August 24 2006 Draft

From MWCSWiki

Issues discussed:

Our meetings will take place from 4-5pm this semester. We will skip the September meeting since we just met today.

Ernie mentioned that we ought to promote the use of more graphical tools for our Unix environment, including ddd (a graphical debugger) and NetBeans (an IDE for enterprise Java development.) He strongly encourages everyone to use such tools whenever possible.

The group decided that although the three previously identified general types of student writing should remain in our required WI courses (namely: writing for a technical audience, writing for a less-technical audience, and research writing), any writing assignments that fit under those umbrellas would be acceptable. The specific examples listed by Jennifer in her May 2 memo, for instance, are only examples, and should not be interpreted to constrain the instructors of those courses.

Jennifer expressed interest in the Advisory Committee, and would like to be nominated for this position.

David Dean and Bob Gartland attended the meeting and briefed us on the status of the new computer systems. In general, we think they are doing a fine job and things appear to be progressing smoothly. The proof is in the pudding, however, so when classes start we'll see how things go. One specific item they mentioned was that "cslp" will now be the print command that students can use to print in landscape, with a banner over their source code listings, etc.

Jennifer needs lab aid requests IMMEDIATELY, and will send out an e-mail to this effect.

All of us need to fill out our CSCC registration and send this to Jennifer.

Immediate curriculum changes:

The group decided that 326 should have 220 as a prereq, since the former often requires some programming (especially when Rita teaches it) and even students with a good math background would be lost without some programming experience.

The course numbers we will attempt to secure for our new courses are as follows:

 Special Topics - 205
 Individual Study - 371
 Databases - 350

Jennifer enthusiastically volunteered to contact the registrar to determine if these numbers are in fact available (see action items.)

Long-term curriculum changes:

The group discussed various ideas for changing the emphasis of our major and/or adding an additional major as an alternative to "computer science." The idea of adding an additional major received the most attention. The two chief reasons given for considering this were (1) to increase attraction and retention of majors, and (2) to be innovative and trend-setting with our curriculum. Some ideas offered for this second major were:

   - Game development
   - Web-based development
   - Computer Information Systems
   - Management Information Systems

We discussed the latter two most thoroughly, especially with an eye towards the business department, who have an overabundance of majors who might benefit from the material we would provide in these areas. No consensus was reached, but it was a useful brainstorming session that should stimulate further thought and reflection from all of us.

A related topic is the computer science department's "image." How do we want to define ourselves, and present ourselves? This underlying theme cuts across a number of different issues (the catalog description, our brochure, etc.) Marsha and Jennifer recently held a focus group with several students, and one comment was that the catalog descriptions were confusing and uninspiring, not at all reflective of what students eventually learned as part of the major. We need to rethink how we want to present this information.

Minor matters:

The UPE Honor Society Advisors position was changed from Stephen to Jennifer.

The Bulletin Boards position was assigned to Stephen.

The Research Symposium position was assigned to Karen.

The Alumnus in Residence position was assigned to Karen.

The name of the "department handbook" report has been changed to "department website."

Jennifer's Lab Aide Coordinator report has been added to the reports list.

Action items (deadlines):

All faculty - send Jennifer lab aid requests ASAP (Aug. 28) All faculty - complete our CSCC registration and send to Jennifer (Oct. 2) Stephen - complete initial draft of brochure (Oct. 2) Ernie - draft a rationale for changing the major (Oct. 2) Stephen - draft a course proposal for the Databases course (Oct. 30) Karen - draft a course proposal for the 200-level Special Topics course (Oct. 30) Jennifer - draft a course proposal for the 300-level Individual Study course (Oct. 30) Jennifer - contact the registrar and determine if our proposed course numbers are acceptable (Oct. 30) Stephen - complete fall newsletter (Dec. 4)