Course descriptions
Note: All courses are three credits unless otherwise specified.
INFSCI 0010 Introduction to Information,
Systems, and Society
This course will demonstrate how to build a web page that attracts attention,
program interactive websites, design and use databases, use multimedia,
and analyze current issues such as security and privacy.
No prerequisites.
INFSCI 0012 Introduction to Programming for Information Science Students
Introduction to concepts, principles, and skills of programming including
compilers, algorithms, and problem solving using a high-level programming
language such as C. Intended for students with little or no programming
experience who seek to be an information science major
Co-requisite: INFSCI 0010.
INFSCI 0017 Object-Oriented Programming 1 for Information Science
First programming course for IS majors. Designed for students with little or no programming experience. Basic principles and concepts of object-oriented programming using JAVA. Classes, interfaces, operators, program control, arrays, testing, debugging, inheritance, polymorphism, and event handling. Techniques for simplifying the programming process and improving code quality. Activity-based learning
Co-requisite: INFSCI 0010.
INFSCI 0019 Object-Oriented Programming 2 for Information Science
Second programming course for IS majors. Advanced Java language features required for professional software development. Data structures, OO design, graphical user interfaces, exception handling, multithreading, I/O, and Web and network programming
Prerequisite: INFSCI 0017 or CS 0401 or INFSCI 0015 (at Pitt Greensburg). Caution: If you take INFSCI 0019 and INFSCI 1025 at the same time, both carry heavy workloads.
INFSCI 1014 Graphics
Familiarization with some of the techniques for producing graphical displays
by computer will be studied. The skills necessary to design and create
computer graphics as well as an artistic and technical knowledge of what
makes a good graphic will be investigated.
Prerequisite: INFSCI 0017 or CS 0401 or INFSCI 0015 (at Pitt Greensburg).
INFSCI 1022 Database Management Systems
The design, implementation, and utilization of database management systems. Contrasts the methodologies of file systems and database management systems. Within database management systems, treats various data structures (e.g., tree, network, linked list) and several database models (e.g., the CODASYL Data Base Task Group model and the relational database model). Finally, considers the administrative tasks required in a database management environment
Prerequisite: INFSCI 0010; a basic background in programming is helpful but not required.
INFSCI 1024 Information Systems Analysis
Requirements management. Best practices in eliciting, documenting, and verifying requirements. Writing effective use cases. Constructing UML-compliant models (class, state, and activity diagrams). Specification of user interface and data layers. Rapid prototyping
Prerequisite: INFSCI 0017 or CS 0401 or INFSCI 0015 (at Pitt Greensburg).
INFSCI 1025 Information Systems Design
Object-oriented design best practices. Principles of system architecture. Design patterns. Requirements traceability. Construction of UML-compliant models (class, sequence, communication, and package diagrams). Refactoring. Iterative development of system prototype. Requires knowledge of fundamental OO programming concepts including abstract classes, interfaces, inheritance, polymorphism, and message passing.
Prerequisites: INFSCI 0017 or CS 0401 or INFSCI 0015 (at Pitt Greensburg) and INFSCI 1024.
INFSCI 1042 Human Information Processing (no longer offered)
Introduction to research and theory on topics in human cognition including perception, attention, pattern recognition, memory, representation of knowledge, language, problem solving, reasoning, and learning, with emphasis on the relationship to computer models of these processes and implications of this body of knowledge for building information systems.
Prerequisite: INFSCI 0010.
INFSCI 1044 Human Factors in System Design
Examines human-machine designs with special emphasis on human-computer interaction. Topics center on how to analyze, create, and improve equipment and environment to be compatible with human capabilities and expectations.
Prerequisite: INFSCI 0010.
INFSCI 1052 User-Centered Design
Introduces principles and programming of interactive systems. Interaction techniques are surveyed and incorporated in the design of interfaces.
Prerequisites: INFSCI 1044
INFSCI 1059 Web Programming
This course will introduce the PHP scripting language. Students will download
and install the Apache Web Server, PHP, and MySQL database. In addition,
the PHP installation in the SIS labs will be utilized. The course will
cover programming concepts, client server architecture, database access
and XHTML/Cascading style sheets. Students will write a full scale web
application as their final project.
Prerequisite: INFSCI 0017 or CS 0401 or INFSCI 0015 (at Pitt Greensburg), and INFSCI 1022
INFSCI 1068 Geographic Information Systems
Introduction to geographic information system (GIS) concept and technology including spatial data sources, spatial data models and structures, spatial database management, map projection systems, geocoding and georeferencing, spatial analysis, spatial data visualization (maps), GIS applications (e.g., address-location finding, navigation, routing), and commercial GIS software packages.
Prerequisites: INFSCI 0017 or CS 0401 or INFSCI 0015 (at Pitt Greensburg), and INFSCI 1022
INFSCI 1070 Introduction to Telecom and Networks (previously INFSCI 1004)
Introduction to telecommunications and networks. Top-down orientation relates networking technologies to organizational goals and needs. Data communications and Internet technologies and basic system performance analysis. TCP/IP, LANs, WANs, internetworking, and signals and communications media
Prerequisite: INFSCI 0010.
INFSCI 1071 Applications of Networks
Second course in telecommunications and networks. Network architecture, protocols, performance, design, and analysis based on application needs, organizational requirements, user requirements, and performance objectives
Prerequisites: INFSCI 0017 or CS 0401 or INFSCI 0015 (at Pitt Greensburg), and INFSCI 1070 (previously INFSCI 1004)
INFSCI 1072 Introduction to Wireless Networks (Cross listed with TELCOM 2700)
Introductory broad overview for students with a basic background in telecommunications. Not for telecommunications majors. Principles of wireless communications and how they differ from wired communications. Fundamental concepts including transmission and mitigation techniques (e.g., modulation and coding, propagation, interference, and antennas) for wireless systems, multiplexing techniques, wireless system architectures, mobility management, security, protocols, and location technology. Systems include cellular phone networks (e.g., cdma2000, UMTS), wireless local area networks (e.g., IEEE 802.11g), personal area networks (e.g., Bluetooth), fixed-point broadband wireless (e.g., WiMAX) and satellite systems
Prerequisite: INFSCI 1070 (previously INFSCI 1004)
INFSCI 1073 Application Development for Mobile Devices (Cross listed with TELCOM 2727)
Focus on information system applications that run on top of wireless infrastructure such as multimedia messaging, mobile inventory control, location aware services including wireless technologies (GSM, CDMA2000, UMTS, 802.11, Bluetooth), mobile information systems and applications (M-Business, location-based services, wireless CRN), wireless information system challenges and architectures (security, reliability, mobility, power conservation, gateways, proxies), mobile application protocols (SMS, EMS, MMS, WAP), thin and thick client mobile application development (WML, VXML, Java, J2ME, J2EE, .NETCF, C#), and business case studies of mobile applications
Prerequisites: INFSCI 0017 or CS 0401 or INFSCI 0015 (at Pitt Greensburg), and INFSCI 1070 (previously INFSCI 1004)
INFSCI 1074 Computer Security
Overview of information security. Principles of security including confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Operating systems and database security concepts. Basic cryptography and network security concepts. Secure software design and application security. Evaluation standards, security management. Social, legal, and ethical issues. Human factors in security
Prerequisites: INFSCI 0017 or CS 0401 or INFSCI 0015 (at Pitt Greensburg), and INFSCI 1070 (previously INFSCI 1004)
INFSCI 1075 Network Security
Network security and cryptographic protocols. Network vulnerabilities, attacks on TCP/IP, network monitoring, security at the link, network and transport layers. Cryptography, e.g., secret and public key schemes, message authentication codes and key management. WLAN security, IPSec, SSL, and VPNs. E-mail security (PGP, S/MIME), Kerberos, X.509 certificates, AAA and Mobile IP, SNMP security, firewalls, filters and gateways. Policies and implementation of firewall policies, stateful firewalls, firewall appliances. Network-related physical security, risk management and disaster recovery/contingency planning issues and housekeeping procedures
Prerequisites: INFSCI 0017 or CS 0401 or INFSCI 0015 (at Pitt Greensburg), and INFSCI 1070 (previously INFSCI 1004)
INFSCI 1076 Physical Layer of Communications 1 (Cross listed with TELCOM 2200)
Fundamental phenomena, components, and concepts related to electricity
and electronics. Covers
telcom applications of AC circuits and bandwidth, semiconductors and
amplifiers, digital electronics and logic design, Fourier theory, and
frequency analysis.
Prerequisites: INFSCI 1070 (previously INFSCI 1004) and Math 0400 or Math 120 or other calculus equivalent.
INFSCI 1079 Computer Networking Laboratory (Cross listed with TELCOM 2010)
The objective of this lab-based course is to gain knowledge of fundamental computer networking issues through hands-on experiments with network equipment and services. The sequence of labs start at the physical layer and progress up the protocol stack to the application layer. Topics covered are: Signal generation and analysis at the physical layer; Ethernet and WLAN performance and management; IP address planning and management; IP router generation including RIP, OSPF, BGP, MPLS protocols, TCP connection control; Stateful packet filtering; Network monitoring and management; Signaling protocols for VOIP services, and Web-based services configuration.
INFSCI 1080 Independent Study
Development of readings, research, practical implementation of a system, or other form of study as arranged between student and instructor
Prerequisites: at least five information science courses, contract, and consent
of faculty advisor and faculty sponsor
INFSCI 1085 Internship
Supervised work in an information environment providing a frame of reference for understanding and an opportunity to apply the skills, methodologies, and theories presented in information science courses
Prerequisites: last year of residency or at least five information science
courses, contract, consent of faculty advisor, and approval of
internship instructor
INFSCI 1090 Special Topics: Programming
Advanced class focusing on a current or specialized topic in the programming area
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor
INFSCI 1091 Special Topics: Behavioral
Advanced class focusing on a current or specialized topic in the behavioral area
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor
Fall 2009 (2101) - Special Topics: Behavioral - Literacy in the Information Age
The focus of the class is to introduce students to two central ideas: genre and provenence, and to explore with them the strengths and limits of different types of information. This is fundamental to being "literate" on the web and in/with many forms of information. The form of the class would be to take one information from each week (some might take 2 weeks), and explore different forms, affordances, and how one ascertains reliability and validity of certain kinds of information. I have thought so far of introducing the following forms: the list; the recipe (a la Jack Goody!), the standard, maps, visualization of information ( a methodological piece that might take 2-3 weeks), a poem, a software program, a web page, a journal, a passport, footnotes (from their inception through endnotes) and a GPS system. I will explore each of these historically and in different low-and-high tech variants.
INFSCI 1092 Special Topics: Systems
Advanced class focusing on a current or specialized topic in the systems area
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor
Fall 2009 (2101) - Special Topics: Systems - IT Management
Examination of IT management frameworks (CMM, COBIT), evaluation of popular agile techniques, configuration management, process metrics, quality management and leadership/coaching.
Prerequisite: Completion of 5 IS courses with a 3.0 or better or permission of instructor.