Image via WikipediaKEARNEY — Nebraska might be better known for cattle than computer technology, but the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s computer science and information systems department hopes to make a name for itself nationwide.
“I would love to have a nationally known information technology and information technology education program,” said Sherri Harms, department chair of computer science and information systems at UNK.
The IT program at UNK is the only one of its kind in Nebraska and features the state’s only information technology bachelor of science degree. The department also offers a degree in computer science.
Harms said both programs work to prepare students for careers in computing and information systems. “We really are a catalyst to local businesses being able to function,” Harms said.
The programs feature a variety of classes on computer programming and operating systems. The computer science program focuses on software development, design and maintenance, while the IT program centers around web development, computer security and system administration.
Harms said these skills are taught in hands-on classes covering everything from artificial intelligence to robotics and gaming. “You can’t really learn by watching somebody, you have to try it out. I can’t think of any class where there isn’t some sort of hands-on activity,” Harms said.
Both areas of study are based on the Association of Computing Machinery guidelines. According to Harms, the ACM is an international professional organization that sets curriculum guidelines for computer science programs.
Two years ago, the association identified a separate IT curriculum, which was quickly embraced by UNK.
The department expanded with special projects and funding last year. As part of a Google program, AndroidEDU, the department received 15 Verizon DROID phones. Students will continue to use the phones next year for a variety of projects such as creating applications.
In January, the department applied for Kelly Grant funding and was awarded the endowment in May. Harms said the money will be used for research and projects that span curriculums. She said her department is working with the art and art history department and the physics and multimedia departments.
Senior computer science major Jason Webb said he is excited about the grant and what it means at UNK. Webb said he enjoys the freedom and research opportunities offered on campus.
“I’m doing a lot of independent and directed research,” he said. “There’s so much room for an individual to pursue what they what to work on.”
He said the funding will help continue a multitouch table project, which is a large, flat monitor designed to respond to the user’s contact and movements similar to a touch phone.
The money will also be used for other developments in the department. Webb said some proposed projects include a planetarium projection project in which a projector would be used to display images and information on the exterior of the UNK planetarium.
In addition, he is working on several smaller projects focused on using computer technology in innovative ways. “The whole idea is kind of to bring people outside of the computer and mouse and adapt computers to people, not the other way around,” Webb said.
He also said another focus of these projects is to bring together several different departments at UNK and to showcase the assets of the department.
“We’ve got a lot of students and faculty just now getting involved in collaborations across campus, the arts especially, and we want to kind of get the word out about the newest coolest stuff we have to offer.”
Both Webb and Harms are excited about the future of computer science and information systems at UNK. The department boasts an exclusive program and a bigger budget for the upcoming year, which will help students make the most out of their education at UNK wherever they end up after graduating.
“IT jobs are in demand locally, nationally and around the world,” Harms said.
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