# Computer Science (CPSC) courses

Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 12 courses

Source: https://catalog.mccd.edu/schools/programs/school-stem/courses/cpsc-courses

"Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Fall 2026, Spring 2027.

### CPSC-01 — Introduction to Computer Information Systems

- **Units:** 4
- **Hours:** 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- **C-ID:** ITIS 120
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 3 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/fall-2026/cpsc.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/cpsc.md)

An introduction to the basics of computing systems, impact of computers on our society, and the future of computing. Focus on using applications, algorithm design, programming basics, database management systems, networking, ethics and security, information systems, internet and web technologies, and computer systems hardware and software components. Application of these concepts and methods through hands-on projects developing computer-based solutions to problems. This course is a core course in the Computer Technology & Information Systems (CTIS) AS degree. (12/25)

### CPSC-05A — Application Development and Programming

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- **Advisory:** CPSC-01
- **C-ID:** ITIS 130
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/fall-2026/cpsc.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/cpsc.md)

An introduction to the fundamental concepts and models of application development including the basic concepts of program design, data structures, programming, problem solving, programming logic, and fundamental design techniques for event-driven programs. Hands-on experience with a modern application programming language and development platform. (12/25)

### CPSC-06 — Programming Concepts and Methodology I

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- **Prerequisite:** Placement as determined by the college’s multiple measures assessment process or completion of a course taught at or above the level of intermediate algebra
- **Advisory:** CPSC-05A or CPSC-22
- **C-ID:** COMP 122
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 3 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/fall-2026/cpsc.md); Spring 2027, 3 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/cpsc.md)

This course introduces the discipline of computer science through the use of the Java programming language, offering foundational knowledge of computer organization and an introduction to software engineering principles. Topics include program design methodologies, development practices, coding style, testing, documentation, and a brief introduction to artificial intelligence (AI). Students will explore algorithms, control structures, methods, and elementary data structures, applying these skills to solve real-world problems through hands-on programming. This course is a core course in the Computer Science AS-T degree. (12/25)

### CPSC-07 — Discrete Structures

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 2.5 hours lecture, 1.5 hours lab
- **Prerequisite:** CPSC-06 or CPSC-14
- **C-ID:** COMP 152
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/fall-2026/cpsc.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/cpsc.md)
- (CSU breadth area B4) (IGETC area 2) [CSU-GE and IGETC are only for 2024-25 catalogs or earlier]

This course is an introduction to the discrete structures used in Computer Science with an emphasis on their applications. Topics covered include: functions, relations and sets; basic logic; proof techniques; basics of counting; graphs and trees; and discrete probability. (12/25)

### CPSC-09 — Foundations of Data Science

- **Units:** 4
- **Hours:** 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules

This course introduces foundations of Data Science introduces core concepts of inference and computational thinking through hands-on analysis of real-world data, including economic, geographic, and social network datasets. Students will gain practical skills in programming and statistical inference while exploring meaningful societal issues and ethical considerations in data analysis. This course is modeled after similar offerings at UC Berkeley and UC Merced, providing foundational knowledge for further study in data science and related fields. (12/25)

### CPSC-14 — C++ Programming

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- **Advisory:** CPSC-05A or CPSC-22
- **C-ID:** COMP 122
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/fall-2026/cpsc.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/cpsc.md)

This is the entry-level comprehensive concepts course for computer science majors and recommended for science and math majors. Algorithm design, logic diagrams, problem solving, coding and debugging are emphasized using a structured language such as C++. Skills practiced include testing, documentation, and a brief introduction to artificial intelligence (AI). This foundational course lays the groundwork for advanced computational thinking and programming skills, serving as a crucial stepping stone for future studies and careers in technology and research. This is a core course for the Computer Science AS-T degree. (12/25)

### CPSC-20 — Introduction to Programming Concepts and Methodologies for Engineers (Also: Engr-20)

- **Units:** 4
- **Hours:** 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- **Prerequisite:** MATH-02
- **C-ID:** ENGR 120
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules

Introduces the basics of software development and programming using a high level language. Students discover the interface of software with the physical world through working with hardware components. This class includes hands-on, project based learning. (12/25)

### CPSC-21 — Programming and Problem-Solving in Matlab

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- **Prerequisite:** MATH-C2210 (formerly MATH-04A)
- **C-ID:** ENGR 220
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/cpsc.md)

This course utilizes the MATLAB environment to provide students with a working knowledge of computer-based problem-solving methods relevant to science and engineering. It introduces the fundamentals of procedural and object-oriented programming, numerical analysis, and data structures. Examples and assignments in the course are drawn from practical applications in engineering, physics, and mathematics. (12/25)

### CPSC-22 — Web Application Development and Programming

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- **Advisory:** CPSC-01, CPSC-05A, CPSC-14, or CTIS-04
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** not on the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 schedules

Introduces students to programming, computational thinking, and problem solving concepts. In addition to programming skills, students also learn industry-standard practices, such as version control, unit testing and debugging. Follows a Project-Based Learning philosophy, with Python as the main programming language, students learn the basics of web application development with the use of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SQL. (12/25)

### CPSC-25 — Advanced C++ Programming

- **Units:** 4
- **Hours:** 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- **Advisory:** CPSC-14 or CPSC-06
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/cpsc.md)

Intended for students with basic to intermediate programming skills, and introduces them to advanced programming techniques such as pointers and memory management, exception handling, multi-threading, object oriented programming, and generic programming. The C++ language is used throughout the course. (12/25)

### CPSC-39 — Programming Concepts and Methodology II

- **Units:** 4
- **Hours:** 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- **Prerequisite:** CPSC-06 or CPSC-14
- **C-ID:** COMP 132
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/fall-2026/cpsc.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/cpsc.md)

This course is a continuation course in Computer Science which introduces further aspects of software design and implementation. Abstract data types, fundamental data structures and associated algorithms: lists, stacks, queues, and hash tables. Students will be expected to design, implement, test and analyze a number of programs. This course advances students' understanding of software design, challenging them to create and refine efficient programs using advanced data programming, artificial intelligence (AI) and team-work to solve real-world problems. This is a core course in the Computer Science AS-T degree. (12/25)

### CPSC-42 — Computer Architecture and Organization

- **Units:** 3
- **Hours:** 2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- **Prerequisite:** CPSC-06 or CPSC-14
- **C-ID:** COMP 142
- **Transfers to:** CSU, UC
- **Offered:** Fall 2026, 2 sections (/c/merced-college/schedule/fall-2026/cpsc.md); Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/merced-college/schedule/spring-2027/cpsc.md)

The organization and behavior of real computer systems at the assembly-language level. The mapping of statements and constructs in a high-level language onto sequences of machine instructions is studied, as well as the internal representation of simple data types and structures. Numerical computation is examined, noting the various data representation errors and potential procedural errors. This course includes a hands-on, project-based learning approach that allows students to directly interact with computer hardware, fostering a deeper understanding of machine-level operations and data structures. (12/25)