Hi, I joined the ILUGC mailing list recently. This is my first email to ILUGC.
Since we are on the topic of syllabus, let me mention one important point that I have not seen mentioned so far in engineering circles. I have seen the syllabus of many engineering colleges that come under Anna University, and in all of them, I see that Computer Science subjects are not included in the syllabus. In other words, engineering colleges don't teach Computer Science and Engineering, as they claim to, but only teach Computer Engineering. While in other engineering disciplines, as far as I am aware, the basic science needed is taught, starting from schools, the same is sadly not the case in Computer Science. Of course, the subject, theory of computation alone is being included as one of the subjects taught in B.E(this was not the case in the colleges where I did my B.E. and M.E., but it seems things have improved, though only slightly), but Theory of Computation alone is not Computer Science. It is just the tip of the iceberg. Theory of Computation itself needs to be imparted as a two-semester course as there is too much material that cannot be covered in one semester. But that, as far as I know, is not the case. Then there are other courses such as Logic, Algebraic Automata theory, Complexity theory, Programming Language Concepts(stuff such as explaining the roots of programming languages, the different paradigms and formalisms that govern the architecture of various programming languages) that form what is generally known as Computer Science. Learning Computer Engineering without learning Computer Science is like learning, say, Mechanical Engineering without knowing/understanding Newton's laws of motion. I have seen students struggle through subjects such as Compiler Design since they had no idea of the essence behind formalisms such as Regular languages, Context-free languages etc, as a consequence of which Compiler Design has come to be considered as a very tough subject. Of course, I am not saying that Compiler Design is very easy to learn, but it can be made easier than it is now by making the students aware of the theoretical concepts behind the subject first. Algorithms is another example where Complexity theory is a pre-requisite. Logic is a pre-requisite for Artificial Intelligence. And learning any programming language is incomplete without a knowledge of the concepts behind it. While, as Shakthi Kannan said, syllabus is only a guideline, syllabus should also play a part in making computer science and engineering students aware of the various branches of Computer Science and the truth that Computer Science and Engineering is not all about programming design/implementation and software engineering, but that a whole lot of scientific principles go into it needs to be conveyed to all Computer Science and Engineering students in an effective manner. Vinod. 2009/8/8 Shakthi Kannan <shakthim...@gmail.com> > Hi, > > --- On Sat, Aug 8, 2009 at 12:39 AM, pavithran<pavithra...@gmail.com> > wrote: > | I am not sure if we could say that the syllabus is ok though I agree > | that a student could definitely make a lot of the current syllabus. > \-- > > That is where most people have the wrong conception, IMO. A syllabus > is only a guideline, and a "student" is expected to venture into > gaining more knowledge beyond what is prescribed, and this is the > single most important aspect that a "student" must fulfill in > "education". > > Degree, job, awards, friendships are all side-effects. > > --- > | It > | definitely needs to be revised and improved according to industry > | changes and should be vendor neutral > \-- > > That is contradictory. > > One should always follow free/open standards. > > SK > > -- > Shakthi Kannan > http://www.shakthimaan.com > _______________________________________________ > To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with > "unsubscribe <password> <address>" > in the subject or body of the message. > http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc > _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, email ilugc-requ...@ae.iitm.ac.in with "unsubscribe <password> <address>" in the subject or body of the message. http://www.ae.iitm.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/ilugc
