Department Information

and
Typical Discipline-Specific Academic Degree and Qualifications¹
of faculty within

Computing and Information Sciences

General Description of the School

The School of Computing and Information Sciences (CIS) offerings continue to expand with bachelor's degrees in computer science (CS) and information technology (IT), and master's and Ph.D. degrees in CS. Our technology infrastructure has increased 500% in the same period with over 500 servers/workstations in 25 labs interconnected by high speed networks. To accommodate our growth, we are in the process of doubling the capacities of our undergraduate and graduate labs, and building new computer equipped instructional classrooms. For the past 5 years, the School has received an average $2 million annually in external research funding, doubling the amount averaged prior to 1997 and representing nearly 1000% growth in 10 years. CIS ranked top 65 in the country in competitive research funding from Federal agencies in 2001.

The School of Computing and Information Sciences was formed in 1987 from the former Department of Mathematical Sciences. The mission of the School has several dimensions, consistent with the overall mission of the University and consistent with its role as part of the College of Engineering and Computing.

Degrees offered

The School of Computer Science offers these programs:

BS in Computer Science

BA in Information Technology

BS in Information Technology

MS in Computer Science 

Ph.D. in Computer Science 

Terminal Degree² for each discipline taught in Computing and Information Sciences

Ph.D. in Computer and Information Sciences

Related Disciplines³

Computer Engineering (14.0901) - all courses

Computer Programming/Programmer (11.0201) - all courses

Computer Science (11.0701) - all courses

Related Disciplines³ for specific courses

Computer Teacher Education (13.1321) - CGS 2060, 2100, 2518, 3559, COP 3835

Other Teaching Qualifications (Description of Required Academic Degree and Justifications⁴ for the programs in Computing and Information Sciences)

Consideration of other teaching qualifications in lieu of academic credentials is made on a case-by-case basis and accepted in special cases where evidence of exceptional experience, research or other qualifications can be documented and are directly applicable to the course being taught.

^1	Whenever instructors are not credentialed by their advanced degree or by an approved CIP relationship, they must be credentialed through a narrative justification of the instructor’s qualifications to teach this/these course(s).  Such credentialing is based on the proposed instructor’s academic and professional preparation; diplomas, certificates, or relevant licensures; publications and presentations in the field; honors, awards, and professional recognitions; and other demonstrated competencies, skills, and experiences which the instructor brings to the University.  These must be clearly tied to the specific courses to be taught and should establish beyond doubt that the instructor is qualified to teach the specific courses they are to be assigned.  The Office of the Provost reviews all such justifications and where the justifications warrant the instructor’s teaching the courses proposed, it will either approve the justification for the appropriate period (seven years for full-time faculty members, or four years for part-time faculty members) or employ one of two additional clearance categories beyond the advanced degree and related-discipline categories which it may use to credential some instructors where their accomplishments warrant this: Active Research Clearance in the Discipline or Active Artistic/Special Talent Clearance in the Discipline
^2	The level and discipline of the terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D., MS, MFA, doctorate) that is required to teach graduate courses in the discipline
^3	For each discipline, all strongly-related degree(s) and/or equivalent names for the discipline (include level) that would also be appropriate for teaching at the graduate level
^4	(1)The appropriate academic degrees and justifications for each related degree above if not obvious; (2) the justification for why the terminal degree is not a doctorate in a discipline, e.g., specific examples of best practice in the discipline and accrediting association language; and (3) any other criteria used to determine appropriate academic qualifications to teach specialty courses in the program.