Download SIGCSE Presentation 2009

Breadth-Last Technical Electives:
Integrating the CS Core via Computer
Games and Mobile Robotics
William W. White
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Department of Computer Science
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1656
[email protected]
Jerry B. Weinberg
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Department of Computer Science
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1656
[email protected]
The CS Core
The IEEE-CS/ACM Computing Curricula Task Force identified the
core body of knowledge appropriate for a CS undergraduate
curriculum:
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Discrete Structures
Programming Fundamentals
Algorithms and Complexity
Architecture and Organization
Operating Systems
Net-Centric Computing
Programming Languages
Human-Computer Interaction
Graphics and Visual Computing
Intelligent Systems
Information Management
Social and Professional Issues
Software Engineering
Computational Science and Numerical Methods
Source: “Computing Curricula 2001 - Computer Science: Final Report”, 12/15/01, The Joint Task
Force on Computing Curricula - IEEE Computer Society and Association for Computing Machinery,
http://www.computer.org/portal/cms_docs_ieeecs/ieeecs/education/cc2001/cc2001.pdf
Breadth-Last Technical Electives: Integrating the CS Core
via Computer Games and Mobile Robotics
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CS Technical Electives
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Computer Graphics
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Networks & Data Communications
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Comput. Science &
Numerical Methods
Software
Engineering
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Distributed Systems
Social and
Professional Issues
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Database Management
Theory of Computation
Information
Management
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Compiler Design
Intelligent
Systems
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Graphics and
Visual Computing
Artificial Intelligence
Human-Computer
Interaction
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Programming
Languages
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Net-Centric
Computing
Algorithms and
Complexity
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Operating
Systems
Programming
Fundamentals
Advanced Algorithms
Example Technical Electives
Architecture and
Organization
Discrete
Structures
Technical electives commonly address some, but rarely all, of
these areas:
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Breadth-Last Technical Electives: Integrating the CS Core
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Breadth-Last
A breadth-last technical elective integrates the entire CS core
into a single course, taken at the end of the undergraduate
curriculum, with the following goals:
• Demonstrate how the diverse core areas fit together
within an integrated system instead of in the traditional
segregated manner that frequently ignores their
interdependence.
• Facilitate the students’ ability to envision alternative
and more far-reaching solutions to practical software
development problems.
Breadth-Last Technical Electives: Integrating the CS Core
via Computer Games and Mobile Robotics
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Game Design & Development
One breadth-last example:
CS Core Area
Corresponding Course Topics
Discrete Structures
Isometric Grids; Music Sequencers; Binary Space Partitioning
Programming Fundamentals
Event-Driven Programming; Recursive Pathfinding
Algorithms and Complexity
Collision Detection; Fractal Terrain Generation; Finite State Machines
Architecture and Organization
Graphics Processors; Peripheral Devices; Display Technologies
Operating Systems
Multimedia Coordination; Cross-Platform Compatibility; Multithreaded Race Conditions
Net-Centric Computing
Multiplayer Platforms; Wireless Connectivity; Game Latency; Mobile Gaming
Programming Languages
Scripting Languages; Application Programming Interfaces
Human-Computer Interaction
Intuitive Game Interfaces; Heads-Up Displays
Graphics and Visual Computing
Real-Time Rendering; Character Animation; Texture Mapping; Lighting; Radiosity
Intelligent Systems
Non-Player Characters; Emergent Behavior; Dead Reckoning
Information Management
Game Asset Management; Massively Multiplayer Data Reduction
Social and Professional Issues
Game Content Censorship; Social Isolation; Software Piracy
Software Engineering
System Design; Agile Programming; Rapid Development
Comput. Science & Numerical Methods
Subdivision Surfaces; Rigid-Body Dynamics
Breadth-Last Technical Electives: Integrating the CS Core
via Computer Games and Mobile Robotics
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Game Design & Development
Sample assignments:
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via Computer Games and Mobile Robotics
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Intelligent Mobile Robotics
Another breadth-last example:
CS Core Area
Corresponding Course Topics
Discrete Structures
Grid-, Graph-, Quadtree-Based Maps; Schemas; Voxels
Programming Fundamentals
Space-Limited Code Efficiency; Recursive Problem-Solving
Algorithms and Complexity
Position Sensing; Navigation; Spatial Mapping; Collision Avoidance
Architecture and Organization
Sensors; Microcontrollers; Digital Signal Processing; Layers of Abstraction
Operating Systems
Multitasking; Interprocess Communication; Resource Scheduling
Net-Centric Computing
Wireless Connectivity; Multi-Robot Coordination; Web Interfacing
Programming Languages
Concurrent Programming; Functional Languages
Human-Computer Interaction
Tele-Operation; Tele-Presence; Heuristic Design; Cognitive Modeling
Graphics and Visual Computing
Computer Vision; Color Tracking; Pattern Recognition; Image-Map Correspondence
Intelligent Systems
Intelligent Agents; Path Planning; Reinforcement Learning; Swarm Intelligence
Information Management
Resource Management; Sensor Fusion
Social and Professional Issues
Industrial Automation; Assistive Robotics; Military Robots; Anthropomorphism
Software Engineering
Behavior Diagrams; Sequence Diagramming; Finite State Machines
Comput. Science & Numerical Methods
Analog-to-Digital Conversion; Dead Reckoning; PID Control
Breadth-Last Technical Electives: Integrating the CS Core
via Computer Games and Mobile Robotics
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Intelligent Mobile Robotics
Base System Setup:
XBC Microcontroller
XBC Mounted to Robot Base Used to Detect Items of
Different Color and Control Robot Movement and Arm
Xbee RF Communication Module
Level Translation Circuit Board
Breadth-Last Technical Electives: Integrating the CS Core
via Computer Games and Mobile Robotics
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Additional Breadth-Last Possibilities
Mobile Communications
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Networking
Operating Systems
Architecture
Interface Design
Social Implications
Scientific Visualization
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Parallel Processing
Computer Graphics
Numerical Methods
Algorithms
Database Management
Customer-Driven Development
Design Patterns
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Software Engineering
Systems Analysis
Object-Oriented Programming
Algorithm Complexity
Code Refactoring
Network Programming
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via Computer Games and Mobile Robotics
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