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Computer Science Careers and You with Dr. Danny Silver

Computer Science Careers and You with Dr. Danny Silver. Jodrey School of Computer Science “Come as a student … leave as a Colleague”. Agenda. Computer Science – It’s not just programming Careers and Career Pathways Acadia and Computer Science Q/A and Discussion Door prize and Close.

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Computer Science Careers and You with Dr. Danny Silver

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  1. Computer Science Careers and Youwith Dr. Danny Silver Jodrey School of Computer Science “Come as a student … leave as a Colleague” Jodrey School of Computer Science

  2. Agenda • Computer Science – It’s not just programming • Careers and Career Pathways • Acadia and Computer Science • Q/A and Discussion • Door prize and Close Jodrey School of Computer Science

  3. Introduction • Our society depends upon computer systems and the people who develop and maintain them …

  4. What is Computer Science? • What is a computer scientist? • Will I have to grow fuzzy hair? • What does s/he do? • Will I have to sit in front of a computer all day? • What kind of people will I work with? • Will I become a geek nerd? Jodrey School of Computer Science

  5. What is Computer Science? • Study of information and computation • Analysis, design and development of computer systems • FUN – COOL - EXCITING • Cutting edge projects • Exciting and talented people • All over the world, in every sector • Significant impact on society and our planet Jodrey School of Computer Science

  6. What is a Computer Scientist? • Designs computers and the computer software • Develops information technologies for application in business and industry • Tackles complex problems • Often working in groups • Loves to innovate, create solutions • Loves to learn – changing , exciting field • Good concentration and attention to detail • Methodical, logical, good communication skills  Project leadership and managerial positions Jodrey School of Computer Science

  7. Why Study Computer Science? • Computer Science: • is essential to Canada’s future • talent is in greater demand than we can supply • leads to many careers • is important intellectually • supports and links to most other areas of study • teaches problem solving • builds teamwork and leadership skills • develops life-long learning skills

  8. Motivation • Computer Science is important intellectually • Computer is comparable to writing /printing press • Logical reasoning: if-then structures • Mathematics: queues, cache, buffers • Algorithmic thinking: loops, subroutines, recursion • Possible workings of the human mind • Programming is to CS, as playing a piano is to music

  9. Motivation • Computer Science supports and links to most other areas of study • Progress in science <--> progress in technology • Need for diverse abilities and perspectives • CS and neuroscientists – the brain • Biologists and CS – the Genome • Meteorologists and CS – weather prediction • Future scientists require basic knowledge of CS

  10. Motivation • Computer Science teaches problem solving • Artists, designers, mathematicians, engineers, scientists work on solving problems • AND computer scientists and software engineers • CS studies the problem solving process itself: • Analysis and design are carefully reviewed • Decomposition, abstraction, modular design • Always new methods being investigated • Cooperation and strong interpersonal skills are key

  11. Motivation • Computer Science builds teamwork and leadership skills • CS Team members must deal with egos, recognize weaknesses, share knowledge • Students learn that your best friend can also be your strongest critic • Learn to deal with mix of talents, finesse situations, influence change • Plan, organize, control, lead complex projects • Estimate and deal with risk

  12. Motivation • Computer Science develops life-long learning skills … “Change is the only constant” • Promotes learning to learn • Encourages on-going study and contribution • Encourages oral and written communication skills • Promotes sharing of ideas – “the Web”

  13. ICT is Essential to Canada’s Future • ICT Sector $57.6 B • 4.7% of GDP in 2007 • Up 4.4% from 2006 • Similar rise last 5 years Jodrey School of Computer Science

  14. High Demand for Skilled Labour Unemployment: ICT < 3.5%; National average > 6.5%. Jodrey School of Computer Science

  15. Outlook – Even Higher Demand • From 2008 – 2015: • 7,200 university graduates per year needed (min.) • 5,100 domestic capacity (BSc, BEng) • 2,100 through immigration … good news for students! Workforce Requirements Source: ICTC 2008-15 Outlook October 2008 Jodrey School of Computer Science

  16. Motivation • Computer Science leads to many careers • Vast majority of 21st century careers will require basic understanding of computer science methods • Involves Technology, Processes, People , Projects • We are training people for jobs that do not as yet exist • They will likely require ICT + Domain X expertise • Bioinformatics - Health-Informatics • GIS - Enviro-Informatics • Interactive Digital Media - Genomics • Information Science - Food Science

  17. A Landscape of Opportunity Small Systems Admin. and Support System Installation and Technical Support CS + Application area X Interdisciplinary Specializations Programming Computer Science Project Management Programming Software Development System Analyst/Design Technical Expert Research Jodrey School of Computer Science

  18. Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home Jodrey School of Computer Science

  19. Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home Jodrey School of Computer Science

  20. What are employers looking for? • Core technical skills (CS, Datacom) • Experience with domain applications and computing platforms • Experience with specific business processes to which ICT is a solution • Great communications • Great team‐work skills Jodrey School of Computer Science

  21. ICTC Awareness Campaign Jodrey School of Computer Science

  22. CACS/AIC Jodrey School of Computer Science

  23. Computer Science Teachers Assoc. Jodrey School of Computer Science

  24. Why Acadia University? • Well-rounded education + Social, personal and spiritual growth • MacLean’s: Consistently one of top 3 in Canada • Small class sizes • Friendly and caring faculty and staff • Current technology and educational programs • Acadia Advantage 2.0 • Excellent student services centre • Sport, artistic and cultural opportunities and events • Friendships that last a lifetime Jodrey School of Computer Science

  25. Jodrey School of Computer Science • 40 years of computer science at Acadia (1968) • Anniversary of the School – Oct, 2008 • JSOCS has graduated: 1434 Undergraduates 69Masters 1503Total Jodrey School of Computer Science

  26. Why JSOCS? • Faculty: 7 full-time profs, 3 part-time • Staff: Admin. assistant, CS Lab Technician • CIPS accredited degrees • In class and Open Acadia con’t ed. courses • On-site free tutoring • 100% Co-op placement over last 3 years • Research experience as an undergraduate • Many opportunities to work on campus JSOCS Advisory Board Meeting - March, 2008

  27. Degrees Offered • Four CIPS-accredited undergraduate degrees, all with Co-operative Education Option: • Bachelor of Computer Science • Bachelor of Computer Science with Honours • Bachelor of Computer Science with Specialization • E-Commerce (2000) • Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing (2009) • Game Development (2010) JSOCS Advisory Board Meeting - March, 2008

  28. Why JSOCS? • World class facilities (network, servers, HPC) • Home of NS Robot Programming Competition • Student Computer Science Society • Numerous faculty/student events: • Soccer, Broomball • Volleyball, Curling • Corporate duck race • Video game competitions • Ethnic pot-lucks • “Come as a student … leave as a Colleague” JSOCS Advisory Board Meeting - March, 2008

  29. Mobile Computing • Mobile Handheld Background: • 5 Billion text messages sent per day in 2009 • 6 Billion voice minutes used per day • 1.2 Billion cell phones sold in 2009 • 14% of that market is smart phones • 45 Million iPod Touch devices have been sold • 1 Million iPads PER MONTH in 2010 • Over 400,000 apps in the Apple App store

  30. iAcadia – An iPod App • Developed by students • Uses latest in HCI tech • Combines I/O: • Text - Images • Sound - Video • All into the palm of your hand • Tremendous new opportunities and challenges in interface design • iAcadia video

  31. Game Development • Developed in co-op with Game Industry in NS • Courses in CS, Math, English, ?? • Finest usability lab east of Montreal • Youtube video • HB Studio video Jodrey School of Computer Science

  32. Artificial Intelligence • Intelligent Agents • Machine Learning and data mining • User modeling and adaptive interfaces • Adaptive systems • Robotics • IA video Jodrey School of Computer Science

  33. Tidal Power - Computer Science • Data collection, analysis & presentation • Underwater monitoring • Equipment performance • Water temperature and flow rates • Acoustic sensors, profiling software • Artificial Intelligence • Fish and marine mammal identification and tracking • Machine learning systems trained to recognize moving objects from sonar data • Monitor marine life interaction with the turbines • Turn off the turbines if vessels, whales, dolphins, etc near turbines  

  34. Q/A and Discussion Jodrey School of Computer Science

  35. Door Prize Draw Jodrey School of Computer Science

  36. Thank You for Coming!cs.acadiau.ca Jodrey School of Computer Science

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