Introduction to the Computer Science Profession

Janet BrunelleOld Dominion University

Aurelia T. WilliamsNorfolk State University

Course Goals

Course Management

Modules

Overall Success

Statistics

Student Reflections

To gain an accurate understanding of the

activities of a computer science professional

To enhance students’ ability to be successful

in this University as a computer science

major

Goal: To gain an accurate understanding of

the activities of a computer science

professional

The students will be able to:

Get answers to Frequently Asked Questions about

Computer Science

Understand the importance of relationship

networking

Understand the value of collaborative learning

and pair programming

Understand the value of and meet potential role

models

Goal: To enhance students’ ability to be

successful in this University as a computer

science major

The students will be able to

Learn the importance of getting to know your

peers

Learn how to cope with stress

Understand the value of mentors and learn how

to find them

Weekly meetings for 1 hour

Modules supplied by ODU Psychologists

Modules supplied by CS Faculty

Evaluation

Weekly Assignments

Attendance

Pass/ Fail course

Most students also enrolled in CS1course and

lab

Frequently Asked Questions about Computer

Science

Introduction to Mentors

Introduction to Role Models

Introduction to Relationship Networking

Introduction to Active Coping

Introduction to Collaborative Learning & Pair

Programming

Uses FAQ module

Computer Science Career module

Lecture directed toward Goal setting

Choosing a career in Computer Science

Identifying measures to reach career objectives with satisfaction

Activity Research dream job

Prepare a future resume

Develop a plan to reach your goal

(Career Services departments at both universities review the resumes and provide a lecture on how to improve it )

Introduction to Mentors module

The lecture material is directed toward:

Identifying and finding a mentor

Why students should have a mentor

Activity

List mentors and write a formal letter requesting

help and/or information

Uses Combined Role Model/Relationship Networking Modules

Lecture directed toward Understanding the difference between role models and a mentor

Identifying role models

Learning to SWAG (Socialize With A Goal)

Why networking is important

Exercise Discussion on the number of role models & how to choose the right

ones.

Activity List role models and why they are chosen

Success Students see why having more than one role model is beneficial

Identifying role models gives students someone to pattern themselves after

Uses the Actively Coping with Stress module

Lecture

Highlights the key stress factors for college

students

Getting Good Grades, Dorm Life, Money Management

Exercises

Stress Quiz

Successes

Students learn to ask for help early

Introduction to Collaborative Learning and

Pair Programming module

The lecture material is directed toward:

Advantages of working with others

Pair Programming strengths and fears

Team work and team building strategies

Exercise

Draw a keyboard

US layout

Illustrates benefits of working with others to

solve large, complicated problems

Activity

Summary

Short answer assignment administered via

Blackboard

Successes

Study groups

Meeting other students

More fun than working alone

Better solutions

Improves “soft” skills

Introduction to CS101

Computer Science Careers

Learning Styles

Ethics

Time Management

Resume Writing

Uses the Computer Science Careers module

based on http://computingcareers.acm.org

Complimentary module to FAQs

Lecture

Students are introduced to various career choices

within the Computer Science discipline

Exercises

Discussion of characteristics currently displayed

by students and how they map into a specific

career

Uses the Learning Styles module or http://www.cognitiveprofile.com/

Lecture

Students learn how they learn best using the cognitive profile

Exercises

Cognitive Profile Inventory (http://www.cognitiveprofile.com/cpionline)

Activity

Develop a flyer to advertise a Learning Styles workshop

Successes

Students learn how to study based on their profile

Uses the ACM Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

Lecture Students learn ethical practices required of a CS

professional

http://www.acm.org/about/code-of-ethics

Exercises Discussion of an ethical situation

Activity Write a reflection statement based on the ethical

situation

Successes Students learn that as a computer scientist you may

have access to various types of data and you must always perform ethically.

Lecture

Highlights the key areas of a student’s college

life and proper attention to all factors

Sleep, Eat, Study, etc…

Exercises

Complete the time management chart

Successes

Eye opener to students

Lecture

Conducted by the University Career Services

office

Provides dos and don’ts for resume writing

Exercises

Update your current resume

Successes

Students have professional resume to circulate at

career fairs

Accomplished by meeting people in industry

invited as speakers

Provide realistic idea of job market

Identify skills and demands

Discuss daily activities (not just

programming)

Meet potential role models/mentors

Meet potential employers for internships

Most are CS alumni

Discuss their matriculation experience

Influence of role models & mentors

Current profession w/daily duties

Any advanced education or certifications

Mitre – day in the life of an engineer

Microsoft

ITT

Research faculty

BAE Systems

NSA

United States Navy

IBM

Students are able to ask very specific questions

of speaker’s experience

Students are able to relate due to common

backgrounds

Students develop mentor/mentee relationships

Students really begin to think about their future

and how the present influences it.

Students articulate wants much better

Students are more adept of their major, and

subsequent career choice

Retention of higher quality student has improved

Retention

Increased ~8%, roughly 60% since Fall 2005

Internship/Summer research activities

Students begin looking earlier

More freshmen attending after first year

Upperclassmen state that they wish there was a

CS101 when they were freshmen

“I didn’t know why I really majored in Computer

Science besides to make money but now I have

an idea of what I want to be.” –Harris

“As an incoming freshman to the Computer

Science major, I was able to experience firsthand

what it is going to take my entire four years to

be successful. The material is going to be

challenging and the workload won’t be easy but

for those who put forth the extra effort, you will

succeed.” -Gordon