Department of
Computer Science
Undergraduate Degree
Program
Overview
Main points:
1.Computer Science is a good career
choice
2.The Kent State University Department of
Computer Science provides excellent
preparation for a career in Computer
Science
www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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Computer Science vs. Management
Information Science
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Computer science is
programming
intensive
 Involves
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system architecture
software engineering
application
programming
hardware
theory
www.cs.kent.edu
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Information
Technology is
organization related
applications
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Computer Science
business related
organizational
automation
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Careers – Graduating Bachelors
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Software
Development
 Software
Engineering
 Database
Administration
 Database
Programming
www.cs.kent.edu
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Internet Engineering
Web Development
Systems
Administration
Network
Administration
Information
Technology
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Job Prospects in CS
Dot-com bust did not reduce the demand
 Outsourcing is mainly in lower level help
desk jobs. More jobs are being created
 Job prospects are very bright
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2004-2014, 71% of new jobs in science and
engineering will be for computer specialists
 59% of new jobs plus net replacements
 US universities will graduate half this amount
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www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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New Jobs – Labor Department
Projected Science & Engineering Job Creation
(new jobs, 2004–2014)
Engineers 15%
Social Scientists 7%
Life Scientists 4%
Physical Scientists 2%
Mathematical Scientists 1%
Computer Specialists 71%
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, November 2005
www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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Projected Science & Engineering Job Openings
(new jobs plus net replacements, 2004–2014)
Job Prospects ( New + Replacement )
Engineers 22%
Social Scientists 9%
59%
Computer Specialists 59%
Life Scientists 4%
Physical Scientists 4%
Mathematical Scientists 2%
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, November 2005
www.cs.kent.edu
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Job Demand & Growth
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Computer Science graduates are in top 5 of
demand market (CNN)
 U.S. Department of Labor – Projected to be
top 5 fastest growing occupations (46% over
next 10 years)
 CNN Money says “Software Engineer” is best
job in US
 2700 Software development jobs are currently
unfilled in Northeast Ohio (Northeast Ohio
Workforce Report)
www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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Employment and Salaries
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75% alumni in Ohio companies such as:
Progressive Insurance, NASA Lewis, Goodyear,
Cisco Systems, Hitachi Medical, Davey Tree, Fed
Ex, Ernst & Young, Philips Medical, Sherwin
Williams, National City Bank, Key Corp, Procter and
Gamble, Lexis-Nexis, Bell and Howell
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Multinational companies such as IBM, Intel
 National labs:
NASA,
Oakridge and Lawrence Livermore
Average Starting Salary ~$50K (2006)
 Earning range $60K - $90K
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www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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KSU CS Degree Programs
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Bachelor of Science
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Minor in Computer Science
 Minor in Web Design and Programming
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Master of Science with thesis option
 Master of Science with course only option
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Doctor of Philosophy
www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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KSU CS Department Ranking
National ranking top 60 CS departments
 State ranking top three CS departments
 Best in the Northeast Ohio
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Largest faculty
 Many courses are offered
 Industrial internship is part of the curriculum
 One of the four CS departments in Ohio
funded by Ohio Board of Regents
 100% employment of our graduates
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www.cs.kent.edu
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CS Undergraduate Curriculum
Aligns with the current ACM & IEEE-CS
curriculum guidelines
 Keeps up with latest industry demands
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through senior year elective courses
 through internships
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ACM & IEEE-CS are major professional
organizations that provide curriculum
guidelines for computing programs
www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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Focus of BS Program
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Integration of theory and system perspective
of computer and software development
Solid emphasis on software development
Provide solid foundation essential to keep
pace with rapid change in evolving field
Keep up with the changing market demands
Incorporation of new emerging areas through
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senior level elective optional courses
project oriented courses
internships in industries
www.cs.kent.edu
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Flexible Course Structure
Students take electives in junior/senior
years based upon their interest
 Minors in other fields can broaden a
student's perspectives and marketability
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bioinformatics and biotechnology
 web development and graphics
 mathematics
 business administration
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www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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Teaching and Advising
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Interactive classes around 25 students
 Programming courses taught by Professors/Lecturers
 Coordinators for entry level courses
 Continuous monitoring and assessment of entry level
courses for better coordination
 Graduate students help with labs/ entry level courses
 Junior / Senior level courses taught by Professors
 Evening courses for part-time students
 Opportunity for undergraduate research experience at
junior and senior level
 Professional advisors for undergraduate students
www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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Work/Study Opportunities during BS
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Internships in industries organized through
department
 Summer internships in national labs such as
 NASA Lewis, Oak Ridge, and Lawrence
Livermore
 Part time employment in local companies
 Work study programs in local industries
www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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BS Student Research Experience
An Individual Study course allows
students to work on projects with
professors for elective credit
 Many opportunities for undergraduate
involvement in faculty research projects
 Combined Bachelors/Masters program
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time savings of one or two terms
www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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Faculty Research Project Areas
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Artificial Intelligence
 Bioinformatics and
application to
biotechnology
 Cluster computing
 Computer graphics and
game Design
 Database and data
mining
 Image processing
 Internet application
www.cs.kent.edu
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Multimedia and
programming languages
 Networking, Internet
Engineering, and
distributed sensor
networks
 Software engineering
 Parallel & distributed
systems,
 Visualization
 Web based education
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Scholarships
Scholarships for qualified Ohio students
STEM scholarship for undergraduate
research experience
 OBR scholarship for BS/MS students
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www.cs.kent.edu
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Cost Effectiveness of CS Program
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In state tuition is half of private colleges
 Low tuition fee for 12 or more credit hours
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1 - 10 credit hours: $384 / credit hour
11 and above fixed amount of $ 4215 / semester
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Best CS department in northeast Ohio with instate tuition
 Credit transfer within NE Ohio universities
 Transfer from two year colleges possible
www.cs.kent.edu
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Student Body
Undergraduate majors: ~250
 Graduation rates (Bachelors): ~35/year
 Most students are full-time (traditional)
and come from NE Ohio
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Masters students: ~100
 Doctoral students: ~40
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www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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Department Faculty & Staff
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Professors: 19 (largest in NE Ohio)
 nationally and international known
 some with industrial experience
Lecturers: 3
 university wide teaching award winning instructors
Graduate teaching assistants: ~20
Adjuncts: ~5
Systems staff: 3
Office staff: 3
www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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Department and Facilities
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www.cs.kent.edu
Three instructional labs
with 25 computers each
Class rooms equipped
with projectors
Gigabit network speed
Faculty offices equipped
with computers
All Faculty research labs
have latest state of art
computers
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BS Degree Requirements - 1
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Foundation Courses - 5
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Introduction to Computer Science (4)
Discrete Structures for Computer Science (3)
Computer Science I: Programming & Problem Solving (4)
Computer Science II: Data Structures & Abstraction (3)
Computer Architecture (3)
Mathematics Courses - 3
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Calculus I (5)
Calculus II (5)
Linear Algebra (3)
www.cs.kent.edu
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BS Degree Requirements - 2
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Core Upper Division Courses – 8
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Operating Systems (3)
Structure of Programming Languages (3)
Social & Ethical Issues (3)
Algorithms (3)
Networks (3)
Databases (3)
Software Engineering (3)
Capstone Project (4)
CS Electives Courses – 5 X 3 credit hours
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Electives can be new selected topics courses to reflect latest
industry demand and new emerging areas
www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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40000-Level Electives
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Artificial Intelligence
Automata Theory
Bioinformatics
Compilers
Computer architecture
Game programming
Graphics
Human Computer
Interfaces
Information Security
Internet Engineering
www.cs.kent.edu
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Internship
Numerical Computing
Systems Administration
Systems Programming
VLSI Design
Web design &
Programming
Special Topics
And others….
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BS Prerequisite Structure
70 credits in Major
+ College requirements
www.cs.kent.edu
Computer Science
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Student Activities in the Department
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Very active ACM student chapter
organizes seminars from industry
 teaches popular courses such as Unix and
Linux
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ACM programming competition
 IGDA local chapter
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www.cs.kent.edu
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For More Information
 See
our web page:
www.cs.kent.edu
 Email:
ugradinfo@cs.kent.edu
 Phone: 330-672-9102
www.cs.kent.edu
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References
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
Ohio Labor Market Information
NorTech Technology Workforce Report (pdf)
Money Magazine Sorfware Engineering
Article
www.cs.kent.edu
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