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From: mc68020@gilbbs.UUCP (Thomas J Keller)
Newsgroups: net.cse
Subject: Role of computer science
Message-ID: <1050@gilbbs.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 19-Oct-86 01:38:45 EDT
Article-I.D.: gilbbs.1050
Posted: Sun Oct 19 01:38:45 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 21-Oct-86 06:19:46 EDT
Organization: Gil's Place, Santa Rosa CA
Lines: 48
Summary: utterly ridiculous argument


   This argument has gotten utterly ridiculous.  We have heard from San Diego
that there is no need for people to study the theory of computing, we have
heard from various other sectors that industry doesn't need or want Computer
Scientists, and we have heard from still other sectors that the educational
systems are defrauding students, by permitting them to study Computer Science
when what they *REALLY* wanted was Professional Programming.


   What a bunch of horse puckey.

   I think the only way we could please most of these provincials is to simply
to henceforth ban the teaching of theoretical computer science completely.
After all, according to them, industry neither needs nor wants computer
scientists, so obviously there is *NO* value in teaching it.  (might as well
ban the teaching of theoretical physics, mathematics, etc., while we're at it)

   Any student who can get all the way through a 4 year program in *ANYTHING*
and not realize that this program was *NOT* preparing them for what they 
wished to be prepared has no sympathy from me!  If they'd take a look at the
real world outside their classroom, do a little research, they would have a
pretty damned good idea what the curriculum they're being offered was aimed
at, and could effectively evaluate its worth in light of their goals.  If they
*DON'T* do so, they're lazy, stupid slobs who haven't any business in an
institution of higher education in the first place.  **YOU** are responsible
for your education, the management of that education, and the quality of the
education you receive.  No one else.

   The proposition is really quite simple:

   Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Programming are very different
professions.  They overlap in some areas, and certainly the FUNDAMENTAL skills
required for all three are similar, if not identical.  This, however, does NOT
mean that we should destroy the theoretical orientation of the Computer Science
department, in order to train Software Engineers or Programmers.  These people
need their *OWN*, independent departments, optomized to provide them with the
best training available for their chosen professions.

   It is utterly ridiculous to suggest otherwise.

-- 

Disclaimer:  Disclaimer?  DISCLAIMER!? I don't need no stinking DISCLAIMER!!!

tom keller					"She's alive, ALIVE!"
{ihnp4, dual}!ptsfa!gilbbs!mc68020

(* we may not be big, but we're small! *)