What is Computer Science and Computer Engineering?

Innovations in the world of computer technology have changed our lives drastically over the past few decades. It’s hard to believe that twenty years ago few people had heard of the internet. Today, computer scientists are busy developing new ideas that will shape the future.

Computer scientists specialize in the software side of computing, focusing on writing new programs that allow computer applications to run faster and more efficiently. You might work for a security company, creating technology that reduces the risks of viruses and hackers, or develop flight simulation exercises that allow airline pilots to practice managing flight problems.

Computer engineers deal with both software and hardware. As a computer engineer, you could design entire computer systems and networks, making sure that the hardware, or physical equipment, is capable of running the appropriate software. You might build devices such as retinal scanners that identify people by checking their eyes, or you could design computers that are incorporated into prosthetic devices to aide people with disabilities.

Those who continue onward to obtain a graduate degree in either computer science or computer engineering learn to advance the frontiers of science.  With an MS or PhD, you will invent the new technologies that enable the next generation of software and computing devices.

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Fall 2018 Special Topics Courses

Students looking for special topics courses for Fall 2018 should consider the following offerings. Note, as with all 4000 and 5000 level courses, be sure to check specific prerequisites, consult with your advisor as to suitability, and perhaps discuss with the course professor as well.     

• CSCE 4013/5013 section 001: Applied Cryptography, Dr. Qinghua Li. This course provides an introduction to applied cryptography with an emphasis on how to use cryptography to solve problems in practice. Students will study various applied cryptography algorithms/protocols used in the real world, learn how to select, design, and use algorithms/protocols for the considered system and avoid pitfalls, and practice this knowledge through hands-on labs. Topics covered include: symmetric cryptography, public key cryptography, cryptographic hash-based constructions, key distribution, authentication protocols including authentication in point-to-point and multicast communications, user-to-computer authentication and client-to-server authentication, IPsec, TLS, design and analysis of cryptographic constructions, and applied cryptography in selected emerging computing domains.
  
  
• CSCE 4013/5013 section 002: Design Automation of VLSI Circuits and Systems, Dr. Yarui Peng. This course is a study of the physical design, analysis and optimization of VLSI circuits and systems with an emphasis on computational realizations and optimization. For more information see a recent syllabus here.
  
  
• CSCE 5013 section 001: Computer Architecture Security, Dr. David Andrews. (Dr. Andrews website)
  
  
• CSCE 5013 section 004: Introduction to DNA Nanotechnology, Dr. Matthew Patitz. Nanotechnology, which deals with the manipulation of matter on atomic and molecular scales, encompasses a rapidly growing and evolving sphere involving a wide variety of sciences and engineering disciplines.  Nanotechnologists are developing systems in which molecules are designed to self-assemble into complex structures and materials, perform computations, diagnose diseases, and deliver drugs, among many other things. This course will serve as an introduction to several fundamental aspects of theoretical and computational modeling of nanoscale systems (especially DNA-based systems), followed by an introduction to laboratory techniques used to develop them.  Topics will cover material in mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, and biochemical and biomolecular engineering.  However, students from all of those and related disciplines are encouraged to enroll and introductory material will be provided and covered for each topic.  The goal is to teach students to synthesize knowledge across the entire spectrum and utilize those tools to analyze and design DNA nanotech systems. Dr. Patitz website.

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