Hi,
I’ve been a lurker on this website for some time. This is my first post. I’m a junior at a high school in Florida and I want to study Computer Science.
While tuition cost is something I am looking at, it will not be a deciding factor. So OOS Universities are an option.
Just a little Background:
GPA: 4.33 W
ACT:31
What’s the best computer science school in Florida, and is it worth it to go out of state to a place like GT?
Thanks!
(IMHO) it’s likely not worth paying OOS tuition rates (and giving up Bright Futures) at GT for CS. In Florida, look at UF, FSU, UCF and USF. All have very good programs, with UCF/USF likely to offer you merit scholarships and a spot in the honor’s college.
CS is a field that’s much in demand, and one that’s not that sensitive to the perceived “prestige” of your college.
Good Luck!
UF’s Computer Science is facing lot of trouble. They tried to shut down the department and move the professors to three other departments. It was a very public fight, which the students and faculty won. However, there are usually no winners in such nasty fights. Try searching for it in the web.
Their computer engineering is in great shape and overlap with CS in some areas. If you happen to like those areas it will be a good fit.
@sivlal Are you talking about that Forbes article from 2012? UF was never closing it’s CS department, it planned on consolidating it’s two CS programs into the College of Engineering.
UF has a Computer Science degree offered in the College of Engineering (COE), and another offered in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). The CLAS program is much smaller than the COE program. UF had (back during the recession, around 2012), due to significant funding cuts from the State of Florida, planned on closing the CLAS program and consolidating all Computer Sciences into the COE program. Only the COE would have had a CS program.
This consolidation would have impacted CLAS faculty, administrative support and grad students (other CLAS CS students would have been moved to the COE).
The consolidation never happened, and UF still has two separate Computer Science programs. If anything, computer sciences has been an area of focus (and funding/research) for UF over the last few years.
Current Degree Programs offered at UF (CISE):
Computer Engineering (CEN), accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
Computer Science - College of Engineering (CSE)
Computer Science - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CSC)
Digital Arts and Sciences (DAS)
Computer Science Minor
UF has an excellent Computer Engineering program, and that can sometimes overshadow it’s CS programs.
FSU also offers two computer science degrees, A BS (ABET accredited, unlike UF’s CSE program) and a BA.
UCF requires their CS majors to pass a Foundation Exam:
It is a big stretch to call it a consolidation. See some links below. The plan was to move the research faculty to different departments and leave CS with a small set of teaching faculty. Forbes was one article. Gainesville Sun and a number of other places covered it extensively. It is very easy to find more coverage. There are online petitions that the research community created against such an action. It was ugly ! The department didn’t close but the end result was a weakened department. I would love to see the department grow. However, if it was my S/D applying to UF I would ask him to apply to computer engineering if it matches his interest or look elsewhere.
Some links:
https://saveufcise.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-776687
That said the department is hiring so may be things are getting better.
First, we should be clear that UF didn’t restructure the CISE department, it was a proposal due to a $4M budget shortfall, during the recession.
After the restructure, CS degrees would still have been offered in the COE, however, the restructure would have eliminated 10 staff positions, 2 non tenured track positions, and all CISE TA’s (the COE would still have TA’s). A significant impact, and why so many (especially current CISE TA’s) were upset.
Cutting employment is never a good thing, but sometimes it can’t be avoided due to financial realities. Luckily, at the end of the day, UF found a work-around.
Thanks for the answers.
How does UF’s computer science program in the COE differ from the CLAS one? What is the better option?
From UF"s CISE website:
https://www.cise.ufl.edu/academics/undergrad/cse
I would recommend you check out the “Degree Requirements” and “Tracking Sheet”.
Thanks!