Computer Science Careers and You
with Dr. Danny Silver
Jodrey School of Computer Science
“Come as a student … leave as a Colleague”
4/8/2015
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Agenda
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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:
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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”
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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
• ICT Sector $57.6 B
• 4.7% of GDP in 2007
• Up 4.4% from 2006
• Similar rise last 5 years
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High Demand for Skilled Labour
Unemployment: ICT < 3.5%; National average > 6.5%.
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Outlook – Even Higher Demand
• From 2008 – 2015:
– 7,200 university graduates per year needed (min.)
– 5,100 domestic capacity (BSc, BEng)
Workforce
Requirements
– 2,100 through immigration
Other
… good news for students!
23%
Univ.
47%
College
30%
4/8/2015
Source: ICTC 2008-15 Outlook
October 2008
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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
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Bioinformatics
GIS
Interactive Digital Media
Information Science
- Health-Informatics
- Enviro-Informatics
- Genomics
- Food Science
A Landscape of Opportunity
Small Systems
Admin. and Support
Programming
System Installation
and Technical Support
CS + Application area X
Interdisciplinary Specializations
Computer Science
Project Management
Programming
Software Development
Research
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System Analyst/Design
Technical Expert
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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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Why JSOCS?
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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?
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World class facilities (network, servers, HPC)
Home of NS Robot Programming Competition
Student Computer Science Society
Numerous faculty/student events:
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Soccer, Broomball
Volleyball, Curling
Corporate duck race
Video game competitions
Ethnic pot-lucks
• “Come as a student … leave as a Colleague”
JSOCS Advisory Board Meeting - March,
2008
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
– Sound
- Images
- Video
• All into the palm of your hand
• Tremendous new opportunities and
challenges in interface design
• iAcadia video
Game Development
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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
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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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