Computer Science

• CAS CS 552: Introduction to Operating Systems
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASCS 112 & CASCS 210) and competency with C/C++. CASCS 350 is recommended, or consent of instructor. - Examines process synchronization; I/O techniques, buffering, file systems; processor scheduling; memory management; virtual memory; job scheduling, resource allocation; system modeling; and performance measurement and evaluation.
• CAS CS 561: Data Systems Architectures
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS CS 210 or equivalent and CAS CS 460/660. - Discusses the design of data systems that can address the modern challenges of managing and accessing large, ever-growing, diverse sets of data, often streaming from heterogenous sources, in the context of continuously evolving hardware and software. We use examples from several data management areas including relational systems, distributed database systems, key value stores, newSQL and NoSQL systems, data systems for machine learning (and machine learning for data systems), interactive analytics, and data management as a service. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Research and Information Literacy.
  BU Hub Learn More

  • Oral and/or Signed Communication
  • Research and Information Literacy
• CAS CS 565: Algorithmic Data Mining
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASCS 112 & CASCS 330 & CASCS 365). - Introduction to data mining concepts and techniques. Topics include association and correlation discovery, classification and clustering of large datasets, outlier detection. Emphasis on the algorithmic aspects as well as the application of mining in real-world problems.
• CAS CS 581: Computational Fabrication
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS CS 112 and CAS CS 132 or CAS MA 242; CAS 480/GRS CS 680 recommende d. - Introduces 3D printing technology and computational methods for creating physical prototypes from geometric models. Student-led paper presentations cover research from prominent Computer Graphics and Human Computer Interaction conferences. Culminates in a design project involving a computational component and physical prototyping.
• CAS CS 582: Geometry Processing
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS CS 112 (or equivalent), CAS CS 132 or CAS MA 242 (or equivalent), CAS MA 225 (or equivalent). - Algorithms and data structures for digital processing of triangle meshes and point clouds. Topics include: surface smoothing, parametrization, and deformation; half- edge data structures; discretized curvature measures; and spectral analysis of surfaces. Numerical methods for linear algebra and optimization also discussed.
• CAS CS 585: Image and Video Computing
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASCS132 OR CASMA242) and CASCS112 or equivalent programming experience and familiarity with calculus. - Introduction to images and video as multimedia data types and algorithms for image and video understanding based on color, shading, stereo, and motion. Topics include face recognition, human-computer interfaces, animal and vehicle tracking, and medical image analysis.
• CAS CS 595: Blockchains and their Applications
  Blockchain technology amalgamates technical tools, economic mechanisms, and system design patterns. It facilitates the construction of information systems with novel combinations of robustness, decentralization, privacy, cost, and flexibility. Beyond their initial use in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, blockchains have become a promising and powerful technology in business, financial services, law, and other areas. This course covers blockchain technology in a comprehensive, systematic, and interdisciplinary way. It surveys major approaches, variants, and applications of blockchains in these areas. Beyond a solid grasp of the principles, the course aims to build familiarity with practice through numerous case studies and hands-on projects. To facilitate its interdisciplinary perspective, this course will be open to two categories of students: students with Computer Science background (graduate or advanced undergraduate), and graduate students with a substantial Business or Law background and a working knowledge of computer programming. Projects will be done in heterogeneous teams combining these categories, and will center on devising and analyzing sample applications of blockchain technology, including both prototype implementations and analysis of its business/legal implications. Topics covered: disentangling 'blockchain'; cryptographic prerequisites; assets and their representations; on-chain programming; state consensus; deployments; decentralized applications (Dapps/Web3); protocol governance; protocol revenue and business models; market structure; privacy and authorization; regulation. Notes for Questrom students: While this course is explicitly designed to accommodate Questrom students, its formal listing this year is as a Computer Science. Thus, to count as an elective towards Questrom graduate degree requirements, you need to submit a Graduate Elective Request.
• CAS CS 599: Advanced Topics in Computer Science
  Various advanced topics in computer science that vary semester to semester. Please contact the CAS Computer Science Department for detailed descriptions.