Department of Computer Science Why Study CS/IT?. Department of Computer Science “Program or be programmed.” -- Douglas Rushkoff

Department ofComputer Science

Why Study CS/IT?


“Program or be programmed.”-- Douglas Rushkoff


Computer science — not computer literacy —underlies most innovation today, from biotechnology to cinematography to energy and climate change.-- CSEdWeek website


What is CS/IT?• CS/IT = Computer

Science / Information Technology

• Using computers and computer science to…– Communicate– Solve problems– Design and imagine– Share, store, retrieve or

manipulate information


Why study CS/IT?

• More job openings in CS/IT-related fields than qualified graduates to fill them

• CS/IT is a lucrative career path• CS/IT training can increase employment

and salary opportunities within one’s field of interest


CS/IT == Canadian jobs

• Unemployment amongst web developers: 0%• Average CS/IT unemployment 2.7%

(compared to national average 7.4%)• Database administrators: highest year-over-

year employment growth @ 46%• Average gross income for ICT workers:

$64,920• Feb. 2012 stats


What HS students study in SK

Science

10

Biolo

gy 20

Biolo

gy 30

Chemist

ry 2

0

Chemist

ry 3

0

Physics

20

Physics

30

Compute

r Scie

nce 2

0

Compute

r Scie

nce 3

00

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000


What employers need


Computer jobs in SK


Some Challenges


CS is becoming cool, again


Here in Regina!


Some More Challenges


To Do

• Together, we must create a more accurate picture of CS/IT careers– CS/IT professionals are essential to innovation

and productivity in every sector of the economy. – CS/IT is decreasingly about traditional desk-bound

programming and increasingly about exciting 21st century careers for professionals who display leadership and drive innovation.


CS/IT defies stereotypes


CareerMash.ca

(http://careermash.ca/)

http://youtu.be/Yn2sUskO5N4


Some advice for students…• Think about your interests.

• Learn how your interests + CS/IT =more opportunities and more money

Health!Biology

!

Art! Music!

Sports!Recreation

!

Health Informatics!

Bioinformatics!

Graphic Design!Audio

Engineering!Sports /

Recreation Informatics

!


Healthcare + CS/IT

Ross Mitchell• U of R Distinguished

Alumnus (now at Mayo Clinic in Arizona)

• Co-Founder and Founding Scientist @ Calgary Scientific Inc.


Students don’t need to leave

• Lots of jobs with many employers here in Saskatchewan: iQmetrix, GB Internet Solutions, SAIC, Solvera, Point2, itracks, zu, and more!

• Co-op education:– 100% placement for CS students in 2011– Average work-term wages: $15-$27/hr!


Study CS @ U of R

– Intro CS courses have no high school CS or Math pre-requisites• CS 100 (Introduction to Computers)• CS 207 (Building Interactive Gadgets)

– CS Certificate is a great and easy add on to many U of R degree programs

– ** new ** Creative Technologies program in the works for Fall 2013 intake!


Study CS @ U of R

• CS courses are not restricted to Faculty of Science students

• Encourage students interested in CS/IT degree programs to take high school Math to give them the best head start.• Science admission requires:

– Math B30 & C30, or Pre-caclulus 30; – Foundations of Math 20 & 30 plus 1 of Pre-calculus 20

or Calculus 30 strongly recommended but not required.


Study CS @ U of R

• Longest continuously accredited CS program in Canada (since 1982)

• Accreditation puts students on fast-track for I.S.P. designation

• On the web at: http://cs.uregina.ca• E-mail questions to: [email protected]• Telephone: 585-4632

http://cs.uregina.ca/

mailto:[email protected]


Acknowledgements• Canadian Coalition for Tomorrow's ICT

Skills• Canadian Information Processing Society• Dean Elliott, Ministry of Education• Information and Communications

Technology Council• National Center for Women & Information

Technology


Questions?

Documents

Department of Computer Science Why Study CS/IT?. Department of Computer Science “Program or be programmed.” -- Douglas Rushkoff