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From: cdshaw@alberta.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.cse
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Role of computer science
Message-ID: <96@alberta.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 27-Oct-86 18:39:38 EST
Article-I.D.: alberta.96
Posted: Mon Oct 27 18:39:38 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 4-Nov-86 06:22:55 EST
References: <1195@hoptoad.uucp> <3526@utcsri.UUCP> <418@uwmacc.UUCP>
Reply-To: cdshaw@pembina.UUCP (Chris Shaw)
Organization: U. of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
Lines: 28
Summary: Recent CACM article explains why

In article <418@uwmacc.UUCP> anderson@uwmacc.UUCP (Jess Anderson) writes:
>(2 people) are providing two very different views of academic computing.
>.... While in my
>view each person with any sense will do his/her best to be
>active in both dimensions at once, there seems to be a fairly
>pronouced drift of the pendulum towards the vocational side
>right now. People want jobs, and they want the universities to
>certify them as employable. To the extent one doesn't want
>to work *for* a university, one had better get some such
>certification, for there is real competition for jobs in
>computing, at least the better jobs. 

A recent CACM article (Sept. 1986) explains why, to some extent, the practical
side of CS is being emphasized by undergrads. There is far more demand for
CS grads than supply, so the money is good, and pretty well anyone is able to do
the job in some cases.

What's the point? As soon as the pipeline is filled with enough people to 
satisfy industry's demand for qualified staff, the emphasis at the schools will
change to a more theoretical tone. Right now, the main problem is excess jobs
for the number of people, at all degree levels. If and when this is no longer
the case, CS will become more "academic".

>anderson@unix.macc.wisc.edu===Jess Anderson======

Chris Shaw    cdshaw@alberta
University of Alberta
CatchPhrase: Bogus as HELL !