Biology - Major in Biology Program

Students who opt for a concentration in programming must complete the classes from the following list:

CSC 120 Introduction to Programming with Python

This course introduces the fundamentals of computer programming using the Python programming language. Topics include: variables, types, and assignment; iteration and conditional execution; functions, modules, and structured design; complex types and data structures. 3 credits.

CSC 121 Advanced Python With Data Science Applications

This course continues the exploration of the Python programming language, with an emphasis on techniques for writing larger, more complex software. Topics include class design, module and package organization, data handling, networking, the use of third-party packages and frameworks, and web services and application deployment. Examples from machine learning and data science will be considered. Prerequisite: CSC 120. 3 credits.

CSC 241 Programming II

A continuation of CDS 142, students will extend and deepen their understanding of programming using Java. The course will cover three main topics: Object-oriented software organization; design and implementation of elementary data structures and algorithms; the mathematical tools and techniques required for complexity analysis. Prerequisite: CSC 121, or by permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

CSC 242 Algorithms and Data Structures

A study of the design, analysis, and application of data structures and algorithms. Trees, graphs, heaps, hash tables, and other structures will be considered. Several mathematical techniques (e.g., complexity analysis, recurrence relations, and induction) will be studied and applied to understanding these algorithms and structures. The impact of modern computer hardware, especially caches and parallelism on the design and performance of data structures and algorithms will be considered. Prerequisite: CSC 241; MAS 111 or MAS 161. 3 credits.

Subject to the approval of the advisor, one course may be taken outside of the concentration and/or department.