Computer Science is Everywhere and Its Here to Stay

TUI UNIVERSITY Isabella Campanile Module 1 Case Assignment CSC111 - Foundations of Computing and Program Design Dr. Amr Elchouemi April 17, 2012

Computer Science is Everywhere and Its Here to Stay Computer Science is Everywhere and Its Here to Stay What would our world be like without computer science? What would we do without the

Internet, or our computers or Smart phones? Computer science is part of our everyday lives and is incorporated into so many of the items we use everyday. Computer science has changed and expanded the business world for both the business owner and the consumer and changed and influenced the production lines and products of major industries, such as the automobile industry. Computer science has made tremendous contributions to the health care and is essential to our military in ways that the majority of us will never be privy to. It also makes it possible for students like me to further my education. Our society survives and thrives because of computer science. Computer science is everywhere and its here to stay. So what does it imply to pursue a computer science major in the 21st century? Pursuing a computer science major means ultimately contributing to and perpetuating technology, making positive differences in the world, and landing a job. Contributing to and perpetuating technology as part of a team or as an individual is an important part of how technology improves and grows. Computer science technology is all around us and in every aspect of our lives. It runs our machines, transportation, businesses basically, it runs all our lives. So there has to be plenty of people trained in computer science to work the technology if we want our world to be maintained and to continue to advance on all levels. The Association for Computing Machinery (n.d.) expresses, Computing is part of everything we do!...Understanding different dimensions of computing is part of the necessary skill set for an educated person in the 21st century. This statement is true whether the area of study is computer science or information technology management. Computer science and information technology management are related but take different paths. A Computer Science BS program is geared toward total computer literacy and prepares

Computer Science is Everywhere and Its Here to Stay graduates to become computer systems experts (Bachelor of Computer Science, n.d.). An

Information Technology Management BS program is geared toward information technology as it pertains to the business world by aligning business management strategies with smart technology. (Bachelor of Science, n.d.). Of the two, the Computer Science BS will offer the knowledge to contribute to and perpetuate technology. Contributing to and perpetuating technology is vitally important to the creative process and technological growth, but technological progress will stagnate without continued contributions and people interested in studying computer science. There had been a considerable decline in the number of bachelors degrees awarded in computer science which posed threats to innovation, economic growth, and national defense. As recently as 2009 the Computing Research Association reported that the annual number of bachelors degrees awarded in computer science and computer engineering dropped 12 percent (Carey, 2010). IT Jungle writer, Dan Burger, (2008) states the number of graduates with computer science degrees is down 32 percent in 2007, according to the most recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor. Fortunately, more recent research by the Computing Research Association has revealed that the 2011-12 school year had brought an increase of 9.6 percent in undergraduate enrollments in computer science programs and an increase of 10.5 percent in bachelors degrees awarded in computer science (Harsha, 2012). Although personally I liked my odds better with the decrease in computer science majors, Im sure that when I earn my degree I will be able to make a positive difference in the world. Making positive differences in the world is an important aspect to pursuing a computer science degree. Computer science technology has already changed and improved our world dramatically from simple household conveniences to timesaving and organizational conveniences to lifesaving technology. The number three reason the Association for Computing Machinery

Computer Science is Everywhere and Its Here to Stay

found for majoring in computing is that computing enables people to make a positive difference in the world. The Association for Computing Machinery (n.d.) also states, Computing drives innovation in the sciences (human genome project, AIDS vaccine research, environmental monitoring and protection just to mention a few), and also in engineering, business, entertainment and education. If you want to make a positive difference in the world, study computing. The enormous success of computer science over the past 50 years is obvious from the
way it has shaped modern life for everyone no matter where they reside. In the spirit of making a more positive difference in the world, the computer science community could focus less on the typical technologies such as commerce,

communication, and entertainment and more on addressing the major problems that face society such as personal privacy, community support, health care, and national security. On an international level, computer scientists could work toward formulating technology to improve education, develop civil infrastructures, eliminate poverty and hunger, and combat diseases (Klawe & Shneiderman, 2005). The world and individuals truly benefit when people studying a computer science. People benefit from studying computer science because computer science technology is all around us. A computer science degree would offer challenging and gratifying opportunities to a variety of people regardless of their interests and would support creative work in many fields. Computer science is a field that is continually developing with limitless possibilities (Computing Degrees & Careers, n.d.). Simon Thompson (2009) states in his article: Computer science teaches you how to use computers to make the world work as it does. You will learn how to make a computer behave how you want -- this might be making a robot move something from one end of a room to another, it might be making a calculation which saves someone's life in a medical ward, or it could be

Computer Science is Everywhere and Its Here to Stay creating a whole new world through building pictures or sound or building a computer system so that other people can do this. A Computer Science BS will offer skills that can be used in a variety of jobs in large and small companies in virtually every business and industry.

Every business and industry has increased its dependency on technology over the years and this trend will only continue to grow. The more the dependency on technology grows, the more technology based jobs increase, and the more need for more computer scientist. Information technology-related jobs are projected to be among the fastest and largest growing jobs over the next few years (Dohm & Shniper, 2007). The Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016 projections (Dohm & Shniper, 2007) state: Computer and mathematical science occupations are projected to add 822,000 jobs at 24.8 percent, the fastest growth among the eight professional subgroups. The demand for computer-related occupations will increase in almost all industries as organizations continue to adopt and integrate increasingly sophisticated and complex technologiesAbout 291,000or 35 percentof all new computer and mathematical science jobs are anticipated to be in the computer systems design and related services industry. The management, scientific, and technical consulting services industry is projected to add another 86,000 computer and mathematical science jobs. This expected 93-percent increase is due to the growing need for consultants to handle issues such as computer network securityComputer specialists in generalare expected to grow very rapidly as organizations continue to adopt and invest in increasingly sophisticated information technologies. Robust demand for efficient communication systems and new Internet and mobile technologies will spur strong growth in these areas, as will the need for more secure computer networks. The three fastest growing computer-related occupations network systems and data communications analysts, computer systems analysts, and computer software applications engineersalso are among the occupations with the largest projected numerical job growth. Computer science is an interesting and multifaceted discipline to study with the added benefit of an increasing job market with a variety of job opportunities to choose from and ultimately land. Landing that job is the ultimate goal and there are many to choose from. OEDb: Online Educational Database (n.d.) lists some of the fastest growing careers for computer science majors as computer and information system management, computer support specialist, database

Computer Science is Everywhere and Its Here to Stay administrator, computer programmer, computer systems designer, network administrator, network system analyst, computer systems analyst (or systems analyst), and software engineer. The last three on this list are also the top three from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016

projections. Aside from these more obvious choices, there are many jobs not commonly thought of as computer science jobs such as test engineer and product development. So what does it mean to be a test engineer or in product development? And while were on the subject, what does a network system analyst, computer systems analyst, and software engineer do? A test engineer tests products during a specific stage of the products development to verify whether they work in the manner they were designed to (Anderson, n.d.). Someone working in Product Development uses their computer science skills along with skills in design, production, marketing and sales, and communication to influence what and how new products are developed (Editors, n.d.). The other three jobs are described by OEDb: Online Educational Database (n.d.) as follows: A network system analyst is an expert in the relationship between computers and various networksThey design and implement these networks according to their clients' specific business and telecommunications needs. They should also be familiar with all hardware and software components related to these networks, as they will also assist in the upgrading and maintenance of the systems. These professionals can also manage and supervise other Information Technology (IT) team membersThey should also be able to think critically, as they will often be called upon to troubleshoot network problems. Computer systems analysts are responsible for using their information technology skills to help different businesses and organizations operate at maximum potential. through improving the company's prior existing computer systems, or by planning and developing new hardware systems and/or software programsThe analyst is responsible for specifying all the details from beginning to end when configuring this new system, including determining if the system is financially feasible, configuring all of its hardware and software components, creating flow charts describing the systems progress during the initial developmental stages and experimenting with the system repeatedly to ensure it works properly at the end. Software engineers create and develop all kinds of software programs, such as video games, computer operating systems, network systems, business applications, and so on. They must design and engineer programs that can work within hardware

Computer Science is Everywhere and Its Here to Stay limitations and still provide the best interface experience according to the needs of the userSoftware engineers can set up companies' programs to respond directly to that company's needs. Because technology grows and changes at a fairly rapid pace, having a career in the computer science field means staying abreast of the latest technological developments and using critical thinking to apply those technological developments. Technological developments have enabled me to pursue a computer science major in the 21st century by taking away the challenges of earning my degree in a traditional school setting.

Technology is allowing me to take classes online and eventually earn my bachelors degree, so I can be one of those who contributes to and perpetuates technology, makes positive differences in the world, and lands a job. Computer science is an interesting, challenging, and multifaceted discipline with many creative aspects and a variety of job opportunities in an increasing job market. Computer science is everywhere and its here to stay. I dont know why everyone wouldnt want to study computer science.

Computer Science is Everywhere and Its Here to Stay References Anderson V. (n.d.). Test Engineering. Graduating Engineer & Computer Careers. Retrieved

from http://www.graduatingengineer.com/resources/articles/20010324/Test-Engineering Anonymous (n.d.). 10 Fastest-Growing Careers for Computer Science Majors. OEDb: Online Educational Database. Retrieved from http://oedb.org/fast-track-careers-computerscience Anonymous (n.d.). Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS): Degree Overview. EducationPortal.com. Retrieved from http://educationportal.com/articles/Bachelor_of_Computer_Science_BCS_Degree_Overview.html Anonymous (n.d.). Bachelor of Science (BS): Information Technology Management Degree Overview. Education-Portal.com. Retrieved from http://educationportal.com/articles/Bachelor_of_Science_BS_Information_Technology_Management_De gree_Overview.html Anonymous (n.d.). Computing Degrees & Careers: Top 10 Reasons for Majoring in Computing. Association for Computing Machinery. Retrieved from http://computingcareers.acm.org/? page_id=4 Burger, D. (2008, February 11). Is An IT Career Looking Better for Students?. IT Jungle. Retrieved from http://www.itjungle.com/tfh/tfh021108-story07.html Carey, K. (2010, November 7). Decoding the Value of Computer Science. The Chronicle. Retrieved from: http://chronicle.com/article/Decoding-the-Value-of-Computer/125266/

Computer Science is Everywhere and Its Here to Stay Dohm, A. & Shniper, L. (2007, November). Employment outlook: 2006-16 - Occupational Employment projections to 2016. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2007/11/art5full.pdf

Editors (n.d.) Product Development. Graduating Engineer & Computer Careers. Retrieved from http://www.graduatingengineer.com/resources/articles/20000714/Product-Development Harsha, P. (2012, April 9). Undergrad Computer Science Enrollments Rise for Fourth Straight Year - CRA Taulbee Report. Computing Research Association. Retrieved from http://cra.org/govaffairs/blog/2012/04/undergrad-computer-science-enrollments-rise-forfourth-straight-year-cra-taulbee-report/ Klawe, M., & Shneiderman, B. (2005, November). Crisis and Opportunity in Computer Science. Communication of the ACM, 48(11), 27-28. Retrieved from http://www.cs.umd.edu/~ben/p27-klawe-CACM-10-2005.pdf Thompson, S. (2009, April 7). Why Study Computer Science? OReilly Community. Retrieved from http://broadcast.oreilly.com/2009/04/why-study-computer-science.html