Innovating Computer Science Curriculum in Higher Education

1. WORKSHOP ON COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION Innovation of Computer Science Curriculum in Higher Education TEMPUS project CD-JEP 16160/2001

2. EXPERIENCES INCOMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION CURRICULA University “Ss. Cyril & Methodius” Fac. of Nat. Sciences & Mathematics Institute of Informatics

3. Univ. “Ss Cyril & Methodius” • One of two universities in Macedonia • “Big” university • 26 faculties, 5 institutes • More then 35.000 students

4. Univ. “Ss Cyril & Methodius” • Organizes Computer Studies – Informatics at two faculties: • Faculty of Natural Sciences & Math. • Electro technical Faculty

5. Univ. “Ss Cyril & Methodius” • Differences for Computer Studies/Informatics at both faculties: • Software and hardware driven/oriented? • Background: Math or electrical

6. Faculty of Natural Sciences & Math. • Institute of Informatics • Institute of Mathematics • Institute of Physics • Institute of Chemistry • Institute of Biology • Institute of Geography

7. History (Institute of Informatics) • University Numerical Center from 1972 • Studies for Applied Mathematics and Informatics from 1977 • Institute of Informatics founded in 1985 • Organizes separate studies for educational and applied informatics

8. Staff (2003) • 15 professors • 17 teaching and research assistants • 3 staff (secretary, library, system eng.)

9. Organization • Department of theoretical background of informatics – “mathematics” (TOI) • Department of software engineering (SE) • Computer Center

10. Education degrees • Undergraduate studies • Educational Informatics • Applied Informatics • Graduate studies • M.Sc. • Ph.D.

11. Undergraduate studies • Educational Informatics – “teachers” • Applied Informatics – “engineers”

12. 2 profiles of Applied Informatics • Industrial Mathematics and Informatics • Statistics • Modeling and Optimization • Discrete Processing • Software Engineering • Application Programming • Computer System Engineering • Information Systems

13. Reorganization of Computer Studies • 1979/80 – Mathematics – Informatics study • 1985/86 – formation of Institute • 1989/90 – studies of Applied Informatics and educational informatics

14. Reorganization of Computer Studies • 1998-2000 (2 year reconstruction) • Tempus JEP-14440-99 1999-2002, Distributed Information Technologies new curricula and flexible education.

15. How we made reconstruction? • Very difficult • More previous initiatives finished without results… • Each professor reorganized his curricula, but there was no complete reorganization

16. How to persuade others? • Origin driven: mathematics background! • Industry driven: what industry liked! • If we add some courses and delete some others – is that the right way? • Solution: start from industry driven reasons!

17. Industry driven • Keep in mind: “Mathematics origin” • What is the ratio: mathematics-informatics • What profiles do we need? • Example: Newspapers/ads (1998/1999). Companies like programmers, system eng. or information system eng. • In 2002/2003 – web designers, mobile and Internet programmers

18. Studies organization • Start from profiles and point out what courses engineers need for profile • Go back and search prerequisites • Add mathematical background

19. Studies organization • Interesting conclusions! • No need for physics! • No need for math. analysis! • Make more informatics background • Transfer core courses in first year! • Keep discrete mathematics • Keep probability, statistics, operational research

20. Mathematics core 15 courses • Analysis (Differential calculus, integral calculus, functions, advanced, numerical) • Algebra and Geometry (Analytical geometry, vectors and matrices, algebra) • Discrete mathematics (Set theory, logic, languages and automata, finite mathematics) • Applied mathematics (Probability, statistics, linear programming)

21. Informatics core 10 courses • Programming (Introduction 1 and 2, programming languages, data structures) • Computer systems (Architecture, Operating systems, Internet) • Informatics (Databases, Graphics, Artificial intelligence)

22. Realization of core • Analysis – 5 courses • Algebra and Geometry – 3 courses • Discrete mathematics – 4 courses • Applied mathematics – 3 courses • Programming – 4 courses • Computer Systems – 3 courses • Informatics – 3 courses

23. Semesters 5&6 • 3rd year: first electives! • Electives: 5 courses – different for educational informatics, industrial mathematics and software engineering

24. Final year • 9 courses for general division • 3 electives for profile

25. Educational informatics profile • Mathematics (geometry, numerical methods) • Philosophy (pedagogy, psychology, methodology 1 & 2, language) • Educational Informatics (Computer supported learning, design of educational sw, IT in education) • IT (interactive applications, computer systems)

26. Industrial mathematics • Mathematics (discrete structures, analysis, numerical methods, numerical analysis) • Applied mathematics (probability models, statistics 2, random processes, operational research, modeling) • Other (security, management, modern physics)

27. Software engineering profile • Computer systems (computer networks, advanced systems, microprocessors, network operation systems, parallel processing) • Informatics (philosophy of informatics, theory of programming) • IT (interactive applications, Internet technologies, multimedia , information systems)

28. Electives • Each student chooses • 3 electives • diploma thesis project

29. Realization • 1/3 lectures (10-12 per week) • 1/3 auditorial exercises (6-10 per week) • 1/3 lab exercises (6-10 per week) • Even mathematics learned with lab!!!

30. Realization • Max 30h per week! • Max 6 courses per semester! • 4 years studies! • Typically study length is 5.5-6 years!

31. Problems! • Still too much mathematics! • Small elective conditions! • Need for business oriented courses: project management, marketing, business basics • Too much “graduate” courses in undergraduate studies! • Thinking 3-2-3 system for B.Sc-M.Sc-Ph.D.

32. 2002-2003 on-going reconstruction • Reduce Mathematics analysis to 2 courses, algebra and geometry to 2 courses, other “graduate” informatics courses! • Introduce management, business and marketing • Introduce new profiles for mobile applications and internet technologies • Realize 3 year studies!

33. 2002-2003 on-going reconstruction • Further activities according to TEMPUS PROJECT in following Workgroups: • Computer Architecture • Computer Networks • Databases • Internet & e-Technologies

34. COMPUTER SCIENCE STUDIES

35. Distribution of creditsCOMPUTER SCIENCE STUDIES • Core = backbone • Support = complement to clarify implications. • Organization and communication skills • Specialization modules = list of areas to a larger extent. • Transferable skills = work experience, projects, to close the gap: theory and reality

36. INTERNET AND MOBILE APPLICATIONS

37. Distribution of creditsINTERNET AND MOBILE APPLICATIONS • Core = backbone • Support = complement to clarify implications. • Organization and communication skills • Specialization modules = list of areas to a larger extent. • Transferable skills = work experience, projects, to close the gap: theory and reality

38. Conclusion • More time we spend how to persuade the voting machine! • More time we spend how to make compromise with others! • Instead of fast adoption to new trends and its implementation!