pbh@sbcs.sunysb.edu (Peter B. Henderson) (05/16/89)
MODERN FOUNDATIONS OF
COMPUTER SCIENCE
A Workshop Sponsored by
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement Program
July 24 - August 11, 1989
SUNY AT STONY BROOK
STONY BROOK, LONG ISLAND, N.Y.
Dr. Peter B. Henderson
Dr. David L. Ferguson
Dr. Anita Wasilewska
Motivation: Have you observed that many students in introductory computer
science courses possess very weak problem solving skills, lack basic
mathematical maturity, have poor oral and written communication skills,
and are not capable of abstraction at the level necessary to design
good algorithmic solutions? This workshop will introduce you to new
approaches for teaching computer science which address these issues.
Modern Foundations of Computer Science will stress problem solving,
mathematics, the important relationships between mathematics and computer
science, and mathematics as a tool for problem solving and under-
standing fundamental computer science concepts.
Objectives
o Demonstrate effective ways for integrating problem solving
and discrete mathematics into computer science courses.
o Provide an overview of mathematical concepts fundamental
to problem solving in computer science.
o Learn how mathematics can be used as a tool for computer
science problem solving, thinking, and abstraction.
o Introduce new computer science problem solving paradigms
founded upon mathematical principles.
o Discuss curriculum reform and current approaches to
teaching introductory computer science courses.
o Provide hands-on laboratory experience with educational
software, computer tools, and new programming languages
founded on mathematical principles.
o Develop new educational materials which incorporate
mathematics and problem solving techniques into courses
you will be teaching.
o Establish a newsletter to maintain communication with
other workshop participants.
>>>>>>> INTERESTED?? Please continue reading for further information.
Selection of Participants
Participants will be selected from applicants who are interested
in integrating problem solving and mathematics into computer
science courses, particularly at the introductory level. The
workshop is limited to 25 participants. Qualified minority and
women faculty are especially encouraged to apply.
Expenses
The National Science Foundation will cover the following partici-
pant costs:
1) Room and board for July 24 through August 11, 1989
2) All instructional fees
3) All instructional supplies
Participants, or home institutions, are responsible for travel
expenses.
Facilities
Most of the Computer Science Department's computing facilities
will be available to participants. This includes a network of 8
VAXes, over 100 SUN workstations, and an Apple Macintosh
laboratory. Documentation describing the use of the computing
facilities and important features will be sent to participants
four weeks prior to the start of the workshop.
Participants will have access to campus library facilities includ-
ing the Computer Science, Engineering, and Main libraries. A col-
lection of text books and reading material relevant to the
workshop will be available in the Computer Science Library.
Recreation
Participants will be provided with passes to the univer-
sity gymnasium, locker room, pool, and tennis, squash, and
racket ball courts. Outdoor facilities (track, playing fields,
and volleyball courts) will also be available. In addition, par-
ticipants can enjoy Long Island's numerous recreational facili-
ties, including beaches, museums, cultural events, and of
course New York City, which is accessible by train.
Application Procedure
Applicants should supply the following information:
(1) Name, institution, department mailing address, and phone
number.
(2) A brief vita (maximum of three pages).
(3) List of all undergraduate computer science courses taught dur-
ing the past three years.
(4) A one page essay describing your philosophy of teaching
computer science and your commitment to teaching computer
science. With respect to your teaching explain how you expect
to benefit from this workshop.
(5) A letter from your chair or dean supporting your participa-
tion. This letter should include institutional financial com-
mitments such as travel expenses, stipends, etc.
Mail applications to Anita Wasilewska, Department of Computer Sci-
ence, SUNY at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, N.Y. 11794. The appli-
cation deadline has been extended to June 12, 1989.