1 / 36

Computer Science Careers and You with Dr. Danny Silver

Computer Science Careers and You with Dr. Danny Silver. Jodrey School of Computer Science “Come as a student … leave as a Colleague”. Agenda. Computer Science – It’s not just programming Careers and Career Pathways Acadia and Computer Science Q/A and Discussion Door prize and Close.

linh
Download Presentation

Computer Science Careers and You with Dr. Danny Silver

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Computer Science Careers and Youwith Dr. Danny Silver Jodrey School of Computer Science “Come as a student … leave as a Colleague” Jodrey School of Computer Science

  2. Agenda • Computer Science – It’s not just programming • Careers and Career Pathways • Acadia and Computer Science • Q/A and Discussion • Door prize and Close Jodrey School of Computer Science

  3. Introduction • Our society depends upon computer systems and the people who develop and maintain them …

  4. What is Computer Science? • What is a computer scientist? • Will I have to grow fuzzy hair? • What does s/he do? • Will I have to sit in front of a computer all day? • What kind of people will I work with? • Will I become a geek nerd? Jodrey School of Computer Science

  5. What is Computer Science? • Study of information and computation • Analysis, design and development of computer systems • FUN – COOL - EXCITING • Cutting edge projects • Exciting and talented people • All over the world, in every sector • Significant impact on society and our planet Jodrey School of Computer Science

  6. What is a Computer Scientist? • Designs computers and the computer software • Develops information technologies for application in business and industry • Tackles complex problems • Often working in groups • Loves to innovate, create solutions • Loves to learn – changing , exciting field • Good concentration and attention to detail • Methodical, logical, good communication skills  Project leadership and managerial positions Jodrey School of Computer Science

  7. Why Study Computer Science? • Computer Science: • is essential to Canada’s future • talent is in greater demand than we can supply • leads to many careers • is important intellectually • supports and links to most other areas of study • teaches problem solving • builds teamwork and leadership skills • develops life-long learning skills

  8. Motivation • Computer Science is important intellectually • Computer is comparable to writing /printing press • Logical reasoning: if-then structures • Mathematics: queues, cache, buffers • Algorithmic thinking: loops, subroutines, recursion • Possible workings of the human mind • Programming is to CS, as playing a piano is to music

  9. Motivation • Computer Science supports and links to most other areas of study • Progress in science <--> progress in technology • Need for diverse abilities and perspectives • CS and neuroscientists – the brain • Biologists and CS – the Genome • Meteorologists and CS – weather prediction • Future scientists require basic knowledge of CS

  10. Motivation • Computer Science teaches problem solving • Artists, designers, mathematicians, engineers, scientists work on solving problems • AND computer scientists and software engineers • CS studies the problem solving process itself: • Analysis and design are carefully reviewed • Decomposition, abstraction, modular design • Always new methods being investigated • Cooperation and strong interpersonal skills are key

  11. Motivation • Computer Science builds teamwork and leadership skills • CS Team members must deal with egos, recognize weaknesses, share knowledge • Students learn that your best friend can also be your strongest critic • Learn to deal with mix of talents, finesse situations, influence change • Plan, organize, control, lead complex projects • Estimate and deal with risk

  12. Motivation • Computer Science develops life-long learning skills … “Change is the only constant” • Promotes learning to learn • Encourages on-going study and contribution • Encourages oral and written communication skills • Promotes sharing of ideas – “the Web”

  13. ICT is Essential to Canada’s Future • ICT Sector $57.6 B • 4.7% of GDP in 2007 • Up 4.4% from 2006 • Similar rise last 5 years Jodrey School of Computer Science

  14. High Demand for Skilled Labour Unemployment: ICT < 3.5%; National average > 6.5%. Jodrey School of Computer Science

  15. Outlook – Even Higher Demand • From 2008 – 2015: • 7,200 university graduates per year needed (min.) • 5,100 domestic capacity (BSc, BEng) • 2,100 through immigration … good news for students! Workforce Requirements Source: ICTC 2008-15 Outlook October 2008 Jodrey School of Computer Science

  16. Motivation • Computer Science leads to many careers • Vast majority of 21st century careers will require basic understanding of computer science methods • Involves Technology, Processes, People , Projects • We are training people for jobs that do not as yet exist • They will likely require ICT + Domain X expertise • Bioinformatics - Health-Informatics • GIS - Enviro-Informatics • Interactive Digital Media - Genomics • Information Science - Food Science

  17. A Landscape of Opportunity Small Systems Admin. and Support System Installation and Technical Support CS + Application area X Interdisciplinary Specializations Programming Computer Science Project Management Programming Software Development System Analyst/Design Technical Expert Research Jodrey School of Computer Science

  18. Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home Jodrey School of Computer Science

  19. Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home Jodrey School of Computer Science

  20. What are employers looking for? • Core technical skills (CS, Datacom) • Experience with domain applications and computing platforms • Experience with specific business processes to which ICT is a solution • Great communications • Great team‐work skills Jodrey School of Computer Science

  21. ICTC Awareness Campaign Jodrey School of Computer Science

  22. CACS/AIC Jodrey School of Computer Science

  23. Computer Science Teachers Assoc. Jodrey School of Computer Science

  24. Why Acadia University? • Well-rounded education + Social, personal and spiritual growth • MacLean’s: Consistently one of top 3 in Canada • Small class sizes • Friendly and caring faculty and staff • Current technology and educational programs • Acadia Advantage 2.0 • Excellent student services centre • Sport, artistic and cultural opportunities and events • Friendships that last a lifetime Jodrey School of Computer Science

  25. Jodrey School of Computer Science • 40 years of computer science at Acadia (1968) • Anniversary of the School – Oct, 2008 • JSOCS has graduated: 1434 Undergraduates 69Masters 1503Total Jodrey School of Computer Science

  26. Why JSOCS? • Faculty: 7 full-time profs, 3 part-time • Staff: Admin. assistant, CS Lab Technician • CIPS accredited degrees • In class and Open Acadia con’t ed. courses • On-site free tutoring • 100% Co-op placement over last 3 years • Research experience as an undergraduate • Many opportunities to work on campus JSOCS Advisory Board Meeting - March, 2008

  27. Degrees Offered • Four CIPS-accredited undergraduate degrees, all with Co-operative Education Option: • Bachelor of Computer Science • Bachelor of Computer Science with Honours • Bachelor of Computer Science with Specialization • E-Commerce (2000) • Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing (2009) • Game Development (2010) JSOCS Advisory Board Meeting - March, 2008

  28. Why JSOCS? • World class facilities (network, servers, HPC) • Home of NS Robot Programming Competition • Student Computer Science Society • Numerous faculty/student events: • Soccer, Broomball • Volleyball, Curling • Corporate duck race • Video game competitions • Ethnic pot-lucks • “Come as a student … leave as a Colleague” JSOCS Advisory Board Meeting - March, 2008

  29. Mobile Computing • Mobile Handheld Background: • 5 Billion text messages sent per day in 2009 • 6 Billion voice minutes used per day • 1.2 Billion cell phones sold in 2009 • 14% of that market is smart phones • 45 Million iPod Touch devices have been sold • 1 Million iPads PER MONTH in 2010 • Over 400,000 apps in the Apple App store

  30. iAcadia – An iPod App • Developed by students • Uses latest in HCI tech • Combines I/O: • Text - Images • Sound - Video • All into the palm of your hand • Tremendous new opportunities and challenges in interface design • iAcadia video

  31. Game Development • Developed in co-op with Game Industry in NS • Courses in CS, Math, English, ?? • Finest usability lab east of Montreal • Youtube video • HB Studio video Jodrey School of Computer Science

  32. Artificial Intelligence • Intelligent Agents • Machine Learning and data mining • User modeling and adaptive interfaces • Adaptive systems • Robotics • IA video Jodrey School of Computer Science

  33. Tidal Power - Computer Science • Data collection, analysis & presentation • Underwater monitoring • Equipment performance • Water temperature and flow rates • Acoustic sensors, profiling software • Artificial Intelligence • Fish and marine mammal identification and tracking • Machine learning systems trained to recognize moving objects from sonar data • Monitor marine life interaction with the turbines • Turn off the turbines if vessels, whales, dolphins, etc near turbines  

  34. Q/A and Discussion Jodrey School of Computer Science

  35. Door Prize Draw Jodrey School of Computer Science

  36. Thank You for Coming!cs.acadiau.ca Jodrey School of Computer Science

More Related