[Novalug] Teaching Computers Science

[Angelo Bertolli]

Kevin Dwyer wrote:
> On Wed, Sep 26, 2007 at 12:52:58PM -0400, Jay Hart wrote:
>   
>> 2. At least at CWRU, the BS in Comp Sci was basically a theatrical math
>> degree. I took 9 Comp Sci related courses, and 8 math courses. Did I mention I
>> hate math. Didn't know this before I went there.
>>     
>
> Well, as my Algorithms (CMSC451 @ UM) prof put it (to a few kids who
> were semi-whining about the difficulty of proofs): "Make no mistake.
> This is a math class.  I'm not going to reteach Calculus."  In fact, at
> Maryland the CMSC and MATH courses that have a 5 in the tens digit are
> all essentially MATH courses.
>
> I think that viewing Computer Science as anything but a specialization
> of math is a mistake.  If you're interested in learning C++ to write C++
> applications at C++ shops, then get an Information Systems degree (feel
> free to s/C++/$YOUR_LANGUAGE/).  If on the other hand you're interested
> in learning to develop efficient algorithms and data structures,
> agnostic of the language that is currently en vogue, then take Computer
> Science.
>   

I was going to say the same thing.  If you want to be a coder, go to a 
trade school or a technical college.  Or just take another degree you 
think might be useful like Business and just take some of the 
programming classes.  If you want to be a university graduate in 
Computer Science, you should expect to have to learn both theoretical 
and applicable mathematics and sciences.

I've heard regular people say that learning calculus is pointless 
because they never use it.  I disagree, it's not pointless if you really 
want to expand your mind, increase your IQ, and show that you're able to 
learn and do different things.  It's a kind of mental exercise that 
broadens your mind and makes you more capable in every other area of you 
life.

What else is university education about?  It's not really about whether 
you can program in Visual Basic or today's fad language.