Welcome to the University of South Alabama usouthal/ and the School of Computer and Information Sciences cisouthal/

1. Welcome to the University of South Alabama http://www.usouthal.edu/ and the School of Computer and Information Sciences http://www.cis.usouthal.edu/

2. 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)

3. 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 RHI Consulting: Technology Professionals

4. Options Three specializations: Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology Cross-Discipline Partnerships: Computer Engineering, E-commerce All three specializations have day and evening rotations Solid Foundation in Computing Programming skills (Java plus two additional languages) Basics (Operating Systems, Networks) Flexibility in Personal Interests Electives from CSC, ISC, ITE for any specialization choice Choice of project types in Senior Design Support Knowledge/Skills Interpersonal and Communication Skills Mathematics and Statistics Problem Solving/Scientific Approach Specialization Area supporting courses Life-Long Learning Features of Our Program

5. Freshman Programming Sophomore OS, Networks, etc CSC ISC ITE Junior/Senior: Specialization Area Courses Junior/Senior: Elective Courses Capstone Senior Project Design Overview of Our Program

6. COMPUTER SCIENCE A discipline that involves understanding • the design of computers and computational processes • information transfer and transformation • how to make processes efficient and endow them with some form of intelligence • advancing the fundamental understanding of algorithms and information processes • the practical design of efficient, reliable software to meet given specifications.

7. INFORMATION SYSTEMS A discipline that centers on • the development of systems to improve the performance of people in organizations • problem identification, analysis, and decision making at all levels of management • the analysis of the evolving role of information and organizational processes • the design, implementation and maintenance of the information systems that form the backbone of today’s global economy

8. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY A discipline that centers on the use of state-of-the-art, computer-based tools • to deliver computing technology to knowledgeable workers in widely diverse situations • to support end-users in complex network and World-Wide-Web environments • to develop new technology solutions by using the different technologies developed by the computer engineers, computer scientists, and information scientists

9. Laptop Ownership Policy • All students enrolled in CIS 120, 122, 401,501 must have a laptop for use in these and following courses • Policy is effective beginning Fall, 2001 • Specifications (minimums are given below) • Processor: Intel Pentium or compatible 900 MHz • Hard Drive: 10 GB • CD ROM: 10X • RAM: 128 MB or greater • Audio: Soundblaster compatible • Network: Ethernet 10BaseT • Modem: 56K V.90 • “Wet ports” to connect to campus networks will be available for student use at many locations on campus

10. Internship Program Opportunity to learn while earning $$$ Partners Minolta - QMS Clear Channel Mobile County Emergency Management Agency Mobile County Commission Software Technology IPSCO Steel OMNI Phone ATI Five-Year Program: BS and MS in 5 years Apply in second semester of Junior year GPA of 3.25 Composite of 1100 on GRE verbal and quantitative with at least 400 on each portion Financial aid is available to those admitted to the program MS in CIS with Specializations in Computer Science Information Systems Other Opportunities

11. Association of Computing Machinery Oldest Professional Organization in Computing Faculty Sponsor-Dr. David Langan (langan@cis.usouthal.edu) USA Chapter is one of the most active on campus Service Tutoring Lectures Scholarship Awards in CIS Special Projects Social Pizza Party Games Party Annual Banquet Intramurals Student Chapter of the ACM

12. Faculty and Administration • Faculty • 11 Ph.D.’s • 8 Instructors (All have Masters in CIS) • Recruiting for 2 additional Ph.D.s and 2 Instructors • Administration • Dean • Three Coordinators for Specialization Areas (CSC, ISC, ITE) • Scholarly Publications in Curriculum Development Teaching of Computing Database Design Software Development Graphics Interface Design Robotics Artificial Intelligence E-Commerce Organizational Issues Teaming, Problem Solving Life-long learning

13. Email Dean: David L. Feinstein feinstein@cis.usouthal.edu Computer Science: Michael Doran doran@cis.usouthal.edu Information Systems or Graduate Program: Roy Daigle daigle@cis.usouthal.edu Information Technology: William Owen owen@cis.usouthal.edu Web School of Computer and Information Sciences http://www.cis.usouthal.edu University of South Alabama http://www.usouthal.edu or http://www.southalabama.edu Contact Us!Main Office Phone: (251) 460-6390