Gannon University

FACULTY: Associate Professors: Stephen T. Frezza, Sreela Sasi, Theresa M. Vitolo, Wook-Sung Yoo. Assistant Professors: Barry J. Brinkman, Mei-Huei Tang. Instructor: Jeremy C. Cannell.

Facilities:

Gannon University houses one of the largest educational computer facilities in the tri-state area. Distributed throughout the campus are numerous microcomputer (PC) labs accounting for well over two hundred workstations. Student labs are open and staffed sixteen hours a day, seven days a week. Dial-up facilities are available to students for internet access; dorm residents have network access for computers having network cards. Also, wireless networking is available at a number of university locations including Nash Library, Waldron Campus Center, Beyer Hall, and Zurn Science Hall.

The CIS Department maintains three educational labs, using WINDOWS and LINUX operating systems. The general-purpose lab provides an interactive environment for design and programming classes. The network lab offers a hands-on exposure to the hardware and software layers of networks. The multimedia lab hosts state-of-the-art creation, capture, editing, and synthesis hardware and software for multimedia productions, database functions, and bioinformatics explorations.

A wide-variety of programming environments and application software are available at Gannon University. Specifically within the Computer and Information Science department and through its course offerings the following items are presented: C++, COBOL, JAVA, and Visual Basic as core programming environments; Rational Rose and VISIO as modeling environments, and ORACLE and Microsoft Access as database management systems.

Programs:

The Computer and Information Science department offers majors in:

• Computer Science (BSCS) - described below
• Management Information Systems (BSMIS)  - described under Management Information Systems
• Software Engineering (BSSE) – described under Software Engineering

A five-year cooperative program is available for any of the three majors offered by the Computer and Information Science Department. The student must meet the same requirements as the four-year program, plus spend a minimum of three semester equivalents in industry. See the CIS Co-Op Curriculum section below.

Computer and Information Science Co-Op Curriculum

Cycles available for Computer Science, Management Information Systems or Software Engineering.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

CIS 102: Software Engineering Seminar
An introduction to the profession of software engineering, the course presents problem solving techniques, software processes, system development issues and notations, and professional issues.
Prerequisite: CIS 190
1 credit

CIS 150: Business Technology I*
*Computer-literacy courses required by programs may be challenged for placement (not credit) at the beginning of each semester, and during orientation sessions in the summer. All students are encouraged to challenge these courses if they have developed suitable competency.
A hands-on introduction to the application of personal computers in a modern, networked business environment. Introduction to the Windows operating system, use of the Internet, the World Wide Web, and the components of Microsoft Office, with particular emphasis on Word, Excel, and Power point.
3 credits

CIS 170: PC OS / Internet
A detailed discussion of modern personal computers, peripheral devices, operating systems, graphical interfaces, and using the Internet.
1 credit

CIS 171: PC Word Processing
An introduction to word processing on a personal computer. Both basic and advanced document preparation capabilities are presented. Use of a word processor to facilitate writing efforts is a course objective.
Prerequisite: CIS 170 or ENG 101 or successful performance on placement exam.
1 credit

CIS 172: PC Electronic Spreadsheet
A detailed discussion of electronic spreadsheet functions and operations. Students will receive extensive hands-on experience in creating and editing an electronic spreadsheet.
Prerequisite: CIS 170 or ENG 101 or successful performance on placement exam
1 credit

CIS 173: PC Database
An introduction to relational database processing on a personal computer. Database topics of data dictionary construction, data entry, and queries to the database using SQL, form design, reports and labels, and their connection to tables.
Prerequisite: CIS 170 or ENG 101 or successful performance on placement exam
1 credit

CIS 174: PC Graphical Presentation
A detailed discussion of computer-based graphical presentation software. Extensive hands-on experience creating professional looking graphical presentations and slide shows.
Prerequisite: CIS 170 or successful performance on placement exam
1 credit,

CIS 175 Using UNIX
An introduction to the UNIX computing environment. Students learn basic commands and utilities provided through any standard UNIX or UNIX-dialect shell.
1 credit, Spring

CIS 190: Principles of Computing
The course uses ROBOLAB, a graphical programming language, and the Lego Mindstorms™ RCX Robot to introduce the student to the basics of computing. The hands-on, problem solving approach emphasizes the analytical thinking associated with computing, rather than syntax memorization.
Prerequisite: MATH 114 or equivalent
3 credits, Fall

CIS 195: Principles of Systems
An overview course introducing the concepts and value of data, information, and systems to the decision-making and strategic capabilities of an organization.
Prerequisite: CIS 170 or successful performance on placement exam
3 credits, Spring

CIS 207: Introduction to Business Programming - COBOL
A major part of this course is devoted to the COBOL language. Programming projects are used to introduce the student to system design, documentation and coordination of programs.
3 credits, Fall

CIS 214: Introduction to Programming
An introduction to programming and problem solving using C++ programming language. Topics include program structure, data types, file I/O, functions, arrays, strings, and records. The concepts of software development environment, coding standards, and debugging techniques will be discussed.
Co-requisite: CIS 215; Prerequisite: CIS 190
2 credits, Fall & Spring

CIS 215: Introduction to Programming Lab
Interactive laboratory taken concurrently with CIS 214.
1 credit, Fall & Spring

CIS 216: Problem Solving with Object-Oriented Programming
This course is aimed at developing advanced object-oriented programming skills. Assuming a background in the basic syntax of C++, full-fledged abstract data type implementation and object oriented programming style are explored.
Prerequisite: CIS 214 and CIS 215, or equivalent.
3 credits, Fall & Spring

CIS 220: Data Structures and Algorithm Design
An in-depth programming-based study of data structures and algorithms for their manipulation. Arrays, tables, stacks, queues, trees, linked lists, sorting, searching and hashing are topics considered.
Prerequisite: CIS 216
3 credits

CIS 224: Advanced Cobol Programming
A programming workshop that encompasses business applications using COBOL as the primary programming language. All file structures are utilized. Multidimensional tables and arrays, screen design, and the integration of programs into a system are detailed as an integral part of this course. Advanced topics.
Prerequisite: CIS 207
3 credits, Spring

CIS 240: Web Management and Design
This course aims at providing an introduction to the tools and knowledge necessary to design and manage a web site on the Internet. Topics include servers and clients, HTML, CGI scripting, languages, business and ethical aspects of the web.
Prerequisite: CIS 190 or permission of the instructor
3 credits, Fall

CIS 245: Multimedia Production
Multimedia software uses text, graphics, sound, animation and video to entertain, inform or educate its users. This course examines all parts of the multimedia software development process and provides hands-on experience with the use of multimedia software authoring tools.
Prerequisite: None
2 credits

CIS 246: Multimedia Production Lab
Interactive lab taken concurrently with CIS 245
Prerequisite: CIS 190
1 credit

CIS 250: Business Technology II
A hands-on study of the application of personal computers in a modern, networked business environment. Builds on material covered in CIS 150 Business Technology I. Provides instruction in the use of Microsoft Office components, with particular emphasis on advanced modeling using Excel. Other topics covered will be creation of web pages via HTML and other web authoring tools, integration of various Microsoft Office applications.
Prerequisite: CIS 150 or ENG 101 or equivalent
3 credits, Spring

CIS 255: Database Management Systems
A skills-building course in the fundamentals of database design, creation, and operations. Course topics include the ability to create a project-based database and its associated queries.
Prerequisite: CIS 173
3 credits, Spring

CIS 270 :Information Technology and Operations
An in-depth, experiential course focusing on hardware and systems maintenance procedures. Topics included are; troubleshooting options, system configuration, system recovery, data and network maintenance, and general management capabilities to enable system operations.
Prerequisite: CIS 190
3 credits, Spring

CIS 286: Advanced Object-Oriented Techniques
This course covers application of object-oriented programming to software development which include the general topics of encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. Topics also include GUI objects event-driven programming and exception handling.
Prerequisite: CIS 216
3 credits, Fall

CIS 290: Introduction to Networks
The theory and techniques of data communications design and analysis will be studied. Topics include data communication concepts, terminology, and standards. Error correction and detection, LANs, ISO/OSI layers are also an integral part of this course.
Prerequisite: CIS 190
3 credits

CIS 305: Essentials of UNIX
Essentials of UNIX administration such as account management, file structure and security features are presented.
Prerequisite: CIS 175 and CIS 214
1 credit, Fall

CIS 310: Software Design and Test
An advanced treatment of methods for producing a software design, and the testing of that design and ensuing code. Focus is on object-oriented analysis and design methods, black-box (functional) testing techniques. Includes treatment of the developing Unified Modeling Language (UML) techniques and its application to software development.
Prerequisite: CIS 216
3 credits, Fall

CIS 315: Software Engineering
This course provides an overview of software requirements analysis, the software design process, verification and validation, software maintenance, and documentation. The major emphasis of the course is a project that provides experience in the design and development of a significant software project.
Prerequisite: CIS 310
3 credits, Spring

CIS 317: Personal Software Process
The Personal Software Process (PSP) is a process-based method of software engineering used in the development of large-scale projects. Based on the software quality management techniques of the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) framework. Defect management, design and code review design templates, and process analysis used. The student progresses through a sequence of software processes developing the awareness for repeatable, quality-based development.
Prerequisite: CIS 220
3 credits, Fall

CIS 318: Software Architecture
This course focuses on the issues, techniques, strategies, representations and patterns used to implement a software component or a large-scale system. Specifically, it emphasizes the defining architectures that conform to functional requirements and that work within defined constraints including resource, performance, reliability, and security.
Prerequisite: CIS 310, CIS 286
3 credits, Spring

CIS 320: Analysis & Design of Algorithms
Focusing on the study of the design, analysis, and complexity of algorithms, fundamental techniques, searching, sorting and order statistics, and basic graph algorithms are reviewed. This course will introduce the ideas of time and space complexity. Emphasis will be on providing the student with a firm background to be used for further study of algorithms using more advanced techniques.
Prerequisite: CIS 220 and MATH 222
3 credits, Fall

CIS 325: Formal Languages & Automata
This course presents the abstract models of computers (finite automata, pushdown automata, and Turing machines) and the language classes they recognize or generate (regular, context-free, and recursively enumerable). Topics include Turing machines, recursive functions, Church’s thesis, undecidability, and the halting problem. Applications of these models to compiler design, algorithms, and complexity theory will be also presented.
Prerequisite: CIS 220 and MATH 222
3 credits, Fall

CIS 326: Formal Methods in Software Development
Focusing on the issues and techniques needed to apply formal specification methods to the development of software, the course uses mathematical and logical formalism to develop a precise statement of what software is to do.
Prerequisite: CIS 216, MATH 222
3 credits, Fall

CIS 330: Operating Systems
An introduction to the study of operating systems. Topics covered include: process manipulation and synchronization, processor management, storage management, security, I/O and file systems, and basic distributed system concepts.
Prerequisite: CIS 220 and CIS 175
3 credits, Fall

CIS 335: Systems Analysis and Design
An introduction to the role and responsibilities of a systems analyst. Students examine systems by analysis, modeling, and design at the enterprise, process, logical, data and technology levels. Optionally included topics are feasibility analysis, technology evaluation, project management and object-oriented analysis.
Prerequisite: CIS 195 and CIS 216
3 credits, Fall

CIS 337: IS Architecture and Deployment
A project and team-based course emphasizing the practical issues in the design and implementation of information systems. The rational integration of technology options across an enterprise given organizational needs and constraints is emphasized.
Prerequisite: CIS 216 and CIS 195 or CIS 310
3 credits, Spring

CIS 340 Multi-Tiered Systems
A project and team-based course emphasizing the practical issues in implementing distributed and multi-tiered systems at the organizational, function, and user support levels. Emphasis is placed on understanding the file, network, and data interactions of multi-tiered systems and on how the systems must be managed based on issues of reliability, security, and cost.
Prerequisite: CIS 240 or CIS 355, and CIS 335 or CIS 310
3 credits, Fall

CIS 350: Requirements and Project Management
This course is concerned with the management of software requirements and projects, particularly teams and stakeholders. The course includes coverage of requirements elicitation, analysis, documentation, and negotiation. It also includes the roles and methods of effective technical project management. Typical coverage includes the cost of quality, and its implications for requirements and project management.
Prerequisite: MATH 312 or BCOR 221
3 credits, Spring

CIS 355: Database Management Systems
A skills-building course in the fundamentals of database design, creation, programming, and operations. The ability to create a realistic, pc-based, database application is an objective of the course.
Prerequisite: CIS 255 and CIS 216
3 credits, Spring

CIS 360: Comparative Languages
An introduction to modern computing concepts and computational models as embodied in a number of different classes of languages. The classes include (1) function-based languages such as LISP, Scheme; (2) Logic-based languages such as Prolog, Parlog, Strand, OPS; and (3) object-oriented languages such as Smalltalk or Eiffel.
Prerequisite: CIS 216
3 credits, Fall

CIS 370: Compilers and Language Design
Introduction to the basic concepts of compiler design and implementation including: lexical, syntactic, semantic analysis, and target code generation. Topics are presented from an implementation point of view. A project includes construction of a compiler for a small language using the UNIX tools LEX and YACC.
Prerequisite: CIS 216 and CIS 175
3 credits, Fall

CIS 375: Server Management
This is a hands-on, lab oriented class designed to provide students with the information necessary to administer the Windows 2003 server family. Topics covered in this class will include installation and setup of a domain, along with DHCP, DNS, WINS and other server related services with replication. Remote administration will also be covered in great detail.
Prerequisite: CIS 175 and CIS 385/6
3 credits, Spring

CIS 381: Directed Research
Directed research and development in software and its applications.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
1 credit

CIS 382: Directed Research
Directed research and development in software and its applications.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
2 credits

CIS 383: Directed Research
Directed research and development in software and its applications.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
3 credits

CIS 385: Network Design & Management
An advanced network design course covering contemporary network computing, including data, voice, multimedia, WAN and intranets. Detailed discussions along with hands-on laboratory experience with various hardware and software components that make up these networks. Network analysis to monitor traffic flow and to optimize overall network design is included.
Prerequisite: CIS 290 or permission of instructor
2 credits, Fall

CIS 386: Network Design & Management Lab
Interactive laboratory to be taken concurrently with CIS 385.
Prerequisite: CIS 290
1 credit, Fall

CIS 387: System and Network Security
This course reviews standard computer security for desktop and server-based systems. It includes coverage of network security issues and techniques. Ethical hacking and defenses against unethical hacking and other computer and network intrusions are discussed.
Prerequisite: CIS 290 and written permission of the instructor†
3 credits, Spring

CIS 390: Distributed Programming
An introduction to the fundamental techniques and tools used in developing programs that rely on inter-process communication. Topics include TCP/IP, client-server paradigm, daemon programs, client socket calls, server socket calls, concurrent vs. iterative servers, connectionless and connection-oriented server paradigms, advanced topics.
Prerequisite: CIS 216 and CIS 330
2 credits, Spring

CIS 391-396: Special Topics in Computer and Information Science
Special courses developed from student interest in all areas of computer and information science. A brief description of current content to be announced and may be included in the schedule of classes. The course number may be taken more than once.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Chairperson of the department
3 credits

CIS 400: Internship
In conjunction with a local industry or business, the student participates in practical training related to his/her major. Academic requirements specified by the department.
3 credits

CIS 402: CIS Professional Seminar
This course focuses on current issues facing software professionals. Includes review of trends in the software & computing fields, job prospects, political issues, team and workplace behavior, project leadership as well as reviews of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.
1 credit, Fall

CIS 405 UNIX Shell Programming
The ability to understand the command language interpreter and to write routines within its structure are addressed.
Prerequisite: CIS 175
1 credit, Spring

CIS 415: Software Testing and Quality Assurance
This course is concerned with understanding the role of quality assurance in the software development cycle, and applying these techniques to software products. Course topics include test design methods, test planning, automated test support, quality measurement and quality tracking techniques.
Prerequisite: CIS 315
3 credits, Fall

CIS 438: Human Interface Design & Maintenance
This course deals with human-computer interaction and covers a wide range of topics, including software tools, usability issues, direct manipulation, command and natural languages, and multiple-window strategies. The course includes identifying and assessing the issues surrounding the maintenance of code, particularly in the context of HCI. Special emphasis is also given to design and maintenance issues for web-enabled systems.
Prerequisite: CIS 355 and CIS 286
3 credits, Fall

CIS 445: Advanced Multi-Media
This course covers advanced multimedia concepts. The student will study the advanced elements of multimedia, such as graphics, animation, video and sound; as well as the tools used to create multimedia applications. In addition, this course will cover the design principles and management skills needed to develop dynamic, interactive multimedia products.
Prerequisite: CIS 245/6 or permission of the instructor
3 credits, Spring

CIS 457: Senior Design I
The first in a two-semester capstone design sequence. Students review system design techniques, form teams, and begin the development of an end product. Emphasis is on working effectively in teams. Course topics include system analysis, language and presentation skills, team building, project management, ethical issues in the digital world.
Prerequisite: senior status in CIS Program, CIS 310 or CIS 337, and LTHE 227 or LPHI 237
3 credits, Fall

CIS 458: Senior Design II Lab
The completion of the capstone design sequence. Students develop and deliver a completed end product. Emphasis is on working effectively in cross-disciplinary teams. Course topics include organizational behavior, quality assurance, documentation, design process and process metrics, risk management, written and oral presentation skills, ethical issues in the digital world.
Prerequisite: CIS 457, and LTHE 227 or LPHI 237
3 credits, Spring

† Due to the nature of the material presented, this course normally requires a criminal background check of all participants. Students who fail the background check will not be allowed to take the course.

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