About Majoring in Computer Science

Why should I major in Computer Science?

Computer Science is the most exciting science or engineering field of the last forty years and the next fifty. The work of Computer Scientists has done more to change the world than the work of any other group. Computer Scientists are the problem solvers of the modern world. They develop computer implementations to assist scientists of every kind as well as business and governments. Computational modeling is replacing formal mathematics as the most important tool in a scientist's repertoire. Simulation and visualization are vital to government, the military and many larger companies. If you are interested in Science, Engineering or Business but cannot decide which area, Computer Science should be your choice. Computer Scientists work with every type of science, engineering and business.

The US economy is expected to add 1.5 million computer- and information-related jobs by 2012, while this country will have only half that many qualified graduates, according to one analysis of federal data. Meanwhile, the subject is becoming increasingly intertwined with fields ranging from homeland security to linguistics to biology and medicine.

''People who are mapping the genome are really computer scientists involved in biology," said Lenore Blum, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Computing Careers

In computer science, a growing gender gap.

What background should an entering freshman have for Computer Science?

Prior experience as a user or programmer of a computer is not at all necessary. Prospective students are encouraged to take mathematics and English throughout their senior year in high school even if they have already satisfied high school graduation and UNC admissions requirements in those areas.

The Mathematics Department administers a Math Placement Test during student orientation which recommends which math course a student should take. Some review of high school algebra and trigonometry before coming to orientation would ensure that the score on this test reflects the student's true knowledge. The CSC major requires two semesters of the same calculus sequence required of math majors; students who must take College Algebra (MAT 111) or remedial math will have to delay taking CSC courses for one or more semesters.

Communication and reasoning skills are an important factor in a student's success both in college and in a career in nearly every field including Computer Science.

Is Computer Science just programming?

No.

While every Computer Scientist should be a capable programmer, much of computer science is concerned with problem solving and algorithm analysis. Computer Scientists develop new ways of doing things when the old ways are not sufficient. They must determine the best way to configure a computer system or a large network of computer systems. They must determine what potential users need and how their needs can best be met with computers. The Computer Science B.S. program teaches programming primarily in the first year. More advanced courses deal with the major ways in which computers are used to manipulate information. The consequences of computer use and abuse are explored and discussed.

About Accessing University Computing Resources

How can I read my UNCW email?

Try out UNCW's new Web-enabled Outlook Mail System. All you need is access to the Internet and a Web browser.

What do I do if I've received an e-mail message about a virus?

Don't panic. There are a lot of virus' in the world but there are also virus myths.

What do I do if I think I have a virus on my computer and/or disk?

Bring your disk to any of the Computer Labs or to the Help Desk (Hoggard Hall - room 218) and someone will be happy to scan it for you.

You could also try an on-line site to scan your computer. Here is one site you can try: http://housecall.antivirus.com.

What do I do if I can't access a file on my disk?

There are a few reasons you may not be able to access a file:

• The disk could have a virus - see above.
• The disk could be damaged (to prevent damage, keep in a protective case).
• The file could be corrupt.
• The file may have been created in a newer version of the software that the version you are trying to open it in.
• The machine may not have the software the file was created in.

If you have a problem accessing a file from a disk, please bring the disk to the Help Desk - Hoggard Hall, Room 218.

Where are the university's student computer labs and when are they open?

See http://www.uncw.edu/itsd/client/schedule-labs.html

About the Computer Science Program

How large is your program?

In 2007 we had over 100 undergraduate majors.

What programming languages do you use?

Beginning with the 1999-2000 academic year, the primary language we use is Java. Students learn other languages such as C, C++, LISP, and ADA in upper level courses.

What courses will I need to take? Should I take a Computer Science course before CSC 121?

See the our plans of study for the typical first two years of the Computer Science program. CSC 121 does not require any computing background. Many students do very well without taking a previous course.

Which degree option, systems or business, should I pursue?

We offer both the traditional undergraduate Computer Science program, which is the systems option, and a business option in which the student must take 7 (seven) courses in the Cameron School of Business Administration at UNCW.

If you are thinking of a double major in both Computer Science and one of the programs offered by the Cameron School of Business Administration, then the business option is probably a good choice for you.

If you enjoy math and science or if you are planning to attend graduate school in computer science, the systems option is likely to appeal to you.

Choose according to your interests, background, and career goals.

What advising is available?

Every Computer Science major has a full-time faculty member as an advisor. The student meets individually with that advisor at least once every semester. The advisor is available for meetings whenever the student wishes and monitors the student's progress through our program.

UNCW provides a wide range of free counseling and academic support services as well.

What about class sizes?

Many of our Computer Science classes meet in classrooms where each student has a computer; these classes will be no larger than 35. Most other CSC classes will not exceed 20-25. UNCW has a tradition of encouraging faculty-student interaction; all faculty members have times each week when they are available to meet and talk with students.

Suppose I wish to minor in another area?

Minors are not required for the Computer Science degree, but we strongly encourage our students to consider a minor, especially in an area in which Computer Science is applied or in an area such as Leadership Studies which will strengthen the student's career skills.

Digital Arts Minor - Interdisciplinary and available to all majors Fall '07

I got a D in a course required for the CSC major. Do I have to repeat the course?

Not necessarily. When you apply for graduation, we will compute three grade point averages for you:

1. your average over all the courses you have taken at UNCW;
   
2. your average over all the courses you are counting for the CSC major;
   
3. your average over all the courses with the CSC prefix which you are counting for the CSC major.

All three of these averages must be at least 2.00. Therefore, your D can be offset by a B (or better) on a course which counts in the same average.

You should discuss with your faculty advisor whether or not it is advisable for you to repeat the D anyway in order to raise your GPA.

A CSC class which I need is closed on SeaLine. How can I get in?

Most of our classes are strictly limited either by the number of computers available in the classroom, or by the number of seats available in the classroom. Usually, classes are set to the maximum size on SeaLine.

In the schedule booklet there is a calendar showing when SeaLine closes for pre-registration and when it re-opens after bills are due. Because not all students pay their UNCW bill on time, some previously closed classes will have at least one space available when SeaLine re-opens. Your best strategy is to pay your bill on time and call SeaLine as soon as possible after it re-opens. 100 and 200 level classes frequently have openings created by students who drop the course during the first week of classes, so keep checking with SeaLine.

How will courses I have taken at other colleges transfer to UNCW?

Only the Office of Admissions can evaluate transfer credits, and they will do so only after you have been formally admitted to UNCW. When you come to transfer orientation before your first semester at UNCW, you and your academic advisor will be given a copy of your evaluation of transfer credits.

If you feel that you have sufficient preparation to take CSC 221 but did not receive transfer credit for CSC 121, you may enroll in CSC 221. If you get a C or better in CSC 221, your academic advisor will submit a form waiving the CSC 121 degree requirement.

If you feel that other courses were not properly evaluated, you must make an appointment with the Chair of the corresponding UNCW department. The Chair will need to see the catalog description, syllabus, textbook, or other available materials for the course you took. The Chair may or may not recommend that your evaluation of transfer credit be changed.

About Student Employment

Can I work while going to school?

Yes, but you probably should reduce your course load if you do. College is very time consuming for nearly everyone and Computer Science requires much more time outside of class than some other majors.

A typical course load is about 15 semester hours each term. That means the student will spend at least 15 hours per week in the classroom. For every hour spent in the classroom, an average student should expect to spend 2 hours or more on homework outside the class in order to get a grade of C. Hence the normal load requires a total of 45 to 50 hours of work each week, including the weekend, if the student is to do C work; more time is likely to be needed if the student aspires to higher grades. Introductory computer science courses have a reputation for requiring much more time and work outside of class than average.

How is the job situation? What is the placement percentage after graduation?

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that despite the recent decline in the IT industry, computer software engineers and computer systems designers will be among the fastest growing occupations in 2002-2012, while computer systems analysts, database administrators, computer scientists, and computers and information systems managers are projected to grow much faster than average. The employment outlook for programmers will be about average, while hardware engineers will face more competition and jobs will grow more slowly than usual (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2004). During this period, it is anticipated that Internet services, data processing, and other information services; computer systems design and related services; and software publishing will see the highest annual increases in growth, more than all other professions. For example, internet services are projected to experience a 10.3% annual growth rate until 2012, which translates into a 46.2% increase in employment (Horrigan, 2004). Most of these professions require a bachelor’s degree or higher (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2004).

References:

Horrigan, M.W. (2004). Employment projections to 2012: Concepts and context. Monthly Labor Review Online, 127, 3-22. Available: http://bls.gov/opub/mlr/2004/02/art1full.pdf.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Career Guide to Industries, 2004-05 Edition. Available: http://bls.gov/oco/home.htm.

What opportunities are available for a non 9-5 schedule?

At this time, very little. We are not able to offer many courses during the summers or in the evenings. Students in New Hanover County should explore with their employer the possibilities of taking courses which meet at 8:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, or 1:00 p.m.; many employers are willing to adjust work schedules to accommodate those hours. We do offer one senior level course via the World Wide Web; that may change in the future.

What about Co-op and Internship programs?

UNCW does not offer a formal co-op program in which a student takes some semesters of class work interspersed with semesters of work for a company in a job which uses the student's knowledge and expertise.

We do have an internship course available for junior/senior students who find an employer willing to support the internship program.

We encourage upper level students to work part time in Computer Science related jobs, because we believe that such experience enhances classroom learning and provides the student with a sense of what working in Computer Science actually involves. The UNCW Career Services office assists students in finding part-time work, internships, and jobs after graduation.

Do I need to purchase a personal computer if I will be a Computer Science major?
Would it help?

The UNCW Computer Science Department does not require students to purchase a computer, although the majority do own a computer by their junior year. UNCW provides computer access to its students in computer clusters on campus; most are open during working hours and some evenings.