CS 4944: Senior Seminar
Spring 2009

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 February 3 or 10 and participate in a discussion of this article.
• [Email to Dr. Ribbens by February 13]. 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 February 24 or March 3 and participate in a discussion of this article.
• [Email to Dr. Ribbens by March 6]. 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 February 17 or March 17 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 April 3. The quality of your writing will be assessed for this assignment.

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. [Email to Dr. Ribbens by May 1]. The quality of your writing will be assessed for this assignment.

Task 6. Prepare and give an exit presentation, as described here. These presentations will be scheduled in 15 minute slots shown here. Please contact Dr. Ribbens as soon as possible to reserve a slot. The quality of your oral presentation will be assessed for this assignment. Presentations will be held in McBryde 114.