The First Year, Beyond Language

SIGCSE 96 Panel Presentation

Michael B. Feldman

Department of Computer Science
School of Engineering and Applied Science
The George Washington University
Washington, DC 20052

(202) 994-5919 (voice)
mfeldman@seas.gwu.edu (Internet)
http:/www.seas.gwu.edu/faculty/mfeldman (WWW)


Underlying Themes


Speaker Background


University Background


Computer Science: the Profession (CSAB 1994 Report, p. 6)

"...[T]he discipline spans both advancing the fundamental understanding of algorithms and information processes in general, as well as the practical design of efficient reliable software and hardware to meet given specifications...
 
"A professional computer scientist ... should be able to apply the fundamental concepts and techniques of computation, algorithms, and computer design to a specific design problem. The work includes detailing of specifications, analysis of the problem, and provides a design that functions as desired, has satisfactory performance, is reliable and maintainable, and meets desired cost criteria."


The Undergraduate Course Sequence: Computer Science as a Profession


Classical CS1 (Koffman et al, 1984)


Classical CS2 (Koffman et al, 1985)


An Objects Early Approach to Foundation Courses


First Course


Projects in First Course


Basic Principles in Second Course


Why Ada 95 as the Foundation Language?


Ada as a Foundation Language: Number of Institutions, by Year