Dear Students, Friends and Guests:
As Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE), I welcome you to both the department and to Miami University.
Like most high quality departments offering four year degrees in computer science and/or software engineering, we have seen substantial growth in the number of students who are majoring in the degrees we offer over the last decade. The number of CSE majors now stands at over 900 students. Since 2015, the number of individual credit hours has increased by over 5,000 hours. Despite this increased size, CSE remains committed to classroom instruction in small classes taught by full-time teaching and research faculty. Our average class size remains approximately 30 with our largest course sections having an enrollment of 44 students. Our student to faculty ratio is approximately 26 to 1.
CSE is very much a department on the move and has responded to recent growth with the introduction of new degree programs. In the past year, the department gained approval to begin offering a BA in Computer Science (BACS) degree in addition to existing BS degrees in Computer Science and Software Engineering. In contrast to the BS in CS degree, the BA in CS degree offers an opportunity to study computer science in combination with another field. Also, in the past year, the department added a Master of Computer Science (MCS) degree alongside our research oriented Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) degree. The MCS degree is a professional coursework based degree that is designed to be completed in as little as one year. Going through the approval process is a new BS in Cybersecurity degree. To bring this new degree online, the department has designed and submitted for approval ten new courses that are specifically focused on cybersecurity. Many of these courses are already being offered and taken by current department majors.
CSE has much to be proud of. We continue to attract unique faculty who have a passion for both teaching and research. Research productivity is on the rise along with student participation in that research. In 2024, we will move to a brand new home; the McVey Data Science building. However, what we are most proud of is our students, both past and present, and what they accomplish after leaving Miami University. Top companies such as Amazon, Booz Allen, Cisco, Eli Lilly, Epic Systems, Fidelity Investments, GE Aviation, Google, Honeywell, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, Kroger Digital, Nationwide, Nielsen, Northrop Grumman, Progressive, World Fuel Services, and WorldPay seek to hire our graduates. In a typical year, 100% or nearly 100%, of our graduates have found employment or are attending graduate school by the time they leave Miami. CodeSigal directly measures the technical skills of over 50% of US computer science and software engineering graduates through a General Coding Framework. In 2021, CodeSignal ranked Miami graduates number two in the nation just behind Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and ahead of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). In 2022, Miami University was the only institution in the state of Ohio in the top 50 with a rank of 39 and one of only two institutions in the states of Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.
If you are beginning studies in computing at Miami University you have chosen a great institution at which to continue your education. Based on my observations at career fairs and discussions with corporate representatives, I believe I am not exaggerating when I say that completion of a degree offered by the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering is a “golden ticket” to a successful and productive future. Your classes will not all be easy and will often challenge you. However, I know that CSE faculty will do everything in their power to deliver an education that provides the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed and prepare you for a lifetime of learning. While you are here make the most of your time at Miami by taking advantage of everything the university has to offer. Use them all to explore who you are and where you want to go in life. Be an active partner in your education. Speak up. Ask questions. When you need help, ask for it. If something is unclear or appears to be an error, say something.
Once again welcome to the CSE, we are very glad you are here.
Love and Honor,
Eric R. Bachmann
Professor and Chair
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Oxford, OH 45056
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