November 19, 2007
Cambridge Fights for Computer Science's Reputation
Here’s an unhappy sign of the times for college computer-science departments: Even Cambridge University, which boasts one of the world’s most prestigious technology programs, is having a devil of a time attracting students.
At the turn of the century, Cambridge’s computer-science program received about 500 applications a year, and accepted about 100 applicants. But last year, The Guardian reports, only 210 students applied, and just 70 were accepted. That decline has left professors in the department — the oldest of its kind in the world, according to The Guardian — worried that the program will have to become less selective in order to stay afloat.
Cambridge professors blame the dwindling enrollment figures on their field’s ongoing image problem, a theme that should be familiar to almost anyone who teaches technology. While computer science was once thought of as cutting-edge, many students now consider it fusty and geeky. Add fears of IT outsourcing to the equation, and it’s no wonder why students are looking for different majors.
Cambridge is trying to shore up computer science’s image by building a nationwide publicity campaign and creating a Web site that attempts to debunk myths about the field. What else can the university do? Any thoughts or tips? —Brock Read
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Encourage more women and minorities to apply. I suspect the numbers are similar in the UK as they are in the US—too few. I don’t know what the curriculum there is like—but if people think it’s fusty—maybe it is. So change it.
— Laura Nov 19, 03:57 PM #
Develop a focused program on the IT to Management interface. A cross-application platform that teaches a student both to understand high-level IT management and general business or educational management goals would be a useful core to both address Business-IT planning disconnects and to create a cadre of students who are prepared to take higher level IT positions which are harder to outsource and which can exist individually in any company regardless of whether it hosts a full help desk or network team. In a climate where leading managers in education and business are having to learn more about IT to properly chart their business future in technology, a manager on the IT side with the capability of understanding both perspectives would have much more long-term employability than a mid-level networks worker or help desk position.
— BtA Nov 19, 05:25 PM #
Develop minors or special IT concentration courses for other disciplines … for example in health care alone we are struggling to address many IT challenges that include multiple database systems, electronic charting, etc.
— Kimberly Nov 19, 05:53 PM #
Note: often, computer science is as far from IT as electrical engineering is from TV repair training.
— RSB Nov 20, 06:49 AM #
Come on kids! Major in computer science and you too can face a lifetime of competition from cheap third world labor.
— Sam Nov 20, 10:58 AM #
Move to Bangalore
— Gupta Dec 14, 06:36 AM #