daydreaming once again about a computer science bachelor’s program that isn’t bloated with useless software engineering garbage
Conversation
Ooh. Provocative! What bits of “useless software engineering garbage” do you suggest a CS graduate doesn’t need to know that they are currently being taught?
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To take a particular example, I spent a whole third year subject learning about a couple dozen Gang of Four design patterns and UML diagrams (core subject).
To be more precise, I think I’m frustrated with how shallow many theoretical subjects are.
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For example, at Melbourne, our models of computation subject never even proves Turing completeness of stuff beyond brief sketches. Our algorithms and data structures class doesn’t touch tries. Our Master’s crypto class never introduces the definition of CPA security.
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Our only class on programming languages doesn’t get time to discuss type systems at all, doesn’t talk about tail-call optimisation, etc.
None of this is professors’ fault. Their curricula are set from above, and they are required to keep the bar relatively low.
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(And, my thesis goes, this is in no small part because we are confused about whether we are supposed to be teaching CS or SwEng)
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The problem is that while a "pure" CS degree would be great, it'd end up being a pretty niche course.
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Why would it be niche?
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A lot of students don't really know what computer science is or why they should care going into the degree. I know I didn't really get it until 3rd year.
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Hmm, yeah I think that's up to the course to properly communicate the motivation. Like, you can learn the surface level practices, but gaining an understanding of the body of knowledge and way of thinking is an approach that is more resilient to future churn. I dunno.
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We also need to push back on companies/industry constantly wanting universities to train junior programmers, which is not what they are good at. You end up with a whole bunch of obsolete, wasteful courses.
My silly/naive dream is to somehow decouple the theory and history stuff from the practice side - like, BYO tools and tech to study the theory that you are learning. Give enough time for self study and mentorship in that. Let practice evolve more nimbly than core course work.
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But yeah, teaching is hard, as is being a student, and folks like me looove to grump about 'how stuff is taught'! I've just resigned myself to learning on my own and chasing academics on Twitter to help me figure stuff out. Maybe higher education is not for me. 😅