UCSB Computer Science: A Creative and Highly Demanded Discipline, Lab Reports of Computer Science

Download UCSB Computer Science: A Creative and Highly Demanded Discipline and more Lab Reports Computer Science in PDF only on Docsity!

UC Santa Barbara

C O M P U T E R

SCIENCE

WHY C H O O S E

C

D

D i s c o v e r t h e P O S S I B I L I T I E S W h y^ S t u d y C o m p u t e r S c i e n c e?

Do you enjoy puzzles? What if solving those puzzles could change the world? Almost every major challenge facing our world is turning to computing for a solution, from conquering disease to eliminating hunger, from improving education to protecting the climate and environment. Information is the key to all of these problems, and computer scientists make it possible to visualize, secure, explore, transmit, and transform this information in ways never before thought possible. Solving these problems through computation means teamwork, collaboration, and gaining the interdisciplinary skills that modern careers demand. This fact is not lost on the job market, which has big demand and big salaries for qualified computing professionals. In fact, according to CNN/Money magazine in 2006, software engineering is the number one job for salary, opportunities, and job satisfaction!

W h a t D o e s a C o m p u t e r S c i e n t i s t D o? S o l v i n g r e a l W o r l d P r o b l e m s...

Can you see the big picture? Solving real world problems with computers requires more than just pounding out code as fast as you can type. Just like directors, composers, and architects, a computer scientist needs to know how the low-level parts work but finds an intellectual challenge in how these parts can be assembled together into useful and beautiful compositions. It just happens that in Computer Science our compositions are often solutions to previously unsolvable problems. No wonder CNN/Money magazine gave Software Engineers an A for their ability to be creative in their jobs; inventions permeate all levels of Computer Science!

As a discipline of problem solving, the Computer Science curriculum at UCSB is designed to give you the tools you need to tackle whatever new challenges come down the road. You could end up working on self-adapting wireless networks that span the globe, designing systems that recognize your gestures and moods, pushing the frontiers of science

and health, building online communities that seamlessly connect millions of users, designing and programming games and entertainment, or constructing systems like Google Search that serve the needs of billions of people across the world in a fraction of a second – many of our other graduates have. These problems excite many of our students so much that 25% of them choose to continue their education by earning a master’s degrees in CS or ECE at UCSB through the 5-year BS/MS program, by enrol- ling in a Ph.D. program, or continuing on to graduate school at another university.

J

C O M P U T E R S C I E N C E

75%

Joining the Workforce

Heading to Graduate School

C O L L E G E O F

U C S

• According to the 2005 National Association of Colleges and Employers

S t a t i s t i c a l O u t c o m e s W i l l Y o u B e I n D E M A N D?

Here are some average starting salaries for the class of 2006

Computer Science Accounting Information Sciences Economics/finances Business Administration Marketing Liberal Arts

National Average* $51, $43, $43, $42, $39, $37, $30,

UCSB: $56,

Estimates of job growth in the field of computing can be summarized with one word: big – from 38% to 56% according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fifty nine percent of Engineering and Science jobs will be in the area of computing in the next 10 years. Computing accounts for over 70% of the total new job growth! According to our surveys, UCSB Computer Science students make on average $67,000 within one year of gradua- tion, the highest of the engineering majors. According to CNN/Money magazine, the aver- age salary for a current Software Engineer in 2006 is $80,427, while the top 5% of Computer Analysts make $252,000 or more.

Jonathan Ventura is currently in the BS/MS Computer Science program.

Why did you chose UCSB? My parents are both UCSB alumni and from prior visits I had seen how inviting the campus is. I had been interested in computers since I was a kid, so I naturally gravitated towards computer science. I regarded UCSB as very strong academically and also as a place where I would find a lot of diverse opportunities.

What do you like about your major or courses you have taken? The program is well structured in the foundations of computer science but also allows for freedom to explore interesting current topics in the field. In the upper division, the elective courses available enable you to study a broad range of subjects: everything from networking to computer vision.

Have you participated in any activties to enhance your education. In my junior year, I approached a faculty member asking about research opportunities. I ended up getting a summer position doing research and really enjoyed the research experience. I participated in the ACM Programming Competition, where students had four hours to come up with solutions to challenging problems. I really enjoyed the competitive nature of the contest. I also did an English minor and joined music groups on campus; I play the piano in a jazz combo and also play the clarinet with another group. In addition, I have spent three years tutoring students and discovered through this how I really love to teach. What would you tell a prospective student about your educational experience at UCSB to encourage them to come here? The engineering buildings are five steps to the beach! The atmosphere of the campus and dorms are great. The faculty are accessible and open to undergraduate research, unlike many bigger institutions, and there is a cooperative attitude among the students.

What are your plans for the future? I wanted to keep building momentum after I had finished my bachelor’s degree, and the combined B.S./M.S. program made it possible to complete my master’s in just one more year. However, I found the graduate-level work to be very engaging, and I have since realized that I love both teaching and research, so now I am going to continue towards a Ph.D. and plan to become a professor.

See the UC Certified Course list: www.pathways.ucop.edu/doorways/list

Three years of mathematics, including pre-calculus or calculus Two years lab science, to include physics, biology or chemistry Four years college-preparatory English One year U.S. history One year world history Two years of language other than English One year of visual or performing arts One year college preparatory elective

SAT Reasoning Test (or ACT plus Writing) and two SAT Subject Tests

When admitting freshmen, the College considers: GPA in college preparatory courses, standardized test scores with an emphasis on mathematics scores, completion of coursework beyond the university’s A-G requirements, and completion of advanced placement and honors course, especially in science and math.

Freshman Admissions – Office of Admissions www.admissions.ucsb.edu [email protected] (805) 893-2485 or (805) 893-

Please see the UCSB catalog (www.catalog.ucsb.edu) or your high school counselor for more information on course preparation.

Computer Science Department Harold Frank Hall, Room 2104 [email protected] (805) 893- www.cs.ucsb.edu

A d m i s s i o n s

H i g h S c h o o l P r e p a r a t i o n

N e e d M o r e I n f o r m a t i o n?

One year calculus for science majors Differential equations Linear algebra Three semesters calculus-based physics One semester general chemistry Intro. to computer programming in Java Second course in Java with data structures Assembly language/computer architecture

California Community College students should refer to www.assist.org for more specific information about transferring.

When admitting transfer students, the College of Engineering con- siders the amount of preparatory coursework completed, grades earned in those courses, and cumulative transferable GPA. Conse- quently, transfer students should focus on completing all engineering preparatory courses offered at their college with the best grades pos- sible and then finishing their General Education requirements after matriculation to UCSB.

Transfer Admissions Advising for the College of Engineering www.admissions.ucsb.edu [email protected] (805) 893-

Tr a n s f e r P r e p a r a t i o n

Given the strength of its programs and its national reputation, it is not surprising that UCSB’s College of Engineering receives applications from more qualified students than can be admitted. Each applicant must apply to a specific major. Applicants with the strongest qualifica- tions are admitted. The exact level of performance required to gain admission to the College varies from year to year and from major to major depending on the size and quality of the applicant pool and the number of available enrollment spaces. The College accepts appli- cations for the fall term only and gives preference to freshmen and upper-division transfer students (those who have completed at least 90 UC transferable quarter units).