Alumni Survey Results
USU CS Department - 2005
Issue / Question / Response
Count
Income
Bracket
Which of the following categories best
describes your starting pay rate per year for your first job
after earning your BS degree?
Less than $10,000
4
$10,000--$19,999
12
$30,000--$39,999
19
$40,000--$49,999
13
$50,000--$59,999
4
$60,000--$74,999
3
$75,000--$99,999
1
I decline to say
2
Total
58
What was your starting pay rate for your first job after earning
your MS degree?
$10,000--$19,999
2
$30,000--$39,999
5
$40,000--$49,999
8
$50,000--$59,999
3
$60,000--$74,999
1
$75,000--$99,999
1
$100,000 and over
1
I decline to say
2
Not employed
1
Total
24
What is your current pay rate?
$30,000--$39,999
2
$40,000--$49,999
4
$50,000--$59,999
5
$60,000--$74,999
14
$75,000--$99,999
21
$100,000 and over
21
I decline to say
8
Not employed
2
Total
77
Education
Did you start a BS degree in CS at USU ?
No
32
Yes
48
Total
80
When did you finish your BS degree?
Spring 1971
2
Spring 1975
1
Spring 1978
1
Winter 1979
1
Spring 1980
2
Autumn 1982
1
Spring 1982
2
Winter 1982
1
Spring 1983
2
Summer 1984
1
Spring 1984
2
Summer 1985
2
Spring 1985
3
Autumn 1986
1
Spring 1986
2
Winter 1986
1
Summer 1988
1
Spring 1989
2
Spring 1991
2
Spring 1994
1
Winter 1994
1
Spring 1995
1
Spring 1996
1
Spring 1997
2
Winter 1997
1
Spring 1998
1
Fall 1999
1
Spring 1999
3
Summer 1999
2
Fall 2000
1
Fall 2001
1
Spring 2001
3
Fall 2002
1
Spring 2002
2
Summer 2002
1
Spring 2003
1
Fall 2003
2
Spring 2004
3
Fall 2004
1
Total
60
Which specialization, track or area of emphasis did you complete?
Information Systems
14
Digital Systems
4
Science
34
Other
7
Don't remember
3
Total
62
Did you complete your BS degree in CS at USU?
No
20
Yes
58
Total
78
Which of the following statements best
described your educational pursuits immediately after
earning your BS degree?
I pursued an advanced degree as a full-time
student.
10
I pursued an advanced degree as a part-time
student.
5
I continued to take a few classes as an unmatriculated student.
5
I did not attend any school.
40
Total
60
Which CS classes from your BS degree best helped you prepare for
your professional career or
follow-on educational pursuits?
CS101 - Computers & Uses
1
CS150 - Basic Programming
3
CS170 - Computer Science I
1
CS171 - Computer Science II
3
CS172 - Computer Science III
2
CS220 - Algorithms & Data Structures
17
CS227 - Unix Systems
7
CS241 - Fortran
Programming
1
CS242 - Advanced Fortran
2
CS251 - Cobol
Programming
6
CS252 - Advanced Cobol
1
CS260 - Programming in C
3
CS327 - Software Engineering I
4
CS355 - Introduction to Computer Architecture
2
CS356 - Intro Computer Architecture
2
CS410 - Operating Systems
6
CS425 - Cooperative Work Experience
2
CS425 - Cooperative Work Experience
2
CS427 - Software Engr
II
4
CS470 - Programming Languages: Analysis
2
CS510 - Finite Automata Comput/complex
1
CS517 - Theory of Database Management Systems
5
CS518 - Information Systems Development
2
CS527 - Software Engineering
3
CS528 - Gui,
Motif, and X-windows
1
CS530 - Compiler Construction
12
CS541 - Computer Graphics
7
CS542 - Computer Graphics
4
CS549 - Expert Systems
1
CS555 - Algorithms
5
CS560 - Artificial Intelligence I
1
CS627 - Software Engineering - Part I
1
CS641 - Advanced Computer Graphics
1
CS2200 - Algorithms and Data Structures - CS3
4
CS2370 - Software Engineering
3
CS2560 - Computer Architecture
2
CS3010 - Information Acquisiton,
Analysis and Presentation
1
CS3100 - Operating Systems and Concurrency
1
CS4700 - Programming Languages
2
CS5000 - Theory of Computability
1
CS5050 - Advanced Algorithms
2
CS5100 - Graphical User Interfaces
2
CS5300 - Compiler Construction
3
CS5370 - Advanced Software Engineering
3
CS5400 - Computer Graphics I
4
CS5450 - Multimedia Systems
1
CS5550 - Parallel and Network Programming
1
CS5700 - Object-oriented Software Development
3
CS5800 - Introduction to Database Systems
2
CS6200 - Advanced Distributed Systems
1
CS6370 - Software Engineering with a Project
1
CS6690 - AI:
Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
1
CS6700 - Object-oriented Models, Methods, and
Tools
1
CS6800 - Relational Databases
1
Total
155
Which CS classes, if any, do you feel were not useful in preparing
you for your profession?
CS101 - Computers & Uses
1
CS150 - Basic Programming
2
CS160 - Elem Computing
2
CS170 - Computer Science I
1
CS171 - Computer Science II
1
CS220 - Algorithms & Data Structures
1
CS241 - Fortran
Programming
1
CS242 - Advanced Fortran
2
CS251 - Cobol
Programming
6
CS252 - Advanced Cobol
2
CS327 - Software Engineering I
3
CS355 - Introduction to Computer Architecture
6
CS356 - Intro Computer Architecture
1
CS410 - Operating Systems
5
CS427 - Software Engr
II
1
CS505 - Parallel Programming
3
CS510 - Finite Automata Comput/complex
1
CS517 - Theory of Database Management Systems
2
CS527 - Software Engineering
1
CS528 - Gui,
Motif, and X-windows
3
CS530 - Compiler Construction
1
CS541 - Computer Graphics
4
CS542 - Computer Graphics
1
CS549 - Expert Systems
1
CS553 - Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
2
CS556 - Design and Analysis of Parallel Systems
1
CS560 - Artificial Intelligence I
5
CS632 - Supercompilers
for Supercomputers
1
CS650 - Artificial Intelligence II
1
CS2370 - Software Engineering
3
CS2550 - Computer Organization
1
CS3100 - Operating Systems and Concurrency
2
CS4700 - Programming Languages
5
CS5000 - Theory of Computability
3
CS5100 - Graphical User Interfaces
1
CS5370 - Advanced Software Engineering
3
CS5450 - Multimedia Systems
1
CS5800 - Introduction to Database Systems
1
CS6800 - Relational Databases
1
CS6990 - Continuing Graduate Advisement
1
Total
84
Which topics were sufficiently covered in your degree program?
I feel most topics were sufficiently covered to
the level where I was familiar with most concepts I needed to 1
perform my job well. (BS
Graduation - Spring 1994)
The head of the department back then required
all CS majors to take COBOL because we would probably need 1
it to get a job. He was right.
(Although this probably is no longer true). (BS Graduation - Spring
1975)
Digital Logic, Algorithms & Data Structures,
General Programming concepts, Database topology, Compiler 1
construction (BS Graduation - Autumn
1982)
Distributed Systems (BS Graduation - Fall 2001)
1
During my degree I had to create a program a
week every week. This gave me a great
edge over inexperienced 1
programmers when I started my career. (BS Graduation -
Spring 1984)
Graphics, Data Structures (BS Graduation -
Spring 1991)
1
I can't remember. After graduation I worked at a CPA firm and
used very little of my computer science degree.
I 1
eventually worked for IBM as as sales rep and the background in CS was very beneficial.
(BS Graduation -
Spring 1985)
I thought it was well rounded. (BS Graduation - Spring
1985)
1
Most of the classes listed above weren't even
taught when I was in school. I felt like
I had a pretty balanced CS 1
education - it enabled me to have
several different choices for employment.6 (BS Graduation - Spring 1980)
Operating systems and
compilers were sufficiently covered. (BS Graduation - Spring
2001) 1
Programming languages (BS Graduation - Spring
1983)
1
Database (BS Graduation - Spring
2004)
1
Programming Languages, Software Engineering
Methodology (BS Graduation - Winter 1997)
1
Software Engineering\r\nC++
language; data structures, syntax, etc (BS Graduation - Spring 1999) 1
Programming Languages, Data Structures,
Operating Systems (BS Graduation - Spring 1984)
1
Algorithms and data structures\r\ngood intros to computer architecture (BS Graduation - Spring 2001) 1
Ability to program ie take apart a problem and create software, hardware
interfaces (I took EE digital classes to 1
supplement) (BS Graduation - Winter
1979)
data structures and
algorithms\r\nlanguages (BS Graduation - Fall 1999)
1
Algorithm Development was very well
covered. I had Algorithms I from Vicki
and then Adv. Algorithms from Nick 1
Flann. I LOVED the classes! They were by far the favorites that I took.
(BS Graduation - Fall 2003)
algorithms, graphics (BS Graduation
- Spring 1989)
1
Algorithms, operating systems, database systems.
(BS Graduation - Spring 2002)
1
Algorithms\r\nLanguages
(BS Graduation - Summer 1988)
1
Asst Programming Languages (BS Graduation -
Spring 1983)
1
C Programming. Software
Engineering. (BS Graduation - Summer 2002)
1
C++, Architecture (BS Graduation - Fall 2000)
1
Can't remember (BS Graduation - Summer 1999)
1
Compiler Design,\r\nPascal Programming\r\nFortan
Programming\r\nComputer Graphics I and II (BS
Graduation 1
- Autumn
1986)
Computer Languages (BS Graduation - Spring 1991)
1
Data Structures / Logic / Compilers / Automata
(BS Graduation - Spring 1982)
1
C programming, C++ programming, Unix (BS Graduation - Spring 1999)
1
Total
30
Which topics were over-emphasized?
Too many of my classes were memorization
classes, most if not all of my 400 level classes, they were all theory 1
and no practical use. Queue's for example
are presented by a mathematical formula.
I have had to program in
queues in applications I have cre
I don't recall too many topics that were
over-emphasized. The Software
Engineering topics were perhaps too 1
process-oriented and too data flow
oriented, and would have been better as Software Design classes that
focused on good requirements
analysis and g
1) Powerpoint
presentations\r\n2) My lack of appreciation for
computer systems because I have not ever used a 1
punch card (BS Graduation -
Fall 2004)
Non-relational Databases (BS Graduation - Fall 2000)
1
Robotics (BS Graduation - Fall
2001)
1
Same as above. \r\n\r\nDifferent
Topic: The salary skips the 20K - 29K
and the year I graduated most of the 1
offers were around 25K. (BS
Graduation - Spring 1980)
Software Engineering (BS Graduation - Spring 2002)
1
Software Engineering (BS Graduation - Summer
1988)
1
Unix Motif Gui
programming (get a life, what a waste of time!) (BS Graduation - Spring 1999)
1
The database topics were over-emphasized and
archaic. If these topics were modernized, perhaps I would not 1
feel they'd been
over-emphasized. (BS Graduation - Summer 2002)
Hard-core programming. In my opinion the current development tools
that a good majority of developers work 1
with provide a rich API that
simplifies development efforts. Time
spent writing data structures such as linked list
classes time and again in ever
Systems Analysis (BS Graduation - Spring 1983)
1
Artificial Intelligence - This is a research
topic seldom used in the real world, Graphics - Requires way too much 1
effort for the grade and will
likely never have any use for the
majority of students\r\nMicrosoft Technology (BS
Graduation - Winter
1997)
math (BS Graduation - Fall
1999)
1
Electrical Engineering. (BS Graduation - Spring
1985)
1
a little theory is good,
but a whole semester on the theory of computability was insane (BS Graduation -
Spring 1
2001)
Assembler level programming (BS Graduation -
Spring 1980)
1
business (BS Graduation - Winter
1979)
1
C++ syntax - students should learn this on their own. The intro classes should focus on *what*
programming is 1
and *how* it works. Not
pointer syntax. Also, the amount of C++ covered in the intro classes is
entirely
inadequate for a job where strong
c++ sk
Can't remember (BS Graduation - Summer 1999)
1
Can't remember. (BS Graduation - Spring
1985)
1
Compiler Construction (BS Graduation - Spring
1984)
1
Compliers (BS Graduation - Spring 1991)
1
Total
23
Which topics were not adequately covered in your degree program?
Unix. Get with it, this is the real programmer's environment. :) Actually,
thanks for not teaching too much Unix 1
programming. I'd done most my work
under Solaris while in school and found I've been in much higher demand
than my Windows-educated
peers.\r\n
Real-time computing including: real-time simulation, real-time graphics,
real-time event response and animation. 1
(BS
Graduation - Spring 1994)
networking, security (BS Graduation
- Fall 2002)
1
Object oriented programming... but that was in
1981, and that didn't really exist then. (BS Graduation - Spring 1
1982)
Operating Systems (BS Graduation - Autumn 1986)
1
Oracle, Documentation, PHP, Software
engineering-Life cycle, SQL (BS Graduation - Spring
2004)
1
Process Control and how it relates to other
fields
1
Writing skills. There are many times I have had to create
technical specifications and that was not covered. 1
Many times I am called upon to explain technical
information to a client that has no idea how a computer works.
(BS Graduation - Spring 1984)
Software Engineering (BS Graduation - Fall 2001)
1
software engineering\r\ndatabase design (BS Graduation - Fall 1999)
1
Systems Engineering
topics - workload and data flow analysis. Computer Architecture (BS Graduation
- Spring 1
1991)
The database courses had a bad reputation and
poor application to the current datbase technology
and 1
subsequently I decided to pass on
these courses. This was unfortunate
because nearly every business aspect of
software has a database.
Now as I review c
The things I would have liked to learn and know
better now weren't available anywhere when I was there!! 1
Concurrency, OOA-OOD . . . I was able to find a summer internship at
IBM. I did NOT find it through the CS
department and if they don't do it
now -
When I took it I was very disappointed with my
UI class. I wish that it had been more
hands on and less 1
"Powerpoint". I learned the UI that I needed on the
job. The class only familiarized me with
it. I really was upset. I
wish that there had been mor
WINDOWS Programming (ie:
windows api, mfc, etc) (BS Graduation - Spring 1999)
1
Linux, Open Source Software, and Open Source
Methodology, Network and Web-based Applications, 1
Developing Libraries and Programming Interfaces
(BS Graduation - Winter 1997)
The Linux environment (BS Graduation - Spring 2004)
1
Database architectures (BS Graduation - Spring
1983)
1
Networking (not much available at the time),
Product Data Management (not really even a concept at the 1
time)\r\nProcess
Management, Change Management, Configuration Management\r\nSoftware
Development
Source code control systems (BS Graduation -
Autumn 198
1) Best coding practices, 2) Experience with
various testing techniques (unit testing, regression, etc) (BS 1
Graduation - Fall 2004)
Advanced Real-Time Computer Graphics (BS
Graduation - Spring 2003)
1
Business Systems Analysis (BS Graduation -
Spring 1983)
1
C++, Engineering Project Management, Networking,
Communication Protocols (RS-232, Ethernet, etc) (BS 1
Graduation - Spring
1984)
Maybe - more software engineering, ie quality, testing, team programming, software
architecture. (BS 1
Graduation - Winter
1979)
Computer Networking - TCP/IP BSD Sockets ect\r\nCompiler design should be required. I didnGÇÖt take it,
1
and I really wish I would
have. (BS Graduation - Spring 1996)
Database course (CS517) was okay, but could have
been taught better -- focus more on SQL and solving 1
real-world problems.\r\n\r\nI took a couple classes on Software Engineering (CS327 and
CS427). These were
okay, but do not seem to
match well with curren
Development life cycle (BS Graduation - Winter
1986)
1
Did C, Visual Basic and SQL even exist back then?
(BS Graduation - Spring 1975)
1
General problem solving skills (how to debug,
questions you should ask yourself when trying to find a bug, etc.). 1
Different compiler settings for optimizing
programs (BS Graduation - Summer 1999)
GUI development, development tools, debugging
(BS Graduation - Spring 1989)
1
hardware knowledge\r\nshould have used Unix base OS (BS Graduation - Fall 2003)
1
I could have used a year of computer
architecture classes more about basics of memory, scientific computing, 1
embedded software, software eng.
in a real work environment (source control, testing, etc) (BS Graduation -
Spring 2001)
I feel that more "real life" projects
would have better prepared me for employment in a CS job. (BS Graduation - 1
Spring 2002)
Can't remember. (BS Graduation - Spring
1985)
1
Total
34
Did you earn an MS degree in CS at USU?
No, skip to Question 46
53
Yes
24
Total
77
If you completed an MS, which plan did you follow?
Plan A - Thesis
11
Plan B - Report
13
Total
24
Which of the following statements best
described your educational pursuits immediately after
earning your MS degree?
I pursued another advanced degree as a part-time
student.
2
I continued to take a few classes as an unmatriculated student.
4
I did not attend any school.
18
Total
24
Which CS classes from your MS degree best helped you prepare for
your professional career or
follow-on educational pursuits?
CS150 - Basic Programming
3
CS170 - Computer Science I
1
CS171 - Computer Science II
1
CS220 - Algorithms & Data Structures
1
CS225 - Cooperative Work Experience
1
CS227 - Unix Systems
1
CS251 - Cobol
Programming
1
CS260 - Programming in C
5
CS410 - Operating Systems
1
CS425 - Cooperative Work Experience
1
CS425 - Cooperative Work Experience
1
CS427 - Software Engr
II
1
CS517 - Theory of Database Management Systems
1
CS518 - Information Systems Development
1
CS527 - Software Engineering
3
CS528 - Gui,
Motif, and X-windows
1
CS530 - Compiler Construction
1
CS541 - Computer Graphics
2
CS542 - Computer Graphics
2
CS555 - Algorithms
2
CS595 - Independent Study
1
CS605 - Advanced Parallel Programming
1
CS625 - Coop Work Experience, Graduate
1
CS626 - Object-oriented Models and Methods
5
CS627 - Software Engineering - Part I
2
CS628 - Software Engineering - Part II
1
CS629 - Software Engineering - Part III
1
CS641 - Advanced Computer Graphics
2
CS650 - Artificial Intelligence II
1
CS697 - Thesis & Research
3
CS2200 - Algorithms and Data Structures - CS3
1
CS5200 - Distributed Systems Design
1
CS5370 - Advanced Software Engineering
1
CS6200 - Advanced Distributed Systems
1
CS6370 - Software Engineering with a Project
2
CS6600 - AI: Advanced Intelligent Systems
2
CS6690 - AI:
Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
2
CS6800 - Relational Databases
1
CS6950 -
CS6970 - Thesis and Research
3
Total
65
Which CS classes, if any, do you feel were not useful in preparing
you for your profession?
CS150 - Basic Programming
2
CS160 - Elem Computing
2
CS170 - Computer Science I
1
CS171 - Computer Science II
1
CS225 - Cooperative Work Experience
1
CS251 - Cobol
Programming
1
CS425 - Cooperative Work Experience
1
CS510 - Finite Automata Comput/complex
1
Issue / Question /
Response
Count
CS549 - Expert Systems
1
CS626 - Object-oriented Models and Methods
1
CS2250 - Cooperative Work Experience
1
CS5050 - Advanced Algorithms
1
CS6300 - Supercompilers
for Sequential and Parallel Computers
1
CS6690 - AI:
Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence
1
Total
16
Which topics were sufficiently covered in your degree program?
all
1
C/C++
1
Distributed Systems 5200, 6200, Software
Engineering 6370, Design Patterns 7350, Object Oriented 1
Programming 5700,6700
Graophics, Parallelism (BS
Graduation - Spring 1991)
1
Operating System Theory, Software Engineering
1
Programming projects.
1
Programming, data modeling and information
system design.
1
Software Engineering (BS Graduation - Fall 2001)
1
software engineering, graphics
1
Algorithyms, theory
1
Total
10
Where there any topics for which classes were not offered but you
would have like to have studied
as
part of your MS program?
Grid Computing\r\nDatabase
Systems
1
zero
1
System and Network security, Cryptography (BS
Graduation - Spring 1995)
1
Shell Scripting - This was covered in the unix undergraduate class, but more
emphasis later on would have been 1
beneficial
security, networking, network
design, embedded systems...
1
Of course java (which wasn't around then) and
web-based stuff (which wasn't around then.
1
Neural Networks (BS Graduation - Fall 2001)
1
Distributed System\r\nSecurity
1
Architecture
1
AI & Expert Systems
1
Advanced computer graphics (texturing and
rendering)\r\nSQL programming
1
Objects, C++, GUI design and manipulation,
security, networking (but remember, I graduated in 1992 on the cusp 1
of the Web)
Total
12
Are there any topics that you feel all MS students should study to
be adequately prepared for
careers in CS-related jobs?
Given the way this question is framed, a
semester on "soft skills", working with teams, overcoming fears and 1
personal inadequacies in working
with other people in a competitive environment. Showing adequate respect for
those in authority, yada yada. In my
Computer networking and communication
1
zero
1
Software Testing, Project Management for
Software
1
Software engineering, SQL programming, Web based
design, Active server pages, OS basics
1
Software Engineering (especially design and
testing); Algorithms; English Writing & Composition!!!
1
Organizational behavior.
1
CS stuff is covered quite well. I was glad for my BS minor in Business and my
work with the English department 1
for additional preparation
of my communication skills. I belive I have advanced more because of my ability to
communicate than for my raw comp
compilers, networking, databases,
operating systems, concurrent programming, security (& cryptography) etc. 1
C/C++/Java programming,
Computer architecure, Networking, Operating Systems
(BS Graduation - Spring 1
1995)
C/C++
1
Architecture, Software Engineering, Process and
Modeling (e.g. CMM Model, UML, Agile Programming ...etc), 1
Network Related Class (TCP/IP is fundamental)\r\nDatabase Related Class
Distributed systems in .NET (BS Graduation - Fall 2001)
1
Total
13
List additional degrees have you earned besides those you earned
through CS department at
None (BS Graduation - Spring 1999)
1
34546,6546,6456,645 (BS
Graduation - Fall 2001)
1
BS - Engineering (USU - 1984)
1
Current, MBA, Business, UC Berkeley
1
June 1984, BS, CIS,
June, 1992.
MBA,