UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG - Mercy College

Course Descriptions / 193
Prerequisite: CISC/MATH 120. (Prospective students who have significant computer
experience are encouraged to seek departmental approval for waiver of CISC/MATH 120).
3 sem. hrs. 3 crs.
CISC 220 Database Applications:
This course is a hands-on introduction to building a simple information management system
using commercial relational database management software such as Microsoft Access.
Students learn to build application systems using simple design tools and are exposed to
database programming tools and the relational database model. Students design and build
tables, forms, reports, queries and data access pages. Students complete a term project where
they develop a functioning database application. Prerequisite: CISC/MATH120. 3 sem. hrs.3
crs. (Offered in fall semester only.)
CISC 230 PC Hardware:
Students will study the fundamentals of modern PC hardware: including standard interfaces,
ports, bus structures, architectures and interconnection methodologies. At the end of the course
the student will be able to identify the principal components of microcomputers, assemble
systems, upgrade memory, install cards and hard drives. The student will have hands on
laboratory experience centered on installation, configuration and troubleshooting of PC’s with
emphasis on current Windows Operating systems. Prerequisite: CISC/MATH 120. 3 sem. hrs.
3 crs. (Offered in fall semester only).
CISC 231 (MATH 231) Foundations of Computing II:
This course continues the exploration of fundamental concepts of object-oriented programming
using the programming language Java. Students are introduced to the principles of basic data
structures, elementary file input/output and exception handling and GUI. Prerequisite: CISC/
MATH 131 or departmental approval. 2 sem. hrs. and 2 hrs. lab. 3 crs.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
CISC 238 Graphical User Interface Application Development:
The student is introduced to application development using a graphical user interface (GUI).
Topics include: graphics user interface design, properties of interface objects, attaching code
to interface objects, developing and running entire applications using graphics and drawing,
and building and updating databases. Prerequisite: CISC/MATH 131 (Offered in spring
semester only).
CISC 257 Computer Network I
This course provides an introduction to fundamental concepts in the design and implementation
of computer communication networks, their protocols, and applications. Topics to be covered
include overview of internet technologies, network architecture, application layer, transport
layer and network layer. A series of Lab activities are integral part of the course and will
provide students practical experiences of networking. Prerequisite: CISC/MATH120. 3 sem.
hr. 3 crs. (Offered in fall semesters).
CISC 259 (CART 259) Web Design II:
This course presents advanced design techniques for Web site development and information
architecture. The overall structure, flow, and organization of the Web site are discussed. The
concepts and criteria introduced in Web Design I are utilized with added sophistication to page
layout, image manipulation and typographical design. The use of tables and frames is described as
well as several special effects, like roll overs and tweening, and elementary animation techniques.
The course has a strong hands-on component where, in addition to the software packages used
in Web Design I, students will be introduced to DHTML, CSS, and Flash. Prerequisite: CISC/
CART 219 or approval of instructor. 3 sem. hrs. 3 crs.
CISC 271 Programming in C++
Students learn basic and advanced concepts of C++. Applying modern software development
principles, students design and implement projects extending their knowledge of programming
techniques and concepts introduced in previous courses. Pre-requisite: CISC 231. 3 sem hrs.
3 crs.