1. The CS Program at UHCL UHCL Spring Open House 2006 March 4, 2006
Dr. Kwok-Bun Yue
Associate Professor, CS
Chair, CIS
University of Houston-Clear Lake

2. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Content
What is CS?
Myths of Computing.
Great Time for Majoring in CS
CS at UHCL
Why UHCL CS?
Conclusions and Questions
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

3. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
What is CS?
Computer Science (CS): theory and practice of using computers for problem solving.
Includes many support areas, e.g.:
Mathematics
Science: Physics, electronics, etc.
Software Engineering
Domain knowledge of the application areas
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

4. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Content
What is CS?
Myths of Computing.
Great Time for Majoring in CS
CS at UHCL
Why UHCL CS?
Conclusions and Questions
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

5. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Myths of Computing
Myth: computing majors
Have no social life
Are hackers
Are nerds
Cannot communicate
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

6. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Reality
Computing majors have diverse background.
Communications, social, political, design and analysis skills are important in CS/IS career.
They tend to be problem solvers.
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

7. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Programming Myth
Myth: CS/IS are only about programming.
Reality: CS/IS jobs are very diverse:
Senior and Middle Management
Software Development
Technical Support
Systems, Network and Database Administration
Training and Supports
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

8. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Job Myth
Myth: CS/IS job market will continue to shrink because of out-shoring (off-shore outsourcing).
Reality:
CS/IS job market has turned around in 2005.
There will be shortage for CS/IS professional.
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

9. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Content
What is CS?
Myths of Computing.
Great Time for Majoring in CS
CS at UHCL
Why UHCL CS?
Conclusions and Questions
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

10. Good Job Opportunities
CS/IS Job market has turned around and is projected to grow.
High tech lost about 1,000,000 job (15%) from 2002 to 2004.
High tech jobs grew 190,000 in the first half of 2005 (ZDNet Research, 9/22/2005).
CS and System Analysis jobs increased 54,000 or 7.7% in the first quarter of 2005 (Information Week, 6/2005).
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

11. Shortage of CS Professionals
CS Majors dropped 40% by 2004 (Computer Research News, Vol 17).
Women’s Interest in CS fell by 80% between 1998 to 2004.
Incoming freshman interested in majoring in CS:
1999: 3.8%
2004: 1.4%
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

12. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Good Job Prospects
Well paid jobs.
Highest starting salary majors for university graduates (CNN/Money, 8/25/2005):
#2 Computer Engineering: $52,464
#5 Systems Engineering: $50,887
#6 Computer Science: $50,820
#10 Information Science and System: $44,775
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

13. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Good Job Variety
Examples reported from Computer World surveys on May to July 2004 (with average compensation):
CIO: $162,145 (and up)
Application Development Manager: $98,666
Internet/Intranet Manager: $91,468
Senior Systems Analysts: $80,090
Information Security Specialists: $73,207
Database Administrator: $81,710
Network Architect: $83,590
Systems Administrator: $64,925
Quality Assurance Specialist: $66,166
Software Engineer: $81,150
Messaging/ /Groupware Specialist: $71,552
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

14. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Good Jobs
Interesting job
Good job environment
Good job status
Professional in nature
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

15. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Content
What is CS?
Myths of Computing.
Great Time for Majoring in CS
CS at UHCL
Why UHCL CS?
Conclusions and Questions
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

16. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
UHCL
An upper level institution
~8,000 students
Located in the high tech community of Johnson Space Center
Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

17. UHCL CS Degree Programs
Two degrees:
B.S. in CS
M.S. in CS
Housed in the School of Science and Computer Engineering.
Technically oriented.
Accredited by the prestigious Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET).
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

18. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
B.S. in CS
132 credits
Required courses in
Computer Sciences (CSCI)
Mathematics
Science
Software Engineering (SWEN)
Computer Engineering (CENG)
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

19. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
B.S. in CS
Elective Courses:
CSCI
Mathematics
Science courses
Business courses
SWEN and CENG
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

20. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
M.S. in CS
36 credits
For students with either undergraduate degrees in CS or have completed foundation courses.
Required courses in CSCI.
Subplan requirements in
Web and Databases
Systems and Networking
Elective courses in CSCI, SWEN, CENG and other courses.
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

21. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Content
What is CS?
Myths of Computing.
Great Time for Majoring in CS
CS at UHCL
Why UHCL CS?
Conclusions and Questions
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

22. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Why UHCL CS?
Good location
Good balance between theory and practice
Early adopter of emerging technology
Small class sizes
Student-Oriented faculty
Faculty dedicated to teaching and working with students and colleagues on cutting-edge research
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

23. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Why UHCL CS?
CS is accredited by ABET under the CS curriculum.
Currently, only 14 programs in Texas are accredited as such.
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

24. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Content
What is CS?
Myths of Computing.
Great Time for Majoring in CS
CS at UHCL
Why UHCL CS?
Conclusions and Questions
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

25. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Conclusions
Great time to major in CS.
The UHCL CS program provides many benefits.
Contact us for more information:
CS site:
Dr. Perez-Davila (Chairperson, CS:
Academic advisors: Ms. Barbara Coleman and Ms. Dorothy Hogg
10/1/2005
Bun Yue:

26. Bun Yue: yue@cl.uh.edu, http://dcm.uhcl.edu/yue
Questions?
Any Questions?
Thanks!
10/1/2005
Bun Yue: