Computer
and Information Science
PROGRAM FEATURES
 Over-the-shoulder Teaching Environment: COINS
has a dedicated faculty who share the philosophy that involved
students learn best. Consequently most computer courses are
taught in a laboratory setting where each student is engaged
interactively with the computer while the subject is being
taught. In this environment, the faculty primarily "coach" over-the-shoulder
as opposed to delivering standard lectures. Based on feedback
from graduating seniors and alumni, this method of teaching
has provided graduates with an "edge' over their peers
in the workplace.
Small Class Size: Computer classes typically
do not exceed 24 students per class with an interactive learning
environment.
Emphasis on Teamwork: Employer feedback
indicates that the ability to work as part of a team is essential
to success in the information technology workplace. For this
reason, most computer courses stress teams and teamwork as
the primary means of completing class assignments. Students
learn quickly that team dynamics are fundamentally different
from the usual student experiences where each student competes
with all other students for grades.
Focus on the Fundamentals: Our
goal is to produce well-rounded, "can-do" graduates
who are able to function successfully at all levels of
the workplace.
Since technology changes relentlessly and is different in
every workplace, our courses focus on the underlying, unchanging
fundamentals. These include not only technical fundamentals,
but also people-skills and the ability to communicate effectively.
Alumni feedback has authenticated the effectiveness of this
approach, as the following unsolicited e-mail messages demonstrate:
"Your
staff really did a great job in preparing me for
a job in this
field. My current
title is Information Systems Engineer. Thanks for making
us give presentations in Operating Systems. I give
two presentations a month now. I really felt confident
and comfortable going into this job. Even though I
went through 12 weeks training, I can honestly say
I was well prepared to handle what they taught."
- Sonya Ridgill, Blue Cross Blue Shield,
Columbia SC
"My
CSAM degree served me well. Right after I graduated,
my husband
was transferred
to Cape Canaveral, FL, and I had the opportunity to
work on the Space Shuttle program as a software and
systems engineer - launch team. During that time, I
finished my masters degree. Beyond the Space Shuttle
work, I've worked on RF networks for Navy ships, and
embedded Guidance and Navigation software for missiles,
and now I'm in the semiconductor field. I spent a year
working in a semiconductor fab named after Jack Kilby
to write software automation for the tools in the fab.
Now, I'm in a group called DLP which features A chips
with mirrors that correspond to pixels, and ASICs to
operate the mirrored chip."
- Kara Atchison, Texas Instruments, Dallas
TX
"CSU
has benefited me enormously, both professionally
and personally.I've
very much come
to realize the importance of good 'people skills' as
you emphasized years ago. I work in the engineering
field, and successful projects and subsequent promotions
are very dependent on these skills, more so than technical
skills.. Having completed my degree at CSU has proven
to be one of the greatest achievements of my life,
and for this I thank you very much for your very positive
input and influence. It ranks with getting married
as far as positive impact goes."
- Dan Baugess, Orion CEM, Inc., Atlanta GA
|
Modern Equipment: CSU has modern equipment
that is reflective of that in a modern workplace. All labs
have full Internet access.
Interesting Data from the COINS Self-study
[dated May 10, 2003]
- COINS is one of the larger academic units with responsibility
for approximately 118 majors and 48 minors.
- Enrollment has increased forth-six percent since 1999
despite a thirteen percent dip in enrollment during 2002.
This upward trend is expected to resume as the economy
improves, although at a more modest pace.
- Students declaring computer-related majors increased
at a steady five percent rate from 1999 to 2001, but
dropped twenty-one percent in 2002 as a natural reaction
to the high-tech bust and slowing economy. This drop
was reflective of the trend at universities nationally.
The number of majors is expected to begin rising again
as the economy improves.
- At the time of the study, ninety-seven percent
of graduates reported that they were employed (one
person was between jobs). (Note: This does not include
graduates who chose not to be employed, e.g., moms
at home.) Job satisfaction data demonstrated that graduates
were, on the average, “Very Satisfied” with
their jobs. This was the highest possible ranking.
- The average salary range for all COINS graduates
is $53,000 to $73,000 (includes BT, BS degrees
and minors). Many, of course, make much more.
- Graduates are employed by some of the nation's most
prestigious employers, including Alignus Design,
Bayer, Bell Canada, Bosch, CAMBAR Software, Disney, FBI,
General Electric, Intel, Johnson and Johnson, Lockheed
Martin, MeadWestvaco, NASA, National Reconnaissance Office,
Nations Bank, Northrop Grumman, Pentagon, Policy Management
Systems Corporation, Santee Cooper, Space and Missile
Command (USAF), SPAWAR, Texas Instruments, TRW, Underwriters
Lab, US Information Agency, and many more.
Fifty percent of graduates did postgraduate work. Thirty-four
percent completed advanced degrees beyond the Baccalaureate
degree.
|
|
