Welcome to USA DAY at University of South Alabama School of Computer and Information Sciences

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)

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

How did we begin? In 1980 by three individuals: President Moulton, Dean Feinstein, Dr. Longenecker

Who are we now? A family of educators committed to quality programs of study in computing!

Three Majors! Computer Science A Computer Science student must also be interested in math and science Information Systems An Information Systems student must also be interested in working with people in organizations Information Technology An Information Technology student must be interested in technology AND in application areas for technology

The General Structure The 3 majors share a common foundation –Interpersonal and Communication Skills –Mathematics –Problem Solving & the Scientific Approach –Object-Oriented Programming –Database –Networks and Data Communications Each individual major adds… –Courses that are unique for the major –Courses that are complementary to the major

Computer Science The 3 majors share a common foundation –Interpersonal and Communication Skills –Mathematics –Problem Solving & the Scientific Approach –Object-Oriented Programming –Database –Networks and Data Communications The Computer Science major adds… –Courses that are unique for the major such as Digital Logic and Computer Architecture, Software Engineering Principles, Programming Language Theory, and Performance Evaluation of Algorithms –Courses that are complementary to the major Calculus I and II, Discrete Math, and Statistics 4 Natural Sciences

Information Systems The 3 majors share a common foundation –Interpersonal and Communication Skills –Mathematics –Problem Solving & the Scientific Approach –Object-Oriented Programming –Database –Networks and Data Communications The Information Systems major adds… –Courses that are unique for the major such as Object-Oriented Analysis and Design, Advanced Database, Information Systems Strategy and Policy, and Project Management –Courses that are complementary to the major Management Theory & Practice, Organizational Behavior, Principles of Marketing Choice of Concentrations in Web, Networking, or Data Management

Information Technology The 3 majors share a common foundation –Interpersonal and Communication Skills –Mathematics –Problem Solving & the Scientific Approach –Object-Oriented Programming –Database –Networks and Data Communications The Information Technology major adds… –Courses that are unique for the major such as Network Administration, Needs Assessment & Technology Evaluation, Advanced Application Development, and Project Managment –Courses that are complementary to the major Concentration Choices: Web, Networking, or Data Management Supporting Focus courses: Business, Communications, Graphic Arts, and more Technology

Math Placement The minimum math knowledge required for enrollment in our beginning programming course is Precalculus Mathematics (USA’s MA 112) A Math Placement exam must be taken by all new students PRIOR to orientation –More information: –A practice exam is available at –The exam may be retaken 50 days after the last exam date Calculus I, grade of at least “C”, can be used as a math course for all CIS majors.

About the School of CIS beginning programming courses: CIS 115 In CIS 115, Introduction to Computer and Information Sciences, students will learn how to … –use a computer to solve problems –represent your computer-based solutions using graphical diagrams –document your computer-based solutions –implement your computer-based solutions using a programming language –use simple concepts of Object Oriented Programming –Prerequisite is a Math Placement score of at least 65 but not more than 75 or no transfer Math higher than 115.

About the beginning School of CIS programming courses: CIS 120 In CIS 120, Problem Solving & Programming Concepts I, students will learn how to … –use a compiler and its debugging tools –write programs involving sequence, loop, and decision to solve problems –use simple and aggregate data structures –make estimations of efficiency for simple algorithms –prepare simple classes for object-oriented applications –Prerequisite is an equivalent of precalculus math AND the equivalent of CIS 115

About the beginning School of CIS programming courses: CIS 121 In CIS 121, Problem Solving & Programming Concepts II, students will learn how to … –design solutions to complex problems using abstraction –design applications using new classes from existing classes –write file management applications –use dynamic data structures such as lists, stacks, queues in problem solving –create event-driven applications and applets –use testing strategies to thoroughly test algorithms –Prerequisite is CIS 120

More Facts About US 1 st in the United States to have ALL Three Majors accredited by ABET, the computing accreditation agency All three programs are offered in both a day and evening rotation. State-of-the-art labs in Robotics, Real-Time Systems, Networking, Security, Data Mining, Data Warehousing, Web Site Management, Multimedia All CIS students are required to own a laptop. Advising is required each semester. 5 year Bachelor and Masters degree program for talented and high-performing students (in any of the 3 majors).

What’s next? A new location! The Current Engineering Building? The New Engineer Building?

New Directions! Robotics Embedded Systems Game Development Computer Forensics Network Security Web Development Data Warehousing Data Mining Data Assurance

We work hard!

We play hard!

We have fun!

We succeed!

Contact Us! Main Office Phone: (251) Dean: David L. Feinstein Computer Science: Michael Doran Information Systems or Graduate Program: Roy Daigle Information Technology: William Owen Web School of Computer and Information Sciences University of South Alabama or Additional Sites of Interest Laptop Requirements: Advising Information: Scholarships: