by k3dz on 4/12/12, 3:21 PM with 71 comments
by dfranke on 4/12/12, 5:17 PM
* Computer Science (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; CISE Department)
* Computer Engineering with Software Emphasis (College of Engineering; CISE Department)
* Computer Engineering with Hardware Emphasis (College of Engineering; ECE Department)
* Electrical Engineering (College of Engineering; ECE Department)
* Computer Information Sciences (College of Business; CISE Department).
So basically, the CISE department was answerable to three different colleges, and some of those colleges offered very-closely-related degrees that weren't in the CISE department.
As for myself, I started out in Computer Engineering with Software Emphasis. I later switched to Computer Science. The reason for this change was that I wanted to double in Mathematics, which belongs to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Having a double major is a lot easier when both majors are in the same college, because you then don't have to worry about satisfying conflicting and redundant gen. ed. requirements.
So, as a CISE alumnus, I have a vested interest in maintaining the reputation of that department, and this reorganization sounds likely to damage it. However, the status quo (as of 2007) is a mess, and this change might overall be for the better.
by joshhart on 4/12/12, 4:18 PM
The department chair at the time, Sartaj Sahni, responded by cutting teaching funding and letting some of the best teachers go. UF had a few teachers without PhDs, which reduces a university's ranking in US News & World Report. Of course, these teachers were the ones that REALLY cared about teaching, since they didn't have research distractions. These teachers were replaced with postdocs who lack the experience needed to teach at a major institution.
I don't know how you can have a solid program if you slash your best teachers to save research, then slash your research to save teaching. Doesn't make sense.
by lbrandy on 4/12/12, 4:24 PM
Many schools suffer the issue of CS being extra-engineering, and then having a "computer engineering" department within engineering, and you end up with quite a bit of duplication. I'm hoping that this is simply part of a consolidation process.
by quanticle on 4/12/12, 5:27 PM
Is Gainesville really that fertile a ground for software startups? Moreover, will reducing research funding at University of Florida necessarily make the existing environment for startups worse? For example, what if the savings are invested into a greater emphasis on teaching?
by rockarage on 4/12/12, 9:21 PM
by nutanc on 4/13/12, 3:24 AM
We also did some nice research in my Masters, a lot of concepts(Grid/cloud) which we are currently using in our Startup.
In any case, I just hope the department and the University come through this with their reputation intact.
by smcdowel on 4/13/12, 8:30 PM
by luser001 on 4/12/12, 5:17 PM
Core competence and all that.
It even has an odd name like CISE (Computer and Information Science and Engineering).
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120411/ARTICLES/1204198...
by axelav on 4/12/12, 3:52 PM
by kobs on 4/12/12, 4:58 PM
As a 2010 graduate (CISE - I wanted a mix of engineering and liberal arts), this is quite troubling to me. I remember when they announced that they would be laying off a number of faculty members (mostly lecturers) -- some of whom were the best instructors in the entire department. Now they're getting rid of research in the name of teaching? What a farce.
by rlovelett on 4/12/12, 6:02 PM
Perhaps, instead, you should concern yourself with your personal professional achievements and credentials post graduation and how those reflect on you. To me that seems like a MUCH more productive use of your time.
This seems like a concern to future and current students; rather than alumni.
// Light-hearted jab at UF alumni
Leave it to a Gator grad to be worried about keeping-up appearances.
Go Knights!
by Xyzodiac on 4/12/12, 11:37 PM
by raphman on 4/12/12, 4:20 PM
by rmse17 on 4/13/12, 4:11 AM
by stuartkingxuyi on 4/12/12, 11:52 PM
by lectrick on 4/13/12, 5:27 PM
God I hate that state. The most idiots per capita I've ever encountered.
by michaelty on 4/12/12, 5:09 PM
by no-espam on 4/13/12, 1:26 AM
by rsanchez1 on 4/13/12, 4:14 PM
It doesn't!
by kfcm on 4/12/12, 4:11 PM
Take this:
CISE, the only department at UF engaged in Computer Software research, will become
a teaching only department, and inevitably, its ranking, reputation and enrollment
will plummet.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20120331/ARTICLES/1203399...
Can you say "diploma mill"? Good; I knew you could.