Evaluating a breadth-first cs 1 for scientists

  • Authors:

  • Zachary Dodds;Ran Libeskind-Hadas;Christine Alvarado;Geoff Kuenning

  • Affiliations:

  • Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, USA;Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, USA;Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, USA;Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA, USA

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 39th SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education
  • Year:
  • 2008

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Abstract

This paper presents a thorough evaluation of CS for Scientists, a CS 1 course designed to provide future scientists with an overview of the discipline. The course takes a breadth-first approach that leverages its students' interest and experience in science, mathematics, and engineering. In contrast to many other styles of CS 1, this course does not presume that its students will study more computer science, but it does seek to prepare them should they choose to. We summarize the past year's worth of assessments of student learning, retention, and affect -- with particular attention paid to women's voices. Where possible, we contrast these student measures with those from a traditional, imperative-first CS1 that this new course replaced. The data thus far suggest that CS for Scientists significantly improves students' understanding of CS, its applications, and practice.