On Sun, 2003-11-16 at 00:24, Andy Sy wrote: > > But maybe the problem is that the curriculum is too confined to the > ivory tower of 'hardcore' CS subjects (i.e. data structures, algorithms, > CS theory), of which advanced study is only suitable for a handful of > minds. The field of IT is vast enough and the industry demands skills > in more high level areas like Computer Graphics, GUI, OS, Database, > Network protocol design which might turn out to be more appealing to > others. In other words the *type* of programming involved may be what's > holding certain people back from liking the subject.
It's not really confined -- but it is the core. In UPLB for instance, we have all those subject that you are talking about (OS, Database, Networking) as part of the actual curriculum, and others (Computer Graphics, Compiler Design, Parallel Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robot Modeling, and Special Topics) as electives. And btw, IT != CS. > > Math (or CS theory or hardcore data structure and algorithm analysis) is > clearly just harder or initially immensely boring for some people, and to > force them to like it for its own sake will do no good. As it is possible Then they shouldn't be taking CS if they find it that way. > to make a good deal of progress in most IT fields without resorting to > heavy math or theory, the curriculum should not force such topics down the > students throat before he is mature enough for it, otherwise you risk his > totally losing interest in the field. If you like IT, then take a course on IT without the computer science stuff that is essential for Computer Science as it is. > > I can see so many examples of topics where a writer would resort to using > highfalutin equations complete with greek characters to explain a certain > concept, when there is a far more accessible way to do it(*). It's not being > able to understand the math or knowing the fancy terms that make you a > good coder, it's the code you churn out itself. But it isn't about patronizing > the student with shallow explanations either, the trick is to come up with > the proper order of topic exposition (with the caveat that it is almost > certainly going to be different from one student to another, so perhaps > a more flexible method of prerequisite selection could be provided). > I believe you actually need them to have a firm model to work with, unless you feel comfortable with a black box solution. The tuple relational calculus concepts lay the foundation for database operations, and being able to understand these means that you not only know how the database system works, but if you need to implement them you do have the mathematical background to pull it off. And the Greek letters only represent concepts like how English letters are used in everyday equations like the Pythagorean Theorem. > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > (*) Database Design books, in particular, are very guilty of this. When I > finally understood Chen ERDs and was able to see how to use them in a > practical way, it was through a diagramming tool's rather short help file > and not one of the three or four 500-page thick database design books I have. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > ERD's are just for database design, while all the other Greek letters that come with the actual theories behind DBMSes (Tuple Relational Calculus) are the foundation of databases. If you just wanted to use a database management system, read the help files and the manuals -- if you wanted to understand the database systems, get a course on computer science and database systems or like what you have done, get the book. Much like how we now use the thermometer -- you don't have to understand the workings of a mercury based thermometer to actually use it, but there's a difference if you were asked to design and manufacture these little things. Much like how you don't have to understand how the engine of your car works to be able to drive your car around -- but the mechanic and designer must know these to be able to work with them. If you wanted to learn how to program, get a vocational programming course -- but if you wanted to understand how the computer works and the concepts regarding how to solve problems _with or without_ computer, get a BS Computer Science degree. -- Dean Michael Berris http://mikhailberis.blogspot.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] +63 919 8720686 GPG 08AE6EAC
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