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Department Overview


Computing and Information Science is concerned with all aspects of computers and computation. The Computing and Information Science Department offers introductory and advanced courses using both a Windows server and a Unix server, as well as networked personal computers in the CIS lab. These courses cover computer science and information technology fundamentals, common applications of computing, and the utilization of computers in society.

The Major and Minor


The Department offers a major in Computing and Information Science with a choice of one of the following concentrations: Information Technology, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or Computer Security. The department has four faculty members. Internships with area businesses are encouraged and many such internships are available. The unique ProLogic project offers real-world internships and projects to students without having to commute off-campus. Students also have the opportunity to do other "real world" capstone senior projects and service-learning projects. A major in CIS is awarded a Bachelor of Science degree. A flexible minor in CIS that can be customized in many ways is also offered by the Department.

What Can I Do With This Degree?


The CIS major is designed to prepare the student for employment or graduate school. Some of the types of jobs that CIS graduates obtain include programming, systems analysis and design, software design/software engineering, web design, systems administrator, database administrator, information technology support staff, application developer/engineer, project manager, network administrator, computer security specialist, etc. Note that some of these jobs require further education, experience, or training beyond the B.S. degree, although many of these jobs are available as entry-level jobs for the B.S. degree graduate.

Job prospects are better than in most fields:
  • Since there has been a shortage of computing professionals, this field is considered more recession-proof than most.
  • Best Careers 2009: Computer Systems Analyst/Architect/Designer, from U.S. News and World Report
  • Top 10 Recessionproof Jobs from U.S. News and World Report. The list includes computer systems analysts, network systems and data communications analysts, and network and computer systems administrators.
  • Computing Degrees and Careers from the Association for Computing Machinery
  • As of 2009, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in its latest numbers (which were for 2008), listed the average annual salary for software engineers at around $90,000. Of course, this is a national average, so it includes software engineers in big cities with high salaries (due to the high cost of living) as well as software engineers in other areas (where the cost of living is lower) whose salaries are a bit less.
  • The same report shows computer systems analysts having an average salary of around $79,000, programmers having an average salary of about $73,000, and computer support specialists getting an average salary of about $46,000.

The Interdisciplinary Bioinformatics Major


Are you interested in computing and biology? If so, then bioinformatics would be a great area for you to study. According to our college bulletin, "Bioinformatics is the study of biology, biochemistry, biophysics, medicine, and health, using the discrete analytical tools of mathematics and computer science." This is an interdisciplinary major that combines several disciplines into a powerful combination. Two of our graduates in CIS actually went on to write bioinformatics software in their their first jobs. They had to learn their biology on their own, but if you know that you want to work in this field, it is better to get the needed background as an undergraduate. The college's web page on the bioinformatics major states that "Students majoring in Bioinformatics can look forward to careers in the healthcare, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as research opportunities in universities and government laboratories." Note that southwestern Pennsylvania has several potential employers for bioinformatics graduates.

Further Information on CIS

Maintained by: Br. David Carlson
Last updated: October 08, 2009