School of Computer and Information Sciences cisouthal

1. School of Computer and Information Sciences  http://www.cis.usouthal.edu/SCIS Graduate Program Orientation

2. AGENDA Presentation and Handouts Sign one of the Advising Block Removal Sheets Handouts Copy of this presentation The current laptop policy Copies of the check sheets for the 2 majors Presentation About the School of CIS Who do you need to get to know What you need to know about… General Information List of Links and Contacts

3. This is a perfect time to be a Computing Major…

4. Good News! The number of jobs in Computing is increasing at a faster rate than in any other industry (U.S. Department of Labor) Market demand for specialized Computing skills and knowledge will continue to outpace the supply. It is expected that more than 20 percent of permanent Computing positions will remain unfilled (Gartner Group: “IT Workforce Change) Expanding technology needs will result in demand for qualified Computing Professional resulting in the biggest increases in base compensation over the next several years (RHI Consulting: Technology Professionals)

5. Robert Half Technology: Technology Professionals Specialties in Demand Internet/Intranet and E-commerce Development Networking Technical Support Project Management Systems Analysis Software Implementation Database Administration/Architecture Software Applications Development Job Skills Needed Support Knowledge/Skills Interpersonal and Communication Skills Mathematics and Statistics Problem Solving/Scientific Approach Specialization Area supporting courses Life-Long Learning

6. There’s a Shortage of Majors! Nationally Representatives from Microsoft, Google, Yahoo say… there aren’t enough available graduates to meet current needs there aren't enough current computing majors to meet future demands. Locally Similar experiences from local companies see job openings at the School of CIS Jobs Web Site (http://www.cis.usouthal.edu/index.php/job-openings) Conclusion Not only is it good to be a computing major now... But it will be good for many years to come!

7. People you should know!

8. The Dean… of the School of Computer and Information Sciences is Dr. Alec Yasinsac Expertise in Information Assurance and Security Group encryption, Intrusion detection, Digital forensics Current funding National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Army Research Office, Florida Department of State

10. The Main Office Staff

11. School of CIS Graduate Faculty

12. School of CIS Faculty

13. Placement Exams

14. Overview: Placement Individual Graduate Study Plan consists of two parts: Prerequisites and Graduate Program Courses Prerequisites: Hour requirement varies according to prior academic work Placement Areas CIS Foundation Courses Course placement is according to review of academic work in Computing The Database Placement Exam The Programming Placement Exam Required/Supporting Courses Course placement is according to review of academic work in Mathematics, Statistics, Business & Grad Specialization Graduate Program Courses (36 Semester Hours) Core Courses Required Courses Plan of Study: Thesis, Project, Course-Only Electives

15. Prerequisite Placement Exams Why placement exams? Demonstrate industry acquired skills not on transcripts Identify areas of improvement for proper preparation for graduate courses Our experiences with previous students Database? … Programming? Both of fundamental importance to each major Tests address the necessary knowledge for graduate computing program entry You need to be prepared to succeed in the graduate courses.

16. About the Database Prerequisite CIS 324, Database Design, Development, and Management Analysis, Analysis, design, and development of desktop database systems. Coverage of normalization concepts, DBMS models, E-R/Semantic modeling, and query processing. This course does not count towards a graduate degree in CIS.

17. The OOP Prerequisite for CSC majors CIS 401: Accelerated Programming This course presents programming concepts in an accelerated manner. Coverage includes ADT’s, classes and class libraries, and simple data structures such as linked lists, stacks, queues. Laboratory assignments will be done in a high-level, object-oriented language. This course does not count towards a graduate degree in CIS.

18. The OOP Prerequisite for ISC majors ISC 353: Information Systems Application Development This course presents object-oriented event driven applications development in an accelerated manner. Laboratory assignments will be done in a high-level, object-oriented language. This course does not count towards a graduate degree in CIS.

19. Two Majors Computer Science Information Systems

20. School of CIS Two Graduate Program Majors! General Rules of Thumb for selecting a Major in the School of CIS (there are always exceptions ?!) Computer Science Should also be interested in math and science Information Systems Should also be interested in working with people in organizations

21. Computer Science Computer Science (CSC) spans the range from theory through programming to cutting-edge development of computing solutions offers a foundation that permits graduates to adapt to new technologies and new ideas The work of computer scientists falls into three categories: a) designing and building software; b) developing effective ways to solve computing problems, such as storing information in databases, sending data over networks or providing new approaches to security problems; and c) devising new and better ways of using computers and addressing particular challenges in areas such as robotics, computer vision, or digital forensics (although these specializations are not available in all computer science programs). Our Computer Science program requires strong backgrounds in math and natural sciences.

22. Information Systems Information Systems (ISC) is concerned with the information that computer systems can provide to aid a company, non-profit or governmental organization in defining and achieving its goals is also concerned with the processes that an enterprise can implement and improve using information technology ISC professionals must be interested in working with people in organizations must understand both technical and organizational factors, must be able to help an organization determine how information and technology-enabled business processes can provide a foundation for superior organizational performance ISC professionals serve as a bridge between the technical and management communities within an organization. Our Information Systems program requires a background in business and management

23. Interaction with a DBMSCSC View How to build a tool that will allow many options for database modeling? General enough to solve basic database type problems Modeling objects and relationships Preparing report formats Allowing for multiple ways of accessing the stored data Optimization of data access Efficient storage of data

24. Interaction with a DBMS ISC View How to model data for use in an organizations? Example: Student Information System for maintaining student academic history, course and class schedules, degree information, class enrollment, curriculum models, etc Typical Characteristics Large monetary investment Large number of tables, relationships, reports Lots of time to design, deploy, test, and complete the project Large number of users—often an implementation group of ISC and ITE professionals (e.g. the computer center) working with a variety of end-users in an organization (e.g. students, faculty, deans, financial aid, admissions, registrar, housing) High level of secured access to the data Will be used and maintained for a long period of time (years)

25. The Programs

26. Overview: Placement Each Graduate Students will have an Individual Graduate Study Plan that consists of Pre-Graduate Program Requirements (Hour requirement varies according to prior academic work) Placement Areas CIS Foundation Courses Course placement is according to review of academic work in Computing Required/Supporting Courses Course placement is according to review of academic work in Mathematics, Statistics, Business & Grad Specialization Graduate Program (36 Semester Hours) Core Courses Required Courses Plan of Study: Thesis, Project, Course-Only Electives January 4, 2005 26

27. Required/Supporting Courses* Computer Science Math (All of the following) Calculus I Calculus II Discrete Mathematics Probability and Statistics Information Systems Math (One of the following) Business Calculus Calculus I Discrete Mathematics Applied Statistics

28. Core Courses Computer Science CSC 520 Computer Architecture CSC 522: Performance Evaluation of Algorithms CSC 525: Complexity Theory CSC 527: Software Engineering Information Systems ISC 551: Human Computer Interface Design ISC 560: IS Analysis and Design ISC 561: IS Database Management ISC 565: Project & Change Management

30. Why is choice of a major important? Not all core courses in CSC may be used as electives in ISC! Not all core courses in ISC may be used as electives in CSC! If you decide to change after one semester… Prerequisites to the major are not the same your transcripts will be re-evaluated for prerequisite and CIS foundation courses for the new major Only one ISC core course can be used as an elective in the CSC curriculum No CSC core courses can be used as an elective in the ISC curriculum All course grades will be applied to determine your GPA and graduate status This could result in more time and greater cost for your degree

31. From who should I seek advice about the choice of a major? Your Advisor and Faculty We know the career requirements We know the courses We know the programs Former students can give you information about what they like and what has been useful for them and that is useful BUT REMEMBER… YOU are not same as those who have come before you! It’s YOUR future!

32. FAQ:Expectations of CIS Graduate Students? We expect… Professional Attitude and Pride Higher Expectations for Quality of Work Assignments: professional looking and on time Attendance—on time from the first day Self-Motivated Development of Individual Creativity, Knowledge, and Skills Responsible, Dependable, Honest, Trustworthy in interactions with CIS Faculty, Staff, and fellow students

33. What you should know about… Advising Advising is about making big decisions… Which semester should a course be taken? What are some good supporting electives for your special interests Advising is mandatory… Involves consultation with a knowledgeable guide Spring advising occurs during the Fall semester Summer & Fall advising occurs during the Spring Semester Registration blocks are set automatically each semester

34. What you should know about… Student Advising Responsibilities Study the catalog for specialization requirements contains descriptions of all programs and all courses in all programs Online at http://www.southalabama.edu/bulletin/ Prepare a plan for completing your degree Adjusting the plan each semester as necessary See http://www.cis.usouthal.edu/advising.php for CIS advising assistance and links. Focus on CORE COURSES All CORE courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better before taking Comprehensive Exam

35. More Facts About the School of CIS 1st in the United States to have ALL Three Majors accredited by ABET, the computing accreditation agency State-of-the-art labs in Robotics, Real-Time Systems, Networking, Security, Data Mining, Data Warehousing, Web Site Management, Multimedia Excellent programs, excellent instruction, and excellent research Both graduate programs (Computer Science and Information Systems) are offered in the evening

36. More about the School of CIS! Facilities Mapping Laptop Policy General Information

38. What you should know about the Laptop Ownership Policy All graduate Students are required to register their laptops before being allowed to register for courses. From the Bulletin: All students enrolling in any undergraduate and graduate courses offered by the School of CIS, except CIS 100, CIS 101, CIS 110, CIS 150, CIS 175, CIS 210, CIS 211, CIS 227, CIS 250, and CIS 500, are required to own a personal laptop computer system that conforms to the current School minimum. This is a one-student one-machine requirement. Specifications (minimums are given below) Processor: 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor minimum; 1.6 GHz or greater recommended Hard Drive: 80 GB or greater CD ROM: 24X or greater, CD-RW recommended RAM: 1 GB minimum, 2 GB recommended Network: Wired Ethernet 10BaseT required, Wireless 802.11b/g required (built-in or via PC Card Adapter) The School of CIS has a wireless 802.11G network Cabling: Ethernet patch “Wet ports” to connect to campus networks will be available for student use at many locations on campus. School of CIS detailed laptop requirements can be obtained at http://www.cis.usouthal.edu/laptop_policy.php

39. Extra Opportunities Internship Program Opportunity to learn while earning $$$ Internship Opportunities

40. New Directions! Robotics Embedded Systems Game Development Computer Forensics Network Security Web Development

41. Student Chapter of the ACM Association of Computing Machinery Oldest Professional Organization in Computing USA Chapter is one of the most active student organizations on campus Membership Information: Contact: acm@usouthal.edu http://acm.southalabama.edu/membership.html Activities Service Tutoring Lectures Scholarship Awards in CIS Special Projects Social Pizza Party Games Party Annual Banquet Intramurals

42. What’s next? A new Building! A new location! The New Engineering Computer Science Building—Corner of University and Old Shell

43. Who to contact when you need information or help!

44. Contact Information!Main Office FCW 20: Phone: (251) 460-6390 Dean: Alec Yasinsac yasinsac@gmail.com General Information; Graduate Program: Roy Daigle rdaigle@usouthal.edu Academic Counselor Theresa Thompson tthompson@usouthal.edu Internship Melissa Smith mesmith@usouthal.edu Computer Science Coordinator: Michael Doran mdoran@usouthal.edu Information Systems Coordinator: Harold Pardue hpardue@usouthal.edu Information Technology Coordinator: Bob Sweeney bsweeney@usouthal.edu