Computer Science

Projects

A great variety of projects are available to civil and environmental engineering students. Students may select project topics which are related to their subarea of emphasis, or may develop interdisciplinary projects that incorporate multiple subareas. Projects exemplify the type of work students will encounter in their post-graduate pursuits. Project activities can include a combination of design, construction planning, sponsored research, laboratory investigations, field work, and internship activities with governmental agencies and private industry. Students should plan their Major Qualifying Project activity during the junior year, in consultation with a faculty advisor. The MQP should include analysis of a comprehensive civil engineering problem, consideration of alternative solutions, and optimization of a solution. A major objective of the MQP is the development of sound engineering judgment, incorporating engineering economics and social factors into problem solving. Each civil engineering student must complete a capstone design experience which draws on past course work, involves significant engineering design, and relates to the practice of civil engineering. Normally, this is accomplished as part of the MQP. At the time of registration for the MQP, the project advisor indicates whether the project meets the capstone requirement. If not, the advisor will provide an additional 1/3 unit of capstone design (not MQP) work to meet the requirement. Alternatively, another MQP which meets the requirement could be selected.

Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

The first step to becoming a licensed professional engineer is passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Licensure is used to ensure public safety by requiring practicing consultants to demonstrate their qualifications based on education, experience, and examinations, including the FE exam. Engineers who attain licensure enjoy career benefits that allow them to offer consulting services and rise to positions of responsibility. All Civil Engineering majors are strongly encouraged to take the FE exam during their senior year. The exam is offered yearround.

Combined Bachelor/Master’s Program

Continued studies beyond the bachelor’s degree are valuable for career advancement and professional engineering licensure. Combined Bachelor/Master’s degree programs offer the advantage of double-counting up to 12 credits, including up to six credits of advanced coursework (4000-level) at the undergraduate level, for both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree requirements. Specific CEE requirements and more information can be obtained at the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department office. Programs leading to the Master of Science and Master of Engineering are available. Students should consult with their academic advisor to discuss program options, admission requirements, and course planning.

Computer Science

C. E. WILLS, HEAD

G. T. Heineman, ASSOCIATE HEAD

PROFESSORS: E. Agu, M. Claypool, D. J. Dougherty, N. Heffernan, D. Korkin, C. Ruiz, E. A. Rundensteiner, G. N. Sarkozy, C. E. Wills ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS: J. E. Beck, M. Y. Eltabakh, L. T. Harrison, G. T. Heineman, X. Kong, K. Lee, Y. Li, X. Liu, C. A. Shue, G. M. Smith

ASSISTANT PROFESSORS: B. J. Bohrer, B. Calli, L. De Carli, T. Guo, D. Reichman, C. D. Roberts, E. Solovey, R. J. Walls, J. R. Whitehill, A. Yousefi

RESEARCH PROFESSORS: J. Guttman, C. L. Sidner

ASSOCIATE TEACHING PROFESSOR: R. Neamtu

ASSISTANT TEACHING PROFESSORS: M. Engling, T. M. Smith, S. Taneja, J. Weinstock, W. Wong

INSTRUCTOR: J. M. Cuneo

PROFESSORS EMERITUS: D. C. Brown, D. Finkel, M. Hofri, R. E. Kinicki, K. A. Lemone, S. M. Selkow

ASSOCIATED FACULTY: S. Barton (HU), A. Lammert (BME), W. Martin (MA), W. Michalson (ECE), C. Ngan (DS), R. Paffenroth (MA), K. Pahlavan (ECE), C. Putnam (RBE), H. Zhang (BME)

Mission Statement

The mission of the Computer Science Department at WPI is to provide outstanding education to its undergraduate and graduate students in accordance with the principles of the WPI mission, to advance scholarship in key domains of the computing sciences, and to engage in activities that improve the welfare of society and enhance the reputation of WPI. The Department aims to maintain an environment that promotes innovative thinking, values mutual respect and diversity, encourages and supports scholarship, instills ethical behavior, and engenders life-long learning.

Program Educational Objectives

In support of its goals and mission, the WPI Computer Science undergraduate program’s educational objectives are to graduate students who will • achieve professional success due to their mastery of

Computer Science theory and practice; • become leaders in business, academia, and society due to a broad preparation in mathematics, science & engineering, communication, teamwork, and social issues; • pursue lifelong learning and continuing professional development; • use their understanding of the impact of technology on society for the benefit of humankind.

Program Outcomes

Based on the educational objectives, the specific educational outcomes for the WPI Computer Science undergraduate program are that by the time of graduation CS majors will have achieved 1. an understanding of programming language concepts; 2. knowledge of computer organization; 3. an ability to analyze computational systems; 4. knowledge of computer operating systems; 5. an understanding of the foundations of computer science; 6. an understanding of software engineering principles and the ability to apply them to software design; 7. an understanding of human-computer interaction; 8. completion of a large software project; 9. knowledge of advanced computer science topics; 10. an understanding of mathematics appropriate for computer science; 11. knowledge of probability and statistics; 12. an understanding of scientific principles; 13. an ability to design experiments and interpret experimental data; 14. an ability to undertake independent learning; 15. an ability to locate and use technical information from multiple sources; 16. an understanding of professional ethics; 17. an understanding of the links between technology and society; 18. an ability to participate effectively in a class or project team; 19. an ability to communicate effectively in speech; 20. an ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Computer Science Major Program Distribution Requirements for the Computer Science Major

The normal period of residency at WPI is 16 terms. In addition to the WPI requirements applicable to all students (see page 7), the program distribution requirements for the Computer Science major include computer science, mathematics, and basic science and/or engineering science as follows:

Requirements Minimum Units

Computer Science (including the MQP) (Notes 1, 2)

6 Mathematics (Notes 2, 3, 5) 7/3 Basic Science and/or Engineering Science (Notes 2, 4) 5/3

Notes:

1.

a. Only CS 1101, CS 1102 and computer science courses at the 2000-level or higher will count towards the computer science requirement. CS 2119 will not count towards the computer science requirement. b. Must include at least 1/3 unit from each of the following areas: Systems (CS 3013, CS 4513, CS 4515, CS 4516), Theory and Languages (CS 3133,

CS 4120, CS 4123, CS 4533, CS 4536), Design (CS 3041, CS 3431, CS 3733, CS 4233), and Social

Implications of Computing (CS3043, GOV/ID 2314, GOV/ID 2315, IMGD 2000, RBE 3100). (If

GOV/ID 2314, GOV/ID 2315, IMGD 2000 or RBE 3100 is used to satisfy this requirement, it does not count as part of the 6 units of CS.) c. At least 5/3 units of the Computer Science requirement must consist of 4000-level or graduate CS courses, except for CS 5007. d. Any of the following graduate courses (when used as described in Note 1c)can be used to satisfy the undergraduate Theory and

Languages area requirement: CS 5003, CS 5084,

CS 503, CS 536, CS 544, or CS 584. Any of the following graduate courses (when used as stated in Note 1c) can be used to satisfy the undergraduate Systems area requirement: CS 502, CS 533, or CS 535. Any of the following graduate courses (when used as stated in Note 1c) can be used to satisfy the undergraduate

Design area requirement: CS 509, CS 542, CS 546, CS 561, or CS 562. e. Only one of CS 1101 and CS 1102 may count towards the computer science requirement.

Only one of CS 2301 and CS 2303 may count towards the computer science requirement.

Only one of CS 2102, CS 210X, and CS 2103 may count towards the computer science requirement. 2. A cross-listed course may be counted toward only one of areas 1, 2, 3, above. 3. Must include at least 1/3 unit from each of the following areas: Probability (MA 2621, MA 2631) and

Statistics (MA 2611, MA 2612). 4. Courses satisfying the science requirement must come from the BB, BME, CE, CH, CHE, ECE, ES, GE, ME,

PH, or RBE disciplines. At least three courses must come from BB, CH, GE, or PH, where at least two courses are from one of these disciplines. 5. At most four 1000-level Mathematics courses may be counted towards this requirement.

Additional Advice

For additional advice about course selections, students should consult with their academic advisor or the Computer Science Department Web site (http://www.cs.wpi.edu/Undergraduate/).

Independent Study

Independent study and project work provide the opportunity for students, working under the direction of faculty members, to study or conduct research in an area not covered in courses or in which the students require a greater depth of knowledge. The background required of a student for independent study work depends on the particular area of study or research.

Project Opportunities

Off-campus major qualifying projects are available at several project centers including the Budapest Project Center, the Lincoln Laboratory Project Center, the Japan Project Center, the Wall Street Project Center, and the Silicon Valley, California Project Center. Projects are also available on campus, both to support the on-going research activities of the faculty and to expand and improve the applications of computers for service, education, and administration.

Additionally, the department supports IQPs in a number of areas.

Advanced Placement

Advanced placement in computer science can be earned for the “Computer Science AP A” exam. Credit for CS 1000 is granted for scoring a “4” or “5” on the CS AP A exam. No credit will be granted for “Computer Science AP Principles” exam. The Computer Science department advises CS Majors who earn a “4” or a “5” on the CS AP A exam to enroll in CS 1102 (Accelerated Introduction to Program Design). Students who wish to pursue a CS Minor after earning a “4” or a “5” on the CS AP A exam may consider enrolling in CS 2119 (Application Building with Object-Oriented Concepts) or CS 2301 (Systems Programming for Non-Majors). Students who took CS AP Principles exam and have substantial programming experience should consult with the CS course instructors as to which course to take.

Computer Science Concentrations

Students pursuing the CS major may, at their option, choose to focus in the following topic of concentration:

Cyber Security Concentration

Students taking the Cyber Security Concentration must: 1. Satisfy 2/3 units in core Cyber Security classes from: a. Software Security Engineering (CS 4401)

b. Tools and Techniques in Computer Network

Security (CS 4404)

c. Introduction to Cryptography and

Communication Security (CS 4801/ECE 4802)

d. Other Cyber Security-specific courses subject to program approval

2. Satisfy 1/3 units in courses discussing societal impacts of security from one of: a. Cyberlaw and Policy (GOV 2314) b. Social Implication of Information Processing (CS 3043)

c. Other Cyber Security-related societal impacts courses subject to program approval 3. Satisfy 3/3 units in additional courses from: a. Operating Systems (CS 3013) b. Computer Networks (CS 3516) c. Advanced Computer Networks (CS 4516) d. Distributed Computing Systems (CS 4513) e. Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing (CS 4518)