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Education

Computer Science education is…

apple computer classroom
Original image by phoenixdailyphoto

The range of experience offered by the Computer Science education is quite diverse. While there are certain accreditation standards for the post-secondary education, there is little to dictate what should be taught in earlier years. As a result, high school level CS classes range from awesome to not-offered.

So for the most part, computer classes are what students make of them. And it might be something like this.

Computer Science education is…

  1. wasting time on facebook instead
  2. catching up on blogs
  3. playing video games in class
  4. writing your own games in class
  5. writing code for yourself
  6. writing code for yourself in an obscure programming language
  7. sitting back and thinking about the problems
  8. talking about computers on paper
  9. doing more math than expected. (at least it isn’t liberal arts)
  10. ending up with a nonsense group project that drives you nuts
  11. Bonus point!

  12. picking up smart guys (might not be applicable to all)
  13. get used to it, there are no [...] girls in waterloo… especially comp sci.
    -Current Waterloo Student.

    so this looks pretty promising for me?
    - a FEMALE computer geek who just got accepted to comp sci at waterloo

So what do Computer Science classes mean to you?

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Uhh... nothing else appears to be relevant enough.


Discussion

  1. Posted by Adrian | April 23, 2008, 2:40 pm

    …is a 99 on my transcript. :)

    Reply to comment

  2. Posted by Mackie | April 23, 2008, 2:49 pm

    I got my CompSci class canceled, for next year… I But I’m going to be taking an independent study course instead, So that I still get the credit. Probably going to be better for me anyway.

    Reply to comment

  3. Posted by Ben Hovinga | April 23, 2008, 4:15 pm

    That list just about sums it up for me. Except number 10 and 11.

    Reply to comment

  4. Posted by Omni Fin | April 25, 2008, 1:43 pm

    I was a comp sci major… and yeah… that pretty much covers it :P

    Reply to comment

  5. Posted by Nick | April 28, 2008, 12:42 am

    3,4, and 9… but I do do my work

    Reply to comment

  6. Posted by James Arnold | April 28, 2008, 4:37 pm

    Your post is so true, I have just graduated with a first in Computer Science and I think I have pretty much covered all of your 10 points! Still miss the boring lectures though!

    Reply to comment

  7. Posted by Webrok | May 1, 2008, 7:04 am

    I think, it will be interesting if i say some words about situation in Russia:)
    So, in schools computer science lessons is really awful. Pupils play games, learn some basic programs like MS office and Windows. While in the university computer science classes can be really hard, including programming on Delphi or C , even if it is not your specialisation (as for me – i am a future designer of aerospace vehicles)

    Reply to comment

  8. Posted by jernst | May 13, 2008, 12:57 pm

    Forgetting about an exam until one hour before and winging it without studying then failing it, dropping before midterm, taking it again next semester finding it to be exactly the same and acing it :)

    Reply to comment

  9. Posted by Guitar Teacher | May 21, 2008, 9:29 pm

    A long forgotten nightmare…

    1995 – C Summer I

    Dr. Hashemmi telling us on the first night (in a thick arabic accent”

    “You are either very, very brave or very, very stupid taking this class during Summer I”

    Reply to comment

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