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Computer Science at James Madison University Dr. Sharon Simmons Head of the Department of Computer Science Ms. Nancy Harris CS Freshman Advisor April 18, 2011. 1. Why Get a College Education?. Better future Better job More fulfilling life Friendships Fun Like to learn. 2.
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Computer Science at James Madison University Dr. Sharon Simmons Head of the Department of Computer Science Ms. Nancy Harris CS Freshman Advisor April 18, 2011 1
Why Get a College Education? • Better future • Better job • More fulfilling life • Friendships • Fun • Like to learn 2
Choosing a Major • Preparation for life • Preparation for a career • Some considerations: • Passion • Talent • Prospects 3
Computer Science as a Major • Appeals to people who • Like puzzles, problem solving, symbol manipulation • Are well organized • Have discipline and determination 4
Computer Science Career Paths • Application and systems software positions • Management and support of • computer networks • database systems • information security • multimedia systems • Computer science graduate study 5
Comparison of Starting Salaries of CS B.S. Degree to Other Degrees (2009)* The tech fields are what's driving salaries and offers, and the top students are faring quite well," said Emanuel Contomanolis, who runs RIT's career center. * http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/24/news/economy/highest_starting_salaries
Money Magazine 2009 Top 10 Best Jobs * 1. Systems Engineer 2. Physician Assistant 3. College Professor 4. Nurse Practitioner 5. IT Project Manager 6. CPA 7. Physical Therapist 8. Network Security Consultant 9. Intelligence Analyst 10. Sales Director * Considering their growth, pay, stress-levels and other factors, http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2009/index.html 7
Money Magazine 2009 12-17 Best Jobs* 12. Software Developer 16. Software Product Manager 17. Business Analyst, IT * Considering their growth, pay, stress-levels and other factors, http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/2009/index.html 8
2010 Best Jobs in America Wall Street Journal: #2 Software Engineer #3 Computer Systems Analyst US News Top 50 Jobs: Computer Software Engineer $85,000 to $92,000* Systems Analyst $76,000 to $94,000* Network Architect $72,000 to $96,000* * Median salary in 2008
Ten Hottest Careers: 2009* • Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts • Hot Ranking: #1 • Computer Application Software Engineers • Hot Ranking: #4 • Computer Systems Software Engineers • Hot Ranking: #7 • Network and Computer Systems Administrators • Hot Ranking: #9 • Database Administrators • Hot Ranking: #10 * http://www.search4careercolleges.com/ten-hottest-careers.asp
Majors in Demand • Computer software developers are among the occupations projected to grow the fastest and add the most new jobs over the 2008-18 decade, resulting in excellent job prospects.
Most Job Growth Over 10 Years 6. Business Analyst, IT (29%) 7. Software Development Director (28%) 10. Computer/Network Security Consultant (27%)
CS at JMU • B.S. in CS and M.S. in CS • 300 undergraduates, 80 graduates • 19 CS Faculty • Program strengths: Software Engineering, Networking Telecommunications (Minor) Information Security, Digital Forensics 14
Departmental Culture and Opportunities • Student-Faculty Relationships • Friendly Environment • Small class sections • Undergraduate laboratory assistants • Undergraduates working on research grants • Independent study with CS faculty members • Summer Internships • Programming Team Competitions • CyberDefense Team Competitions
CS Major Topics of Study • Principles of Computer Science and Programming • Mathematics • Software Engineering • Database Systems • Operating Systems • Web Design • Networking & Communications • Operating Systems • Information Security (Cyber Defense, Computer Forensics) 16
High Demand Area: Information Security • JMU is a National Security Agency (NSA) Designated Center of Academic Excellence in Information Security Education • Undergraduate “specialty” in Information Security • NSA NSTISSI 4011 Certification • Many jobs in information security • Higher salaries 17
Information Security at JMU • B.S. CS – Information Security Certification • B.S./M.S. 5 Year Program (Information Security or Digital Forensics) • M.S. CS in Information Security • Great Reputation • On-Line • Since 1997 • M.S. CS in Digital Forensics • New program: Fall 2011 18
Student Support and Enrichment • Student organizations • ACM Student Chapter • Cyber Defense Club & Team • Programming Team • Cyber Forensics Group • Women in Technology • Unix Users Group • UPE – CS Honor Society • Departmental Scholarships • TA Consultants for the introductory programming sequence • Independent Study • Research Projects 19
What Can You Do with a CS Degree? Just about anything you want to do!
Some JMU Entrepreneurs Parabon Computation: Steve Armentrout (JMU, B.S. CS 1985, Ph.D. CS, Univ. MD) Gemini Security Solutions: Peter (Hess B.S. CS, JMU 1996) Immerge Technologies: Justin Creasy (B.S. CS, JMU, 2005)
Student/Alumni Panel • Kyle Ames, Senior (Math and CS) • Evan Johnson, Senior • Steven Irons, Junior • Kayla Funke, Sophomore • Mike Ripley, Alumnus 22
Student Support and Enrichment • Student organizations • ACM Student Chapter • Cyber Defense Club & Team • Programming Team • Cyber Forensics Group • Women in Technology • Unix Users Group • UPE – CS Honor Society • Departmental Scholarships – upper classmen • TA Consultants for the introductory programming sequence • Independent Study • Research Projects 24
Your Program: First Year CS 139 and 239 taught with lecture/lab components – 25-30 per section max. 25
Next Steps • Make your decision • Pay your deposit (by May 1) • and meet other One Book deadlines • Sign up for summer orientation—choose major • One day information session • Register for fall and customize your schedule • Meet your freshman advisor • Course availability is distributed so it doesn’t matter whether you are first or last • Attend 1787 orientation in the fall 28
Check Out Our Website • www.cs.jmu.edu • Information about: • Program • Faculty • Student organizations 29
Packets • Basic information about the curriculum • Cards for Dr. Simmons, Dr. Fox (undergraduate coordinator) and Ms. Harris • Information about jobs
Please join us for the STEM reception • Ntelos Room – Rm 259 • Immediately following this presentation