Science Informatics Major, Computer Science Concentration (B.S.) - Undergraduate - 2011 University Catalog

You are viewing the 2011 University Catalog. Please see the newest version of the University Catalog for the most current version of this program's requirements.

This interdisciplinary degree is supported by the departments of Biology and Molecular Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Environmental Studies, and Mathematical Sciences. Students are especially prepared to work in New Jersey's high tech pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other data intensive industries and to engage in graduate studies in the underpinning disciplines. The degree is unique in requiring both Science Informatics interdisciplinary courses and courses in science, computer science, and mathematics within the liberal arts tradition.

As science and computer science interact to create useful data-driven systems based on data storage, analysis, and retrieval, students in this concentration study the hardware and software supporting this new fusion. Students learn software engineering techniques in specifying and analyzing a problem, and in designing, implementing, and testing a solution. Database topics introduce data mining to locate interesting relations within massive information. Students work with a cluster of connected computers to solve problems.

A minimum of 120 semester hours of coursework is required for the baccalaureate degree with a minimum 2.0 overall GPA, and a minimum 2.0 major GPA. However, more than 120 semester hours may be required depending upon the major field of study. In addition to the major requirement outlined below, all university students must fulfill the set of General Education requirements applicable to their degree (for further information, see General Education Requirements). 

COMPUTER SCIENCE CONCENTRATION

Complete 84 semester hours including the following 2 requirement(s):

  1. SCIENCE INFORMATICS MAJOR COURSES

    Complete the following 5 requirement(s):

    1. SCIENCE INFORMATICS COURSES

      Complete the following 9 courses:

      SCIF 151 Colloquium in Science Informatics I 1
      SCIF 152 Colloquium in Science Informatics II 1
      SCIF 250 Science Informatics Sophomore Summer Internship 2
      SCIF 253 Colloquium in Science Informatics III 1
      SCIF 254 Colloquium in Science Informatics IV 1
      SCIF 350 Science Informatics Junior Summer Internship 2
      SCIF 475 Ethics in Science Informatics 2
      SCIF 491 Research Experience in Science Informatics I 3
      SCIF 492 Research Experience in Science Informatics II 3

    2. SCIENCE INFORMATICS - BIOLOGY

      Complete the following 3 courses:

      BIOL 230 Cell and Molecular Biology 4
      BIOL 380 Genetics 4
      BIOL 434 Introductory Molecular Biology 3

    3. SCIENCE INFORMATICS - CHEMISTRY

      Complete the following 5 courses:

      CHEM 120 General Chemistry I 4
      CHEM 121 General Chemistry II 4
      CHEM 230 Organic Chemistry I 3
      CHEM 231 Organic Chemistry II 3
      CHEM 370 Biochemistry I 3

    4. SCIENCE INFORMATICS - COMPUTER SCIENCE

      Complete the following 5 courses:

      CMPT 183 Foundations of Computer Science I 3
      CMPT 184 Foundations of Computer Science II 3
      CMPT 250 Web Tools 2-3
      CMPT 287 Data Structures, File Structures and Algorithms 4
      CMPT 300 Introduction to Science Databases 1

    5. SCIENCE INFORMATICS - MATHEMATICS

      Complete the following 3 courses:

      CMPT 285 Discrete Mathematical Structures 3
      MATH 122 Calculus I 4
      STAT 330 Fundamentals of Modern Statistics I 3

  2. SCIENCE INFORMATICS COMPUTER SCI CONC

    Complete the following 5 courses:

    CMPT 280 Assembly Language and Computer Architecture 3
    CMPT 350 Parallel and Distributed Computing 3
    CMPT 371 Software Engineering I: Analysis and Design 4
    CMPT 372 Software Engineering II: Implementation and Testing 4
    CMPT 483 Database Systems 3

Course Descriptions:

BIOL230: Cell and Molecular Biology

An introduction to the chemistry, structure, and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Topics covered include membrane structure and transport processes, bioenergetics and energy transformations in cells, DNA replication and expression, protein synthesis, and cell movement. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab.) 4 sh.

Prerequisites: CHEM 120 with a grade of "C-" or better.

BIOL380: Genetics

Lecture and lab. Heredity, gene and chromosomal structure and function, gene regulation, mutation and repair, genes in populations, genetic manipulation, and applied genetics are covered. Lab exercises demonstrate genetic concepts. A semester-long project with research paper is required. Required of all biology majors and minors. Meets the University Writing Requirement for majors in Biology, Molecular Biology and Science Informatics. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab.) 4 sh.

Prerequisites: BIOL 230 with a grade of "C-" or better and CHEM 120.

BIOL434: Introductory Molecular Biology

This course is designed to examine the molecular biology of plant and animal cells. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: BIOL 350, and 380, and CHEM 370.

CHEM120: General Chemistry I

Introductory lecture and laboratory course for science majors, prerequisite for all advanced chemistry courses. Introduction to atomic and molecular structure, bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter, solutions, and selected topics in descriptive inorganic chemistry. Laboratory stresses techniques and data treatment and their use in examining chemical systems. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab.) 4 sh.

Prerequisites: One year of high school chemistry.

CHEM121: General Chemistry II

Introductory lecture and laboratory course for science majors, prerequisite for all advanced chemistry courses. Introduction to thermochemistry, kinetics; general acid base, precipitation, redox equilibria, electrochemistry and selected topics in descriptive inorganic chemistry. Laboratory stresses techniques and data treatment and their use in examining chemical systems. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab.) 4 sh.

Prerequisites: CHEM 120 with a grade of C- or better.

CHEM230: Organic Chemistry I

Structure and bonding in organic compounds: nomenclature, reactions, properties, and aromatic compounds: stereochemistry; structure analysis by IR, NMR, UV, and MS; introduction to molecular orbital theory. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHEM 121 with a grade of C- or better.

CHEM231: Organic Chemistry II

Nomenclature, reactions, properties, and synthesis of ethers, epoxides, alcohols, amines, and carbonyl compounds; carbohydrates; amino acids, peptides and proteins; pericyclic reactions; synthetic polymers. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHEM 230 with a grade of C- or better.

CHEM370: Biochemistry I

Organization of the living cell; structure, function and chemistry of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids; bioenergetics and oxidation. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHEM 231 with a grade of C- or better.

CMPT183: Foundations of Computer Science I

Basic theory of digital computers. Syntax and semantics of a programming language. Algorithms: logic, design, testing and documentation. (2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: MATH 100, MATH 112, MATH 114, MATH 116, MATH 122 or MATH 221.

CMPT184: Foundations of Computer Science II

Continuation of CMPT 183. Algorithm development involving user functions; subroutines, recursions, structures file manipulation. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 183.

CMPT250: Web Tools

This course discusses and investigates the current web tools and technologies that are used in web site design. Focus will be on the markup languages of XHTML and XML; Dynamic HTML; Client side programming language JavaScript; Server side programming, Servlets, JavaServer pages and ASP. () 2 - 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 184.

CMPT280: Assembly Language and Computer Architecture

Computer structures, the conventional machine level, introduction to assembler language. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 184.

CMPT285: Discrete Mathematical Structures

The structures include sets, graphs, digraphs, trees, networks, lattices, matrices, semigroups and groups. Many practical business and scientific problems can be posed and solved by the use of these structures. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: MATH 112.

CMPT287: Data Structures, File Structures and Algorithms

Creation and manipulation of in-memory data structures including graphs, lists, queues, sets, stacks and trees; searching, sorting and other algorithms for in-memory data structures. File, file structures and external sorting. Meets the University Writing Requirement for majors in Computer Science and Science Informatics. (4 hours lecture.) 4 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 184. Prerequisite or co-requisite: CMPT 285.

CMPT300: Introduction to Science Databases

This course presents and discusses the concepts of the databases used in scientific applications and their differences with respect to other databases. (1 hour lecture.) 1 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 250, CMPT 287.

CMPT350: Parallel and Distributed Computing

An overview of a variety of parallel hardware architectures, ranging from symmetric multiprocessors to clusters. The appropriate programming techniques for those architectures such as threads and message passing. Parallelization of sequential algorithms for some common problems. Speed-up analysis. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 287.

CMPT371: Software Engineering I: Analysis and Design

Utilization of software engineering principles and techniques for the specification, analysis, and design of high-quality complex software systems including both technical and non-technical aspects. (4 hours lecture.) 4 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 287.

CMPT372: Software Engineering II: Implementation and Testing

This course utilizes software engineering principles and techniques for the implementation, testing and maintenance of high-quality complex software systems, as designed in a previous course (CMPT 371). (4 hours lecture.) 4 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 371.

CMPT483: Database Systems

A comprehensive collection of database organizations and design tools: file organizations and evaluations, database structures, schemata and implementations. Database security, operations and management. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 371.

MATH122: Calculus I

Limits, continuity; derivative and differentiation; applications of the derivative, maxima, minima, and extreme considerations; antiderivatives; Riemann integral. (4 hours lecture.) 4 sh.

Prerequisites: MATH 111 or MATH 112 or placement through the Montclair State University Placement Test (MSUPT) or a satisfactory score on department's Calculus Readiness Test. (Students who did not satisfy the course prerequisite at MSU and students who received a grade of D-, D, or D+ in the prerequisite course taken at MSU are required to demonstrate competency on the department's Calculus Readiness Test.)

SCIF151: Colloquium in Science Informatics I

This course introduces Science Informatics majors to the University, the department of the College of Science and Mathematics, the culture of higher education and the field of science informatics. Students learn about campus resources and activities, careers in science informatics and techniques that foster the development of good study skills and academic success. Issues related to health, wellness, diversity and prejudice are investigated. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - New Student Seminar. (1 hour seminar.) 1 sh.

Prerequisites: Science Informatics majors only.

SCIF152: Colloquium in Science Informatics II

This second of a series of four colloquia will continue to build a science informatics identity among students while exploring the field of science informatics, options for post-baccalaureate study and careers in the discipline. Students will explore both scientific and societal issues related to contemporary problems such as genetic engineering. Students will explore potential topics for future investigation and research. (1 hour seminar.) 1 sh.

Prerequisites: Science Informatics majors only.

SCIF250: Science Informatics Sophomore Summer Internship

During the summer under the guidance of a sponsor in a medical or industrial site outside of the University, students will investigate advanced, individual research problems appropriate to science informatics. Although students are strongly encouraged to enroll in an off-campus externship, an equivalent on-campus experience with the Biology and Molecular Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer Science or Mathematical Sciences department will be accepted for credit. () 2 sh.

Prerequisites: Permission of program advisor. Only for Science Informatics majors who have completed their sophomore year.

SCIF253: Colloquium in Science Informatics III

In this third of a series of four colloquia, students continue their guided examination of contemporary issues investigated with the varied methodologies and tools of science informatics. Information about how disciplines within science informatics prepare research results and associated recommendations for their colleagues, government agencies and the public. The influence of public opinion and the political decision-making process upon scientific research is explored. Students explore possible research problems for later investigation. (1 hour seminar.) 1 sh.

Prerequisites: SCIF 152.

SCIF254: Colloquium in Science Informatics IV

This fourth of a series of four colloquia is a continuation of the third colloquium, SCIF 253, in which students continue their guided examination of contemporary issues investigated with the varied methodologies and tools of science informatics. Information about how disciplines within science informatics prepare research results and associated recommendations for their colleagues, government agencies and the public. The influence of public opinion and the political decision-making process upon scientific research is explored. Students explore possible research problems for later investigation. (1 hour seminar.) 1 sh.

Prerequisites: SCIF 253.

SCIF350: Science Informatics Junior Summer Internship

During the summer under the guidance of a sponsor in a medical or industrial site outside of the University, students will investigate advanced, individual research problems appropriate to science informatics. Although students are strongly encouraged to enroll in an off-campus externship, an equivalent on-campus experience with the Biology and Molecular Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer Science or Mathematical Sciences department will be accepted for credit. () 2 sh.

Prerequisites: CMPT 250 and CMPT 285 and CMPT 287 and BIOL 434.

SCIF475: Ethics in Science Informatics

This course investigates ethical issues in science informatics research and the application of science informatics to product development and commercialization. For example, topics of accuracy, privacy, confidentiality, accessibility, stability, and completeness are considered in the context of genome databases and their associated computing technology. Science informatics law domains such as intellectual property (patents, trademarks, trade secrets), and licensing (patents, intellectual property or software) are presented. A seminar format and case studies facilitate interaction among faculty, students, and the issues. (2 hours lecture.) 2 sh.

Prerequisites: SCIF 350.

SCIF491: Research Experience in Science Informatics I

The student works as a member of an interdisciplinary Science Informatics student team and develops a research proposal to a science informatics problem posed by Montclair State faculty, other academic institutions, or industry representatives. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: SCIF 350.

SCIF492: Research Experience in Science Informatics II

The student works as a member of an interdisciplinary Science Informatics student team and implements his/her research proposal developed in SCIF 491 for a science informatics problem posed by Montclair State faculty, other academic institutions, or industry representatives. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: SCIF 491.

STAT330: Fundamentals of Modern Statistics I

Displaying, describing and modeling data; arrangements for producting data; probability; methods for drawing conclusions from data: significance testing, confidence interval estimation, linear regression, analysis of variance. Examples from many disciplines including the social and natural sciences. Statistical software is used. (3 hours lecture.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: MATH 221.

Output generated in 0.02105 seconds.