Contest Introduction Opportunities in Computer Science

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Contest IntroductionOpportunities in Computer
Science

• Jeff GrayUAB CIS Department
• gray_at_cis.uab.edu
• http//www.cis.uab.edu/gray

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Software is Everywhere

• Think of some of the things that entertain and
  enrich your daily life

• All of the above are driven by software
• Software developers equipped with a computer
  science degree have opportunities to work on
  exciting and cutting-edge projects

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Software is Everywhere

• 98 of all microprocessors control devices other
  than desktop computers
• Automobiles, airplanes, televisions, copiers,
  razors
• These devices also need software and often
  require strong technical skills to develop

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The Demand for Computer Scientists

• Computing will continue to be a dominant science
  on which every other science, engineering, and
  business discipline will increasingly rely.
  Almost all major technology breakthroughs in the
  future will involve some form of computing.
• High school graduates in the 21st century cannot
  afford to be ignorant of Computer Science
  principles. This is important for Alabama, which
  is one of the major developing technology centers
  in our nation. Having a technology literate
  workforce will be necessary for continued
  economic growth.

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The Demand for Computer Scientists

• Offshore hysteria Many companies with high
  paying jobs within the US are unable to fill
  positions with computer scientists.

Source http//money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/be
stjobs/top50/index.html
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The Demand for Computer Scientists

• According to Business 2.0 magazine, 5 of the
  top-10 growing jobs have a computer science focus

Source http//money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/n
extjobboom/
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The Demand for Computer Scientists

• National Job Outlook
• 50,500 is the expected starting salary for
  computer science degrees in the class of 2006
  (among top 5 highest starting salaries)
• 1000s of openings each at Microsoft Game Studios,
  Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Google
• Epic Games President We do not hire anyone
  under 100k

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The Demand for Computer Scientists

• Local Job Outlook
• In Birmingham, Sungard recently had a need for
  200 Java programmers exceeded universitys
  ability to deliver employees
• CTS hiring several new developers each month
• Summary of recent openings in Birmingham
• JAVA/J2EE/EJB (60/hr)
• Peoplesoft (Technical - 85/hr) (Functional -
  95/hr)
• SAP Technical (85/hr), SAP Functional (95/hr)
• Corba (55/hr)
• Oracle DBA (70/hr)
• DB2 DBA (70/hr)
• Sybase DBA (75/hr)
• .Net,vb.net,C,asp.net (60/hr)
• C/C (55/hr)
• Cobol (55/hr)

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The Potential for Alabama
Source Entrepreneur magazine
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Myth of Computer Science

• According to the Alabama Learning Exchange
  (ALEX)1, computing is equated to learning
  Microsoft Word and various mechanical tasks this
  is not Computer Science!

1 http//alex.state.al.us/standardAll.php?grade9
subjectTCsummary2
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High School Outreach at UAB CIS
Mentoring for Science Fair Competitions
Summer Robotics Internship

• Weekly mentoring at UAB throughout academic
  year students treated like a PhD student with
  office space

• Four-week internship
• Students taught Java through series of
  robotics projects

www.cis.uab.edu/heritage
www.cis.uab.edu/gray/Pubs/jerrod-sutton.pdf
High School Programming Contest
Computer Graphics Camp

• Week-long summer camp in computer graphics
• Students use C and OpenGL to create
  projects focused on geometric modeling,
  algorithm visualization, and motion design

• May 13, 2006
• 46 students from 11 schools (Huntsville to
  Mobile)
• 6 problems in 3 hours
• Prizes Xbox, software, books, gift
  certificates

www.cis.uab.edu/cscamp/
www.cis.uab.edu/progams/hspc
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CS 201

• CS 201 is our introductory programming course in
  Java
• Greatly speed up mentoring experience in Fall
• Prepare students for programming contest next May
• Concurrent/Dual enrollment agreement
• Requirements 3.0 GPA and 25-ACT (1140-SAT)
• Receive 4 college credit hours over summer for CS
  201
• Approximate tuition 700
• However - A deal to consider
• We will pay for 1/3 tuition for this course
  upfront for those who qualify for Concurrent
  enrollment
• If you later commit to UAB CIS, we will reimburse
  the full amount
• Those not qualifying for Concurrent enrollment
  may still sit in on the course, but without
  receiving credit hours

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Overview of Contest

• In 2005, impressive Juniors/Sophomores
• Only 2 of the top-10 were Seniors
• Six of the top-10 from last year are here today
• In 2006
• 46 Registrations
• Eleven schools represented (among 470 in AL!)
• Alabama School of Fine Arts
• Alabama School of Math and Science
• Bob Jones High School
• Grissom High School
• Heritage Family Academy
• Hoover High School
• Jefferson Count Inter-Baccalaureate
• Mountain Brook High School
• Randolph School
• Oak Mountain High School
• Vestavia Hills High School

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Schedule Overview

• Noon-3pm Contest Period
• 3pm-4pm    Two tour groups
• 4pm-??? Awards presentation Questionnaire

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What to expect at the competition

• Split into different rooms (CH-430 or CH-145)
• Fair start (1 minute difference between 2nd and
  3rd place in 2005!)
• Everyone log on and find programming tools
• Every one starts at same time
• Volunteers have their watches synchronized
• After completing a problem, fill out the top part
  of the result form and copy your answer to a
  floppy
• Name your source file appropriately (e.g., p1.cpp
  for Problem 1)
• Submit all required source files that are not
  standard (except Keyboard,java already at
  grading stations)
• Warning do not erase answer from hard drive in
  case of media failure on the floppy!
• Raise your hand and a volunteer will record the
  submission time and begin the judging process for
  your submission
• A result will be returned to you, along with
  floppy and new result form
• If incorrect, the specific reason will be circled
• A counterexample will be provided
• 20 penalty minutes will be assessed

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Questions?