Computer Science

This course examines major concepts in the theory of computation. Topics covered include deterministic and nondeterministic finite state automata, regular expressions, context-free languages, pumping lemma and push-down automata, equivalence of context-free grammars and push-down automata, Turing machines, decidable languages, reducibility, computational complexity, and NP-completeness. Textbooks: INTRODUCTION TO THE THEORY OF COMPUTATION by M. Sipser, INTRODUCTION TO AUTOMATA THEORY, LANGUAGES, AND COMPUTATION by J. Hopcroft, J. Ullman. Assessment: homework, midterm exam, final exam.

This course includes basic techniques such as finite-state machines, neural networks, genetic algorithms, and methods for application areas such as behavioral modelling, combinatorial optimization, and generation of 3D geometries. The programming language used is C++.

This course focuses on integrating software and hardware and building working computer systems. The course covers building touchpads; wearable devices; motion tracking; haptic devices, and autonomous vehicles. 

The course offers an overview of social studies of technologies (science and technologies studies), with particular reference to the social dimensions of digital media and communication technologies, providing a set of historical, conceptual, and methodological tools to analyze the relationship between technologies and society. The course is structured in two parts: a first theoretical part presents some of the main concepts and theories for the study of the social implications of technologies, with particular reference to the field of Science and Technology Studies (STS); a second part is dedicated to the deepening of the social and cultural implications that have characterized some of the most important technologies for digital communication and in particular the Internet, the smartphone, and online platforms. More specifically, the topics addressed are: an introduction to the basic concepts and terminology for the study of the relationship between technologies and society; the critique of “technological determinism;” the “social construction of technologies” approach; the role of end users in shaping technologies; the history of the Internet in a social and cultural perspective; the process of innovation of the smartphone and its uses in society; and the social role and technical mechanisms of digital platforms.

This lab is the practical component for the theoretical course Databases. Students implement and design databases by using three different software (SQL Server 2019, ER/Studio, and DIA). During the weekly practices, students apply the material learned from the Databases course.

"I believe the metaverse is the next chapter for the internet." Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg described the metaverse as an “embodied Internet” that gives one a “feeling of presence.” He believes in the metaverse so much as to change Facebook’s name to Meta Platforms on 2021/12/01. However, the dream of the coming era of Metaverse has been disappointing; the stock price of Metaverse fell more than 60% since then, and in November 2022, Zuckerberg announced a massive layoff of 11,000 jobs about 13% of the Meta workforce.

This course is an introductory course to the 3D creation for the Meta Universe or Metaverse. It teaches what the “metaverse” means and instructs basic 3D skills to create 3D objects and avatars, thereby experiencing the merging of the virtual and reality 3D world. The course is divided into three parts:
(A) 3D Foundation
Topics: Introduction to 3D Graphics and Rendering, Meta Universe (Metaverse), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR).
(B) 3D Creation
Topics: 3D open source tool Blender, 3D Character Creation, Modeling, Unwrapping and Texturing, Rigging and Walk Cycle, Avatar, 3D scan, and Animation
(C) 3D Case Study and Project
Topics: case studies 3D applications, Metaverse platforms, and 3D team projects.
 

Other useful course information:

1. The 3D tools for this course are free, open-source, and cross-platform tools. No costs to students.
2. This course is for both information technology/management students and non-technical majors.
3. Guest speakers from 3D professional fields will share their experiences in class and help demonstrate 3D tools and advise on 3D group projects.