This document provides an overview of why students should major in computer science and software engineering at Auburn University. It discusses the career opportunities and job prospects in the field, noting there will be high demand for computing professionals. It highlights Auburn's CSSE program, which has been ranked highly and prepares students through hands-on research experiences. Graduates have a high placement rate in jobs and graduate school. The document encourages students to contact the department if interested in learning more.

1. Why Major in Computer Science and
Software Engineering at Auburn?
Xiao Qin
Associate Professor
Computer Science & Software Engineering
Feb. 22, 2013
1

2. Questions You Should Ask
(If You Haven’t Already)
What is CSSE (computing) all about?
Will there be jobs?
How much will I get paid?
Will I enjoy what I do?
Should I study computing at Auburn?
2
22 February 2013

4. Jobs and Careers
4
22 February 2013

5. Source: http://www.slideshare.net/yusufozan/the-best-jobs-in-america-presentation/

8. 8
8 22 February 2013

9. How much will I get paid?
9

10. Salaries Ranges
10

11. Top-paying Industries
11

12. Sample
Employers
12

13. Satisfaction
13

14. Will I Enjoy What I Do?
You know…
1. Software Engineer
2. College Professor !!
3. Financial Advisor
4. Human Resources Manager
5. Physician’s Assistant
6. Market Research Analyst
7. Computer/IT Analyst
8. Real Estate Appraiser
9. Pharmacist
10. Psychologist
From: Tara Kalwarski, Daphne Mosher, Janet Paskin and Donna Rosato, 50 Best jobs in America, Money Magazine, May 1, 2006.
14

15. A Long-Term IT Labor Shortage Exists
Fraction of professionals with degrees in that discipline:
Life Sciences Chemical and Mathematics Engineering Computing and
Physical Sciences Information Science
Fraction of disciplinary graduates employed in that profession:
Life Sciences Chemical and Mathematics Engineering Computing and
Physical Sciences Information Science
Source: NSF/Division of Science Resources Statistics, SESTAT, 1999, presented by Caroline Wardle at Snowbird 2002
15
22 February 2013

16. What Do CSSE People Actually Do?
16
22 February 2013

17. Jobs in Computing:
Data Centers
17

18. Jobs in Computing
Data Centers
Jobs in Computing:
Scientific and Parallel
Computing
18

19. Jobs in Computing:
Networking 19

20. Jobs in Computing:
Robotics
20

21. Jobs in Computing:
iPad/iPhone Applications
21
22 February 2013

22. Jobs in Computing:
Streaming Services & Cloud Computing
22
22 February 2013

23. Jobs in Computing:
Web Applications
23
22 February 2013

24. Jobs in Computing:
Computer Games
22 February 2013
24

25. Jobs in Computing:
Computer Security
25
22 February 2013

26. Jobs in Computing:
Computer Security
26
22 February 2013

27. Jobs in Computing:
Computer Security
27
22 February 2013

28. Okay. I’m sold.
I want to do computing.
But….
28
28 22 February 2013

29. What Is A Typical Career Path?
College Industry
an executive
such as CIO
A manager for large
projects
Advance to analyst A system architect
designer on increasingly large
projects
Earn college degree Working for a company Start your own
in CSSE writing code company
Principles 29 Practice Management

30. What Does It Take?
Think logically
 Think logically; able to see structure in massive
complexity.
 Maintain focused concentration for long periods of time.
 Willing to work much harder in college than
students in many majors.
 Able to understand the problem that the software is
solving.
 Able to work as part of a team.
 Able to communicate well, both in writing and orally.
 Able to see business as well as technical issues.
Work Much Harder
30

31. Engineering is a Welcoming Career
Most work is team work
You get to work with people every day
The people you work with are really nice
people
You can also work with customers, lawyers,
etc.
In computer science and engineering
Most jobs offer flexible schedules
You may never have to wake up early in the morning
You may never have to dress up
You can work from home and be productive
31

32. Engineering Opens Many Doors
Engineers learn highly portable skills
Solve problems, build systems, understand principles
Many different types of jobs
Can change your type of work throughout life!
Can couple CSSE with business or domain expertise
Especially in CSSE
Amazing number of different opportunities
You get to shop around! You should shop around!
Engineering is an international profession
Working abroad easier than for other professions
32

33. Research Experience for
Undergraduate Students
33
33 22 February 2013

34. Why a research university?
What can we uniquely do?
Get students into the lab
Make students our partners in discovery
Prepare students for life-long learning at the
forefront of knowledge and society
34

35. Where Do You Start?
AU has been ranked among the top 50 (#36) Public National
Universities in the U.S. again (USNews and World Report, 2012).
22nd College of Engineering African-Americans 32nd College of Engineering ranking among public
rankings for the top 100 Undergraduate Degree universities offering doctoral programs in
Producers by Diverse Issues in Higher Education, 2007 engineering, by 2010 U.S. News & World Report
35

36. Computer Science &
Software Engineering at Auburn
 Established in 1984
 First public university to offer a software
engineering bachelors degree
 First and only university to offer a wireless
engineering degree
 Enrollment (Fall 2011)
Total: 589 Undergrad: 462 Grad: 127
 Annual production
Undergrad: 60-70 Masters: ~25 PhD: ~10

37. Auburn CSSE Degree Programs
 Three undergraduate degree programs (all ABET
accredited):
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (CSCI)
Bachelor of Software Engineering (SWEN)
Bachelor of Wireless Engineering (WIRS)
 Three graduate degree programs:
Master of Science (thesis option) (MS)
Master of Software Engineering (MSWE)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
 Two academic minors:
Computer Science minor
Information Technology minor

38. AU Incoming Freshmen ACT
Scores (Average Composite)
AY AU COE CSCI SWEN WIRS
2012 26.9 28.5
2011 27.2 28.8 28.2 29.1 32.2
2010 26.9 28.4 27.6 27.2 26.3
2009 26.2 27.8 27.9 27.8 27.5
2008 25.9 27.1 25.9 27.5 26.9
2007 24.9 26.3 23.8 25.4 28.6
2006 24.3 25.4 23.7 25.6 27.3
2005 24.1 25.5 24.3 25.1 26.1
2012 National average: 21.1 2012 Alabama average: 20.3

39. CSSE Undergrad Enrollment
CSSE Undergraduate Enrollment 1986-2012
600 595
543
500
400
323
300
200
100
0
86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12
CSCI CPE/CENG SWEN WIRS

40. Graduate placement
• Our graduates are highly successful in securing placement by the time of
graduation.
• Sample of AY11-12 graduates
– Total graduates: 67
– Exit interview survey respondents: 41
– Graduate School: 9
– Actively interviewing: 5
– Accepted commercial job offer: 21
• Salary (of 10 reporting) - Average: $57K Max: $69K Min: $50K
– Military/DoD/Govt: 3
• Salary (of 3 reporting) - Average: $36K Max: $40K Min: $33K
• Companies:
– Allure Global, Amazon (2), Asurion, Bentley Systems, Capgemini, CTS (2),
Genesis Systems Group, Home Depot, Honeywell, ITT Excelis, L3
Communications (2), McKesson (2), Mutual Mobile, Quorum, Regions Financial
Group, SAIC, Southeastern Data Cooperative, UDA Technology

41. Faculty Profile
17 tenured and tenure-track faculty (with one
additional position to be filled in 2012), plus 1
instructor
Research and specialty areas
Software engineering, software testing, software
process, embedded and real-time systems,
information assurance and computer security,
wireless and sensor networks, database systems,
geo-information systems, human-computer
interaction, modeling and simulation

42. Oh, and we play football in our spare time.

43. Where Do You Start?
AUBURN!
People to Contact:
Dr. Kai Chang, Department Chair
3101 Shelby Center
Email: changka@auburn.edu
Phone: 334-844-6310
Dr. Dean Hendrix, Undergraduate Coordinator
Email: hendrtd@auburn.edu
Phone: 334-844-6305
Ms. Barbara McCormack, Senior Academic Advisor
Email: mccorba@eng.auburn.edu
Phone: 334-844-6313 43

44. Thank you!
44
44 22 February 2013