Dining Philosophers discuss CSE curriculum

The Dining Philosophers met earlier this month in an attempt to reopen lines of communication between students and faculty. The meeting of Computer Science students was designed to allow students and professors in the Engineering School a chance to voice concerns about the current curriculum, according to Engineering freshman Raj Iyer. "In the [Computer Science] department, the students were complaining about what the professors were teaching," said Iyer, acting faculty liaison for the Dining Philosophers. Students argue they are being taught concepts rather than applications, he explained. In order to formalize these complaints, Iyer posted a survey for the Computer Science Engineering curriculum. Student response to the survey was divided. "We decided to meet with students first to discuss topics to bring to the professors," Iyer said. "Our central question is 'we assume what you're teaching us is worthwhile, but how can we apply it?'" Peter Buneman, professor of computer and information science, chose six professors to meet with the Dining Philosophers to discuss complaints. Professors after the meeting said they want to justify their curricula. Specific suggestions were made in response to complaints. "We are planning to implement seminars in popular hot topics," Iyer said. These non-credit seminars will give students the opportunity to learn applications for the theory they study in classes. "There is an idea being kicked around for some sort of booklet or paper saying why [students would] want to learn each aspect of the theory," said Wharton and Engineering sophomore Deborah Fox. Another suggestion would allow for one lecture from each course to be designated for the professor to explain his current research. "I think it's a good idea," Fox said. "It's definitely a start." Only six students and six professors attended the meeting which was intended, according to Iyer, "as an attempt to keep students informed and involved with the department." "I think that we could probably have organized it to include more of the student body," Fox said. Other complaints were that students were not well-versed in concepts of C-language, Unix, and X-Windows, all Computer Science software programs. Iyer said he has already received 16 positive responses from students in reaction to the meeting. The Dining Philosophers hope these suggestions will be implemented quickly and will motivate students to learn the theory behind the concepts.