Graduate Calendar Archives: 2002 / 2003

Computer Science

Herzberg Building 5302
Telephone: (613) 520-4333
Fax: (613) 520-4334
E-mail: scs@carleton.ca
Web site: www.scs.carleton.ca

The School

Director of the School, F. Dehne
Supervisor of Graduate Studies, J.-P. Corriveau

The School of Computer Science offers degrees leading to a Master of Computer Science or a Ph.D. in Computer Science through the Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Computer Science. The Institute is jointly administered by the School and the School of Information Technology and Engineering at the University of Ottawa. For further information, including admission and program requirements, see the Institute's section of this Calendar.

A program leading to the M.Sc. in Information and Systems Science is offered in cooperation with the School of Mathematics and Statistics and the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering. For further information see the Information and Systems Science section in this Calendar.

The research expertise of the School's faculty is concentrated in the following areas:

Algorithms and Complexity

Computational geometry and algebra, combinatorial optimization, distributed and parallel algorithms, multi-dimensional data structures, stochastic automata, graph theory, partial orders.

Intelligent Systems

Expert systems, knowledge acquisition tools, knowledge based assistants, connectionism and neural networks, natural language understanding, learning and adaptability, robotics, pattern recognition.

Object-Oriented Systems

Visual programming, filing systems, databases, user interfaces, simulation, animation, software engineering, office automation.

Distributed Systems

Operating systems, databases, systolic architectures, tools for performance studies, distributed programming languages, parallel computing, communication complexity, networks.

In addition to its undergraduate laboratories, the School maintains a number of state-of-the-art research laboratories all integrated via a department and campus area network.

Graduate Courses

Course Designation System

Carleton's course designation system has been restructured. The first entry of each course description below is the new alphanumeric Carleton course code, followed by its credit value in brackets. The old Carleton course number (in parentheses) is included for reference, where applicable.

The complete list of courses available through the Ottawa-Carleton Institute for Computer Science is provided in the Institute's section of this Calendar. The following courses are offered by the School of Computer Science.

COMP 5001 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.501) (CSI 5113)

Foundations of Programming Languages
This course examines current topics pertaining to the semantics and use of programming languages. Some of the following different styles of languages are considered: functional, object-oriented, logic, visual, constraint and imperative. Concurrency, distribution, reflection, and other advanced topics may also be addressed.

Precludes: COMP 3007 or the equivalent

COMP 5003 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.503) (CSI 5308)

Principles of Distributed Computing
Formal models; semantics of distributed computations; theoretical issues in design of distributed algorithms; computational complexity; reducibility and equivalence of distributed problems. Related topics: systolic systems and computations, oligarchical systems and control mechanisms.

Prerequisite: COMP 4001 or equivalent.

COMP 5005 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.505) (CSI 5390)

Learning Systems for Random Environments
A course on computerized adaptive learning for random environments and its applications. Topics include a mathematical review, learning automata which are deterministic/stochastic, with fixed/variable structures, of continuous/discretized design, with ergodic/absorbing properties and of estimator families.

Prerequisite: MATH 2600 or MATH 3500, or SYSC 5503 or the equivalent.

COMP 5006 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.506) (CSI 5306)

Natural Language Understanding
Introduction to current research in natural language processing, with emphasis on semantics and pragmatics rather than syntactic issues, and on analyzing text rather than single sentences. Topics include: meaning representation, representation of pragmatic information, speech act theory, flexible parsing, anaphor and reference, contextual meaning.

Prerequisite: COMP 4007 or COMP 4106 or the equivalent.

COMP 5008 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.508) (CSI 5164)

Computational Geometry
A study of the design and analysis of algorithms to solve geometric problems with an emphasis on applications such as robotics, graphics, and pattern recognition. Topics include: visibility problems, hidden line and surface removal, path planning amidst obstacles, convex hulls, polygon triangulation, point location.

Prerequisite: COMP 3804 or the equivalent.

COMP 5009 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.509) (CSI 5141)

Associative Data Structures and Advanced Databases
Concepts and advanced topics in the design, implementation and analysis of physical storage schemes with emphasis on their application to specialized database and information retrieval systems. Topics include: associative searching techniques; multidimensional storage structures; algorithms for spatial data modeling; formulation and optimization of database queries.

Prerequisites: COMP 3005 and COMP 3804, or the equivalent.

COMP 5100 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.510) (CSI 5180)

Topics in Artificial Intelligence
Several areas in knowledge-based systems are covered, including recent approaches to machine learning and data mining, inference methods, knowledge-based and fuzzy systems, heuristic search, and natural language processing.
Prerequisite: COMP 3007 or the equivalent

Precludes: COMP 4106 or the equivalent.

COMP 5101 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.511) (CSI 5311)

Distributed Databases and Transaction Processing Systems
Principles involved in the design and implementation of distributed databases and distributed transaction processing systems. Topics include: distributed computing concepts, computing networks, distributed and multi-database system architectures and models, atomicity, synchronization and distributed concurrency control algorithms, data replication, recovery techniques, and reliability in distributed databases.
Precludes additional credit for COMP 4101.

Prerequisites: COMP 3005, COMP 4001, and COMP 4003 or equivalent.

COMP 5102 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.512) (CSI 5312)

Distributed Operating Systems
Design issues of advanced multiprocessor distributed operating systems: multiprocessor system architectures; process and object models; synchronization and message passing primitives; memory architectures and management; distributed file systems; protection and security; distributed concurrency control; deadlock; recovery; remote tasking; dynamic reconfiguration; performance measurement, modeling, and system tuning.

Prerequisite: COMP 3000 or equivalent.

COMP 5103 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.513) (CSI 5313)

Computer Security and Cryptography
Introduction to information security in computer and communication systems. Classical and public-key cryptosystems are overviewed. Applications to information schemes and digital signatures, key distribution and key agreement, authentication and secret sharing are also discussed. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as COMP 4103, for which additional credit is precluded.

Prerequisite: COMP 3804 or equivalent.

COMP 5104 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.514) (CSI 5314)

Object-Oriented Software Development
This course addresses current issues in object-oriented software engineering (modeling and programming). Possible topics include object-oriented languages, models and methodologies, CASE tools, design patterns, real-time performance, testing approaches and patterns, generative and meta programming.

Prerequisite: COMP 2004 or equivalent.

COMP 5105 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.515) (CSI 5132)

Parallel Processing Systems
Introduction to the issues involved in designing and using parallel processing systems. Topics include: taxonomy and applications of parallel systems; SIMD systems; multiprocessor systems; multicomputer systems; computation versus communication issues in parallel processing; scheduling parallel systems; spinning versus blocking; interconnection networks; hot-spot contention.

Prerequisite: Permission of the School.

COMP 5106 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.516) (CSI 5123)

Languages for Parallel Computing
Survey of major language paradigms for parallel computing: sequential imperative, parallel imperative, logic, functional (reduction and dataflow), object and message-passing based languages; communicating sequential processes; and massive data-level parallelism. Topics include: detection, determinism, data partitioning, task scheduling, task granularity, synchronization methods, resource management, and debugging.

Prerequisite: COMP 5001

COMP 5107 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.517) (CSI 5185)

Statistical and Syntactic Pattern Recognition
Topics include a mathematical review, Bayes decision theory, maximum likelihood and Bayesian learning for parametric pattern recognition, non-parametric methods including nearest neighbor and linear discriminants. Syntactic recognition of strings, substrings, subsequences and tree structures. Applications include speech, shape and character recognition.

Prerequisites: Permission of the School.

COMP 5203 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.523) (CSI 5173)

Data Networks
Mathematical and practical aspects of design and analysis of communication networks. Topics include: basic concepts, layering, delay models, multi-access communication, queuing theory, routing, fault-tolerance, as well as advanced topics on high-speed networks, ATM, mobile wireless networks, and optical networks.

Prerequisite: COMP 4804 or permission of the School.

COMP 5204 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.524) (CSI 5124)

Computational Aspects of Geographic Information Systems
Computational perspective of geographic information systems (GIS). Data representations and their operations on raster and vector devices: e.g., quadtrees, grid files, digital elevation models, triangular irregular network models. Analysis and design of efficient algorithms for solving GIS problems: visibility queries, point location, facility location.

Prerequisite: COMP 3804 or the equivalent.

COMP 5206 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.526) (CSI 5183)

Evolutionary Computation and Artificial Life
Study of algorithms based upon biological theories of evolution, applications to machine learning and optimization problems. Possible topics: Genetic Algorithms, Classifier Systems, and Genetic Programming. Recent work in the fields of Artificial Life (swarm intelligence, distributed agents, behavior-based AI) and of connectionism is also studied.
Prerequisites: COMP 3007 or the equivalent.

Precludes: COMP 4107 or the equivalent.

COMP 5400 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.540) (CSI 5310)

Software Patterns
This course surveys current developments in software patterns, three-part rules expressing relations between software contexts, problems and solutions. Pattern categories discussed include architectural, design, analysis, refactoring, general-purpose, anti-patterns, and idioms. Students are required to apply existing patterns and to develop and defend new ones.

Prerequisites: COMP 3004 or equivalent.

COMP 5401 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.541) (CSI 5389)

Electronic Commerce Technologies
Basic e-commerce models. Internet infrastructure and tools. TCP/IP, Web servers, search engines. Cryptography. Public key infrastructure. Key management and certificate authorities. Secure Socket Layer and secure electronic transactions. Content presentation: XML. Open trading protocol. Intelligent mobile agents. Auctions and negotiations. Case studies.

Prerequisites: COMP 2005 and COMP 4104

COMP 5402 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.542) (CSI 5142)

Wireless Networks and Protocols
Focus is on the link and network layer protocols of wireless networks; applications of wireless networks may be discussed. Topics may include: protocol implementation, mobile IP, resource discovery, wireless LANs/PANs, and Spreadspectrum. Precludes additional credit for COMP 5306.

Prerequisite: COMP 3203 or equivalent.

COMP 5403 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.543) (CSI 5143)

Real-Time System Development
An advanced course in real-time OO system development that deals with modeling systems at different abstraction levels. A systematic and traceable modeling process is introduced. Topics include: modeling notations (including UML-RT), development process, design patterns, and system testing. Expect a substantial design project. Precludes additional credit for COMP 5806.

Prerequisite: COMP 5104 or equivalent.

COMP 5404 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.544) (CSI 5144)

Computer-Aided Program Verification
Automatic verification techniques for concurrent, reactive, and real-time programs. Possible topics: temporal logics, the basic model-checking algorithm, symbolic model checking, compositional techniques, exploiting abstraction and symmetry, models based on partial orders, model-checking for the mu-calculus, applications to communication protocols, computer security and digital circuits.

Prerequisite: COMP 4004 or equivalent.

COMP 5703 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.573) (CSI 5163)

Algorithm Analysis and Design
Topics of current interest in the analysis and design of sequential and parallel algorithms for non-numerical, algebraic and graph computations. Lower bounds on efficiency of algorithms. Complexity classes. Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as COMP 4804, for which additional credit is precluded.

Prerequisite: Permission of the School.

COMP 5704 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.574) (CSI 5131)

Parallel Algorithms and Their Implementation
Multiprocessor architectures from an application programmer's perspective: programming models, processor arrays and hypercube multiprocessors, algorithmic paradigms, efficient parallel problem solving, limits of parallelism, software scalability and portability. Student projects in selected application areas: image processing, robotics, graphics, animation, etc. Programming experience on parallel processing equipment.

Prerequisite: COMP 4804 or the equivalent.

COMP 5802 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.582)

Introduction to Information and Systems Science

An introduction to the process of applying computers in problem solving. Emphasis is placed on the design and analysis of efficient computer algorithms for large, complex problems. Applications in a number of areas are presented: data manipulation, databases, computer networks, queuing systems, optimization. (Also listed as MATH 5802, SYSC 5802, ISYS 5802)

MATH /COMP 5807 [0.5 credit] (formerly 70./95.587) (CSI 5104)

Formal Language and Syntax Analysis
Computability, unsolvable and NP-hard problems. Formal languages, classes of languages, automata. Principles of compiler design, syntax analysis, parsing (top-down, bottom-up), ambiguity, operator precedence, automatic construction of efficient parsers, LR, LR (O), LR(k), SLR, LL(k); syntax directed translation.

Prerequisite: COMP 3002, or MATH 4805 or MATH 5605, or the equivalent.

COMP 5900 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.590) (CSI 5140)

Selected Topics in Computer Science

Selected topics, not covered by other graduate courses, will be offered. Details will be available at the time of registration from the school.

COMP 5901 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.591) (CSI 5901)

Directed Studies (M.C.S.)

A course of independent study under the supervision of a member of the School of Computer Science.

COMP 5902 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.592) (CSI 5900)

Graduate Project (M.C.S./M.Sc. [ISS])

COMP 5903 [1.0 credit] (formerly 95.593) (CSI 6900)

Intensive Graduate Project (M.C.S.)

A one or two session course. For M.C.S. non-thesis option students only. Not to be combined for credit with COMP 5902.

COMP 5904 [0.0 credit] (CSI 5902)

Master's Seminar

To complete this course, the student must attend 5 graduate seminars at Carleton, and 5 at SITE within a year. The student must also make one presentation in the context of this graduate seminar.

COMP 5905 [2.5 credits] (formerly 95.595) (CSI 7999)

M.C.S. Thesis

MATH /SYSC/ COMP 5908 [1.5 credits] (formerly 70/94/95.598)

M.Sc. Thesis in Information and Systems Science

COMP 6100 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.610) (CSI 7131)

Advanced Parallel and Systolic Algorithms
This course is a continuation of COMP 5704.

Prerequisite: COMP 5704.

COMP 6104 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.614) (CSI 7314)

Advanced Topics in Object-Oriented Systems
Advanced object-oriented software engineering, in particular the issues of reuse and testing. Sample topics include: interaction modeling; class and cluster testing; traceability; design patterns and testing; the C++ standard template library. Students will carry out research.

Prerequisite: COMP 5104 or permission of instructor.

COMP 6601 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.661) (CSI 7160)

Advanced Topics in the Theory of Computing

COMP 6602 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.662) (CSI 7170)

dvanced Topics in Distributed Computing

COMP 6603 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.663) (CSI 7161)

Advanced Topics in Programming Systems and Languages

COMP 6604 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.664) (CSI 7162)

Advanced Topics in Computer Applications

COMP 6605 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.665) (CSI 7163)

Advanced Topics in Computer Systems

COMP 6901 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.691) (CSI 7901)

Directed Studies (Ph.D.)

COMP 6902 [0.5 credit] (formerly 95.692) (CSI 7900)

Graduate Project (Ph.D.)

COMP 6907 [0.0 credit] (CSI 9998)

Doctoral Comprehensive

A committee must be assembled and approve at least 3 topics for written examination: typically, a major and two minor areas. An oral examination occurs if the written exam is passed. Both elements must take place within the first 4 terms following initial registration in the program.

The comprehensive may be failed, passed conditionally (i.e., with extra course requirements) or passed unconditionally. If failed this course may be retaken at most one time.

COMP 6908 [0.0 credit]

Doctoral Proposal

Within 8 terms following initial registration in the program, a document generally defining the problem addressed, relating it to the literature, and outlining the hypotheses, goals, research methodology, initial results and validation approach must be submitted to an examination committee and successfully defended.

COMP 6909 [7.5 credits] (formerly 95.699) (CSI 9999)

Ph.D. Thesis