Preface

From CS2001 Wiki

Preface to the Interim Review

In recent times the ACM and the IEEE Computer Society have sought to provide curriculum guidance on computing at approximately ten-year intervals. Thus 1968, 1978, 1991, and 2001 were the dates of publication of previous guidance on Computer Science.

Around the time of the publication of the most recent Computer Science volume in December 2001, a commitment was made by the ACM and the Computer Society to provide curriculum guidance on a more regular basis. This was to recognise the rapid rate of change in the discipline and the consequent need for guidance to the community. It was felt that after a period of around 5 years steps should be taken to address this. Yet such guidance should not be seen to create revolution or confusion in the community; rather it should help and support. This present volume is provided in that spirit.

Since 2001 much has happened in computing. Today there is talk of a crisis, with enrollments having plummeted in many countries, often by as much as 60 – 70% from the peak of 2001. This fall in numbers has come at a time when there is increased recognition of the role of computing in innovation across engineering, in science, in business, in education, in entertainment and indeed in all walks of life. At the same time, the number of jobs in computing has risen while the supply of good graduates has fallen and some data suggests is failing to meet the demand in certain countries. The reasons for this are many and complex. However, many argue that the traditional curriculum in computing is unattractive to present-day students and that creates a challenge.

Part of the CC 2001 endeavour was to create documents that would complement the Computer Science guidance document. This resulted in the publication over recent years of volumes in Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Information Technology , and Software Engineering. An Overview volume has also been published; this sought to highlight the differences and draw out the similarities, but basically to provide a framework within which the various volumes could be seen to fit. So this creates a different kind of environment in which to review the Computer Science volume.

Taking all these various matters into consideration, this review of the computer science volume comes at a crucial time. In addition there is wide recognition that a considerable amount of work is needed to discover better and more effective ways of presenting the discipline of computing and this has enormous importance, economic and strategic. Yet it would be misleading to recommend ideas that were not regarded as sound advice and best practice based on appropriate trials and testing.

This interim review has benefited from input from many (from industry, academia, etc.) through consultation and through discussion. It should be seen as a necessary updating of the influential CS2001 volume. But the process has lead to wide recognition of the need to find new and better ways to present and portray the discipline of computer science; that remains a challenge for us all.

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