September 13, 2007

The original Alumni Survey questions appear below along with summary counts (in parentheses, boldface, larger font) of the responses. 1,058 surveys were initially mailed out. 43 surveys were returned with forwarding addresses, which were then resent to their new address. 30 additional surveys were returned with no forwarding address. 93 filled-in surveys were eventually received. Response totals below do not always add up to 93 because some respondents left some questions unanswered.

Department of Computer Science

CaliforniaStateUniversity, Northridge

Alumni SurveyMay 2007

Thank you for responding to this survey. The results will be used to help the Computer Science Department evaluate its curriculum and maintain its accreditation, so that it may continue to produce computer science graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their chosen careers. Please return this survey by May 23, 2007 to the Computer Science Department, 18111 Nordhoff Street,Northridge, California91330-8281. A preaddressed envelope with prepaid postage is enclosed for your convenience.

Name (optional): 48 of 93 supplied their nameDate:

Telephone/Email (optional): 20 supplied their email, 10 their telephone, and 5 both

Employer/manager telephone/Email (optional): 15 provided an employer name

[If supplied, we may contact them regarding the CSUN computer science program and itsgraduates in general (not you in particular).]

  1. What computer science degrees did you get at CSUN and when did you get them?

BS: 93 had a CSUN BS degree MS: 6 also had a CSUN MS degree

  1. Are you currently employed full-time: (89) part-time: (1)
  2. Is your current job directly related to your computer science degree?

Yes: (80) No: (11)

  1. Rate how well your major courses prepared you for your career:

Very well: (36)Satisfactorily: (46)Poorly: (10)Very poorly:

  1. List other graduate degrees or certificate diplomas you earned:

Degree/Certificate: (18)Institution: CSUN (6), USC (3), and 9 others (1 each)

  1. Are you currently in graduate school?

No: (81)

Yes: (12) If so, what degree are you working on? MS (8), MBA (3), and MA (1)
If so, at what university:CSUN (8), USC (2), CSULA (1), MIT (1) Part-time: (9) Full-time:(2)

  1. Rate how well your undergraduate degree prepared you for graduate studies:

Very well: (20)Satisfactorily: (13)Poorly: (5)Very poorly:

  1. What best describes your current position? (Circle all that apply):

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September 13, 2007

  1. Software engineering / Programming (57)
  2. Network programming /Computer security (11)
  3. Database administrator (15)
  4. Project/Group manager (24)
  5. E-Business/Web development (23)
  6. Software testing (21)
  7. Sales/Customer support (6)
  8. Hardware/Software integration (22)
  9. System administration / Information technology (21)
  10. Entertainment / Game development (2)
  11. Other, please specify: (19)

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September 13, 2007

  1. How many years of work experience have you had in computer-related fields since graduation?

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September 13, 2007

  1. Less than 1 year (8)
  2. 1– 3 years (28)
  3. 4– 6 years (25)
  4. 7 – 9 years (12)
  5. 10 – 12 years (12)
  6. Over 12 (8)

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September 13, 2007

  1. What is your gender? Male: (80) Female: (13)
  2. How old are you? Average age =33.7
  3. What is your ethnic background? (Circle all that apply)

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September 13, 2007

  1. Black, non-Latino (4)
  2. Asian or Pacific Islander (21)
  3. Native American Indian
  4. Latino (3)
  5. White, non-Latino (51)
  6. Other: (9)

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September 13, 2007

  1. What is your current annual salary? ( To be used only to determine the median salary of our graduates)

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  1. Under $50,000 (12)
  2. $50,001-$60,000 (10)
  3. $60,001-$70,000 (10)
  4. $70,001-$80,000 (15)
  5. $80,001-$90,000 (9)
  6. $90,001-$100,000 (11)
  7. $100,001 – $110,000 (5)
  8. Over $110,000 (19)

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September 13, 2007

  1. Rate your satisfaction with the academic advisement you received at CSUN:

Very satisfied: (25)Satisfied: (42)Unsatisfied: (19)Very unsatisfied: (5)

  1. Rate your satisfaction with how well the University helped you with career planning and job placement:

Very satisfied: (17)Satisfied: (31)Unsatisfied: (36)Very unsatisfied: (6)

  1. Rate your satisfaction with the general education courses you took at CSUN:

Very satisfied: (16)Satisfied: (67)Unsatisfied: (7)Very unsatisfied: (1)

  1. Would you recommend the CSUN computer science program to others who are considering entering the computing profession?

Yes: (78)No: (13) --- if “no”, please indicate your reasons:

  1. Which programming languages do you use on a regular basis? (Circle all that apply)

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September 13, 2007

  1. Visual Basic (25)
  2. C / C++ / C# (52)
  3. Java (23)
  4. Scripting languages (JavaScript, Perl, shell scripting,) (52)
  5. Other, please specify: (26)

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September 13, 2007

Questions 19 - 26: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements about yourself based on your current activities? For each question please circle the phrase that best describes your opinion.

  1. I regularly apply my knowledge of the principles of computer science, mathematics and scientific investigation.

Strongly Agree: (40)Agree: (40)Disagree: (10)Strongly Disagree:

  1. I develop high quality computer-based solutions to practical (“real world”) problems.

Strongly Agree: (45)Agree: (33)Disagree: (12)Strongly Disagree:

  1. I effectively utilize industry established practices and current technologies.

Strongly Agree: (34)Agree: (45)Disagree: (10) Strongly Disagree:

  1. I develop appropriate written technical documents.

Strongly Agree: (28)Agree: (42)Disagree: (18)Strongly Disagree: (1)

  1. I giveeffective technical presentations.

Strongly Agree: (27)Agree: (46)Disagree: (15)Strongly Disagree:

  1. I effectively participate and contribute to team projects.

Strongly Agree: (52)Agree: (34)Disagree: (2)Strongly Disagree:

  1. I apply my knowledge of societal impacts of computing technologies in developing computer-based solutions.

Strongly Agree: (23)Agree: (40)Disagree: (22)Strongly Disagree: (3)

  1. At times I have needed to learn about new tools and technologies or develop new skills.

Strongly Agree: (60)Agree: (30)Disagree: Strongly Disagree:

Questions 27 - 42: Please indicate your satisfaction with the education you received within the Computer Science major in each of the following subject areas. For each item, circle the response that most closely describes your opinion. If you did not take any coursework in the area, please leave that response blank.

  1. Computer theory

Very Satisfied: (31)Satisfied: (48) Unsatisfied: (6) Very Unsatisfied: (1)

  1. Mathematics and logic

Very Satisfied: (50)Satisfied: (39) Unsatisfied: (3) Very Unsatisfied:

  1. Science (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics)

Very Satisfied: (23)Satisfied: (50) Unsatisfied: (11) Very Unsatisfied: (1)

  1. Software engineering

Very Satisfied: (43)Satisfied: (30) Unsatisfied: (16) Very Unsatisfied: (3)

  1. Operating systems and computer architecture

Very Satisfied: (29)Satisfied: (47) Unsatisfied: (12) Very Unsatisfied: (4)

  1. Algorithms and data structures

Very Satisfied: (38)Satisfied: (39) Unsatisfied: (13) Very Unsatisfied:

  1. Databases

Very Satisfied: (15)Satisfied: (27) Unsatisfied: (28) Very Unsatisfied: (12)

  1. Object-oriented design

Very Satisfied: (26)Satisfied: (34) Unsatisfied: (20) Very Unsatisfied: (2)

  1. Object-oriented programming

Very Satisfied: (25)Satisfied: (36) Unsatisfied: (18) Very Unsatisfied: (2)

  1. Human-computer interface design

Very Satisfied: (20)Satisfied: (36) Unsatisfied: (23) Very Unsatisfied: (3)

  1. Computer networking

Very Satisfied: (28)Satisfied: (34) Unsatisfied: (21) Very Unsatisfied: (2)

  1. Computer security

Very Satisfied: (22)Satisfied: (29) Unsatisfied: (26) Very Unsatisfied: (2)

  1. Computer ethics

Very Satisfied: (22)Satisfied: (55) Unsatisfied: (10) Very Unsatisfied: (1)

  1. Social implications of computing

Very Satisfied: (18)Satisfied: (52) Unsatisfied: (11) Very Unsatisfied: (1)

  1. Embedded software applications

Very Satisfied: (8)Satisfied: (29) Unsatisfied: (22) Very Unsatisfied: (10)

  1. e-Business technology

Very Satisfied: (12)Satisfied: (20) Unsatisfied: (26) Very Unsatisfied: (8)

Questions 43 – 44: The Computer Science Department is planning to offer a separate undergraduate degree program in Information Technology (IT) that will place more emphasis on the practical application of computing technologies in the design, development, installation, and implementation of information systems and less emphasis on theoretical computer science and mathematics. Please indicate your opinion on the following two questions regarding the potential benefit of such a program to future students and employers.

  1. Compared to a new graduate in Computer Science, a new graduate in Information Technology (IT) will have equal or better opportunities for finding a professional position in a computing related field:

Strongly Agree: (16)Agree: (42)Disagree: (24)Strongly Disagree: (5)

  1. A Bachelor of Science degree program in Information Technology (IT) would better serve the needs of employers:

Strongly Agree: (17)Agree: (37)Disagree: (21)Strongly Disagree: (9)

  1. Which areas of your CSUN education have been the most relevant to your job performance in the computer field?
  2. Which areas of your CSUN education could have been strengthened by additional coursework? Include, if you wish, areas outside computer science.
  3. What additional courses, training, or professional development have you had since graduation? (Circle all that apply)
    Graduate course (27)Extension course: (20)Company training: (57)Self-study: (72)
    Seminar, conference, or short course: (42)Other (please specify):

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