2011-2012 Bulletin – PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University

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thin clients, and a 17-node (34CPU)
IBM Netfinity cluster. The department
uses a 3COM SIP IP phone system.
The protocol was developed in the
department.
The department’s computers are
connected via a switched 1 Gb/s
Ethernet network, which has direct
connectivity to the campus OC-3
Internet and Internet2 gateways. The
campus has 802.11a/b wireless LAN
coverage.
The servers have remote consoles
and remote power for easy maintenance
after hours.
The research facility is supported by
a full-time staff of professional system
administrators and programmers,
aided by a number of part-time student
system administrators.
Undergraduate Program
Computer science majors at Columbia
study an integrated curriculum, partially
in areas with an immediate relationship
to the computer, such as programming
languages, operating systems, and
computer architecture, and partially
in theoretical computer science and
mathematics. Thus, students obtain the
background to pursue their interests
both in applications and in theoretical
developments.
Practical experience is an essential
component of the computer science
program. Undergraduate students
are often involved in advanced faculty
research projects using state-of-the-art
computing facilities. Qualified majors
sometimes serve as consultants at
the Computer Center, which operates
several labs with microcomputers
and terminals available at convenient
locations on the campus.
Upper-level students in computer
science may assist faculty members
with research projects, particularly
in the development of software.
Ongoing faculty projects include
algorithmic analysis, computational
complexity, software tool design,
distributed computation, modeling and
performance evaluation, computer
networks, computer architecture,
CAD for digital systems, computer
graphics, programming environments,
expert systems, natural language
processing, computer vision, robotics,
multicomputer design, user interfaces,
VLSI applications, artificial intelligence,
combinatorial modeling, virtual
environments, and microprocessor
applications. Students are strongly
encouraged to arrange for participation
by consulting individual faculty
members.
Most graduates of the computer
science program at Columbia step
directly into career positions in computer
science with industry or government,
or continue their education in graduate
degree programs. Many choose to
combine computer science with a
second career interest by taking
additional programs in business
administration, medicine, or other
professional studies.
For further information on the
undergraduate computer science
program, please see the home page
(www.cs.columbia.edu/education/
undergrad) and the Quick Guide (www.
cs.columbia.edu/education/undergrad/
seasguide).
Technical Electives
All technical electives except those
noted in each track must be approved
by the adviser. In every case, the
technical elective course must be at
the 3000 level or higher. All technical
electives should be taken in computer
science. With the adviser’s approval,
however, courses in other departments
may be taken as technical electives;
in every such case, the subject of the
course must have a strong and obvious
connection with computer science.
COMS W4400: Computers and society
and ELEN E4901: Telecommunication
networks and applications are not
acceptable as technical electives
and are the only advanced computer
science courses that cannot be taken as
electives.
Students are encouraged to select
one of the following five preapproved
groupings of electives called “tracks.”
An advanced version of each track
is available by invitation for qualified
students who wish an extra opportunity
for advanced learning.
The following courses are required
as a preparation for all tracks: COMS
W1004, W1007, W3137, W3157,
W3203, W3210, W3251, W3261, CSEE
W3827, and SIEO W4150 (SIEO W3600
is an accepted substitute for W4150).
Collectively these courses are called the
CS Core Curriculum.
Students who pass the Computer
Science Advanced Placement (AP)
Exam, either A or AB, with a 4 or 5 will
receive 3 points of credit and exemption
from COMS W1004.
Note: A maximum of one course
worth no more than 4 points passed
with a grade of D may be counted
toward the major or minor.
Track 1: Foundations of CS Track
The foundations track is suitable for
students who plan to concentrate on
theoretical computer science in graduate
school or in mathematical topics such
as communications security or scientific
computation in their career plans.
Register for track course COMS E0001.
Required: 9 points
CSOR W4231: Analysis of algorithms
COMS W4236: Introduction to computational
complexity
COMS W4241: Numerical algorithms and complexity
Breadth: 6 points
Any COMS 3000- or 4000-level courses except
those countable toward the CS core or foundations
of CS track
Electives: 15 points from the following list:
COMS W4203: Graph theory
COMS W4205: Combinatorial theory
COMS W4252: Computational learning theory
COMS W4261: Introduction to cryptography
COMS W4281: Quantum computing
COMS W4444: Programming and problem solving
COMS W4771: Machine learning
COMS W4772: Advanced machine learning
COMS W4995: Math foundations of machine learning
COMS E6232: Analysis of algorithms, II
COMS E6261: Advanced crytography
COMS E6717: Information theory
COMS E6998: Approximation algorithms
COMS W3902: Undergraduate thesis (with adviser
approval; may be repeated for
credit)
COMS W3998: Projects in Computer Science (with
adviser approval; may be repeated
for credit)
COMS W4901: Projects in Computer Science (with
adviser approval; may be repeated
for credit)
COMS E6901: Projects in Computer Science (with
adviser approval; may be repeated
for credit)
Note: No more than 6 units of project/thesis
courses (COMS W3902, W3998, W4901, and
E6901) can count toward the major.
engineering 2011–2012