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Computer Science at James Madison University Dr. Sharon Simmons Head of the

Computer Science at James Madison University Dr. Sharon Simmons Head of the Department of Computer Science Ms. Nancy Harris CS Freshman Advisor April 18, 2011. 1. Why Get a College Education?. Better future Better job More fulfilling life Friendships Fun Like to learn. 2.

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Computer Science at James Madison University Dr. Sharon Simmons Head of the

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  1. Computer Science at James Madison University Dr. Sharon Simmons Head of the Department of Computer Science Ms. Nancy Harris CS Freshman Advisor April 18, 2011 1

  2. Why Get a College Education? • Better future • Better job • More fulfilling life • Friendships • Fun • Like to learn 2

  3. Choosing a Major • Preparation for life • Preparation for a career • Some considerations: • Passion • Talent • Prospects 3

  4. Computer Science as a Major • Appeals to people who • Like puzzles, problem solving, symbol manipulation • Are well organized • Have discipline and determination 4

  5. Computer Science Career Paths • Application and systems software positions • Management and support of • computer networks • database systems • information security • multimedia systems • Computer science graduate study 5

  6. Comparison of Starting Salaries of CS B.S. Degree to Other Degrees (2009)* The tech fields are what's driving salaries and offers, and the top students are faring quite well," said Emanuel Contomanolis, who runs RIT's career center. * http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/24/news/economy/highest_starting_salaries

  7. Money Magazine 2009 Top 10 Best Jobs * 1. Systems Engineer 2. Physician Assistant 3. College Professor 4. Nurse Practitioner 5. IT Project Manager 6. CPA 7. Physical Therapist 8. Network Security Consultant 9. Intelligence Analyst 10. Sales Director * Considering their growth, pay, stress-levels and other factors, http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2009/index.html 7

  8. Money Magazine 2009 12-17 Best Jobs* 12. Software Developer 16. Software Product Manager 17. Business Analyst, IT * Considering their growth, pay, stress-levels and other factors, http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2009/index.html 8

  9. 2010 Best Jobs in America Wall Street Journal: #2 Software Engineer #3 Computer Systems Analyst US News Top 50 Jobs: Computer Software Engineer $85,000 to $92,000* Systems Analyst $76,000 to $94,000* Network Architect $72,000 to $96,000* * Median salary in 2008

  10. Ten Hottest Careers: 2009* • Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts • Hot Ranking: #1 • Computer Application Software Engineers • Hot Ranking: #4 • Computer Systems Software Engineers • Hot Ranking: #7 • Network and Computer Systems Administrators • Hot Ranking: #9 • Database Administrators • Hot Ranking: #10 * http://www.search4careercolleges.com/ten-hottest-careers.asp

  11. Job Outlook to 2012(www.cra.org)

  12. Majors in Demand • Computer software developers are among the occupations projected to grow the fastest and add the most new jobs over the 2008-18 decade, resulting in excellent job prospects.

  13. Most Job Growth Over 10 Years 6. Business Analyst, IT (29%) 7. Software Development Director (28%) 10. Computer/Network Security Consultant (27%)

  14. CS at JMU • B.S. in CS and M.S. in CS • 300 undergraduates, 80 graduates • 19 CS Faculty • Program strengths: Software Engineering, Networking Telecommunications (Minor) Information Security, Digital Forensics 14

  15. Departmental Culture and Opportunities • Student-Faculty Relationships • Friendly Environment • Small class sections • Undergraduate laboratory assistants • Undergraduates working on research grants • Independent study with CS faculty members • Summer Internships • Programming Team Competitions • CyberDefense Team Competitions

  16. CS Major Topics of Study • Principles of Computer Science and Programming • Mathematics • Software Engineering • Database Systems • Operating Systems • Web Design • Networking & Communications • Operating Systems • Information Security (Cyber Defense, Computer Forensics) 16

  17. High Demand Area: Information Security • JMU is a National Security Agency (NSA) Designated Center of Academic Excellence in Information Security Education • Undergraduate “specialty” in Information Security • NSA NSTISSI 4011 Certification • Many jobs in information security • Higher salaries 17

  18. Information Security at JMU • B.S. CS – Information Security Certification • B.S./M.S. 5 Year Program (Information Security or Digital Forensics) • M.S. CS in Information Security • Great Reputation • On-Line • Since 1997 • M.S. CS in Digital Forensics • New program: Fall 2011 18

  19. Student Support and Enrichment • Student organizations • ACM Student Chapter • Cyber Defense Club & Team • Programming Team • Cyber Forensics Group • Women in Technology • Unix Users Group • UPE – CS Honor Society • Departmental Scholarships • TA Consultants for the introductory programming sequence • Independent Study • Research Projects 19

  20. What Can You Do with a CS Degree? Just about anything you want to do!

  21. Some JMU Entrepreneurs Parabon Computation: Steve Armentrout (JMU, B.S. CS 1985, Ph.D. CS, Univ. MD) Gemini Security Solutions: Peter (Hess B.S. CS, JMU 1996) Immerge Technologies: Justin Creasy (B.S. CS, JMU, 2005)

  22. Student/Alumni Panel • Kyle Ames, Senior (Math and CS) • Evan Johnson, Senior • Steven Irons, Junior • Kayla Funke, Sophomore • Mike Ripley, Alumnus 22

  23. Ms. Nancy HarrisFreshman Advisor

  24. Student Support and Enrichment • Student organizations • ACM Student Chapter • Cyber Defense Club & Team • Programming Team • Cyber Forensics Group • Women in Technology • Unix Users Group • UPE – CS Honor Society • Departmental Scholarships – upper classmen • TA Consultants for the introductory programming sequence • Independent Study • Research Projects 24

  25. Your Program: First Year CS 139 and 239 taught with lecture/lab components – 25-30 per section max. 25

  26. Second Through Fourth Years 26

  27. Next Steps • Make your decision • Pay your deposit (by May 1) • and meet other One Book deadlines • Sign up for summer orientation—choose major • One day information session • Register for fall and customize your schedule • Meet your freshman advisor • Course availability is distributed so it doesn’t matter whether you are first or last • Attend 1787 orientation in the fall 28

  28. Check Out Our Website • www.cs.jmu.edu • Information about: • Program • Faculty • Student organizations 29

  29. Packets • Basic information about the curriculum • Cards for Dr. Simmons, Dr. Fox (undergraduate coordinator) and Ms. Harris • Information about jobs

  30. Please join us for the STEM reception • Ntelos Room – Rm 259 • Immediately following this presentation

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