Computer Science Program Threatened

Rumours have hit campus

that the Computer Science Department is closing.

In mid-February, a final report was issued by the UPEI Computer Science Program Advisory Committee, which stated that the mandate of UPEI’s computer science education should be redefined from the traditional courses to ones with more existing support, such as biolo- gy and nursing.

On March 1, the Faculty of Science issued a response to this report. The response included sever- al arguments against recommenda- tions that were made in the report. There was also confusion about the four very different types of program- ming: Traditional § Academic Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Science “across the curricula’, and Interdisciplinary Programs. The Faculty of Science response address- es these issues in a more understand- able fashion.

Wade MacLauchlan,

President and Vice-Chancellor of UPEL, discussed the reports and what changes may be taking place.

“It’s a very complex thing to. get into a single report,” said MacLauchlan. “ If you see one docu- ment, there’s always been one before

it and one coming after it.”

The board has had consulta- tions with the private sector and pub- lic sector in the province to address what the university can and should be doing.

“T believe by the end of this week, early next week, a new docu- ment will be put out that set out the course that we see ourselves. It’s a type of ‘map’ for us,” explained MacLauchlan. “Right now, we are at the stage of finding out what PEI’s role is in the computer science depart- ment and what the computer sector will be in the next many years.”

He feels that some people are looking at this as a negative or threat- ening thing. “We have to send a broader message to the university. We have a lot to do and we should engage in it together.” He concluded, “This must include a strong team behind the computer science department as well. We must move forward and not lose momentum.”

Steven Howard, Chair of the Computer Science Program, feels that the report was threatening to the pro- gram. “ It was shocking to the depart- ment,” said Howard. “ [The report] seemed rushed through and unre- searched.”

Howard strongly supports the computer science program, but

believes its perceived importance is decreasing. “Computer science is a strong discipline that seems to be for- gotten,” he said .

He believes that the computer science program was targeted due to a general confusion between using a computer, and the actual skills taught by the Computer Science department. “Tt’s like comparing the instructors who teach you how to drive a car to the engineers who actually design and build the car,” explained Howard. “Whenever something goes wrong or involves using a computer, we get thrown on the table.”

Students also want to have a say in what is going to happen to the program. Greg Scott, a fourth year Computer Science student, is one of several students who decided to voice their concerns.

“Computer science is defi-

nitely important to. the community and at the same time is also funda- mental,” said Scott. “Especially with the Co-op Program, it gives compa- nies the opportunity to hire right out of UPEI instead of turning to other universities.”

He, as well as other students, have met with the President to discuss this issue. They also plan on talking to the Minister of Education and the Minister of Development and Technology.

“There is no longer a ‘hiring freeze’ which means things are look- ing positive,” said Scott. “Other Universities are expanding their com- puter science programs and we should be doing the same. I think we’re getting the message across of how important this program is, not just to computer science students, but to all students.”

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