This course is a study of the syntax and semantics of a diverse set of high-level programming languages. The languages chosen are compared and contrasted in order to demonstrate general principles of programming language design and implementation. The course emphasizes the concepts underpinning modern languages rather than the mastery of particular language details. Programming projects will be required.

The goal of this course is to introduce the students to a programming paradigm and an appropriate programming language chosen from those that are currently important or that show high promise of becoming important. A significant portion of the learning curve occurs through programming assignments with exemplary solutions discussed later in class. The instructor will post specifics prior to registration. With the approval of the program coordinator, the course can be taken for credit more than once, provided each instance deals with a different paradigm and language.

The goal of this course is to introduce the students to a programming paradigm and an appropriate programming language chosen from those that are currently important or that show high promise of becoming important. A significant portion of the learning curve occurs through programming assignments with exemplary solutions discussed later in class. The instructor will post specifics prior to registration. With the approval of the program coordinator, the course can be taken for credit more than once, provided each instance deals with a different paradigm and language. A term project involving independent investigation is also required. Note: students who complete CSCI-541 may not take CSCI-641 for credit.

This course discusses design and implementation of language processors and translators. Topics include lexical, syntactic, and semantic descriptions, algorithms for analysis tools, and programming techniques, as well as interpreters and code generation for typical computer architectures. Teams of students will be required to design and implement a programming language with nested block structure and data aggregates.

Students work with a supervising faculty member to complete their MS thesis proposal, and do additional background preparation (e.g., programming, study, exercises, and analysis) for the subject area and specific problem(s) to be addressed in their thesis. By the end of the semester, a thesis proposal must be submitted and approved by the student’s advisor and thesis committee. Additional deliverables as set by the advisor are also required (e.g., source code, bibliographies, notes, presentations, etc.).

Project capstone of the master's degree program. Students select from a set of possible projects and confirm that they have a project adviser. Students enroll in a required colloquium component that meets weekly, during which they present information, related to their projects. Projects culminate with delivery of a final report and participation in a poster session open to the public.

Thesis capstone of the master's degree program. Student must submit an acceptable thesis proposal in order to enroll. It is expected that the work would lead to a paper of the caliber of those generally acceptable to a national conference.

Students work with a supervising faculty member on topics of mutual interest. A student works with a potential faculty sponsor to draft a proposal that describes what a student plans to do, what deliverables are expected, how the student's work will be evaluated, and how much credit will be assigned for successful completion of the work. The faculty sponsor proposes the grade, but before the grade is officially recorded, the student must submit a final report that summarizes what was actually accomplished.

MS Students who are preparing for their capstone experience.