Published Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Clayton State to add computer science degree

Clayton State University's proposal to add a bachelor of science degree with a major in computer science degree was approved on Oct. 15 by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

"The proposal was developed over a three or four year period by faculty members in consultation with an external program reviewer, administrators, and program review personnel at the office of University System," says Dr. Lila Roberts, dean of the University's College of Information and Mathematical Sciences. "It was submitted in early fall 2008 and approved at the October Board of Regents' meeting in Atlanta."

Roberts said she "had the opportunity to attend the BOR Committee on Academic Affairs meeting" and "was pleased that the regents who serve on that committee did not have any reservations or questions about the program."

Roberts noted that the bachelor of Science in Computer Science, which will admit its first students for the fall 2009 semester, is different from the University's existing Bachelor's of Information Technology degree in that it emphasizes mathematical and theoretical foundations of computing and applications of these foundations in areas such as software and algorithm development, computer architecture, computer gaming, robotics, mobile computing and networking.

"In contrast, Information Technology is a more applied degree that focuses more on management of information and encompasses areas such as web technology, databases, computer and network security," she said. "Our bachelor of science in computer science program will present many of the theoretical concepts through courses in game analysis, game design and programming and human computer interface. These courses will provide the foundations in computer science in an applied and interesting setting."

Roberts admits that writing the proposal was challenging, but that the result will be a program unique in comparison to others in the region.

"Of course, writing a proposal for an academic degree program is a challenge. It is also a challenge to make sure the proposal is aligned with national standards in the field, develop the courses and go through the approval process on campus before it can be submitted to the University System for review," she says. "The University System of Georgia office thoroughly reviews the proposal and the proposing institution must justify the need for the program and its uniqueness from similar programs in other universities in the area."

Roberts is also understandably enthusiastic about the benefits of the program, given the recent reversal of the trend to outsource Information Technology and Computer Science jobs.

"While other metropolitan Atlanta universities offer degree programs in computer science, the program at Clayton State University will directly benefit talented students in the south metro area, the Southern Crescent," Roberts said. "Over the past several years, enrollments in computer science and information technology have decreased due to the practice of outsourcing IT and CS jobs to foreign countries. However, we are seeing more and more companies re-thinking their decisions and in January 2008, 94 percent of the chief information officers surveyed nationwide said that their company does not outsource IT jobs. Furthermore, among the companies that once outsourced IT jobs overseas, nearly 59 percent have discontinued that practice."

Roberts also noted another critical factor in the current IT workforce is that minorities and women are seriously underrepresented in these technical areas. The requirements for the Clayton State degree in computer science align with national standards.

"Coursework in mathematics including the calculus sequence and linear algebra is required as is a good background in science in addition to the computer science courses in the program," Roberts said.

Roberts is enthusiastic about the future of the CS program at Clayton State. "It will really be rewarding to see our first enrolled students in the fall," she said.

"We are looking forward to the challenges of recruiting for the new program and the rewards we will reap as our students successfully move through the program of study," Roberts said.