Programs of Study
As part of Loyola’s Pathways Strategic Plan and related program restructuring new students are not being accepted into the Computer Science (CS) and Computer Information Systems (CIS) programs. In addition, only students with Junior or Senior status as of Fall 2006, and with departmental approval, may complete majors in either of these two programs. Continuing students with a declared major in CS or CIS should contact the Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.
Computer Science Major
Computer Science offers a major and a minor in computer science. Computer Science majors are employed in industry as Computer Graphics Designers, Telecommunications Planners, Software Engineers, Systems Analysts and more. Many Computer Science majors go on to graduate school where they earn Masters or Ph.Ds in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and so forth.
Pending approval by the University, the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science is proposing a new Computer Science (CS) major and minor. Courses in the new programs are selected from the list below. A complete description of the new majors follows.
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
| Freshmen Courses | Fall | Spring |
| Major COSC A211-A212 | 3 | 3 |
| Major COSC A119 | 0 | 3 |
| Adjunct MATH A204-A270 | 3 | 3 |
| Common Curriculum | 6 | 6 |
| Elective | 3 | 0 |
| Total hours per semester | 15 | 16 |
| Sophomore Courses | Fall | Spring |
| Major COSC A270-A280 | 3 | 3 |
| Major COSC A216-A319 | 3 | 3 |
| Adjunct MATH A241 | 3 | 0 |
| Common Curriculum | 6 | 6 |
| Foreign Language | 3 | 3 |
| Electives | 0 | 3 |
| Total hours per semester | 18 | 18 |
| Junior Courses | Fall | Spring |
| Major COSC A315-A365 | 3 | 3 |
| Major COSC A316 | 3 | 0 |
| Major COSC (A300-400 level) | 0 | 3 |
| Adjunct MATH A257-A258 | 4 | 4 |
| Common Curriculum | 6 | 6 |
| Total hours per semester | 16 | 16 |
| Senior Courses | Fall | Spring |
| Major COSC (A300-400 level) | 6 | 3 |
| Common Curriculum | 3 | 6 |
| Electives | 6 | 6 |
| Total hours per semester | 16 | 16 |
Major and minor programs in CS and CIS
(All courses are COSC unless noted otherwise.)
CIS minor: 106, 111, 114, 211, 212, one of 216, 270 or 280, MATH A204. (132 may be substituted for 111.)
CIS major: 119, 211, 212, 216, 270, 280, 319 plus 3 (or 4*) computer science electives 300 or above, 4 additional courses from one application area approved by the department (Management, Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, Visual Arts, Psychology, Biology, or others), plus one additional COSC (*the fourth computer science elecetive) or application area elective, (at least two application area courses must be 300 level or above), MATH A204, MATH A241, MATH A270, MATH A257.
CS minor: 111, 114, 211, 212, one of 216, 270 or 280, one selected from 361, 363, or 365, MATH A204.
CS major: 119, 211, 212, 216, 270, 280, 315, 316, 319 and 365, 4 electives 300 or above, MATH A204, MATH A270, MATH A257, MATH A258, MATH A241.
Course descriptions:
COSC A111 Introduction to the Internet and Networks
This course introduces students to the new range of worldwide information networks using the latest advances in telecommunication systems, applications software, and computer equipment. It will provide students with a working knowledge of networks, the Internet and its World Wide Web (Web). Several software tools will be introduced in order to promote a better understanding of basic concepts.
COSC A114 Multimedia and Information Technology
Introduces computer concepts within a framework of multimedia application packages. Software packages used for presentation and interactive demonstration are studied. Emphasis is on computer science topics, such as software development (design, maintenance, documentation, etc.). Elementary programming concepts (branching, loops, code encapsulation, actions, etc.) are also introduced.
COSC A119 Introduction to Computer Science
Introduces concepts within a framework of worldwide information network software and multimedia application packages. Computer science topics, such as software development, design, maintenance issues, documentation and elementary programming concepts, are introduced. Networks, the Internet and its World Wide Web, Multimedia and applications and several software tools will be introduced in order to promote a better understanding of the basic concepts.
COSC A132 Computer Impact on Society
This course provides the basic knowledge to understand computer information technology and its impact and ethical implications on society and the individual. Coverage includes a basic introduction to the Internet and networks.
COSC A211 Introduction to Computer Science and Visual Programming 1
Concepts and terminology of visual programming, including interface builders and visual tools. Problem-solving within the context of a visual programming environment. Rudiments of software development, analysis and design. Human-computer interaction.
COSC A212 Introduction to Computer Science and Visual Programming 2
Continuation of concepts and terminology of visual programming and interface builders. Object-oriented programming. Window control behavior. Event-driven programs. More thorough treatment of software development concepts. Data structures, including records and arrays. Abstract data types of stacks, queues, lists, trees, etc.
COSC A216 Fundamentals of Software Developement
Introduction to basic concepts of software development, including design methodologies and a brief overview of UML. This course introduces an object-oriented language in support of software design principles.
COSC A270 Introduction to Visual Databases
Concepts and terminology of databases. Survey and use of database tools. File systems. Sequential and direct data organization. Analysis and design models. Relational and other data models. Database interface components. Multi-paradigm data processing.
COSC A280 Introduction to Computer Graphics
This course is an introduction to computer graphics. Students will learn basic computer graphics concepts and use them in writing programs. Mathematics will not be emphasized, but a rigorous approach will be adopted. Topics will include graphics hardware, graphical user interfaces, output primitives, raster graphics, graphics algorithms, and 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional graphics. Some basic programming ideas, such as incremental design and abstraction, will be covered.
COSC A315 Computer Organization
This course introduces the topics of digital logic, digital systems, machine level representation of data, assembly level machine organization, memory system organization, I/O and communication.
COSC A316 Data Structures
This course illustrates the most important data structures used in computer science in theory and practice. The topics covered include the study of linked lists, stacks, queues, trees and graphs.
COSC A319 Internet Technologies
This course discusses the concepts and technologies used in modern Internet systems, and provides the necessary skills and knowledge of software technologies needed for creating Internet services.
COSC A361 Languages and Paradigms
This course is a survey of languages and paradigms. Topics include: parameters, data types, abstract data types, storage issues, static/dynamic attributes, software abstractions. Emphasis is on the procedural paradigm with introduction and comparison to the object-oriented paradigm and other paradigms.
COSC A363 Algorithms and Software Development
Students will learn programming techniques together with the design and analysis of algorithms and will then apply these techniques in their own programs. Topics include the basic concepts of program design, including modularity, cohesion and coupling, algorithmic development. Other topics will be sorting, searching, tree and graph algorithms, big-O notation, and space-time trade-offs.
COSC A365 Computer Organization and Operating Systems
This course introduces students to computer hardware organization and operating system concepts. It will provide students with a working knowledge of digital logic, registers, machine and assembly languages, computer architecture (storage structures, I/O, protection, etc.), process management, storage management, and distributed systems.
COSC A370 Computation and Automata
This course introduces abstract machines (computing devices that are specified on paper and not necessarily realized as some mechanical or electronic device). Essential properties of existing computer systems provide the framework for the presentation of the abstract machines.
COSC A375 Numerical Algorithms
This course develops the computational procedures which are fundamental to numeric applications. The student will study error analysis, numerical solutions of polynomial and transcendental equations, systems of linear equations using iterative methods, polynomial interpolation, quadrature, evaluation of functions and curve fitting.
COSC A405 Artificial Intelligence
This course teaches the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, including problem solving techniques, search, heuristic methods and knowledge representation. Topics include AI programming, expert systems and an introduction to natural language processing.
COSC A425 Computer Graphics
This course introduces technology and techniques of computer graphics. Various graphic hardware devices will be surveyed as will graphic software support. The student will design and implement programs to produce graphic display, both statistical and dynamic, with real time interaction. Three-dimensional perspective transformation will be explored.
COSC A430 Database Management Systems
This course studies different database management system architectures, security and integrity, storage structures, data models and submodels, access controls and data sharing.
COSC A451 Software Engineering
This course introducesadvanced techniques of large-scale, complex software systems development. Techniques to automate the analysis specification, design, implementation and texting of software systems will be examined. For information-intensive systems, students will build, revise, store and maintain complex data models.
COSC A455 Compilers and Interpreters
This course is an in-depth study of principles and design aspects of programming language translation. Major components of a compiler are discussed including lexical analysis, syntactic analysis, type checking, code generation, and optimization. Alternate parsing strategies (e.g., top-down, LR, recursive descent) are presented.
COSC A465 Computer Architecture
This course teaches the important concepts in computer system hardware design. Topics include design models including the register transfer level model, instruction set processor model and processor memory switch model along with information theory, queuing theory and performance evaluation techniques.
COSC A470 Communications and Networking
This course examines the problem of data communication and various hardware and software systems that achieve it. Topics include asynchronous and synchronous communications, modem, simplex and duplex systems and local area networks.
COSC A475 Advanced Programming Language Concepts
This course examines advanced topics in Programming Languages. Included will be an introduction to alternate programming paradigms (object-oriented, functional, and logical) and languages and the comparisons of these to procedural languages. In addition, concurrency and parallel constructs will be introduced.
MATH A204 Discrete Structures
A course bridging infinitesimal calculus and the world of sets, relations, digraphs, lattices, logic, etc. Topics include algebraic flow chart language, syntax and semantics, isomorphisms and invariants, directed graphs, Boolean algebra, permutations and cyclic groups, polish expressions, etc.
MATH A270 Mathematical Foundations of Computing
This course develops the logical and mathematical foundations of computer science and provides a context for the theory by using the ideas in important applications.
Computer Information Systems Major
The department of Mathematics and Computer Science offers a major and a minor in computer information systems. Computer Information Systems majors are employed in industry as Computer Graphics Designers, Telecommunications Planners, Software Engineers, Systems Analysts and more. Many Computer Information Systems majors go on to graduate school where they earn Masters or Ph.Ds in Computer Science, Information Systems, and so forth.
Pending approval by the University, the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science is proposing a new Computer Information Systems (CIS) major and minor. Courses in the new programs are selected from the list below. A complete description of the new majors follows.
| Freshmen Courses | Fall | Spring |
| Major COSC A211-A212 | 3 | 3 |
| Major COSC A119 | 0 | 3 |
| Adjunct MATH A204-A270 | 3 | 3 |
| Common Curriculum | 6 | 6 |
| Elective | 3 | 0 |
| Total hours per semester | 15 | 15 |
| Sophomore Courses | Fall | Spring |
| Major COSC A270-A280 | 3 | 3 |
| Major COSC A216-A319 | 3 | 3 |
| Adjunct MATH A241 | 3 | 0 |
| Common Curriculum | 6 | 6 |
| Foreign Language | 3 | 3 |
| Adjunct Application* | 0 | 3 |
| Total hours per semester | 18 | 18 |
| Junior Courses | Fall | Spring |
| Major Application* | 3 | 3 |
| Electives | 3 | 3 |
| Major COSC (A300-400 level) | 3 | 3 |
| Adjunct MATH A257 | 4 | 0 |
| Common Curriculum | 3 | 6 |
| Total hours per semester | 16 | 15 |
| Senior Courses | Fall | Spring |
| Major Application* | 3 | 0 |
| Major COSC (A300-A400 level) | 3 | 0 |
| Electives | 4 | 6 |
| Major Appl. or COSC (A300-A400 level) | 0 | 3 |
| Common Curriculum | 6 | 6 |
| Total hours per semester | 16 | 16 |
* Departmental approval of application program. Application program consists of four or five courses from one other discipline, at least two of which must be at the 300 level or higher. Examples are: Business (Management) MGT B100, ACCT B202, ECON B200, MGT B325, MGT B345; Business (Marketing) MGT B100, ECON B200, MKT B280, MKT B305, MKT B340; Communications (Advertising) CMMN A100, CMMN A101, CMMN A260, CMMN A310, CMMN A360; Communications (Public Relations) CMMN A100, CMMN A101, CMMN A250, CMMN A316, CMMN A360; Visual Arts (Graphics) VISA A202 (6 hours), VISA A275, VISA A373, VISA A474; Psychology PSYC A100, PSYC A350, PSYC A322+A323, PSYC A345+A346, PSYC A416+A417.
Major and minor programs in CS and CIS
(All courses are COSC unless noted otherwise.)
CIS minor: 106, 111, 114, 211, 212, one of 216, 270 or 280, MATH A204. (132 may be substituted for 111.)
CIS major: 119, 211, 212, 216, 270, 280, 319 plus 3 (or 4*) computer science electives 300 or above, 4 additional courses from one application area approved by the department (Management, Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, Visual Arts, Psychology, Biology, or others), plus one additional COSC (*the fourth computer science elecetive) or application area elective, (at least two application area courses must be 300 level or above), MATH A204, MATH A241, MATH A270, MATH A257.
CS minor: 111, 114, 211, 212, one of 216, 270 or 280, one selected from 361, 363, or 365, MATH A204.
CS major: 119, 211, 212, 216, 270, 280, 315, 316, 319 and 365, 4 electives 300 or above, MATH A204, MATH A270, MATH A257, MATH A258, MATH A241.