I am currently a second year student at De Montfort University (DMU). I'm currently studying SE, so can't speak on behalf of the CS students. I do, however, feel there are a few things I should say.
I feel insulted and demoralised. I spent the first year of study programming low level languages, learning the foundations of CS and other such fundamentals.
Throughout the course, the lecturers would emphasise how important this study was - that without it we would flounder in the future, be inefficient in our work and never actually gain a true understanding of the subject. Now, in my second year, I find that they were perfectly correct. Without the knowledge they have so far imparted, I'm sure I could write some SQL, program some Java, perhaps even some very basic C. But would I actually *understand* what I was doing and why? Unlikely.
It's important to note that SE shared ALL first year modules with CS - that is to say that those studying CS were taught exactly the same as I was.
Imagine then my surprise, frustration and anger that this guy, WHO DOESN'T EVEN TEACH CS(!), feels it is acceptable to publish something that is not only incorrect, but also completely at odds with the beliefs and thinking that have been displayed (as per MY perception) by those involved with the subject here at DMU. I'm also suspicious - this reeks somewhat of an attempt to promote the course he actually does teach as a viable alternative to CS.
Does he understand the fundamentals himself, or did he just lose sight of their relevance since being enveloped in the subject which he now teaches?
I will not, as he seems to have (intentionally or not) speak on behalf of the university - I have no right to do so. I can however speak from personal experience, and my experience at DMU leaves me with the impression that the fundamentals of CS are valued here, and recognised as essential.
I would invite Dr McBride to justify what he has said to those of us studying CS, SE and related subjects at DMU. We'd certainly like to hear what he has to say...
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I am currently a second year student at De Montfort University (DMU). I'm currently studying SE, so can't speak on behalf of the CS students. I do, however, feel there are a few things I should say.
I feel insulted and demoralised. I spent the first year of study programming low level languages, learning the foundations of CS and other such fundamentals.
Throughout the course, the lecturers would emphasise how important this study was - that without it we would flounder in the future, be inefficient in our work and never actually gain a true understanding of the subject. Now, in my second year, I find that they were perfectly correct. Without the knowledge they have so far imparted, I'm sure I could write some SQL, program some Java, perhaps even some very basic C. But would I actually *understand* what I was doing and why? Unlikely.
It's important to note that SE shared ALL first year modules with CS - that is to say that those studying CS were taught exactly the same as I was.
Imagine then my surprise, frustration and anger that this guy, WHO DOESN'T EVEN TEACH CS(!), feels it is acceptable to publish something that is not only incorrect, but also completely at odds with the beliefs and thinking that have been displayed (as per MY perception) by those involved with the subject here at DMU. I'm also suspicious - this reeks somewhat of an attempt to promote the course he actually does teach as a viable alternative to CS.
Does he understand the fundamentals himself, or did he just lose sight of their relevance since being enveloped in the subject which he now teaches?
I will not, as he seems to have (intentionally or not) speak on behalf of the university - I have no right to do so. I can however speak from personal experience, and my experience at DMU leaves me with the impression that the fundamentals of CS are valued here, and recognised as essential.
I would invite Dr McBride to justify what he has said to those of us studying CS, SE and related subjects at DMU. We'd certainly like to hear what he has to say...