Inter-class synergy by design

Abstract

Most often curricula are defined in university catalogs according to course prerequisite structures. Formal linkages between individual courses are typically first-order relationships based on prerequisite knowledge or discipline maturity. This paper describes a second-order, collaborative relationship that was established between two computer science courses that has greatly benefitted the students of both classes and has added another dimension to a combined computer and information sciences curricula. introductionA 1994 NSF task force [5] comprised of members from academia and industry reported that recent computing science graduates are often ill-prepared for entry-level positions in industry: the report cited specific deficiencies in problemsolving, communication, and teaming. Recent national curriculum models [I,31 prepared by professional organizations (ACM, IEEE, AIS, DPMA) highlight the importance of these skills by the emphasis these models place on the development and mastery of communication and students. A cooperative approach assists in defining community standards for agroup; these standards help define the culture ofthat group. In addition, national accreditation standards are focusing on the need to more tightly couple the disparate bodies of knowledge that appear in various computing sciences and engineering disciplines.

Teaching computer networking using open source software

“…Generally, students work in groups of two. From our experience, and that of others [2,5], group dynamics improve learning outcomes when students work together by making the subject more enjoyable and interesting. For most students, this is the first time that they have full administrative rights on a Unix system.…”

Inter-University software engineering using web services

“…Daigle and Niccolai [4] create an "inter-class synergy" between a low level software engineering theory course with a senior level project course. Faulkner and Culwin [5] argue that human-computer interfaces should be more fully integrated into the software engineering curriculum.…”