New class offerings for this Spring:
Mobile Application Design and Development
CS 490-005 MW 12:00 – 1:15
Prerequisites: CS 321, CS 340
This course introduces the fundamental concepts and practices in designing and implementing applications for mobile devices. In addition, we will explore the latest developments in mobile technology and some of the frameworks that are available for developing mobile applications.
Students will create applications for the iPhone and iPod touch using advanced features such as audio, video, and multi-touch. We will also discuss Cocoa touch, Objective-C, and the iPhone SDK. At the completion of this course, students will be able to design, create, and deploy usable applications for mobile devices.
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Empirical Software Engineering
CS 490/590 MW 3:00 – 4:15 PM
Prerequisite: CS 340
What is this class about?
Is Java a "better" programming language than C++? Is Ruby better than PHP? Does pair programming
actually produce better, higher quality, code than two people programming on their own? If you've ever
wondered about any of these, or similar, questions, this is the class for you! In empirical software
engineering, we will study how we use evidence to garner better programming languages, techniques,
and procedures.
What will we do?
In this class, we will start by looking at a sophisticated system for making industrial strength programs:
The NetBeans Platform. The NetBeans platform (not the same as the programming environment
NetBeans), allows you to make robust, commercial grade, applications quickly and easily. Once we
have learned the basics of the platform, we will use it to run experiments to test software engineering
ideas. You get to choose what you test, so if you want to try and prove that Ruby on Rails is better than
PHP (or the opposite), come give it a shot.
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Principles of Simulation
CS 490-002/CS 525-001 TR 9:30-10:45 am
Prerequisites: CS 240, STAT 380
As systems grow larger and more complex, they can no longer be examined and tested using simple mathematical equations or programs. Furthermore, there are often times when resources such as time and money don't allow for a real system to be tested under even near-optimal conditions. During these times, simulation provides a means by which questions can be asked about a system in both hypothetical and realistic scenarios.
This course will teach methods of modeling and simulating time-driven and event-driven systems. Topics will also include stochastic methodologies, ways to describe model behavior (such as Finite State Machine and Petri Net), and approaches to analyzing simulation results.
Wow, these seem like some pretty sweet topics. Ones I wouldn't mind taking myself if I were still at SIUE. As far as C-based languages go, I thought Java's JIT had something great going for it compared to C, Objective-C, C++, and Objective-C++. However, with the advent of LLVM and a native-code JIT for those languages, I think the tables have turned. I hope that's a discussion that's brought up in the Empirical Programming Course.
Mobile App Design: Sounds excellent. That's an area I'm involved in as a pro-am, and I think it's one of those areas where lots of great things are yet to be done. Basically, this is the time to get into that area if you aren't.
Principles of Simulation: I completely agree with the course description. I, myself, have some projects planned, and they will require simulation for proper analysis and optimization rather than just pure math formulae and theories. This is especially true with most types of parallel processing, where event ordering is unimportant. This should be a great course as well.
Everyone, take these courses! I sure know I would!
Wow, looks like I might get to finish out my electives with courses that I actually want to take.
No 500 level on mobile apps?
Scott
Quote from: raptor on 2009-09-22T20:27:16-05:00 (Tuesday)
No 500 level on mobile apps?
Scott
Grad Students can take 400 level courses for credit. This course will count toward a technical elective in the CS Masters program.
It is not being offered as a 500 level cross listed course due to Graduate School Policy of who can offer 500 level courses.
Hmmm what about bumping the time for Simulation up. I like my sleep.
Yeah! What about moving the time up for the Mod & Sim class? The, ahh... students need their sleep. -_-
Man, I wish these classes were offered when I finished up my electives. I would definitely recommend the mobile apps class.
Yeah. Sweet. I'll be taking the mobile apps class for sure. (http://www.nanogreens-10.com)
Taking a slight step to the left off of topic, I would like to mention that I have applied for two grants, both with graduate assitantship support.
One GA is planned to start Summer 2010 and go through Dec 2010. This one will entail modeling and simulation using neural networks and experimentation on the SIUE wind tunnel along side a mechanical engineering GA.
The other GA effort is planned for 1 year, from Fall 2010 through Spring 2011. It will involve much more system theoretic modeling and simulation, but also with neural networks (including implementation). Since there is no Advanced Modeling and Simulation course (yet) and the Principle of Simulation may only touch upon the topic at the very end, the computer science GA candidate must be willing to be schooled.
There is no guarantee that either of these efforts will be funded, nor to the levels that I budgeted. However, if they are, priority for the GA(s) will be given to a student who has taken the Principles of Simulation course and, obviously, perfomed well in it. Both research efforts are intended to result in at least one conference paper, if not at a journal publication submission.
Prior neural network experience is a plus, but not mandatory.
How come AI isn't being offered this spring?
Quote from: delia feerer on 2009-10-19T08:42:29-05:00 (Monday)
How come AI isn't being offered this spring?
Other courses needed to be covered.
AI will be back.
Boo to no AI. Courses should be offered based on student interest. I am very supportive of topics such as Mobile App Development, Visual Analytics, Simulation and Modeling. These are topics that build real, usable skills.
Who will be teaching principles of simulation?
Quote from: robespierre on 2009-12-10T12:25:04-06:00 (Thursday)
Who will be teaching principles of simulation?
That would be me.
The class will be some :sorcerer: + :smartass: and a little bit of :cowboy:.
Hmm...
Professor Dumbledore + Harry Potter = a little bit of Indiana Jones? I don't get it.
I think that is Prof. Snape + Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School = Billy Crystal in City Slickers.
Quote from: raptor on 2009-12-10T20:24:13-06:00 (Thursday)
I think that is Prof. Snape + Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School = Billy Crystal in City Slickers.
I like this interpretation much better.