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Why Study CS/IT?. “Program or be programmed .” -- Douglas Rushkoff. Computer science — not computer literacy —underlies most innovation today, from biotechnology to cinematography to energy and climate change . -- CSEdWeek website. What is CS/IT?.
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“Program or be programmed.” -- Douglas Rushkoff
Computer science — not computer literacy —underlies most innovation today, from biotechnology to cinematography to energy and climate change. -- CSEdWeek website
What is CS/IT? • CS/IT = Computer Science / Information Technology • Using computers and computer science to… • Communicate • Solve problems • Design and imagine • Share, store, retrieve or manipulate information
Why study CS/IT? • More job openings in CS/IT-related fields than qualified graduates to fill them • CS/IT is a lucrative career path • CS/IT training can increase employment and salary opportunities within one’s field of interest
CS/IT == Canadian jobs • Unemployment amongst web developers: 0% • Average CS/IT unemployment 2.7% (compared to national average 7.4%) • Database administrators: highest year-over-year employment growth @ 46% • Average gross income for ICT workers: $64,920 • Feb. 2012 stats
To Do • Together, we must create a more accurate picture of CS/IT careers • CS/IT professionals are essential to innovation and productivity in every sector of the economy. • CS/IT is decreasingly about traditional desk-bound programming and increasingly about exciting 21st century careers for professionals who display leadership and drive innovation.
CareerMash.ca (http://careermash.ca/)
Some advice for students… • Think about your interests. • Learn how your interests + CS/IT =moreopportunitiesand more money Sports! Recreation! Art! Music! Health! Biology! Graphic Design! Audio Engineering! Sports / Recreation Informatics! Health Informatics! Bioinformatics!
Healthcare + CS/IT Ross Mitchell • U of R Distinguished Alumnus (now at Mayo Clinic in Arizona) • Co-Founder and Founding Scientist @ Calgary Scientific Inc.
Students don’t need to leave • Lots of jobs with many employers here in Saskatchewan: iQmetrix, GB Internet Solutions, SAIC, Solvera, Point2, itracks, zu, and more! • Co-op education: • 100% placement for CS students in 2011 • Average work-term wages: $15-$27/hr!
Study CS @ U of R • Intro CS courses have no high school CS or Math pre-requisites • CS 100 (Introduction to Computers) • CS 207 (Building Interactive Gadgets) • CS Certificate is a great and easy add on to many U of R degree programs • ** new ** Creative Technologies program in the works for Fall 2013 intake!
Study CS @ U of R • CS courses are not restricted to Faculty of Science students • Encourage students interested in CS/IT degree programs to take high school Math to give them the best head start. • Science admission requires: • Math B30 & C30, or Pre-caclulus 30; • Foundations of Math 20 & 30 plus 1 of Pre-calculus 20 or Calculus 30 strongly recommended but not required.
Study CS @ U of R • Longest continuously accredited CS program in Canada (since 1982) • Accreditation puts students on fast-track for I.S.P. designation • On the web at: http://cs.uregina.ca • E-mail questions to: info@cs.uregina.ca • Telephone: 585-4632
Acknowledgements • Canadian Coalition for Tomorrow's ICT Skills • Canadian Information Processing Society • Dean Elliott, Ministry of Education • Information and Communications Technology Council • National Center for Women & Information Technology