Using simulation across the curriculum

  • Authors:

  • Matthew Dickerson;Timothy Huang;Ingrid Russell

  • Affiliations:

  • Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT;Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT;Department of Computer Science, University of Hartford

  • Venue:
  • CCSC '00 Proceedings of the fourteenth annual consortium on Small Colleges Southeastern conference
  • Year:
  • 2000

Quantified Score

Hi-index 0.00

Visualization

Abstract

Computer simulation has been well recognized as a valuable modelling tool in many disciplines, and many computer science educators already make use of simulations in various courses. To fully exploit its benefits, however, we believe that computer simulation should be integrated more broadly and intentionally across the curriculum rather than taught in an isolated, ad hoc fashion. In this paper we advocate the teaching and use of simulations across the undergraduate computer science curriculum at a liberal arts college. We focus on the development of simulations by students, though we also address the use of existing simulations. We present both advantages and disadvantages, and argue that in many situations the advantages outweigh the drawbacks. We then present in outline specific examples of how, with limited resources, simulations can be taught and used in several courses that are widely taught at many undergraduate institutions. An on-line version of this paper along with several resources and links can be found at: www.middlebury.edu/~dickerso/simulation/.