   College Classes good?
  The following classes compose my upcoming freshman year of college at the university of texas at TylerI would appreciate any input on what to change, what is going to be especially beneficial, really any suggestions...I really value everyone on this sites input to the highest degree (:thank you!COSC 1336 computerscienceCOSC 1136 computerscience labMATH 2413 calculusHIST 1301 gota take it loland finally..ECON 2301 this class(micro economics) was selected out of the following for a possible MBA later..ANTH 2346SOCI 1301SOCI 1306ECON 1301ECON 2301*microECON 2302GEOG 1313HIST 2321HIST 2322JOUR 2307PSYC 1301PSYC 1349is this good/bad/ugly?   
Preface: you really give very minimal information here, so responses will either ask for more, or will be based on assumption and personal experiences.Freshman year is mostly about pre-requisites, from what I've seen and experienced.  -Calculus is probably required for higher level math classes (as a bottleneck device if nothing else: can't have every student with a passing interest in game programming signing up for linear algebra, after all).  Keep it.-COSC 1336 I assume is the university's version of "Computer Science I", which will probably be taught in C++, Python, or Java, but will ultimately cover the basics that you'll build on for the rest of your degree.  It's a CS course, no brainer: keep it.(You failed to mention your degree, I'm assuming it's Comp Sci or Software Engineering)HIST: required ancillary course, no question.  Don't begrudge the Liberal Arts education though, it helps keep you well-rounded.ECON: always good to have a secondary focus.  I'm currently split CS major/Math minor.Good/bad/ugly is really up to you, does it look like a typical semester load for a CS student? Yes.  Depending on the credit total I'd almost wager it's kind of light, but each school is different.   ;  Wait, 16 classes in one year?That seems pretty heavy to me. How many credits are each of these courses? I'm pretty sure UT is on a semester system.   ;  yes my major is computer science,and this really all the info I have at the moment, a more specific yet still broad question lol,what would you reccommend I study before classes start after my summer?about what should I understand beforehandI mean cs wise as well as math wise for the calculusI got an A in a junior college algebra/precal split semester classbut Ive heard caculus hurts some people who come unpreparedhope my questions dont seem to broad to be answerable(dont quite know how to phrase that haha)   ;  its only 15 credits b/c I took english this yearthose bottom classes were only a selection lol   ;Quote:Original post by BlueBan007yes my major is computer science,and this really all the info I have at the moment, What I meant was the rest of the forum doesn't have access to the syllabi for these courses, so you're either hoping someone else has taken them or you're getting pretty generic interpretations.Quote:what would you recommend I study before classes start after my summer?about what should I understand beforehandQuite frankly, intro courses assume little-to-no knowledge of the material. As for math, the fact that you got the A in precalc tells me you're ready enough (IMHO) for derivatives, integrals, and their applications, which is what I would expect from first semester Calculus (though again, each school's syllabus can differ).;  Undergraduate Course SyllabiCOSC 1301: Computers in SocietyCOSC 1307: Introduction to Information Systems SoftwareCOSC 1308: Introduction to Visual BasicCOSC 1310: Advanced Information Systems SoftwareCOSC 1336: Programming FundamentalsCOSC 1136: Programming Fundamentals LaboratoryCOSC 1337: The Object-Oriented ParadigmCOSC 1137: The Object-Oriented Paradigm LaboratoryCOSC 2315: Computer OrganizationCOSC 2325: Foundations of Computer Information SystemsCOSC 2336: Data Structures and AlgorithmsCOSC 3310: Internet and Web ApplicationsCOSC 3315: Social and Professional Issues in ComputingCOSC 3325: Algorithm Design and AnalysisCOSC 3331: E-Commerce ProgrammingCOSC 3345: Computer ArchitectureCOSC 3145: Computer Architecture LaboratoryCOSC 3355: Operating SystemsCOSC 3365: Programming with Data, File and Object StructuresCOSC 3375: Analysis and Logical DesignCOSC 3385: Database DesignCOSC 4309: Design of Modern Information SystemsCOSC 4315: Information and Knowledge ManagementCOSC 4325: Data Communications and Computer NetworksCOSC 4327: UNIX Shell ProgrammingCOSC 4335: Artificial IntelligenceCOSC 4336: Software DevelopmentCOSC 4340:  Comparative Study of Programming LanguagesCOSC 4345: Computer GraphicsCOSC 4352: Data MiningCOSC 4356: Computer VisionCOSC 4360: Net-Centric ComputingCOSC 4361: Computer Security ManagementCOSC 4362: Computer SecurityCOSC 4370: Undergraduate Internship ProgramCOSC 4375: Information Systems Design ProjectCOSC 4377: Compiler TechniquesCOSC 4381: Seminar in Computer ScienceCOSC 4385: Database Management ConceptsCOSC 4387: Computer Performance EvaluationCOSC 4395: Capstone Projectheres the descriptons:COSC 1301: Computers in Society [TCCN:COSC 1301]A general introduction to computers and their applications with emphasis on breadth of coverage. Topics include computer system components, terminology, and use of productivity tools such as word processing, spreadsheets, database, and Internet usage.Case study analysis of the social impacts of computerization and networking. Topics include computer ethics, crime, privacy, security, reliability, and vulnerability. Not for CS/CIS credit. Offered in spring of odd years.COSC 1307: Introduction to Information Systems Software [TCCN: BCIS 1305]Students in this course will develop a proficiency in the use of the common applications of a productivity suite like Microsoft Office. Applications covered will include DOS, Windows, word-processing, spreadsheets, database, presentations, e-mail and the HTML editors. No prior computer experience is required. Offered in fall, spring, and summer.COSC 1308: Introduction to Visual BASICThis course introduces the fundamental concepts of programming including data types, control structures, subprograms, arrays, and simple graphical user interfaces using the Visual BASIC language. Offered in fall of odd years, and spring of even years. Note: Cannot be applied toward a CS/CIS degree.COSC 1310: Advanced Information Systems SoftwareThis course enables students to improve their skills as knowledge workers. The emphasis is on personal productivity concepts through use of advanced features in computer software such as spreadsheets, databases, and presentation graphics. Offered every fall and summer. Prior knowledge of productivity software-databases,spreadsheets, and word processors-is strongly recommended.COSC 1336: Programming Fundamentals [with COSC 1136=TCCN: COSC 1436]Introduces the fundamental concepts of procedural programming. Topics include data types, control structures, functions, arrays, files, secure programming, and the mechanics of running, testing, and debugging. The course also offers an introduction to the historical and social context of computing and an overview of computer scienceas a discipline. Offered every fall, spring and summer. Concurrent enrollment in COSC 1136 required.COSC 1136: Programming Fundamentals LaboratoryLaboratory sessions dealing with the fundamental concepts of procedural programming. Topics include data types, control structures, functions, arrays, files, secure programming, and the mechanics of running, testing, and debugging. Offered every fall, spring and summer. Concurrent enrollment in COSC 1336 required.COSC 1337: The Object-Oriented Paradigm [with COSC 1137=TCCN: COSC 1437]Introduces the concepts of object-oriented programming to students with a backgroundin the procedural paradigm. Topics covered include a review of control structures anddata types, the object-oriented programming paradigm, object-oriented design, an overview of programming language principles, simple analysis of algorithms, basic searching and sorting techniques, secure programming techniques, and an introduction to software engineering issues. Offered every fall, spring and summer. Concurrent enrollment in COSC 1137 required.Prerequisites: COSC 1336/1136.COSC 1137: The Object-Oriented Paradigm LaboratoryExperiments with software development for topics such as control structures and data types, the object-oriented programming paradigm, object-oriented design, an overview of programming language principles, simple analysis of algorithms, basic searching and sorting techniques, secure programming techniques, and an introduction to software engineering issues. Offered every fall, spring and summer. Concurrent enrollment in COSC 1337 required.COSC 2315: Computer Organization Introduces the concept of computers andinformation systems by presenting the process of computation as a hierarchy of virtual machines, beginning with the hardware and moving upward through various levels of increasingly sophisticated software. Offered every spring.Prerequisites: COSC 1336/1136, MATH 1314, 1324 or 2330.COSC 2325: Foundations of Computer Information SystemsThis course provides a thorough introduction to graphical user interface programming using visual programming tools. After this course students will be proficient in developing Windows programs. Offered every fall and spring.Prerequisites: COSC 1310, COSC 1336/1136.COSC 2336: Data Structures and Algorithms [ TCCN: COSC 2336]Topics include recursion, the underlying philosophy of object-oriented programming, fundamental data structures (including stacks, queues, linked lists, hash tables, trees, and graphs), secure programming techniques, the basics of algorithmic analysis, and an introduction to the principles of language translation. Offered every fall, spring and summer.Prerequisites: MATH 2330, COSC 1337/1137.COSC 3191, 3192, 3193: Computer Science Co-Op I, II, IIIOnce a student has been approved for the co-op program, students can sign up for theappropriate co-op course (3191 for the first semester, 3192 for the second semester, 3193 for the third semester) with the approval of the chair of computer science. A student will hold a full-time computer or information technology position for the entire semester of the co-op. During the semester of a co-op course a student will submit biweekly status reports and, in collaboration with the employer, submit at the end of the semester a performance appraisal/ evaluation by the employer. Graded on a credit/no credit basis.Prerequisites: COSC 1336/1136, COSC 1337/1137, and permission of the chair of the Department of Computer Science.+COSC 3310: Internet and Web ApplicationsThis course includes a detailed coverage of Internet protocols, Web site management, Web page design and e-commerce. The course examines the linkage of organizational strategy and electronic methods of delivering products and services in inter-organizational, national, and global environments. Offered every spring and summer. Prerequisite: COSC 2325.COSC 3315: Social and Professional Issues in ComputingIntroduction to the social and professional issues that arise in the context of computing.Offered every fall.Prerequisites: COSC 1337/1137.COSC 3325: Algorithm Design and AnalysisIntroduction to formal techniques used to support the design and analysis of algorithms,focusing on both the underlying mathematical theory and practical considerations of efficiency. Topics include asymptotic complexity bounds, techniques of analysis, algorithmic strategies, and an introduction to automata theory and its application to language translation. Offered every fall.Prerequisite: COSC 2336.COSC 3331: E-Commerce ProgrammingThe course deals with the technical aspects of e-commerce. Students will learn to design, build, and maintain a complete e-commerce website. Topics include: e-commerce modeling, designing, and implementing a website that meets user requirements, maintaining and setting web servers, multi-tiered web architecture, database servers, accessing remote databases, shopping cart fundamentals, commerce server, advertising on the web, e-cash and electronic payments,and Internet Security and encryption. Students will build their own projects. Offered in spring of even years.Prerequisite: COSC 3310.COSC 3345: Computer ArchitectureIntroduces students to the organization and architecture of computer systems, beginning with the standard von Neumann model and then moving forward to more recent architectural concepts. Offered every fall. Concurrent enrollment in COSC 3145 required.Prerequisite: COSC 2336 and COSC 2315.COSC 3145: Computer Architecture LaboratoryExperiments in digital systems and computer architecture. Students will build and test logic circuits such as an adder, a multiplexer, arithmetic and logic unit, a counter, a shift register, and a memory unit. Students will also study hardware subsystems of a computer such as buses, central processing unit (CPU), and input/output systems. Offered every fall. Concurrent enrollment in COSC 3345 required.COSC 3355: Operating SystemsFundamentals of operating systems design and implementation. Topics include an overview of the components of an operating system, mutual exclusion and synchronization, implementation of processes, scheduling algorithms, memorymanagement, operating system security, and file systems. Offered every spring. Prerequisites: COSC 3345/3145.COSC 3365: Programming with Data, File and Object StructuresThis course covers computer concepts, algorithm development, programming and program validation. It includes a special emphasis on the design and application of data and file structures. Offered every fall.Prerequisite: COSC 2325.COSC 3375: Analysis and Logical DesignThis course introduces the systems development process. Topics covered include structured and object-oriented analysis and design, use of modeling tools and the methodological life cycle and project management. It includes the study of interpersonal skill development with clients, users, team members, and others associated withthe development, operation and maintenance of systems. Offered every fall. Prerequisite: COSC 2325.COSC 3385: Database DesignThis course covers information systems design and implementation within a database management system environment. Students will design and construct a system using database software to implement the logical design. Offered every spring. Prerequisites: COSC 3365 and COSC 3375.COSC 4309: Design of Modern Information SystemsIntroduction to prototyping and computer-aided software engineering. This course willprovide a detailed study of advanced topics in information systems software including system libraries, database design, and distributed software. A complete information system will be developed from various software components.Offered every fall.Prerequisites: COSC 3310, COSC 1337/1137, COSC 3385.COSC 4315: Information and Knowledge ManagementThe investigation of how information is a unifying theme within a range of issues in computer science, including database systems, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, multimedia systems, and data communication. Offered every fall. Prerequisite: COSC 2336.COSC 4325: Data Communications and Computer NetworksStudy of problems and limitations associated with interconnecting computers by communication networks. OSI reference model, architecture of circuits, message and packet switching networks, network topology, routing, flow control, capacity assignments, protocols, coding and multiplexing. Offered every fall.Prerequisite: COSC 2315.COSC 4327: UNIX Shell ProgrammingIntroduction to programming in the UNIX Shell; directory structure and file manipulation,built-in functions, control structures, utilities, and sublanguages. Offered in spring of oddyears.Prerequisite: COSC 2336.COSC 4335: Artificial IntelligenceSurvey of current artificial intelligence technologies: game playing, theorem proving, pattern recognition, searching algorithms, knowledge representation, neural networks, fuzzy systems, and heuristic programming. Offered in fall of even years.Prerequisite: COSC 2336.COSC 4336: Software DevelopmentProvides an intensive, implementation-oriented introduction to the software-development techniques used to create medium-scale interactive applications, focusing on the use of large object-oriented libraries to create well-designed graphical user interfaces. Topics include event-driven programming, computer graphics,human-computer interaction (HCI), and graphical user interfaces. Offered every spring.Prerequisite: COSC 2336.COSC 4340: Comparative Study of Programming LanguagesIntroduction, analysis, and evaluation of the important concepts found in a variety ofprogramming language paradigms; formalisms useful in specifying language syntax and semantics; programming language paradigms including algorithmic, functional, logic, object-oriented, visual, etc. Offered in fall of odd years.Prerequisite: COSC 2336.COSC 4345: Computer GraphicsGraphics hardware, software, and applications. Data structures for graphics, graphic languages, computer-aided design, and three-dimensional graphics. Offered in spring of even years.Prerequisite: COSC 2336.COSC 4352: Data MiningThe course deals with knowledge discovery from databases (KDD). Topics covered in the course include data warehouse, model fitting, classification, prediction, clustering, market basket analysis, extracting knowledge from data models, and data visualization techniques. Offered in fall of odd years.Prerequisite: COSC 2336.COSC 4356: Computer VisionThe course deals with extracting meaningful descriptions of physical objects from images. Topics covered include computer vision fundamentals, preprocessing techniques, feature extraction, supervised classifiers, unsupervised classifiers, andcomputer vision applications. Offered in fall of even years. Prerequisite: COSC 2336.COSC 4360: Net-Centric ComputingIntroduces the structure, implementation, and theoretical underpinnings of computernetworking and the applications that have been enabled by that technology. Offered every fall.Prerequisite: COSC 3355.COSC 4361: Computer Security ManagementThis course will cover the techniques used to secure and manage computers, computernetworks and enterprise computer systems. Topics covered will include security policies, computer network management, and disaster recovery. Special emphasis will be given to designing, deploying and managing complete security systems. Offered in spring of odd years.Prerequisite: COSC 2315.COSC 4362: Computer SecurityThis course will give a complete coverage of cryptography, network protocols and their use in computer security. This will include an overview of symmetric and asymmetric cryptographic algorithms and their use for authentication, e-mail and e-commerce. Network security protocols covered will include Kerberos, SET and SMIME. Offeredin spring of even years.Prerequisites: COSC 2336, and COSC 4360 or COSC 4325.COSC 4370: Undergraduate Internship ProgramAn 8- to 16-week program providing a new learning experience in a computer or information technology environment. A written report describing the activities and accomplishments of the student during the internship is required at the conclusion of the internship period. May be repeated once for credit. A maximum of three credit hours may be applied toward the undergraduate degree. Offered every fall, springand summer. CR/NC only.Prerequisites:COSC 1337/1137.COSC 4375: Information Systems Design ProjectAn integrated perspective of the problems in today’s information systems environment, concentration on contemporary design, methodologies, and considerations unique to users of computers and information systems. Offered every fall.Prerequisites: GENB 3301 or COSC 3315, COSC1337/1137, COSC 3385.COSC 4377: Compiler TechniquesCharacteristics of the compiling process, syntax directed compiling, symbol table construction and searching, top down and bottom up methods, formal grammars, and a formalizationof syntax. Offered in spring of even years.Prerequisites: COSC 2315 and COSC 2336.COSC 4381: Seminar in Computer ScienceThis course is designed to study current trends in computer science. Offered spring of odd years.Prerequisite: Senior classification in computer science.COSC 4385: Database Management ConceptsDatabase system architecture; file structures for databases, including indexing, hashing, and B+ trees, the relational model and algebra; the SQL database language; alternative database systems (network, hierarchical, object-oriented, object-relational, logical implementation, temporal, etc.), conceptual data modeling including Entity-Relationship data modeling; advanced data modeling concepts; functional dependencies, basic normalization, and database security management. Offered every fall.Prerequisite: COSC 2336.COSC 4387: Computer Performance EvaluationDiscrete and continuous simulation of dynamic systems. Topics include: simulation of probabilistic systems; mathematical models of real systems; system classifications; random number generators; simulation languages; single queue and queue networks. Workloads, benchmarks, performance measurement techniques, and case studies will be used in system capacity planning, hardware selection and upgrade, and performance tuning. Offered spring of odd years.Prerequisites: COSC 2336, COSC 3345/3145.COSC 4199 - 4399: Independent StudyIndependent study in specific areas of computer science not covered by organized undergraduate courses. A maximum of six credit hours for independent study courses may be applied toward an undergraduate degree. Offered every fall, spring, and summer. Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.COSC 4395: Capstone ProjectThis course offers students the opportunity to integrate their knowledge of the undergraduate computer science curriculum by implementing a significant software system as part of a programming team. Offered every spring. Prerequisites: COSC 3315, COSC 3325, COSC 4315, COSC 4336, COSC 4360, COSC 4385.[Edited by - BlueBan007 on May 14, 2009 4:13:57 PM];  Gaaaah!  Can you please edit that last post of yours and not put the descriptions in a source box, or at least go in and add line breaks in the descriptions?   ;  and heres the reccomended bs plan;Quote:Original post by BlueBan007yes my major is computer science,and this really all the info I have at the moment, a more specific yet still broad question lol,what would you reccommend I study before classes start after my summer?about what should I understand beforehandI mean cs wise as well as math wise for the calculusI got an A in a junior college algebra/precal split semester classbut Ive heard caculus hurts some people who come unpreparedhope my questions dont seem to broad to be answerable(dont quite know how to phrase that haha)Yup the hardest classes on that list for most would be the calc since it assumes quite a bit of prior knowledge. I mean if you don't have your unit circle down pat i.e. cos 30, tan 90,etc and fractions mainly you might not make it. Since you just took precalc all that stuff should be fresh in your brain and the page long derivative and integral exam problems shouldn't stress you out as much as it did for me. I spent the majority of my time doing homework just for that class. Most of the other classes on your list other than the programming if you are rusty can probably be accomplished online even and alot of schools are letting you do them online which I suggest since it'll free up more time for you. Psychology was probably the more relaxing class for me other than my programming classes of course. Anth,Soci,Geog,Hist,etc is just more of the stuff you probably seen in High School just more writing depending on instructor,school of course but it's really impossible to fail a class like that unless you just dont' go to class or get kicked out or something.So if you want to reduce the stress I would practice my programming in whatever language you are comfortable with so you get used to writing longer and more complex programs so you won't be one of those people asking for homework help on programming at the last minute that you see sometimes!p.s. I also highly recommend you read Polya's "How to solve it" book or some discrete math book that covers math proofs and gives you an idea of the confuscated terminology you will see in your math courses since it looks like you will have to take Linear Algebra which starts wandering into the abstract math realm. Even before that though you'll most likely see tons of proofs that will seem magical and mystical unless you've read a math proof book. If are are strong at math you might be able to get by though since most math tests skimp on proofs unless you go to MIT or Berkeley or somewhere like that and they are usually called honor math courses anyways.