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”

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Agenda

• Computer Science – It’s not just programming• Careers and Career Pathways• Acadia and Computer Science• Q/A and Discussion• Door prize and Close

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Introduction

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

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?

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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

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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

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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

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

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

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

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

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”

ICT is Essential to Canada’s Future

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• ICT Sector $57.6 B• 4.7% of GDP in 2007• Up 4.4% from 2006• Similar rise last 5 years

High Demand for Skilled Labour

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Unemployment: ICT < 3.5%; National average > 6.5%.

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!

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Source: ICTC 2008-15 OutlookOctober 2008

Workforce Requirements

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

A Landscape of Opportunity

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Computer Science

Research

CS + Application area XInterdisciplinary Specializations

System Installationand Technical Support

Small Systems Admin. and Support

Project Management

System Analyst/DesignSoftware Development

Technical Expert

Programming

Programming

Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home

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Nova Scotia’s best kept secret: Entrepreneurial opportunities here at home

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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‐

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ICTC Awareness Campaign

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CACS/AIC

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Computer Science Teachers Assoc.

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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

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Jodrey School of Computer Science

• 40 years of computer science at Acadia (1968)• Anniversary of the School – Oct, 2008• JSOCS has graduated: 1434 Undergraduates

69 Masters

1503 Total

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JSOCS Advisory Board Meeting - March, 2008

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

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

1. E-Commerce (2000)2. Mobile and Ubiquitous Computing (2009)3. Game Development (2010)

JSOCS Advisory Board Meeting - March, 2008

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”

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

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

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

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Artificial Intelligence

• Intelligent Agents• Machine Learning and data mining• User modeling and adaptive interfaces• Adaptive systems• Robotics

• IA video

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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  

Q/A and Discussion

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Door Prize Draw

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Thank You for Coming!

cs.acadiau.ca

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