This course covers special topics of current interest and usually differs each time it is offered.
Prerequisite: varies with topic. (Fall and/or Spring)
Fall 2008:
Collaborative Software Development and Collective Knowledge
Engineering (290A): Running on low-cost, powerful computers, immense
storage, and ubiquitous networks, a new generation of software has
radically changed how information is distributed and accessed and is
opening new possibilities in how (fast) knowledge is created and
used. This revolution has been compared to the advent of printing,
and the pertinent expertise and skill are considered as basic and
essential as reading and writing.
This experimental course teaches principles and practices of collaborative software development and its use in converting data into knowledge and knowledge into tools. The topics include fundamentals of programming (more for organizing information than for managing computers), lessons from past information systems, and current practice and tools for teamwork and (virtual) collaboration. The main assignments are a series of group projects including the final project of developing a possibly on-line recommendation system. The projects will be evaluated based on the design, implementation, and deployment, including an end-of-semester competition based on a user survey. Prerequisites: CSC 173; CSC 254 recommended.
Human Machine Interface (290B): The course will involve the examination of the design, implementation, and evaluation of human-computer interfaces. Class lectures will involve studying theoretical methods for interface design and evaluation including requirements gathering, usability heuristics, user interface inspections, usability studies, information visualization, and prototyping. These will be augmented with case studies of interface successes and failures. Students will apply the theoretical knowledge to assignments which involve portions of the design, implementation, and evaluation cycle. Prerequisites: CSC 171 or permission of instructor. Must be able to program in Java or C++.
Introduction to Robotics (290C): This course is an introduction to the basics of modeling, design, planning and control of robotics systems. It includes survey coverage of relevant results from geometry, kinematics, statics, dynamics and control theory. Lectures, readings, labs and weekly problems sets. Prerequisites: CSC 172 or equivalent experience. Cross-listed with CSC 190C (no prerequisites).
Spring 2009
Computational Biology (290A): This course will explore some of the interactions between computer
algorithms and biology, especially genetics. Computer science topics
covered will include sequence alignment and analysis, hidden Markov
models, supervised machine learning, clustering, and data mining.
Biology topics covered will include genome sequencing, gene finding,
DNA microarray analysis, protein structure prediction, and systems
biology. Some computer programming assignments will be assigned.
Prerequisite: CSC 171 or equivalent and one other computer science course or
permission of the instructor.
Last changed 4/10/2008 by Marty Guenther (marty@cs.rochester.edu)