The School of Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) provides a stimulating curriculum which includes a variety of courses for students in many disciplines, as well as for citizens in the business and industrial community.

MISSION STATEMENT
The School Mission Statement states:
The School of Computer and Information Sciences prepares graduates who are professionally competent, motivated to life-long learning, and demonstrate ethical behavior in the computing sciences.
The School of Computer and Information Sciences provides an atmosphere for faculty to demonstrate research and teaching excellence.
The School of Computer and Information Sciences provides service in the computing sciences to our community and discipline.

CIS majors must elect course work in one of three areas of specialization:

1. Computer Science* (CSC)
2. Information Science (ISC), or
3. Information Technology (ITE)

INFORMATION SCIENCE (ISC):
Computer-based information systems have become a critical part of products, services, and management of organizations. The Information Systems discipline centers on the development of systems that will improve the performance of people in organizations. Information systems are vital to problem identification, analysis, and decision making at all levels of management. Information Systems professionals must analyze the evolving role of information and organizational processes. Their work includes the design, implementation and maintenance of the information systems that form the backbone of today’s global economy.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (ITE):
Information technology professionals utilize state-of-the-art, Computer-based tools to deliver today’s rapidly evolving computing technology to knowledgeable workers in widely diverse situations. The information technologist must be prepared to work in the complex network and World-Wide-Web environments to meet the needs of the end users in today’s organizations. These tasks require bringing solutions together using the different technologies developed by the computer engineers, computer scientists, and information scientists.

E-COMMERCE:
The School of Computer and Information Sciences provides supporting courses for the E-Commerce major from the Mitchell College of Business. Students majoring in e-commerce are advised in the Mitchell College of Business. The E-commerce program is designed to provide students with a sound background in business disciplines as well as in network-based information technology. Students will gain strong analytical, and problem-solving skills through the integration of technical and business applications and case studies. The program offers students the opportunity to be either self-employed or work for small, medium or large corporations.

COMPUTER ENGINEERING (CpE):
Computer engineers develop the logic and circuitry of computing systems to meet the ever expanding needs of the global economy. Computer engineers are concerned with the physical nature of computing. CpE professionals must be knowledgeable in the fundamental characteristics of computer hardware at the signal and logical levels. They design the individual circuits and microchips and integrate them into the products that satisfy specific hardware needs.

ADMISSION TO THE DEGREE PROGRAM AND COURSES
Admission to the University of South Alabama constitutes admission to the School.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES
Candidates for this degree must complete one of the three specializations: Computer Science, Information Systems, or Information Technology. Under special circumstances, and with approval of the Dean, a student may select a unique specialization in which the general philosophy and requirements of the program are not violated.

In addition to an overall grade-point average of 2.0, all courses in the major, including Professional Component courses and prerequisites, must be passed with a minimum grade of “C.” Any course taken at the University of South Alabama with a grade of “D” or “F” may be retaken only at the University of South Alabama.

Students presently enrolled in the program may not take any required courses, including supporting courses, as a transient student at any other institution.

TRANSFER STUDENTS
Transfer students must complete at least eighteen (18) credit hours of work at the 300-level or above at this University, in courses in their specialization.

COMPUTER OWNERSHIP POLICY
All students enrolling in our entry-level programming sequence courses (CIS 120 and CIS 501) are required to own a personal laptop computer system that conforms to the current School minimum published standards. This is a one student one machine requirement.

FIVE-YEAR COMBINED BACHELORS AND MASTERS DEGREES PROGRAM
Qualified students may enroll in a program that results in both a bachelors degree and a masters degree. Students in this program will normally complete the B.S. degree in four (4) years and complete the M.S. degree in one (1) additional calendar year. Admission to the program is competitive. Students must apply in the second semester of their junior year. Minimum requirements are a 3.25 GPA and a composite score of 1100 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with neither score below 400. Financial aid is available to students admitted to the program.

CHOICE OF CATALOGUE UNDER WHICH A STUDENT GRADUATES
Students entering the CIS program may choose any catalogue from their entry date to their time of graduation. This applies for entering freshmen, transfer students, and students at the University of South Alabama changing their specialization in CIS or changing their major to CIS. Students who interrupt their program for more than one calendar year are considered new students with regard to catalogue selection.

PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT
Upper division courses require Professional Component Standing (PCS). These courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” and are designated by the symbol pc for each specialization.

PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION
A proficiency examination is administered by the School of Computer and Information Sciences for placement in 110, 120, and 250.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMPUTER SCIENCE SPECIALIZATION

1. COMMUNICATION - Fifteen (15) credit hours are required as follows:

A. Group I:
CSC 327 Numerical Computation II,
CSC 414 Modeling and Simulation,
CSC 415 Numerical Analysis,
CSC 433 Artificial Intelligence  Theory and Prog,
                       Or
CIS 324 Database Design, Develop,  & Management,

B. Group II:
CSC 410 Compiler Design & Const,
CSC 413 Computer Graphics,
CIS 324 Database Design, Develop,  & Management,
                       Or
ITE 474 Human Computer Interface

C. Group III:
CSC 411 Comm & Network Analy,
CSC 412 Real-Time Software  Systems,
                       Or
CIS 439 Windows Programming

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INFORMATION SCIENCE SPECIALIZATION

1. COMMUNICATION - Fifteen (15) credit hours are required as follows:

pc EH 101 *English Composition I,
pc EH 102 English Composition II,
pc CA 110 Public Speaking,
pc CA 275 Small Group  Communications,
                      And
EH 372 Technical Writing.

a. one course from Art, Drama, Foreign Languages, Music and Philosophy,
b. one course from Literature,
                      And
c. pc PHL 121- Introduction to Logic

pc MA 120 Calculus & its  Applications
pc ST 210 Statistical Reasoning,
Or
pc BUS 245 Applied Business Statistics I
And
pc BUS 255 Applied Business Statistics II
Or
pc ST 335 Applied Regression Analysis
Or
pc ST 340 Design and Analysis of  Experiments

pc ACC 211 Accounting Principles I,
pc ACC 212 Accounting Principles II,
pc ECO 215 Principles of  Microeconomics
pc ECO 216 Principles of  Macroeconomics,
MGT 300 Management Theory &  Pract,
MGT 325 Operations Management,
MGT 340 Organizational Behavior
                      And
one (1) of:
ACC 381 Cost Accounting,
MKT 340 Introduction to E-commerce
FIN 315 Business Finance
                       Or
MKT 320 Principles of Marketing

7. CORE COURSES - Forty-nine (49) credit hours are required as follows:
pc CIS 110 Intro to Computer and  Information Sciences,
pc CIS 120, Problem Solving and pc 122  ProgConcepts I & Lab,
pc CIS 121, Problem Solving and pc 123  ProgConcepts II & Lab
pc CIS 230 Adv Data and File  Structures,
pc CIS 231 Software Engineering Prin,
CIS 321 Data Communications and  Networking,
CIS 322 Operating Systems,
CIS 324 Database Design, Develop, & Management,
CIS 497 Senior Project I, (W)
CIS 498 Senior Project II, (W)
ITE 474 Human/Computer  Interface,
ISC 350 Info Systems in  Organizations,
ISC 353 Info Sys Application  Devel,
ISC 360 Information Systems  Analysis (W),
ISC 361 Database for Info Systems,
                      And
ISC 362 Information Systems  Design

A. Group I:
CSC 433 Artificial Intelligence  Theory and Programming,
ISC 457 Info Sys Decision  Support,
                 And Either
CSC 414 Modeling and  Simulation,
                 Or
ISC 490 Info Systems Special Topics

B. Group II:
ITE 370 Advanced Application Development,
ITE 472 Advanced Data  Management,
                 And Either
ISC 463 Info Sys DBA and Security,
                 Or
ISC 490 Info Systems Special Topics

C. Group III:
ISC 459 Adv Network Design &  Dev,
ITE 382 Network Administration,
                 And Either
ITE 375 Publish for World Wide Web,
                 Or
ISC 490 Info Systems Special Topics

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIZATION

1. COMMUNICATION - Fifteen (15) credit hours are required as follows:

pc CA 110 Public Speaking
pc CA 275 Small Group Discussion,
pc EH 101* English Composition I,
pc EH 102 English Composition II,
                 And
     EH 372 Technical Writing

a. one course from Art, Drama, Foreign Languages, Music and Philosophy,
b. one course from Literature,
c. two additional courses from Art, Drama, Foreign Languages, Music, Philosophy and Literature,
                 And
d. pc PHL 121- Introduction to Logic

A. PH 114 Non-Calculus-Based Physics I, and PH 115 Non-Calculus-Based Physics II
B. PH 201 Calculus-Based Physics I, and PH 202 Calculus-Based Physics II
C. BLY 101 Life Science I and BLY 102 Life Science II
D. BLY 121 General Biology I and BLY 122 General Biology II
E. CH 131 General Chemistry I, and CH 132 General Chemistry II
F. GY 111 Earth Materials and GY 112 Earth History

5. MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS - Nine (9) credit hours are required as follows:

pc MA 120 Calculus and Its  Applications,
pc ST 210 Statistical Reasoning,
                      Or
pc BUS 245 Applied Business Statistics I
                      And
pc BUS 255 Applied Business Statistics II,
                     Or
ST 335 Applied Regression Analysis
                      Or
ST 340 Design and Analysis of  Experiments

7. ITE ELECTIVES - Eighteen (18) credit hours are required. Complete one of the following sequences:
A. Data Management:
IS or ITE Elective
ITE 472 Adv Data Management,
                      And
CIS 230 Adv Data & File Struc

B. Web Publishing:
ITE 375 Publishing for the World  Wide Web,
ITE 380 Multimedia Production,
                      And
ITE 453 Website Management

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER ENGINEERING

Coordinators:
Electrical and Computer Engineering:
Adel Sakla (460-6117)

Computer and Information Sciences:
Michael Doran (460-6390)

REQUIREMENTS FOR A DEGREE IN COMPUTER ENGINEERING (CpE)

1. COMMUNICATION - Six (6) credit hours are required as follows:
pc EH 101 *English Composition I,
                      And
pc EH 102 English Composition II

2. THE HUMANITIES AND THE SOCIAL SCIENCES - Eighteen (18) credit hours including:
a. one course from Art, Drama, Foreign Languages, Music and Philosophy,
b. one course from Literature,
c. six (6) credit hours are required from History forming a History sequence as enumerated on page 45,
d. pc PHL 121- Introduction to Logic,
                      And
e. PHL 324 - Symbolic Logic
All H/SS electives must be approved by the student’s advisor.

3. THE NATURAL SCIENCES:
pc CH 131 Chemistry I,
pc PH 201 Calculus-Based Physics I,
                      And
pc PH 202 Calculus-Based Physics II

4. MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS:
pc MA 125 Calculus I,
pc MA 126 Calculus II,
pc MA 227 Calculus III,
pc MA 238 Differential Equations,
pc MA 267 Discrete Math,
                      And
ST 315 Statistics

pc CIS 120, Problem Solving and pc 122  ProgConcepts I & Lab,
pc CIS 121, Problem Solving and pc 123  ProgConcepts II & Lab,
pc CIS 230 Adv Data and File  Structures,
pc CIS 231 Software Engineering Prin,
CIS 321 Data Comm and  Networking,
CIS 322 Operating Systems,
CSC 333 Prog Language Theory,
                      And
CSC 432 Perform Eval of Algorithms

6. ENGINEERING COURSES:
pc EG 220 Electrical Circuits,
                      And
EG 230 Engineering Economics

pc EE 223 Network Analysis,
EE 225 Circuits & Devices Lab,
pc EE 263 Digital Systems Design I,
EE 264 Digital Systems Design II,
EE 301 Professionalism & Ethics  in EE/CpE,
EE 321 Transform Theory of  Linear Systems,
EE 331 Electronic Devices,
EE 332 Digital Electronics,
EE 357 Transmission Lines Lab,
EE 368 Digital Systems Lab,
EE 468 Digital Computer  Architecture,
EE 466 Microprocessor Based  System Design I,
                      And
EE 467 Microprocessor Based  System Design II

A. CIS 497 Senior Project I,
                      And
CIS 498 Senior Project II

B. EE 401 Intro to EE/CpE Design,
                      And
EE 404 EE/CpE Design

SUGGESTED FRESHMAN COURSES
Computer Science Specialization

Information Science Specialization

Information Technology Specialization

Computer Engineering Specialization

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES

Students wishing to obtain a minor in CIS must complete one (1) of the following two (2) options:

                       Or

2. CIS 110 Introduction to Computer and  Information Sciences,
CIS 120, Problem Solving and 122  ProgConcepts I & Lab,
ITE 271 Introduction to Information  Technology I,
ITE 285 Scripting & Windows  Programming,
CIS 321 Data Comm and Networking
CIS 324 Database Design, Development,  & Management,
                      And

THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES PROGRAM
The Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences degree program is designed for students and professionals wishing to further their knowledge and expertise in computer science. There are two major areas of concentration within the degree program:

1. 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.
   
2. Information Sciences (ISC) for students interested in business and organizational applications and information systems management.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION
Students are admitted each semester. The following criteria supplement the Graduate School criteria (see Categories of Admission):

REGULAR ADMISSION
Students must satisfy either:

PROVISIONAL ADMISSION
Students must satisfy:
A minimum total of 5500 admission points, with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (A=4.0) in all undergraduate courses or 2.75 on the last 64 semester hours of college work, and a minimum score of 400 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination, using the following formula:

APPLICANTS WITHOUT CIS UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
Applicants without undergraduate degrees in CIS may be admitted to the graduate program as specified above. In addition to the regular degree requirements, they must first satisfactorily complete a set of CIS Graduate foundation courses and a set of required supporting courses with a minimum grade of B in all courses. The computer science foundation and required supporting courses
(undergraduate equivalents are listed second) are enumerated below:

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
International students must submit documentary evidence showing TOEFL test scores of at least 525 or an equivalent level of competence as exhibited by a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in the United States. All international students will be required to take the ESL exam (English as a Second Language Examination) and may be required to enroll in ESL courses as part of their graduate program in addition to the normal requirements for the degree listed below.

CHOICE OF CATALOGUE UNDER WHICH A STUDENT GRADUATES
Students entering the CIS program may choose any catalogue from their entry date to their time of graduation. This applies for entering freshmen and transfer students. Students at the University of South Alabama changing their specialization in CIS, changing their major to CIS or who interrupt their program for more than one calendar year are considered new students with respect to catalogue selection.

WITHDRAWAL FROM A COURSE
A student cannot obtain more than two (2) WD’s from the same course. Enrollment in that course after two WD’s will necessitate the student’s completing the course. If the student withdraws for academic reasons after the third enrollment, the student will be dismissed from the program.

COURSES TAKEN OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES
No more than three graduate courses, maximum of nine (9) semester hours taken outside of the School of Computer and Information Sciences may be applied toward the degree. Only grades of " A" or "B" may be accepted. Transfer credit is approved only after completion of a minimum of nine (9) semester hours of graduate credit towards the degree. Any such transfer courses must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies for computer and Information Sciences and the student's advisor and may not have been used to fulfill the requirements of another graduate degree. 

SCHEDULING OF COURSES
The graduate program for CIS is primarily an evening program. The courses are scheduled to accommodate full-time students (normally two or three courses per semester) and part-time students (one course per semester). Special topics, directed study, and thesis courses are available as they are needed.

TIME LIMITATION
All requirements for a graduate degree must be completed within five (5) calendar years from the date of matriculation as a CIS graduate student.

GRADUATE RESEARCH SEMINAR
The CIS Graduate Research Seminar is scheduled periodically during each semester as a forum for students and faculty to present and discuss research issues, ideas, and results. Attendance is required for students enrolled in CIS 518, 594, 595, 598, and 599. These students are also required to give a presentation each semester based on their work in the course.

GRADUATE SCHOOL STANDARDS
For all other graduate policies and procedures not specifically supplemented for the Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences degree program, refer to The Graduate School section that begins on page 31. Some policies and procedures that may be of interest are: Graduate Study for Advanced Undergraduates, Graduate School Academic Standards, Grade Standards, Change of Grade, Academic Dismissal, Final Grade Grievance Policy, Appeal Procedure, English Language Proficiency, Full Load of Course Work in a Semester, Change of Program, Student Responsibility, Degree Requirements for the Master’s Degree, Guidelines for Theses and Dissertations, Standards for Theses and Dissertations, and Application for Degree.

PROFESSIONAL PARTICIPATION
Master’s students are expected to take an active part in at least one (1) professional computing organization. They are expected to be aware of the social impact of computing and adhere to the ACM/AITP code of ethics.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available on a competitive basis and are awarded on the recommendation of the School of Computer and Information Sciences. Applications can be obtained from the CIS office.

REQUIREMENTS FOR DEGREE
A total of thirty-six (36) credit hours are required for the degree. Choose one of the following fifteen (15) credit hour core courses:

NON-THESIS OPTION Comprehensive Examination:
All students in the non-thesis option must pass a comprehensive examination before filing an application for graduation (A student must file an application for graduation with the Registrar’s Office two terms before expected degree completion—see University Calendar for deadlines). Students must take the examination as soon as possible after successfully completing the core courses in the chosen specialization with a minimum grade of “B.” Students wishing to sit for the examination must inform the Director of CIS Graduate Studies in writing by the first Friday of class in the semester in which the examination is to be taken. A student may attempt the comprehensive examination a maximum of three (3) times. The comprehensive examination is offered at least once a year. The policy regarding the comprehensive examination is available in the CIS office.

Twenty-one (21) credit hours of directed electives are required. Choose from the following suggested courses.

THESIS OPTION
For students choosing the thesis option, a preliminary prospectus, which forms the basis for the proposed investigation, will be developed as part of the CIS Research Methodologies course (CIS 518). Acceptance into the thesis option is based on satisfactory completion of the core courses with a minimum grade of “B” and a satisfactory review of the preliminary prospectus. Normally, a student will prepare the final prospectus in the semester following completion of CIS 518 while enrolled in CIS 595 (Computer Science Research Development). Students must enroll in CIS 595 in the semester during which they defend their prospectus. The thesis will normally be completed in one semester while enrolled in CIS 599 (Computer and Information Sciences Thesis). Students must enroll in CIS 599 in the semester during which they defend and/or submit their thesis. A grade of “C” in CIS 595 or 599 will result in dismissal from the thesis option.

DESCRIPTIONS OF COMPUTER SCIENCES COURSES ARE FOUND AS FOLLOWS:

Computer and Information Sciences (CIS)
Computer Science (CSC)
Information Science (ISC)
Information Technology (ITE)
Computer Engineering (CpE)

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