CS 4944: Senior Seminar
Fall 2008

Task 1. Read the article "Making a Difference in the Software Century" by Barry Boehm (IEEE Computer, March 2008, [URL]) and then:

• Attend class on either September 10 or 24 and participate in a discussion of this article.
• [Email to Dr. Ribbens by October 6]. One outcome that the CS program wants to see its graduates achieve is "a recognition of the need for, and ability to engage in, lifelong learning." Reflecting on the Boehm article, your experience in CS at VT, and this program outcome, write a thoughtful two-paragraph answer to these questions:
  1. Are you motivated to keep up in the field of computer science?
  2. Are you prepared to keep up in the field of computer science?

Task 2. Read the article by Conti linked here and then:

• Attend class on either October 1 or 8 and participate in a discussion of this article.
• [Email to Dr. Ribbens by October 17]. Consider the following statement:

  Computer scientists should remain neutral on the issues raised by this article. Just as automotive engineers should focus on designing better cars, computer scientists should focus on designing better computing systems.

  Write a thoughtful one-paragraph response to this statement. Do you agree with it? Disagree? Why?

Task 3. Attend class on either September 17 or October 15 to participate in a discussion with representatives from industry.

Task 4. Write a 4-5 paragraph essay on the topic described here. Email your essay to Dr. Ribbens by December 1.

Task 5. Attend one technical talk or seminar. Write a two-paragraph response to the presentation---one paragraph summarizing the content and one paragraph politely critiquing the presentation.

Task 6. There is no Task 6.

Task 7. Prepare and give an exit presentation, as described here. These presentations must be scheduled in 20 minutes slots shown here. Please contact Dr. Ribbens as soon as possible to reserve a slot.