Casper College Computer Science Department Information
by Jim Krumm
Click here to go to the Computer Science Department Home Page for Casper College at www.caspercomsci.com.
2010 Fall Semester Online Offerings in Computer Science at Casper College:
COSC1010 Introduction to Computer Science:
This course teaches how to program using the Visual Basic 2008 programming language, one of the most common programming languages used today. Students will tentatively use Microsoft Visual Basic Express or Studio 2008 (possibly 2010). Examples of Visual Basic source code and applications can be viewed on the Visual Basic web page. Students taking Visual Basic should possess basic typing skills. This is an introductory course where students will learn how to make professional looking programs that do all kinds of things and hopefully have a lot of fun along the way. Visual Basic allows you to quickly make programs which look great. Programs made in class will include spell checkers, address books, screen savers, games, etc. Visual Basic allows people to make programs to do some really powerful stuff. The Express Visual Basic programming environment is available at no cost through Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/express/download/ and is packaged with our course text Programming Using Visual Basic.NET 2008, Seventh Edition by David Schneider. This course is offered both in the Spring and Fall semesters.
COSC1030 Computer Science I:
Computer Science I is taught using the C++ language. Topics covered include function development, iteration, logic, and file saving. Examples of C++ code and applications can be viewed on the C++ web page. This course is intended to give students their first major step in the fundamental concepts of computer science which are used in all languages. More programs are made in C++ which are bought in the stores than any other language. Students taking this course should either have taken Introduction to Computer Science (or equivalent) or have had previous experience programming (i.e. writing html, etc) or have done well in mathematics. C++ is a great language to learn, and is the common language used in many college programs. It is also the language many professional applications are written in that you buy off the shelf. This is an introductory course in C++. However, other C++ online courses may be offered at a later date which may be more advanced or written visually. Free Versions of the C++ programming environment are available from several locations. For instance, Microsoft has its free Express edition of C++ at http://www.microsoft.com/express/download/ and BloodShed Software offers a very compact but good C++ programming package at http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html. The text is Problem Solving, Abstraction, Design Using C++, Fifth Edition from Addison Wesley. This course is offered both in the Spring and Fall semesters.
COSC2030 Computer Science II:
Computer Science II is taught using the C++ language. Examples of C++ code and applications can be viewed on the C++ web page. This course is intended to teach advanced programming data structures and methods in C++, including class creation and development, multidimensional arrays, templated classes and functions, dynamic index lists, stacks, queues, trees. Prior to taking this course a student should have completed the equivalent of Computer Science I. The text is Problem Solving, Abstraction, Design Using C++, Fifth Edition from Addison Wesley. This course is offered both in the Spring and Fall semesters.
COSC2150 Computer Organization:
Students should ideally have completed Computer Science I before this course and have taken or be taking Computer Science II. Computer Organization will be taught using the MASM assembly Language using MASM 8.0 and Microsoft Visual C++ Express (available from Microsoft no cost.) It is required that student be able to run a Microsoft XP or higher operating system on their computers. Examples of MASM code and applications can be viewed on the Assembly Source Code Page. This course is intended to teach advanced concepts about how computers and programs work at a very low level. Covered will be binary, hex, decimal numerical systems, ASCII character set, logic, electronic logic circuits, Intel computer architecture, and assembly computer programming including registry and memory addressing and access, variable types, logic and mathematical operations, bit operations, arrays, searching, sorting, function development, iteration, stacks, etc. Prior to taking this course a student should have completed the equivalent of Computer Science I. The text is Assembly Language for Intel-Based Computers, Fifth Edition from Pearson by Kip Irvine.) This is a capstone course in the computer science curriculum and is offered each fall.
COSC2405 MFC Programming:
This course is intended for students who have programming experience in C++, generally having taken a course equivalent to COSC1030 at least. Covered in this course will be how to develop Visual C++ applications using controls which are generally almost identical to the ones found in Visual Basic. This course will program using Microsoft Visual C++ environment (free using the express edition) tentatively using the 2010 edition. The course in particular will be oriented toward developing practical and professional visual programs, and a few games. Covered in the class will include a survey of commonly used String-numerical conversions used in visual programming, common controls, graphics use, animation, visual user interfaces, key events, arrays, modular programming, files, and databases, etc. Examples of various MFC programming projects and applications can be viewed on the Visual C++.NET 2003-2008 Page. No text will be required for purchase this course (All materials will be provided in the notes.) This is a hands on project oriented programming course, offered each fall.
For details on how to sign up for the above courses visit the Distance Education Department at http://www.caspercollege.edu/distance_ed/index.html and to apply to Casper College to take these courses go to Registration at http://www.caspercollege.edu/admissions/gettingin.html. To find out more information about the above computer science course contact me, James Krumm, at jkrumm@caspercollege.edu.
The Computer Science Program at Casper College
Welcome to the Casper College Computer Science Page. Our department administers the Associates of Computer Science Degree Program. Our Computer Science program is exceptional and we are committed to providing the best program possible. At Casper College, we have excellent facilities and computer science instructors. Our
computers reflect the state of the art equipment required to perform
programming. We also have additional labs which computer science students can access
after class to work on their projects or just relax. Our entire campus is
well stocked with computer labs that allow easy computer access. In
the physical sciences department we keep our software current and have Academic Alliance with Microsoft which allows students to obtain personal
professional versions of the same developmental software we use in class for a
negligible out of pocket expense. The Wold Physical Science Building is a modern facility which has study and lounge areas and labs where
students can get tutorial assistance for free.
Left to Right: Images of our computer science classroom, Amy, a student studying Visual Basic, and the Wold Physical Science Building.
Our curriculum closely follows the same curriculum at the University of
Wyoming as well as many of the curriculums of many colleges across the country and offers more classes that count toward a bachelors degree in computer science
than any other community college in Wyoming. Our
classes are typical of the classes required by other colleges across the
United States, and our students find that their classes generally transfer well to four year institutions. Students obtaining an Associates of Computer Science
at Casper College would take classes that would
include:
|
Introduction to Computer Science (Programming in Visual Basic) |
Computer Science I (Programming in C++) |
|
Computer Science II (Data Structures in C++) |
|
Computer Organization (Learning about how computers work, and Assembly Language programming) |
|
An elective Computer Science Class in Java, or Discrete Mathematics, Linux, Introduction to Computer Science in Visual Basic or in Microsoft Foundations (making Visual programs in Microsoft Visual C++) |
|
Calculus I |
Of course Computer Science is a vital and an incredibly exciting field
of study and epitomizes what cutting edge technology is all about in America.
Consistently in the past, job growth in the Computer Science and the Information
Technology sector has been one of the most rapidly growing job sectors,
accounting for much of America's prosperity as America continues to move forward
into the information and technology age. According to the U.S. Department of Labor: "Computer scientists and database administrators are projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the next decade. Strong employment growth combined with a limited supply of qualified workers will result in excellent employment prospects for this occupation and a high demand for their skills. " (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos042.htm). Pursuing a degree in Computer Science at Casper College is a great way to
prepare for your future. Some of the highest paying jobs in America today are in the Computer Science Field.
To see a checklist of classes to be taken for an Associates of Science in Computer Science click here.
Some pictures from in and around the Wold Physical Building, where the Computer Programming Classroom is located, David, and the Greenhouse in the Wold Physical Science Building.
The projects done above were made in class, or in our computer club in Visual Basic, Java and Microsoft Visual C++. The wonderful thing about learning how to program is that there are so many cool things that you can make, and you are only limited by what you can't think of and what you don't know, yet...
Left to Right: Van, (Van's photo is courtesy of Jamie, from Casper College's public relations department). Center and right photos from the Wold Physical Science
Building.
Left to Right, Doug, Laree and Ian, and Larry. Larry was the lead developer on the Java Chess Project.
Our computer science students are bright and engaged and make coming to class fun and intellectually stimulating. To take a look at some of the projects developed in class click here:
©All rights reserved by James Krumm. Originally made available at www.caspercomsci.com. Materials here can be used, and redistributed, provided proper reference is made to the origin and author(s) of these materials. Please send any corrections or suggestions to jkrumm@caspercollege.edu. Last modified July 23, 2010.
To find out more about the Casper College Computer Science Program contact us at:
James Krumm
Department Head
Computer Science,
Wold Physical Sciences Building,
Casper College,
125 College Drive,
Casper, Wyoming 82601
(307) 268-2519 jkrumm@caspercollege.edu |
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