School of Computer and Information Sciences
Graduate 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
Today’s Activities
Sign yellow tablet being distributed to
remove blocks
Overview of program handout
Slide presentation
Check sheet for Information Systems
Check sheet for Computer Science
Specialization Declaration
Complete campus registration form
Two CIS Specializations
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.
Advisor:
Dr. Michael V. Doran
Information Systems (ISC)
for students interested in business and organizational
applications and information systems management
Advisor:
Dr. Roy J. Daigle
Overview: Master of Science in CIS
Each program requires 36 semester hours in 6 areas
1.
CIS Foundation Courses*
2.
Required/Supporting Courses *
3.
Core Courses
4.
Required Courses
5.
Plan of Study



6.
Thesis Plan of Study
Project Plan of Study
Course-Only Plan of Study
Electives
*Depends
on prior academic experiences and specialization
CIS Foundation Courses*
Essential CIS knowledge

first two years + of CIS undergraduate program
Accelerated Pace

All may be completed in 1 calendar year
Most have undergraduate equivalents
Two common streams for CSC and ISC students

Programming




CIS 501--OOP (Java)
CIS 503--Data and File Structures (C++)
CIS 507--Database Programming
Fundamental Computing Concepts


CIS 502--Architecture and Operating Systems concepts
CIS 504--Data Communications and Networking concepts
Specialization Specific Course
 CSC :
CIS 505--Programming Languages
 ISC:
CIS 506--Information Systems in Organizations
* CIS Foundation Courses prescribed as needed
A Very Special Foundation Course
CIS 501


equivalent to 2 semesters of undergraduate OO
programming
undergraduate equivalent (CIS 120, 121 and their
labs 122, 123)
Should only be taken by students with prior
programming experiences
Requires permission of Director of CIS Graduate
Studies
Required/Supporting Courses*
Computer Science



Calculus I and II
(MA 125, 126)
Discrete Mathematics (MA
267)
Statistics
(ST 315)
Information Systems




Survey of Calculus
(MA 120)
Management Theory
(MGT 300)
Equivalent of one semester of
Accounting
(ACC 500 or ACC 211)
Equivalent of two semesters of
Applied Statistics
(Several Options)
*Required/Supporting courses prescribed as needed
Core Courses
Computer Science
Information Systems
CORE
 CSC 520
Computer Architecture
 CSC 522
Performance Evaluation of
Algorithms
 CSC 525
Complexity Theory
 CSC 527
Software Engineering
CORE
 ISC 551
Human/Computer Interface Design
 ISC 560
Information Systems Analysis
 ISC 561
Database Management
 ISC 565
Project and Change Management
Required
 CIS 518
Methods
Required
 CIS 518
CIS Research Methods
 ISC 559
Applications Design and Implementation
 ISC 562
Information Systems Design
CIS Research
“Thesis” Plan of Study
THESIS Plan of Study



CIS 595 CIS Research Development—max 6
semester hrs
CIS 599 CIS Thesis—max 6 semester hrs
Total Maximum of 9 semester hrs of CIS 595 &
599
Electives


Computer Science: (min of 12)/(max of 15)
semester hours of Approved Electives
Information Systems: (min of 6)/(max of 9)
semester hours of Approved Electives
“Project” Plan of Study
PROJECT Plan of Study



CSC/ISC 595 Project Proposal—max 6 semester
hrs
CSC/ISC 598 Project—max 6 semester hrs
Total Maximum of 9 semester hrs of CSC/ISC 595
& 599
Electives


Computer Science: (min of 12)/(max of 15)
semester hours of Approved Electives
Information Systems: (min of 6)/(max of 9)
semester hours of Approved Electives
“Course-Only” Plan of Study
Electives
Computer Science: 21 semester hours of
Approved Electives
 Information Systems: 15 semester hours of
Approved Electives

Cheating Policy
School Cheating Policy:
Unless otherwise stated by your instructor, all
work submitted for grading must be your work.
This means that the work you submit for grading
must be designed and implemented by one and
only one person, and that person must be you.
Any deviation from this policy may result in a
failing grade for the course for all parties involved.
This policy applies to examinations, programming
assignments, quizzes, and homework
assignments.
Prior Academic Experiences
Evaluation of prior academic experiences are
recommended in writing by International
Admissions Counselors:

Ms. Brenda Hinson or Ms. Cindy Nobles
Final approval of the recommendation will be
made by Dr. Daigle.
Non-Academic Certifications are NOT
accepted for academic credit
Financial Support
Graduate Assistantships:

Contact:




Dr. Daigle (daigle@cis.usouthal.edu)
Dr. Doran (doran@cis.usouthal.edu)
Complete Application must be on file
Laboratory Instructors:
 Only responsible, dependable students need apply
 Special Technology Skills and Knowledge
 Good Communication Skills
Internships:

Contact:


Ms. Melissa Smith (msmith@cis.usouthal.edu)
Dr. Feinstein (feinstein@cis.usouthal.edu)
Work Study:

Contact: Ms. Ford (ford@cis.usouthal.edu)
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
Academic Performance
Course:




Course specific
If there is a problem check with your instructor first
If necessary, withdraw by the published deadline
(see inside cover of Bulletin) to avoid penalty
B or better Performance expected in all required
supporting courses and CORE
Academic Dismissal:



Six semester hours of D or F
Nine semester hours of C or less (C, D, U, F)
Less than a B (3.0) average after 15 hours of
prescribed courses
Contact Us!
Main Office Phone: (251) 460-6390
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