1. January 4, 20051 School of Computer and Information Sciences Graduate Program Orientation University of South Alabama David L. Feinstein, Ph.D. Dean, School of CIS R. J. Daigle, Ph.D. Director of CIS Graduate Studies Information Systems Coordinator M. V. Doran, Ph.D. Computer Science Coordinator J. Harold Pardue, Ph.D. Information Systems Advisor David Langan, Ph.D. Computer Science Advisor Ms. Melissa Smith Internship Coordinator

2. January 4, 20052 Two CIS Specializations (Majors) Computer Science (CSC) for students interested in the theoretical aspects of the discipline with an emphasis on the construction of system software or the development of scientific applications using software engineering principles. Coordinator:Dr. Michael V. Doran Advisor:Dr. David Langan Information Systems (ISC) for students interested in business and organizational applications and information systems management Coordinator:Dr. R. J. Daigle Advisor:Dr. J. Harold Pardue

3. January 4, 20053 What you should know about... the Computer Science major What is Computer Science all about? What kind of projects do Computer Science majors work on?

4. January 4, 20054 What should you know about… the Information Systems major What is Information Systems all about? What kind of projects do Information Systems majors work on?

5. January 4, 20055 The choice of a major you make today is important! Not all core courses in CSC (ISC) may be used as electives in ISC (CSC) respectively

6. January 4, 20056 The choice of a major you make today is important! 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!

7. January 4, 20057 The choice of a major you make today is important! Former students can give you information about what they like and what has been useful for them. You are not same as those who have come before you! It’s your future!

8. January 4, 20058 Overview: Placement Individual Student Graduate Study Plan 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

9. January 4, 20059 Required/Supporting Courses * Computer Science Calculus I and II (MA 125, 126) Discrete Mathematics (MA 267) Statistics (ST 315) Information Systems Discrete Mathematics or Survey of Calculus (MA 267 or MA 120) Organization Behavior (MGT 320) Business Management Elective (Approval Required) Two semesters equivalence of Applied Statistics * Required/Supporting courses prescribed as needed

10. January 4, 200510 Core Courses Computer Science CORE CSC 520 Computer Architecture CSC 522: Performance Evaluation of Algorithms CSC 525: Complexity Theory CSC 527: Software Engineering Information Systems CORE ISC 551: Human Computer Interface Design ISC 560: IS Analysis and Design ISC 561: IS Database Management ISC 565: Project & Change Management

11. January 4, 200511 Rest of the Courses Computer Science Required CIS 518: CIS Research Methods Electives 7 approved electives Comprehensive Examination on CORE Thesis or Project: oral exam Course Only: written examination Information Systems Required CIS 518: CIS Research Methods ISC 559: Apps Design & Implementation ISC 545: Management Info Systems ISC 567: IS Function Integration Electives 4 approved electives Comprehensive Examination on CORE Thesis or Project: oral exam Course Only: written examination

12. January 4, 200512 Our Expectations of CIS Graduate Students Professional Attitude and Pride Higher Expectations for Quality of Work Assignments: professional looking and on time Attendance—on 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 Professional and Academic Integrity

13. January 4, 200513 Status and Performance Information Admission status—how you were accepted into the program Regular Provisional Reviewed after 9-15 graduate cis courses Must have a GPA in graduate courses in the program >= 3.0 or dismissed Academic Status Probation—GPA is < 3.0 If Regular Status—two semesters to remove probation or dismissed. If Provisional Status—Must have a GPA in graduate courses in the program >= 3.0 or dismissed Prerequisites and foundation courses Do not count towards degree Do count towards probation CORE courses Must be completed with a minimum grade of B Must be completed before comprehensive examination

14. January 4, 200514 What you should know about… Advising/Registration Advising is Deciding… Which semester should a course be taken? What are some good supporting electives for your special interests Mandatory… Spring advising occurs during the Fall semester Summer & Fall advising occurs during the Spring Semester Registration blocks are set automatically each semester Registration is done through PAWS PAWS can also give you advising information through the Degree Audit option.

15. January 4, 200515 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/http://www.southalabama.edu/bulletin/ Prepare a plan for completing your degree Visit the School of CIS advising web page http://www.cis.usouthal.edu/advising.php Use the long-range planning document and adjust the plan each semester as necessary http://www.cis.usouthal.edu/advising_old/long.html Focus on CORE courses Grade of B is required Knowledge of rotation of courses http://www.cis.usouthal.edu/Rotation.pdf “I didn’t know it was required!” will NOT help you graduate

16. January 4, 200516 Contact Us! Main Office Phone: (251) 460-6390 Dean: David L. Feinstein dfeinstein@usouthal.edu Graduate Program or Information Systems: Roy Daigle rdaigle@usouthal.edu rdaigle@usouthal.edu Computer Science: Michael Doran mdoran@usouthal.edu mdoran@usouthal.edu Graduate Advising: Computer Science David Langan dlangan@usouthal.edu dlangan@usouthal.edu Information Systems Harold Pardue hpardue@usouthal.edu hpardue@usouthal.edu School of CIS: http://www.cis.usouthal.edu University of South Alabama: http://www.usouthal.edu or http://www.usouthal.edu http://www.southalabama.edu Graduate Assistantships: Dr. Daigle (rdaigle@usouthal.edu) orrdaigle@usouthal.edu Dr. Doran (mdoran@usouthal.edu)mdoran@usouthal.edu Internships: Ms. Melissa Smith (msmith@usouthal.edu) ormsmith@usouthal.edu Dr. Feinstein (dfeinstein@usouthal.edu)dfeinstein@usouthal.edu Work Study: Ms. Kathy Ford (kford@usouthal.edu)kford@usouthal.edu

17. January 4, 200517 Contact Us! Main Office Phone: (251) 460-6390 Dean: David L. Feinstein dfeinstein@usouthal.edu Graduate Program or Information Systems: Roy Daigle rdaigle@usouthal.edu Information Systems Advising: Harold Pardue hpardue@usouthal.eduhpardue@usouthal.edu Computer Science: Michael Doran mdoran@usouthal.edu Computer Science Advising: David Langan dlangan@usouthal.edudlangan@usouthal.edu School of Computer and Information Sciences: http://www.cis.usouthal.edu University of South Alabama: http://www.usouthal.eduhttp://www.usouthal.edu or http://www.southalabama.edu