Santa Clara University

Undergraduate Course Descriptions

The following are up-to-date course descriptions, which may differ from those in the printed undergraduate bulletin due to corrections, additions, etc.

LOWER-DIVISION COURSES

10. Introduction to Programming

Overview of computing. Introduction to program design and implementation: problem definition, functional decomposition, and design of algorithms using Alice, a 3D visual programming environment. Programming in the C language: data types, variables, functions, parameters, control constructs, input and output. Program development: editing, compiling, linking, testing, and debugging. Credit is not allowed for more than one introductory class such as COEN 10, COEN 44, CSCI 10, or OMIS 30. (5 units)

11. Advanced Programming

The C Language: structure and style. Types, operators, and expressions. Control flow. Functions. Pointers, arrays, and strings. Structures and dynamic memory allocation. I/O and file processing. Special operators. Recursion and threads. The Unix environment. Prerequisite: Previous programming experience and/or an introductory programming course, such as COEN 10 with a grade of C- or better, CSCI 10, or OMIS 30. (5 units)

12. Abstract Data Types and Data Structures

Data abstraction: abstract data types, information hiding, interface specification. Basic data structures: stacks, queues, lists, binary trees, hashing, tables, graphs; implementation of abstract data types in the C language. Internal sorting: review of selection, insertion, and exchange sorts; quicksort, heapsort; recursion. Analysis of run-time behavior of algorithms; Big-O notation. Introduction to classes in C++. Prerequisite: COEN 11 with a grade of C- or better or COEN 44. Recommended co-requisite: COEN 19 or MATH 51. Credit not allowed for more than one introductory data structures class, such as COEN 12 or CSCI 61. (5 units)

19. Discrete Mathematics

Relations and operations on sets, orderings, elementary combinatorial analysis, recursion, algebraic structures, logic, and methods of proof. Also listed as MATH 51. (4 units)

20. Introduction to Embedded Systems

Introduction to computer organization: CPU, registers, buses, memory, I/O interfaces. Number systems: arithmetic and information representation. Assembly language programming: addressing techniques, arithmetic and logic operations, branching and looping, stack operations, procedure calls, parameter passing, and interrupts. C language programming: pointers, memory management, stack frames, interrupt processing. Multi-threaded programming; pre-emptive and nonpre-emptive kernels; shared resources; scheduling. Prerequisite: COEN 12 with a grade of C- or better or CSCI 61. Co-requisite: COEN 20L. (4 units)

20L Embedded Systems Lab

Laboratory for COEN 20. Co-requisite: COEN 20. (1 unit)

21. Introduction to Logic Design

Boolean functions and their minimization. Designing combinational circuits, adders, multipliers, multiplexers, decoders. Noise margin, propagation delay. Bussing. Memory elements: latches and flip-flops; timing; registers; counters. Programmable logic, PLD, and FPGA. Use of industry quality CAD tools for schematic capture and HDL in conjunction with FPGAs. Also listed as ELEN 21. Co-requisite: COEN 21L. (4 units)

21L. Logic Design Lab

Laboratory for COEN 21. Also listed as ELEN 21L. Co-requisite: COEN 21. (1 unit)

30. Media Computation

Manipulate media (pictures and sound) via programs as a means of learning the basic concepts in computation. Creation and modification of images such as correcting for “red-eye” and generating negative images. Manipulating sound (sound transformations) to allow for structuring music. Writing programs to generate Web pages from data in databases. Creating simple animations and movies with special effects. (5 units)

44. Applied Programming in C

Introduction to computer operating systems. Elements of computer programming in C, including input/output, branching and loops, iterative solutions, function definition and invocation, macros, memory allocation, and top-down design. Programming of elementary mathematical operations. Applications to engineering problems. Co-requisite: MATH 21. (5 units)

45. Applied Programming in MATLAB

Introduction to computer operating systems. Elements of computer programming in MATLAB, including input/output, branching and loops, iterative solutions, function definition and invocation, top-down design. Programming of elementary mathematical operations. Applications to engineering problems. Co-requisite: MATH 21. (5 units)

70. Formal Specification and Advanced Data Structures

Specification, representation, implementation, and validation of data structures. Object-oriented design and programming in a strongly typed functional language (Haskell or ML) with emphasis on reliable reusable software. Formal specification of data structures (graphs, sets, bags, tables, environments, trees, expressions, graphics). Informal use of specifications to guide implementation and validation of programs. Guidelines and practice in designing for and with reuse. Prerequisites: COEN 19 or MATH 51; COEN 12 with a grade of C- or better or CSCI 61. (5 units)

UPPER-DIVISION COURSES

120. Real Time Systems

Overview of real-time systems: classification, design issues and description. Finite state machines and statecharts. Robot programming: odometry and the use of sensors. Real-time programming languages, real-time kernels and multi-threaded programming. Unified Modeling Language for the design of real-time applications. Performance analysis. Prerequisite: COEN 20 with a grade of C- or better. Co-requisite: COEN 120L. (4 units)

120L. Real Time Systems Laboratory

Laboratory for COEN 120. Co-requisite: COEN 120. (1 unit)

122. Computer Architecture

Overview of computer systems. Instruction set architecture. Computer arithmetic. CPU datapath design. CPU control design. Microprogramming techniques. Pipelining. Memory hierarchies and management. Overview of input/output sub-system. Hardware description languages. Laboratory project consists of a design of a CPU. Prerequisites: COEN 20 or ELEN 33 and COEN 21 or ELEN 21, with a grade of C- or better. (5 units)

127. Advanced Logic Design

Contemporary design of finite-state machines as system controllers using MSI, PLDS, or FPGA devices. Minimization techniques, performance analysis, and modular system design. HDL simulation and synthesis. Also listed as ELEN 127. Prerequisite: COEN 21; co-requisites: COEN 127L and ELEN 115. (4 units)

127L. Advanced Logic Design Lab

Laboratory for COEN 127. Design, construction, and testing of controllers from verbal specs. Use of CAD design tools. Also listed as ELEN 127L. Co-requisite: COEN 127. (1 unit)

129. Current Topics in Computer Engineering

Subjects of current interest. May be taken more than once if topics differ. (4 units)

145. Introduction to Parallel and Concurrent Programming

Concept of concurrency, thread programming, thread/process synchronization, synchronization algorithms and language constructs, shared-memory vs. message-passing. Parallel programming concept, performance metrics, overview of multiprocessor architectures (block level), evaluation of parallel algorithms, data parallel programming, shared-memory and message-passing parallel programming. Case studies on application algorithms. Prerequisite: COEN 177; co-requisite: COEN 179 or CSCI 163. Knowledge of C recommended. (5 units)

146. Computer Networks

Data Communication: circuit and packet switching, latency and bandwidth, throughput/delay analysis. Application Layer: client/server model, socket programming, Web, e-mail, FTP. Transport Layer: TCP and UDP, flow control, congestion control, sliding window techniques. Network Layer: IP and routing. Data Link Layer: shared channels, media access control protocols, error detection and correction. Mobile computing and wireless networks. Network security. Laboratory consists of projects on software development of network protocols and applications. Prerequisite: COEN 20 with a grade of C- or better. Recommended co-requisite: AMTH 108. (5 units)

148. Computer Graphics Systems

Interactive graphic systems. Graphics primitives, line and shape generation. Simple transforming and modeling. Efficiency analysis and modular design. Interactive input techniques. 3D transformations and viewing, hidden surface removal. Color graphics, animation, real-time display considerations. Parametric surface definition and introduction to shaded-surface algorithms. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisites: MATH 53; COEN 12 or CSCI 61. (5 units)

150. Introduction to Information Security

Overview of information assurance. Legal and ethical issues surrounding security and privacy. Malware and secure coding techniques. Authentication and authorization. Other related topics. Prerequisite: COEN 177 or OMIS 107. (4 units)

152. Introduction to Computer Forensics

Procedures for identification, preservation, and extraction of electronic evidence. Auditing and investigation of network and host system intrusions, analysis and documentation of information gathered, and preparation of expert testimonial evidence. Forensic tools and resources for system administrators and information system security officers. Ethics, law, policy, and standards concerning digital evidence. (5 units)

161. Web Programming I

Fundamentals of the World Wide Web and its architecture. Designing separation of content and presentation with XHTML and CSS. Introduction to the Document Object Model (DOM). Dynamic documents with Javascript and Ajax (Asynchronous Javascript and XML). Basics of scripting languages (PHP and Perl). Introduction to server-side programming using PHP and Perl. XML technologies (XML Schema, XSLT). Database access through Web. Programming with distributed components and Web services. A comparative study of CGI programming, Java Server Pages and ASP.net. Note: This is a two-part sequence and some of the topics will be covered in COEN 164. Prerequisite: COEN 12 or CSCI 61. (5 units)

162. Web Infrastructure

History and overview of World Wide Web technology. Web clients and browsers. State management, session persistence, and cookies. Spiders, bots, and search engines. Web proxies. Web servers and server farms. HTTP and Web protocols. Web caching and content distribution. Load balancing. Web security and firewalls. Web workload and traffic characterization. Prerequisite: COEN 146. (4 units)

163. Web Usability

Principles of user-centered design. Principles of human computer interaction. Fundamental theories in cognition and human factors: information processing, perception and representation, constructivist and ecological theories, Gestalt laws of perceptual organization. Usability engineering: user research, user profiling, method for evaluating user interface, usability testing. Prototyping in user interface: process, methods of evaluating and testing. Inclusive design in user interface design: accessibility issues, compliance with section 508 of Rehabilitation Act. Prerequisite: COEN 12 with a grade of C- or better or CSCI 61. (5 units)

164. Web Programming II

Continuation of COEN 161, Web Programming I. Prerequisite: COEN 161. (5 units)

165. Modeling and Control of Rigid Body Dynamics

Mathematical and physical principles of motion of rigid bodies, including movement, acceleration, inertia and collision. Modeling of rigid body dynamics for three-dimensional graphic simulation; controlling the motion of rigid bodies in robotic applications. Prerequisites: MATH 21; COEN 012 or CSCI 61. (4 units)

166. Artificial Intelligence

Philosophical foundations of Artificial Intelligence, problem solving, knowledge and reasoning, neural networks and other learning methods. Prerequisite: COEN 019 or MATH 52. (4 units)

171. Principles of Design and Implementation of Programming Languages

High-level programming language concepts and constructs. Costs of use and implementation of the constructs. Issues and trade-offs in the design and implementation of programming languages. Critical look at several modern high-level programming languages. Offered in alternate years. Prerequisites: COEN 20; COEN 70 or CSCI 61. (4 units)

172. Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs

Techniques used to control complexity in the design of large software systems. Design of procedural and data abstractions; design of interfaces that enable composition of well-understood program pieces; invention of new, problem-specific languages for describing a design. Prerequisites: COEN 19 or MATH 51; COEN 70 or CSCI 6; or permission of the instructor. (5 units)

173. Logic Programming

Application of logic to problem solving and programming; logic as a language for specifications, programs, databases, and queries; separation of logic and control aspects of programs; bottom-up reasoning (forward from assumptions to conclusions) versus top-down reasoning (backward from goals to subgoals) applied to problem solving and programming; non-determinism, concurrency, and invertibility in logic programs. Programs written and run in Prolog. Prerequisites: COEN 70 or CSCI 61 and COEN 19 or MATH 51. (5 units)

174. Software Engineering

Software development life cycle. Project teams, documentation, and group dynamics. Software cost estimation. Requirements engineering and design. Data modeling, object modeling, and object-oriented analysis. Object-oriented programming and design. Software testing and quality assurance. Software maintenance. Prerequisites: COEN 12 with a grade of C- or better, or CSCI 61, or permission of instructor and previous use of UNIX workstations. (5 units)

175. Introduction to Formal Language Theory and Compiler Construction

Introduction to formal language concepts: regular expressions and context-free grammars. Compiler organization and construction. Lexical analysis and implementation of scanners. Top-down and bottom-up parsing and implementation of top-down parsers. An overview of symbol table arrangement, run-time memory allocation, intermediate forms, optimization, and code generation. Prerequisite: COEN 70 with a grade of C- or better, or CSCI 61. (5 units)

177. Operating Systems

Introduction to organization of operating systems. Processes, memory, I/O, and file systems. Implementation and performance issues. Prerequisite: COEN 20 with a grade of C- or better, and either MATH 61 or COEN 12 with a grade of C- or better. (5 units)

178. Introduction to Database Systems

ER diagrams and the relational data model. Database design techniques based on integrity constraints and normalization. Database security and index structures. SQL and DDL. Transaction processing basics. Prerequisites: COEN 20; COEN 12 or CSCI 61. (5 units)

179. Theory of Algorithms

Introduction to techniques of design and analysis of algorithms: asymptotic notations and running times of recursive algorithms; design strategies: brute-force, divide and conquer, decrease and conquer, transform and conquer, dynamic programming, greedy technique. Intractability: P and NP, approximation algorithms. Also listed as CSCI 163. Prerequisites: MATH 51 or 52, or equivalent, and COEN 12 with a grade of C- or better or CSCI 61 or equivalent. Nonnumerical. (5 units)

180. Introduction to Information Storage

Storage hierarch. Caching. Design of memory and storage devices, with particular emphasis on magnetic disks. Error correction fundamentals. Disk arrays. Storage interfaces and buses. Network attached storage and storage area networks, interaction of economy and technological innovation. Also listed as ELEN 180. Prerequisites: COEN 20 and 21; COEN 122 recommended. (4 units)

188. Co-op Education

Practical experience in a planned program designed to give students work experience related to their academic field of study and career objectives. Satisfactory completion of the assignment includes preparation of a summary report on co-op activities. P/NP grading. May not be taken for graduate credit. (2 units)

189. Co-op Technical Report

Credit given for a technical report on a specific activity such as a design or research project, etc., after completing the co-op assignment. Approval of department advisor required. Letter grades based on content and quality of report. May be taken twice. May not be taken for graduate credit. (2 units)

194. Design Project I

Specification of an engineering project, selected with the mutual agreement of the student and the project advisor. Complete initial design with sufficient detail to estimate the effectiveness of the project. Initial draft of the project report. Prerequisites: ENGL 182. (2 units)

195. Design Project II

Continued design and construction of the project, system, or device. Initial draft of project report. Prerequisite: COEN 194. (2 units)

196. Design Project III

Continued design and construction of the project, system, or device. Formal public presentation of results. Final report. Prerequisite: COEN 195. (2 units)

197. Undergraduate Research

Involves working in a year-long research project with one of the faculty members. Students should register three times in a row for a total of 6 units. Does not substitute for the senior project, which may be a continuation of the research done. Registration requires the faculty member’s approval. Students must have junior or senior standing and a minimum GPA of 3.0. (2 units)

199. Independent Study

Special problems. By arrangement. Open to computer engineering majors only. (1–5 units)