open discussion on teaching computing topics to non-cs majors

Open Discussion onOpen Discussion onTeaching Computing Topics to Teaching Computing Topics to

Non-CS MajorsNon-CS Majors

Computer Science ColloquiumComputer Science ColloquiumMay 16,2008May 16,2008

Hugh Lauer and Robert KinickiHugh Lauer and Robert KinickiWorcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, MA, 01609 USAWorcester, MA, 01609 USA

Moderator Moderator - - Bob KinickiBob [email protected]@cs.wpi.edu

OutlineOutline

• Introductory Remarks Introductory Remarks Bob Bob KinickiKinicki

• A Few Comments by A Few Comments by Hugh Hugh LauerLauer

• Open Discussion:Open Discussion:– How do we in CS work with other

departments to best server non-majors?– Does this simply boil down to a

language issue for non-majors?

CS Colloquium May 16, CS Colloquium May 16, 2008200822

My Viewpoint (rek)My Viewpoint (rek)

• CS 2303 Systems ProgrammingCS 2303 Systems Programming• I taught this course for the I taught this course for the

first time in C08 Term.first time in C08 Term.• Course material includes:Course material includes:

• C programming• Systems programming• C++ programming• Data Structures


Motivation and Motivation and ObservationsObservations

• Concerned about the data structures Concerned about the data structures knowledge of CS Majors.knowledge of CS Majors.

• Surprised by the number of non-Surprised by the number of non-majors in the course.majors in the course.

• Unhappy with the non-major Unhappy with the non-major performance.performance.

• A higher percentage of non-majors did A higher percentage of non-majors did not take the two prerequisite courses.not take the two prerequisite courses.

• Picked up anecdotal information from Picked up anecdotal information from ECE students in the course about ECE students in the course about CC..


CS 2303 C08CS 2303 C08Year Total A B C NR

2011 77 23% 22% 25% 23%

2010 26 31% 19% 23% 38%

2009 7 14% 14% 29% 43%

2008 8 13% 25% 0% 62%

MassAcad

5 20% 40% 20% 20%


CS 2303 C08CS 2303 C08Major Total A B C NR

CS 55 (44%) 27% 16% 29% 27%

ECE 21 (17%) 19% 29% 14% 38%

IMGD 30(24%) 17% 20% 17% 47%

RBE 4 50% 0% 25% 25%

ME 2 0% 50% 0% 50%


open discussion on teaching computing topics to non-cs majors

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