Revitalizing the Computer Science Curriculum ; CU-CS-1020-06
The state of contemporary undergraduate curricula in U.S. universities is reviewed, some important information technology trends are considered, and how educators can use the IEEE/ACM recommendations on curricula to influence reform is suggested.
Abstract
Computer science educators and other stakeholders often lament the state of the curriculum in university computer science programs. Recently, NSF announced a program to attempt to stimulate change in the undergraduate education (see the CPATH announcement). There is wide concern that implications of an aging curriculum include decreasing (or at least fluctuating) enrollments in computer science programs, inadequate preparation of undergraduate students to enter the commercial workforce, and a general mismatch of the education with the state of information technology in the real world. This paper reviews the state of contemporary undergraduate curricula in U.S. universities, considers some important information technology trends (including how they are not supported by extant curricula), and suggests how educators can use the IEEE/ACM recommendations on curricula to influence reform.