School of Computer and Information Sciences http:www'cis'usouthal'edu SCIS Graduate Program Orientat

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

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This is a perfect time to be a Computing Major
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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)

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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

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Theres a Shortage of Majors!

• Nationally
• Representatives from Microsoft, Google, Yahoo
  say
• there arent 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-opening
  s)
• Conclusion
• Not only is it good to be a computing major
  now...
• But it will be good for many years to come!

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People you should know!
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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

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School of CIS Graduate Program Administration
Roy Daigle, Grad Director
Harold Pardue, Coordinator Information Systems
Michael Doran, CoordinatorComputer Science
David Langan Advisor- Computer Science
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The Main Office Staff
Kathy Ford Administrative Assistant
Theresa Thompson Academic Counselor
Vickie Mitchell Receptionist/Secretary
Jennifer Nelson Receptionist
Keith Lynn System Administrator
Michael Behr PC Applications Specialist
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School of CIS Graduate Faculty
Computer Science
Information Systems
Dr. Doran
Dr. Pardue
Dean Yasinsac
Dr. Daigle
Dr. Longenecker
Dr. Feinstein
Dr. Langan
Dr. Johnsten
Dr. Hain
Dr. Zhou
Dr. Landry
Dr. Sweeney
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School of CIS Faculty
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Placement Exams
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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

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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.

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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.

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The OOP Prerequisite for CSC majors

• CIS 401 Accelerated Programming
• This course presents programming concepts in an
  accelerated manner. Coverage includes ADTs,
  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.

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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.

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Two Majors

• Computer Science
• Information Systems

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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 usersoften 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)

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The Programs
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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

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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

Required/Supporting courses prescribed as needed
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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

All CORE courses must be completed with a grade
of at least B
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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

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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!
• Its YOUR future!

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FAQExpectations of CIS Graduate Students?

• We expect
• Professional Attitude and Pride
• Higher Expectations for Quality of Work
• Assignments professional looking and on time
• Attendanceon 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

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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

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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

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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

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More about the School of CIS!

• Facilities Mapping
• Laptop Policy
• General Information

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Current Location
N
FCW 20 CIS OFFICE
X
CIS Courtyard (CIS Social Events Site)
ACM Pizza Party, Semester Cookouts,etc
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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

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Extra Opportunities

• Internship Program
• Opportunity to learn while earning
• Internship Opportunities

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New Directions!

• Robotics
• Embedded Systems
• Game Development

• Computer Forensics
• Network Security
• Web Development

Data Warehousing Data Mining Data
Assurance Enterprise Applications
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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_at_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

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Whats next? A new Building! A new location!

• The New Engineering Computer Science
  BuildingCorner of University and Old Shell

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Who to contact when you need information or help!
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Contact Information!Main Office FCW 20 Phone
[phone]

• Dean
• Alec Yasinsac yasinsac_at_gmail.com
• General Information Graduate Program
• Roy Daigle rdaigle_at_usouthal.edu
• Academic Counselor
• Theresa Thompson tthompson_at_usouthal.edu
• Internship
• Melissa Smith
• mesmith_at_usouthal.edu

• Computer Science Coordinator
• Michael Doran mdoran_at_usouthal.edu
• Information Systems Coordinator
• Harold Pardue hpardue_at_usouthal.edu
• Information Technology Coordinator
• Bob Sweeney bsweeney_at_usouthal.edu

Additional Sites of Interest School of Computer
and Information Sciences http//www.cis.usouthal.
edu University of South Alabama http//www.usouth
al.edu or http//www.southalabama.edu Laptop
Requirements http//www.cis.usouthal.edu/laptop_p
olicy.php Advising Information
http//www.cis.usouthal.edu/advising_info.php Scho
larships http//www.cis.usouthal.edu/scholarshipi
nfo/scholarshipInfo.php