Computer science majors move to College of Business

UNA has decided to merge Computer Science and Computer Information Systems under the College of Business. Staff members believe the merge will clear up confusion related to the difference between the two disciplines.

“There was always confusion among students,” said Dr. Kerry Gatlin, dean of the college of business. “There was always uncertainty on how Computer Science and Computer Information Systems were related. By putting them in the same department, faculty will be better able to answer questions related to either field.”

The merge will make class scheduling more efficient. Currently, Computer Science and Computer Information Systems classes are held across campus from each other. By pulling the two disciplines under the same department, students will be able to take more electives across both disciplines without having to trek across campus to do so.

Dr. David Nickels, professor of computer information systems, calls the merger, “one-stop shopping for students interested in computer sciences on campus.”

Gatlin believes that this merge will make bringing Computer Science under ABET accreditation more efficient. Computer Information Systems has already been ABET accredited and is up for renewal in 2013. By that time, the merge will be complete, and staff members can work towards getting Computer Science ABET accredited as well.

Gatlin encourages students not to worry.

“It’s not going to have an immediate impact on any of the students,” Gatlin said. “The students in Computer Science will still be able to earn a BS in Computer Science. The students in Computer Information Systems will still receive a BBA in Computer Information Systems.”

Professors said the move will be beneficial.

“We are committed to having it only be positive for the students,” said Dr. Paulette Alexander, department chair and associate dean for accreditation and technology for the College of Business.

The merge will also have benefits for campus organizations related to the computer sciences.

“The merge will provide the Association of Information Systems and the Association for Computer Machinery with an opportunity to collaborate and network out to other businesses to show what UNA’s computer group departments have to offer,” said Charles Caperton, senior computer information technology major.

The merge has already begun, but students will not see changes in regards to scheduling until the spring semester. By next fall, Computer Science and Computer Information Systems will have completely merged under the College of Business

For more information on the change, contact Alexander at 256-765-4409.