School of Computing

 School Office: 

John E. Mathews Jr Building,
Building 15, Room 3201
Phone: (904) 620-2985
Fax: (904) 620-2988
Web Address: www.unf.edu/ccec/computing/
Email: computing@unf.edu

Vision

The School of Computing seeks to provide a nationally and internationally recognized center of learning in the computer and information sciences, focusing on application of state-of-the-art computer technology, and supporting regional aspirations to excel in computer-related enterprise. Led by its faculty, and represented by its students, the School seeks to provide an educational atmosphere both intellectual and practical, extending the frontiers of knowledge to the betterment of humankind.

Mission

The School of Computing is dedicated to the promotion of an academically exciting and progressive intellectual climate, characterized by a superior program of instruction, peer-recognized scholarship, effective support services, and productive professional community involvement. In particular, the School is committed to offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs observing national standards, maintaining and expanding course offerings to keep pace with the rapid development of computer theory and computer technology. In recognition of its leadership position in the computer and information sciences, the School supports the need for instruction in computing as required by other University programs and advocates faculty participation in collaborative computer-related projects involving other professionals or colleagues. The vitality of the School is enhanced by encouraging ongoing faculty research and development, ultimately serving the instructional mission of the School and providing both Northeast Florida and the nation with a wellspring of knowledge and wisdom for the computer and information sciences.

Values

The School of Computing recognizes its responsibility towards establishing and supporting a strong ethical standard for both personal and societal use of computer technology, characterized by integrity and professionalism, without sacrificing openness and innovation. Given the School's role in the education of future leaders for the development of the computer-related applications, particular value is placed on providing an environment characterized by a strong sense of professional responsibility, understanding of the larger issues involved in making a functional society, sensitivity to the concerns deriving from ethnic or gender differences, appreciation for the cultural contributions of others, and awareness of the potential effect of one's personal and professional conduct on others. The School seeks to provide a supportive, sensitive, academic environment wherein students, faculty, and staff alike feel both their individual and collective importance to the School.

Academic Programs

The School of Computing has primary responsibility for all computing-related instruction at UNF at all levels. For undergraduate students, the school offers the Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Information Science, Information Technology, Computing & Information Sciences Financial Technology (FinTech), and Computing and Information Science-Data Science, and minors in Computing and FinTech for Finance and Accounting Majors.

For graduate students, the school offers a research-focused Master of Science degree in Computing & Info Sciences with tracks in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, and Information Systems. For all the graduate programs students can select between a Thesis option and a Non-Thesis option.

In addition, the School of Computing offers a Doctoral Degree in Computing with a track in either Cybersecurity or Intelligent Systems. With all our programs, we expect our students to improve their communication skills, effectively collaborate, and conduct themselves professionally.

Computing Advisory Board (CAB)

This council is composed of approximately 25 Computing executives and professionals from the business community who meet on a regular basis to advise the director of the UNF School of Computing on current industry trends in computing and information sciences.

Student Organizations

Faculty from the School sponsor student organizations for the Osprey Competitive Programming (OCP), Osprey Security (OSEC), Computer Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE-CS), Society of Women Advancing Technology (SWAT), Artificial Intelligence Research Organization (AIRO), Women in Cybersecurity (WiCys), Gaming and Application Development (GAD), and the Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE) Honor Society in the Computing and Information Sciences. These organizations provide students with important professional contact groups in Jacksonville and throughout the national computing community. See the School of Computing web pages for more information.

School of Computing Faculty

Nan Niu, Ph.D. Professor & Director

Sandeep Reddivari, Ph.D., Associate Professor & Graduate Director

Sanjay P. Ahuja, Ph.D., Professor

Chua, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus

Neal S. Coulter, Ph.D., Professor and Dean Emeritus

Mai Dahshan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Jeremiah Doody, M.S.  Instructor

Ayan Dutta, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Roger E. Eggen, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus

 Richa Jethwani, M.S., Associate Instructor

Indika Kahanda, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Upulee Kanewala, Ph.D., Associate Professor

William Klostermeyer, Ph.D., Professor & Dean

Richard Lentz, MS, Instructor

Jim Littleton, M.S., Instructor

Xudong Liu, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Elise Marshall, M.S., Associate Instructor & Academic Advisor

Kenneth E. Martin, Ph.D., Professor & Founding Director Emeritus

Zornitza Prodanoff, Ph.D., Professor

Swapnoneel Roy, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Karthikeyan Umpathy, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Iman Vakilinia, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Undergraduate Academic Policies

The College of Computing, Engineering, and Construction adheres to all academic policies and regulations of the University. In addition, the School of Computing has policies which apply to all undergraduate students in the School of Computing.

Individuals needing clarification for any policies, or an interpretation of how a policy might apply in a given situation, should contact the School of Computing office located in the Mathews Building, Building 15/Room 3201, call (904) 620-2985, or email computing@unf.edu.

Admission

Students seeking admission to the School of Computing must meet the general requirements of the University relative to admission. Students lacking any program prerequisites are encouraged to complete these courses as soon as possible to be on-track for a timely graduation.

Admission With Less Than 2.0 Grade Point Average

Students who are admitted with less than the minimum 2.0 grade point average are placed on academic probation. Special conditions for admission are outlined by the Director of the School, and students must meet these conditions to continue their studies in the School of Computing.

Academic Advising

When a student is admitted to the School of Computing, an advisor will prepare a program of study outlining the program requirements.

Students considering majoring in a computing program are strongly encouraged to meet with a School advisor as early as possible. Advising appointments for development of a personalized program of study must be scheduled within the first semester of attaining sophomore status. Advising appointments are on your MyWings account, calling (904) 620-2985, or emailing computing@unf.edu.

Attendance Policy

The faculty of the School of Computing believe that students need to make their academic studies a priority during their enrollment in our programs. Due to the amount and complexity of the material, students should ensure their ability to attend the entire class period. Thus, we have developed the following attendance policy which may be used at the discretion of the course instructor:

Students who miss more than 25% of scheduled class meetings, regardless of their grades, may be asked to withdraw from the course or given an "F" grade in the course.

Transfer Coursework

Students desiring to transfer upper-level course work to the School of Computing must have the work approved by an academic advisor. With approval, a maximum of 10 credit hours of upper-level transfer course work may be used in the student's program of study. Upper level course work completed more than five years prior to the beginning of continuous enrollment at UNF may not be applied toward the program unless validated. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment as a degree-seeking student and completion of one or more courses per term without a break of three consecutive terms.

Concurrent Coursework

Once a student is admitted to UNF, the student may not complete course work at another institution for transfer to UNF without a School advisor's approval and completion of a Concurrent Enrollment Form with proper authorizations prior to starting the transfer courses. It is expected that once a student enrolls in the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction, he/she will complete all prerequisite and major courses at UNF. 

Concurrent enrollment at another college or university is not allowed during a student's graduating semester.

Directed Independent Study

No more than six credit hours of directed independent study may be applied to a student's program of study. A maximum of three credit hours with the same Computing faculty member is allowed. All directed independent study proposals must be approved by the director of the School.

Experiential Learning (Co-op)

No more than six credit hours of experiential learning (co-op) credit may be applied to a student's program of study. All co-op proposals must be approved by the director of the School. No more than 3 credit hours of experiential studies may be used to satisfy major or minor electives.

Satisfactory Progress Policy

The School of Computing enforces a "one repeat" rule for all prerequisite and core courses offered taught by the School for its major programs. Students who do not successfully complete a prerequisite or core requirement for a School of Computing course on the first attempt (i.e. earn a grade of D, F, W) will be granted one chance to repeat the course. Students who do not successfully complete a prerequisite or a required course within two attempts will not be permitted to register for courses offered by the School in future semesters. This stipulation applies whether or not the student has declared a major in a School of Computing program.

Probation/Suspension Policy

An undergraduate student who fails to earn a cumulative or term GPA of 2.0 after attempting a cumulative total of 12 or more credit hours will be placed on academic probation. Academic probation is a warning. If both the term and cumulative GPA fall below 2.0 during the next term of enrollment, the student will be eligible for suspension. The School of Computing Suspension Review Committee (SRC) will determine the action to be taken in each case. If suspended, the student will be dropped from any courses currently registered and denied the opportunity to re-enroll. The duration of suspension varies in accordance with recommendations of the SRC. At a minimum, if suspended the student is not allowed to take coursework for one semester.

A suspended student who desires to be reinstated to the School must submit a Suspension Appeal  to the School of Computing. The request must be received at least two weeks prior to the University's admission deadline for the term the student intends to return. The Suspension Appeal can be obtained from the School of Computing Canvas page.  The SRC meets once a term to review requests. Recommendations of the SRC are submitted to the School director for final decision.

Honors in Computing

The Honors Program at UNF is designed for the student who is intellectually mature and seeks the challenge of academic work different from the traditional course of study. It offers students a close collegial relationship with the University's top professors and with each other. There are two types of honors programs at the University of North Florida. The first is a lower-level program open to freshmen and sophomores offered by the Hicks Honors College. The second is the "Honors in the Major" program open to students in the School of Computing. A student does not have to be in the lower level Hicks Honors College to enroll in the "Honors in Computing" program. The "Honors in Computing" program offers two tracks in Leadership and Research and special recognition on the student's transcript. The Leadership track requires a minimum of 90 leadership hours and the research track requires a minimum of 60 leadership hours and completing six credits of CIS4910 Computing Honors Research.

Admission is competitive and limited to students with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better. More information on additional admission requirements and procedures for applying to the program can be obtained from a School of Computing Academic Advisor.

Accelerated Computing BS-MS Program

The School of Computing offers a unique opportunity for qualified students to seek both the bachelor and master's degrees in an accelerated program of study for all its programs. Qualified students will be able to take six credits of graduate-level courses as part of their undergraduate studies, which will also apply toward their future graduate studies. Interested and qualified students must submit an application for the accelerated program to the School of Computing to the registration period of the term in which the student wishes to register for a graduate level course. It is highly recommended that students interested in the accelerated program meet with an advisor to learn how the program may affect financial aid and tuition rates.

^ Go to top