Computer Science at the
University of Portland
Choosing your major
Skills
Interest
Opportunities
Presentation outline
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What is computer science?
Senior design projects
Career opportunities
Alumni profiles
CS courses for spring
Resources
University Relations
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What is computer science?
CS is the study of the storage, transformation, and transfer of
information. The field includes algorithms and practical
problems involved in their implementation in software and
hardware.
(The Linux Information Project)
Information in
Automated
Process
University Relations
Information out
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CS is everywhere
University Relations
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CS senior design project examples
Acoustic Art –
2010 – 2011
AdviseUP –
2011 – 2012 / 2012 – 2013
Members: Matthew Clark, Jay
Davis, Kyle Kearney, Vincent Tilanus
Used digital images to compose
music
Deadly Game –
2011 - 2012
Members: Sam Burich, Kapua
Chandler, Chris Lewis; Kekai Ariola,
Eric Bergquist, Megan Yamamoto
Created web-based app to assist
with advising at UP
Members: Tom Aaro, Fenton
Radford, Cory Swanson
Built an Xbox 360 free form fighting
game – Brawl Stars
University Relations
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Why study computer science?
Create new technology to make a positive
difference in the world
Be creative – high-quality solutions require
innovation and creativity
Be collaborative and be an individual – software
and hardware are designed and built by teams,
with room for individual project tasks
Fun and satisfying with immediate feedback
(Yes, you will need to know how to write
programs.)
(Take advantage of the EGR110 project:
be creative in programming the robot.)
Career paths
Software engineer
Web developer
Software test engineer
Program manager
Information technology
specialist (may want
Operations and Technology
Management major)
Graduate school
Teacher
Lawyer
Entrepreneur
Writer
Researcher
Medical doctor
(need to satisfy pre-med
Database administrator
courses)
Computer security
(others, too)
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Employment projections 2010 to 2020
(US Department of Labor, US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Percent Change
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
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National median salary for CS jobs
(Payscale.com)
National median starting salary for CS: $58,300
Median annual salary
Database administrator
Web developer
Software architect
Software development manager
Software test engineer
Software developer
$0.00
$40,000.00 $80,000.00 $120,000.00
Salary for 2012 UP graduates
Table: 2012 UP engineering/CS graduates average starting salary
Degree
Salary
Computer science (N=6)
$66,167
Electrical Engineering (N=5)
$58,331
Mechanical Engineering (N=14)
$54,714
Engineering Management (N=1)
$51,000
Civil Engineering (N=5)
$47,800
Self-reported data
Best Jobs 2012 – based on job prospects
and job satisfaction
(US News and World Report)
#2 Software Developer
#5 Database Administrator
#6 Web Developer
#7 Computer Systems Analyst
#9 Computer Programmer
University Relations
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Alumni profiles: videos
CJ Cullen, class of 2010
Cypress Semiconductor, Beaverton, OR
Arturo Bimrose, class of 2010
The Cobalt Company, Alexandria, VA
Karen Echon, class of 2011
math teacher, Guam
University Relations
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What to take this spring (typical schedules)
Yes, I want to major in CS:
I am unsure about my major, but
I want to explore CS:
CS 203 / 273
MTH 202
PHY 205
Core course
I am debating between CS and
EE:
With your advisor discuss taking
CS 203/273 this spring. This
might delay a core course or
CHM 207/277 and add four
credits toward your degree if
you end up majoring in CE or
ME.
CS 203 / 273
MTH 202
PHY 205
EE 111
Core course
[you switch the order of
CS203/273 and CHM207/277 if
you end up majoring in EE]
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CS major at UP
Mathematics:
• Math minor comes with
no additional credits
• Math major is 9 credits
in addition to the CS
major
CS major: no
programming
experience expected
CS minor at UP
• Complement another major
• Looks good on a resume
• Add to skill-set, more and more products have
embedded software systems
• Minor is 18 credits
– For EE majors, can get CS minor for 5 credits in
addition to major
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Resources about the computing profession
Computing Careers Website, Association for
Computing Machinery
http://computingcareers.acm.org/
Sloan Career Cornerstone Center
http://www.careercornerstone.org/compsci/compsci.htm
The Computing Research Association
http://cra.org/
University of Washington CS Videos
http://www.cs.washington.edu/prospective_students/undergrad/whycse
Engineering Go For It
http://www.egfi-k12.org/
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Resources about career opportunities
Bureau of Labor Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/home.htm
US News Best Jobs (Software Developer)
http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/software-developer
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Resources about CS at UP
Shiley School of Engineering
http://engineering.up.edu/
Computer Science Program at UP
http://engineering.up.edu/cs/default.aspx?cid=4860&pid=1438
EECS Senior Design Projects
http://teaching.up.edu/srDesign/
Faculty:
Tanya
Crenshaw,
rm 220
Andrew
Nuxoll,
rm 217
Tammy
VanDeGrift,
rm 228
University Relations
Steven
Vegdahl,
rm 218
Karen
Ward,
rm 221
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