School of Computer and Information Sciences Graduate Studies University of South Alabama

1. School of Computer and Information SciencesGraduate Studies University of South Alabama David L. Feinstein, Ph.D. Dean, School of CIS R. J. Daigle, Ph.D. Information Systems Coordinator Director of CIS Graduate Studies M. V. Doran, Ph.D. Computer Science Coordinator Ms. Meslissa Smith Internship Coordinator

2. Why should you get an MS degree in Computer Science (Owen)? • Continue your education while you are in the “education mode”. You are a student…stay a student a bit longer. • It is a natural continuation of your learning. • An MS allows some more focus on a specific area. • You will get more benefits over a longer period of time from obtaining a Masters. • You distinguish yourself over those with only a BS. • It is easier NOW than coming back when your life has more demands (i.e. job, family, etc). • It is challenging. • It is fun. • It is only money. • What else do you have to do for 4 semesters?

3. Why should you get an MS degree in Computer Science (Doran)? • The sense of academic accomplishment that few people achieve. • You get to teach computing concepts to others and thereby learn it from an entirely new perspective. • You add impressive things to your resume like publications and grants. • You can work closely with the faculty on exciting projects and publish the results. This leads to travel to exciting places like Las Vegas, Montreal and Auburn. • You will have a wider variety of job options when you graduate. • You will learn how to create knowledge instead of just use existing techniques. • You can actually get paid to go to school. • Dr Doran might finally let you in the same room as the soccerbots or the putter. • You get to wear a neat robe at graduation which include a colorful hood and long sleeves that you can hide a Bud light or two in. • Master is easier to spell than Bachelor.

4. Why should you get an MS degree in Computer Science (Daigle)? • Increase depth of knowledge in core areas • Supplement undergraduate degree with additional knowledge of computing topics of courses through electives • Chance to focus on only computing topics (no literature, speech, etc) • Your undergraduate degree has all prerequisites for advancing into a graduate program. • Graduate assistantships are available • Internships are available • You could experience teaching. • You can work on a special project or a thesis • You can work with faculty on research topics • Average salary is higher for professionals with a master than those with a bachelor. Bachelor's Degree Average Salary Offer: Computer Programming $37,971 Computer Sciences $50,664 Computer Systems Analysis $46,822 Information Sciences and Systems $43,902 Master's Degree Average Salary Offer: Computer Sciences $64,840

5. 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 Doran Advisor: Dr. David Langan • Information Systems (ISC) for students interested in business and organizational applications and information systems management Coordinator: Dr. Roy J. Daigle Advisor: Dr. Harold Pardue

6. 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

7. CIS Foundation Courses* • Essential CIS knowledge • first two years + of CIS undergraduate program • CSC Major: • CIS 120, 121, 230, 321, 322, 324, CSC 333 • Notes: • CSC Undergraduates ALREADY satisfy this requirement. • ISC and ITE Undergraduates will need to speak with Dr. Doran regarding the CIS 230, 322, AND CSC 333 requirements • ISC Major: • CIS 120, 121, 321, 324 • CIS 230 or ITE 285 • CIS 322 or ITE 272 • CIS 406 or ISC 245 • Notes: • CSC, ISC, and ITE undergraduates ALREADY satisfy this requirement * CIS Foundation Courses prescribed as needed

8. Computer Science Mathematics Calculus I and II (MA 125, 126) and Discrete Mathematics (MA 267) Statistics (ST 315) Notes: CSC undergraduates ALREADY satisfy this requirement. ISC and ITE undergraduates will have some additional mathematics courses to complete Information Systems Mathematics: Survey of Calculus (MA 120) OR Discrete Mathematics (MA 267) Organization Behavior (MGT 340) Business Management Elective (Approval Required) Two semesters equivalence of Applied Statistics Notes: ISC undergraduates ALREADY satisfy these requirements. ITE and CSC undergraduates ALREADY satisfy the Math and Statistics requirements; MGT 340 and a Business/Management Elective would be worse-case scenario here. Required/Supporting Courses* *Required/Supporting courses prescribed as needed

9. Computer Science CORE CSC 520 Computer Architecture CSC 522 Performance Evaluation of Algorithms CSC 525 Complexity Theory CSC 527 Software Engineering Required CIS 518 CIS Research Methods CSC undergraduates will have seen survey versions of these topics Information Systems* CORE ISC 551 Human/Computer Interface Design ISC 560 OO Systems Analysis and Design ISC 561 Database Management ISC 565 Project and Change Management Required CIS 518 CIS Research Methods ISC 559 Applications Design and Implementation ISC 562 Information Systems Design ISC undergraduates will have seen survey versions of these topics ITE undergraduates will have seen survey versions of HCI, Database Management, and Project & Change Management Core Courses

10. Financial Aid Eligible Admission Regular Admission* 3.0+ Undergraduate GPA Provisional Admission* 2.5+ Undergrad GPA OR 2.75+ GPA last 64 semester hours Non-degree admission requests are not accepted. GRE scores No minimum scores—“Final admission decisions are made based upon an evaluation of the applicant's complete file which consists of all official academic transcripts, undergraduate grade-point average; GRE scores; letters of reference; professional experience; the applicant's statement of purpose.” (2004 bulletin) Scores that would be considered optimum might be Verbal 500+ Quantitative 600+ Analytical Writing 4.0+ However…other combinations are assessed. Weaker scores than those given above on GRE components may result in acceptance for Provisional Admission. Admission Information *International Applicants: minimum TOEFL 525 & ESL Classes as recommended

11. Our Expectations of CIS Graduate Students • Higher Expectations for Quality of Work • Self-Motivated • Professional Attitude and Pride • Individual Creativity, Knowledge, and Skill Development • Assignments should be professional looking and on time • Attendance--on time from first day • Responsible, Dependable, Honest, Trustworthy in interactions with CIS Faculty, Staff, and fellow students

12. Graduate Assistantships: Dr. Daigle (rdaigle@usouthal.edu) or Dr. Doran (mdoran@usouthal.edu) Internships: Ms. Melissa Smith (msmith@usouthal.edu) or Dr. Feinstein (dfeinstein@usouthal.edu) Work Study: Ms. Kathy Ford (kford@usouthal.edu) Dean: David L. Feinstein dfeinstein@usouthal.edu Graduate Program or Information Systems: Roy Daigle rdaigle@usouthal.edu Computer Science: Michael Doran mdoran@usouthal.edu Admissions: http://www.southalabama.edu/admissions/grad/ 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