Graduates with a Master of Science in Computer Information Science will have a strong technical foundation in the computational sciences.
Objective
Acquisition Of Theoretical, Technical And Project Management Skills
Students will develop and demonstrate knowledge of theoretical materials technical skills and project management relevant to computer information systems.
Indicator
Final Project Assessment
The final project in this degree program is a software engineering project that involves the students identifying a significant application development need for a selected client and the design and implementation of an appropriate software solution to that need.
Each student is assigned to a member of the graduate faculty in computer science as project advisor together with two additional graduate faculty forming the student's committee.
The department has established procedures for managing projects including
1. The presentation of project proposals within the first two weeks of the semester. The graduate faculty review and approve or disapprove each proposal.
2. Weekly progress meetings with the project advisor.
3. The evaluation by the complete graduate faculty of each student's progress at midterm.
4. The distribution of project activity to the remaining members of each committee.
At the end of the project each student prepares and runs a formal presentation including a description of the project, detailed explanation of the solution used and a demonstration of the completed application.
Criterion
Final Project Assessment
Students graduating will have documented consensus of the graduate faculty that they meet professional standards of software engineering.
Finding
Final Project Assessment
The vast majority of projects were completed, presented to the committee and other interested parties, and approved by the committees and graduate director. One project did not receive final approval because it invovled a flagrant act of plagiarism which resulted in the dismissal of the student. The department needs to look at more effective ways in which such plagiarism can be identified much earlier on and/or avoided.
Indicator
Oral Examination
One hour oral examination by the student's committee. The committee consists of three individuals, with one person designated as committee chair.
Students are examined and given a grade of high pass, pass or fail in each of the following areas: Programming Software engineering Database Data Structures
and one other area of competence of the student's choosing.
Criterion
Oral Examination
We expect committee members to issue the score (high pass, pass or fail) on each of the knowledge areas to each student. 100% of students will score a pass or high pass on each area.
Finding
Oral Examination
One student failed to achieve a pass on one area of study. The student was retested in April and achieved a pass. At the end of semester 100% of student had achieved a pass or high pass grade in each area of evaluation.
Action
Acquisition Of Theoretical, Technical And Project Management Skills
The department needs to put into place a stronger mechanism of oversight in order to ensure that students are well prepared for both their oral examinations and for their project presentations. In fall 2010 the graduate curriculum committeee will develop reporting mechanisms that ensure that student committee chairs perform rigorous weekly evaluations of progress and that formal study and support systems are in place for orals.
The department will also investigate the utility of written comprehensive examinations with oral examinations being used to supplement.
Goal
Lifelong Learning
Graduates with a Master of Science in Computer Information Science will have an appreciation for their undergraduate education that encourages the development of lifelong learning habits.
Objective
Professional Association
Students will demonstrate their understanding of the need for professional association and the maintenance of professional currency
Indicator
Alumni Survey
The department administers an alumni survey every two years to gather data from students who have completed their education and have been available for work within the profession for at least two years.
We will use question four (My current career status: [Employed, In Graduate school, Unemployed])
Criterion
Alumni Technical Preparation
We expect that 10% or less of respondent will answer question 4 as 'Unemployed' and that the remainder will answer either 'Employed' or 'In Graduate school'
Finding
Lifelong Learning
We do not consider the results reliable since less than five percent of those contacted responded.
Action
Lifelong Learning
This goal will be removed from the MS program and may be added to the department goals.