Download About Programs in Computer Science Bill McMillan, Head October 10, 2011

About Programs in Computer Science
Bill McMillan, Head
October 10, 2011
In regard to specific courses and programs:
1. The Computer Science Education major has few or no graduates in recent years.
The only free-standing courses we teach unique to that major are COSC 303 and
306. There have been recent increases in enrollment in those courses due to
minors (of which we have over 15, judging from our email list). The other unique
requirements are offered in conjunction with COSC courses that are part of the
CS and CS, Applied, programs. The program has been a pioneer in this field in
Michigan, and 100% of those who complete the certification program, whether as
majors or a minors, have passed the state teachers’ exam in this discipline.
2. The CS and Applied CS programs draw from the exact same set of courses; the
Applied majors just take fewer of them (along with a minor). In recent terms, the
number of CS graduates has been declining and the number of Applied graduates
increasing. The total is slightly down. It would make no sense, of course, to
discontinue one of these majors and leave the other; we may as well give students
the choice between them.
3. The Artificial Intelligence Certificate program has few graduates but all courses
are also MS courses. The program costs nothing to run; there is not even any
release time for the adviser. Its existence helps attract MS students who also have
an interest in AI, and the credential can help make graduates more employable
and more interesting to other graduate programs.
4. The MS in CS program has declined in enrollment and number of graduates.
Starting in Winter 2012 we will only teach 500-level courses if mated with 400level courses. The DH will teach the capstone 600-level course. Therefore, the
cost to run the MS will consist of a release per term for the coordinator, the
assignment of faculty to two 600-level courses per term, and GA lines. We are
attempting to increase fund-able research activity in order to support more
graduate students in the future.
Faculty Vote
Approved: 13 for, 0 against, 1 abstentions