Catherine C. Bareiss

A semester project for CS1

While much work has been done on the lab component of the CS1 course, programming assignments have not received as much attention. Many CS1 courses have a series of programming assignments that supplement the lab component. However, the assignments are often unrelated to each other. While the advantages of semester project for upper division courses are well known, little has been done on the use of a semester project in the first programming course. However, it is feasible for a first semester programmer to complete an entire semester project if it is designed properly. The development of a semester-long programming project done in phases has many benefits to offer a CS1 course.

Computing foundations for the scientist (abstract only)

There is a need for a new style of supporting a computer course. Although it is widely recognized that computer technology provides essential tools for all current scientific work, few university curricula adequately ground science majors in the fundamentals that underlie this technology. Introducing science students to computational thinking in the areas of algorithms and data structures, data representation and accuracy, abstraction, performance issues, and database concepts can enable future scientists to become intelligent, creative and effective users of this technology. The intent is not to turn scientists into computer scientists, but rather to enhance their ability to exploit computing tools to greatest scientific advantage. This poster demonstrates one course doing this.

The computer science small department initiative (CS_SDI) report

This special session will report on the work of the Computer Science Small Department Initiative (CS_SDI) in three areas. The first is the identification of strengths and challenges that are typically found in small departments (5 or fewer FTE CS faculty). The second area is relating the CC2001 guidelines directly to small departments. The third area is a set of departmental guidelines for areas such as faculty load and maintaining a departmental lab. The website for this work can be found at http://csis.olivet.edu/cs_sdi.

Small Department Initiative: (Abstract Only)

Faculty members in a small department (5 FTE or less) face special challenges and strengths because of their size. This BOF is a time for faculty to meet and discuss ways to meet the shared challenges and take advantage of their strengths. The actual topics covered will be based on those attending. Topics include: sharing classes, increasing enrollment, general education, and specialized courses.

Teaching Computing Foundations to Non-Majors (Abstract Only)

This workshop shows participants about a new way to teach non-computing majors about computing fundamentals. This involves teaching computing concepts (such as sources of error, algorithm analysis, data storage, and simulations) that students encounter when they use computers to do work in their own disciplines. While this new way of teaching can use any discipline, the workshop will use the sciences as the working example. It will focus on how scientists use computers in their work but will also introduce ways to expand this to other disciplines. The course that will be presented presents different modules of computer science interspersed with different science modules that apply the computing knowledge. More details can be found at http://cf4s.olivet.edu. Participants are highly encouraged to bring a laptop. Handouts associated with the entire course will be provided.

Computer science: small department initiative (abstract only)

Faculty in small departments (perhaps 3 FTE, perhaps only 1 or 2,&) face special situations - both challenges and strengths. In this BOF, members will have a chance to talk about both. Challenges include maintaining a well-rounded curriculum and attracting students. Strengths include a close relationship with other members of the department and majors. These and other topics are open for discussion; the specific topics will be based upon the composition and interests of the group assembled.

An introductory course on the use of operating systems

One very frustrating problem that students often have while working on computers is the lack of ability to do productive work. They often find themselves either not being able to do something or doing it in a very complex way when there is a simpler or shorter way to accomplish the task. This is a common experience because most students do not have a structured time of learning the operating system(s) on which they work. This often occurs because the use of an operating system is not considered an academic pursuit so that a course teaching the computer science majors how to use the operating system(s) is not offered. However, the benefits of such a course can be great. The students can find the rest of their work on computers much more productive than if they had to pick up almost everything on their own.