CS 4944 Fall 2011 Task 3
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 i and j 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 mathematics and science to carry out analysis of computer science problems and design appropriate solutions
- an ability to use techniques, skills, and modern software development tools necessary for computing practice
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve computer science problems
- an ability to design a computing system to meet desired needs
- an ability to apply problem-solving strategies to new, unknown, or open-ended situations in computer science
- knowledge and understanding of the impact of the many sub-disciplines of computer science
- an ability to function on teams
- an ability to use written and oral communication skills effectively
- an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
- a recognition of the need for and ability to engage in lifelong learning
- an ability to acquire and use the ever-changing technical knowledge required of computing professionals