part of the sequence. Students must demonstrate continued progress throughout the semester and make a preliminary and final presentation of their results. Prerequisite: CSCI 496. 2.000 Credit Hours.

CSCI 498 - Advanced Independent Study

Prior permission of sponsoring professor and chairperson required. 0.000 TO 6.000 Credit Hours. Graduate, Undergraduate

CSCI 4WU - Wash U Inter University Course

0.000 TO 6.000 Credit Hours.