Computer Science at James Madison University Dr. Sharon Simmons Head of the

1. Computer Science at James Madison University Dr. Sharon Simmons Head of the Department of Computer Science Ms. Nancy Harris Freshman Advisor April 16, 2012 1

2. Why Get a College Education? • Better future • Better job • More fulfilling life • Friendships • Fun • Like to learn 2

3. Choosing a Major • Preparation for life • Preparation for a career • Some considerations: • Passion • Talent • Prospects 3

4. Computer Science as a Major • Appeals to people who • Like puzzles, problem solving, symbol manipulation • Are well organized • Have discipline and determination 4

5. Computer Science Career Paths • Application and systems software positions • Example areas: • Computer networks • Database systems • Information security • Multimedia systems • Social networking • Gaming • Mobile applications • Computer science graduate study 5

6. Comparison of Starting Salaries of CS B.S. Degree to Other Degrees 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. *

7. Best Undergraduate College Degrees by Salary (2011)* * Payscale.com *

8. Popular Computer Science Degree Jobs* • Payscale.com • Median salary *

9. CNN Money Magazine 2011 Top 10 Best Jobs in fast-growth fields Software Developer Physical Therapist Financial Advisor Civil Engineer Marketing Specialist Management Consultant Information Technology Consultant Database Administrator Financial Analyst Environmental Engineer 9

10. CNN Money Magazine 2011 Information Technology Consultant Median pay: $96,500 Top pay: $154,000 10-year job growth 20% Total jobs: 70,000 8. Database Administrator Median pay: $86,600 Top pay: $121,000 10-year job growth: 20% Total jobs: 120,000 Software Developer Median pay: $82,400 Top pay: $118,000 10-year job growth: 32% Total jobs: 380,000 10

11. 2011 Best Jobs in America CareerCast: #1 Software Engineer #5 Computer Systems Analyst US News Top 50 Jobs: Computer Software Engineer Computer Systems Analyst Network Architect

12. Job Outlook to 2012(www.cra.org)

13. 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.

14. Most Job Growth Over 10 Years Computer Systems Analysts 223,000 Computer Software Engineers 218,000 Network systems 208,000 Computer Software Engineers 153,000

15. CS at JMU • B.S. in CS and M.S. in CS • 360 undergraduates, 80 graduates • 17 CS Faculty • Program strengths: Software Engineering, Networking Telecommunications (Minor), Databases Information Security, Digital Forensics 15

16. 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

17. Scholarship Opportunitieshttp://www.cs.jmu.edu/bscs/scholarships.html • JMU Scholarships • Second Century • Madison Achievement • Dingledine Scholar • Departmental Scholarships • Curt Foundation • Rosetta Stone • Computer Science • TAG • FGM • Malcolm Lane • National Scholarships • DoD Information Assurance • NSF Scholarship for Service 17

18. CS Major Topics of Study • Principles of Computer Science and Programming • Mathematics • Software Engineering • Database Systems • Multimedia • Web Design • Networking & Communications • Operating Systems • Information Security (Cyber Defense, Computer Forensics) 18

19. 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 19

20. 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 20

21. Student Support and Enrichment • Student organizations • ACM Student Chapter • Cyber Defense Club & Team • Programming Team • Cyber Forensics Group • Women in Technology • Unix Users Group • Robotics Club • UPE – CS Honor Society • Departmental Scholarships • TA Consultants for the introductory programming sequence • Independent Study • Research Projects 21

22. Student/Alumni Panel • Ryan Wolter, Junior • Marissa Halpert, Sophomore • Michael Kapnick, Sophomore • Mike Ripley, Alumnus 22

23. Ms. Nancy Harris • Curriculum and the first year experience

24. 120 Credit Hours

25. Your Program: First YearThis will be customized with your freshman advisor CS 139 and 239 taught with lecture/lab components – 25-30 per section max 25

26. Second Through Fourth Years 26

27. 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 • This is when you will register for fall and customize your schedule • This is when you will 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

28. Check Out Our Website • www.cs.jmu.edu • Information about: • Program • Faculty • Merit based departmental scholarships • We may have a few scholarships available for fall 29

29. CS Department HeadContact Information • Dr. Sharon Simmons • Phone: 540-568-4196 • 222 ISAT/CS Building • e-mail: simmonsj • CS Web Site: http://www.cs.jmu.edu/ 30

30. Freshman Advisor Contact Information • Nancy Harris, CS Freshman Advisor • AIM – harrisnl55 • e-mail – harrisnl@jmu.edu • phone – 540-568-8771 31

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