CS 4944 Fall 2009 Task 4
A Reflection on Computer Science Program Outcomes
Write a 4-5 paragraph essay on
the degree to which the CS Department's
program outcomes have been achieved for you personally.
The program outcomes are listed below, for your convenience.
Since we have already reflected on outcomes e, g and h in previous tasks,
please focus on the remaining outcomes.
Note: your essay will be evaluated both on its content and its
execution, i.e., logic, structure, grammar, etc.
In a short essay such as this you will not be able to discuss each outcome in
detail. Instead, you should take a
clear position on some aspect of the relationship between program
outcomes and your experience at VT, and support this position well.
Do not just make a series of random or generic observations about the topic.
To get you started on identifying a specific focus for your essay, you
might reflect on questions such as these:
- Which one or two outcomes have been most clearly achieved for you
personally and why?
- Which one or two outcomes have been least clearly achieved for you
personally and why?
- Are these outcomes appropriate goals to be achieved by
a quality computer science department? Why?
- What was the relationship between these outcomes and the curriculum as
you experienced it? Explain.
Virginia Tech Computer Science Department Program Outcomes
The program enables students to achieve, by the time of graduation:
- An ability to apply knowledge of computing and mathematics appropriate to the discipline
- An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements
appropriate to its solution
- An ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component,
or program to meet desired needs
- An ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal
- An understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and
responsibilities
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations,
and society
- Recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in continuing professional development
- An ability to use current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice.
- An ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science
theory in the modeling and design of computer-based systems in a way that demonstrates
comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices.
- An ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of software
systems of varying complexity.