Programming for Success

Written by J.B. Bissell

MAE 2010 Volume: 5 Issue: 2 (March)

Next to figuring out which is the best local pizza joint, it is the biggest question facing students who have decided to pursue an advanced education: what to major in. The initial choices for a general course of study—business, science, English and so on—are plentiful, to say the least. But the specialties that fall under the banner of any of those given disciplines—accounting, biology, American literature, and on and on—are seemingly endless.

It all can be a bit daunting. Ultimately, though, the choice comes down to what you’re interested in and what sort of work you’d like to do after graduation.

With computers now omnipresent throughout modern society, computer science majors have become more popular, and more desired by potential employers. “One of the main draws of computer-related degrees is the projected demand for a computer-related background,” said Dr. Curt Powley, associate professor of computer science and chair of the department of mathematics and computer science at Hawaii Pacific University on Oahu. “According to the 2010-2011 United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, computer science ‘employment growth is expected to be much faster than the average, and job prospects should be excellent, [growing] by 24 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.’”

MATHEMATICALLY SPEAKING

Before the money starts coming in, however, students must pay their dues in what can be a more challenging course of study than anticipated. In other words, it’s not all just playing video games and creating cool graphics. Each of the professors interviewed for this article made a point to mention the fact that math plays an important role in a computer science degree.

“No matter where you go, there’s going to be some element of mathematics. How much depends on what you specialize in,” explained Dr. Thomas Marlowe, professor of mathematics and computer science at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. “I think you have to decide how much math you want. In some areas, like security, you’re going to have to understand the theory much better. Whereas for graphics, there is a lot of mathematics, but it’s computational, not very conceptual.”

The prospect of having to revisit algebra and calculus courses shouldn’t necessarily dissuade potential computer scientists, though.

“We’ve got a small program in which students get a lot of exposure to faculty,” said Marlowe. “We pay a lot of attention to advising … students just have to be willing to relearn or refresh” their math skills if needed.

The scene is similar at Valparaiso University in Indiana, where classes usually have just 20 to 25 students and are taught by full-time faculty as opposed to teaching assistants. That makes it much easier to provide “a lot of direct help,” said Dr. Alan Kraft, professor of computer and electrical engineering—as well as the faculty advisor for ROTC—at Valparaiso. “There are plenty of opportunities to solve any problems that you’re having with the material.

“That appeals to the military students. They’re very questioning. They like to get things answered and they’re not afraid to come for help. Students sometimes get a little intimidated, I think, and feel like, ‘Well, I don’t want to go ask the professor that.’ Not the military students. They’ll step up and say, ‘I don’t understand this, can you help me?’”

In addition to the capacity to ask for help when needed, another noticeable attribute of armed services scholars—and one of the reasons why they may be drawn to computer science in the first place—is their commitment to absolute resolutions.

“They’re outcome oriented,” Kraft said. “They want concrete solutions. When you get into other fields, like philosophy or art, there’s a lot of subjectiveness. But in the technical world, they can see how it works, rather than something like ‘I kinda interpreted it this way and that’s good enough.’ That’s not usually good enough for them. They flourish when it’s concrete. What is the final answer: 7.2. Good, got it.”

FLEXIBILITY MATTERS

Another feature that helps military students—especially those who are still active—flourish is flexibility. To that end, when servicemembers can’t make it to the traditional campus setting for classes, Hawaii Pacific takes the classes to them. Their Military Campus Programs initiative boasts learning centers on seven separate bases around Oahu. Students can earn associate, undergraduate, and graduate degrees (available majors vary by location) at these satellite campuses, where classes are typically held in the evenings and on weekends to fit into the service members’ schedules.

“HPU campuses on base are equipped with high-tech and computer classrooms, including the latest software, where faceto- face computer science courses are offered,” said Bob Cyboron, associate vice president of off-campus programs and dean of the Military Campus Programs. “Of HPU’s more than 8,000 students, nearly 3,000 matriculate through MCP.”

And if Hawaii Pacific’s island campuses aren’t accessible to somebody who wants to study computer science, the entire course can be made available via cyberspace. “Military students can complete their degree face-to-face, totally online, or by a combination of the two,” Cyboron said. “Our undergraduate computer science degree programs are offered online and also are available to veterans, family members, and Department of Defense civilians through Military Campus Programs at a significantly reduced tuition compared to what is charged through our main campus.”

CYBER WARFARE

What the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado may lack in terms of flexibility of the course delivery, it more than makes up for with a cutting edge, topical course of study.

“It’s an exciting time right now,” explained Colonel David Gibson, professor and head of the department of computer science at the Air Force Academy. “We’re transitioning from the traditional information career fields, where there was a focus on maintaining computer networks and developing software for new systems, to expanding into cyber operations.”

On the one hand, the Academy offers a fairly standard computer science major. It’s an ABET accredited program that includes plenty of theory, math, and exposure to programming. Course titles run the gamut from Information Technology to Web Design and Construction to Languages and Machines.

There are a handful of elective courses, however, that are quite different from the possibilities at many other institutions and make up what’s known as the cyber warfare track—again, something students won’t find at most other universities. “Our basic computer science major is somewhat traditional,” Gibson said. “But then we offer a cryptography course, a computer security and information warfare class, and our network security course. Students who take those three offerings have a regular computer science education, plus an emphasis in cyber operations and cyber warfare.”

The purpose of this program is for officers to foster “a deep understanding of computer networks and really think out of the box for new ways to protect systems and potentially, new ways to attack systems. It’s a very complex field that requires continual education and training, but it’s very exciting because so much is going on and so much is at stake for our military and for our nation.”

Approximately 80 percent of computer science students at the Academy are choosing the cyber warfare option, and, “quite frankly, a lot of them find what they’re doing in the Air Force in this area so exciting and motivational that they’re hanging around for quite a while,” Gibson added.

POST GRADUATION AND BEYOND

Indeed, even short of cyber warfare, computer scientists have discovered a number of areas where they can put their new skills to work while still serving in the military. “All the programming, software development and computer graphics … there are a huge number of applications,” said Seton Hall’s Marlowe. “Weapons control, mobile communications, robotics, as well as opportunities in technical management.

“I’m teaching a software engineering class this year and I would think it’s one of the most important courses for somebody if they want to continue working in the military. You get a real understanding of the importance of precise specifications, precise orders, and the need to identify and express implicit or tacit knowledge. There are a number of techniques, tools, concerns and concepts used in the military or by DoD or DHS where that shows up. You would have a chance to really see what was going on in the security area—not the human factors end of it—mostly the computer and mathematical end that you wouldn’t really get anywhere else.”

Still, there also are a number of servicemembers, both active and retired, who earn their diploma and then eventually turn it into a job in the civilian world. “Most of the students who leave the military after completing a computerrelated degree work in technical support of organizations that use computers in some aspect of their operation,” reported Powley from Hawaii Pacific. “As this is a very large spectrum of industry, the possibilities of employment are many.”

Some potential fields include software development, Web design, systems analysis, game design, computer engineering, information assurance, mobile device applications, networking and many more. There are other potential markets, too, and they may not seem so obvious.

“Computer science is sort of a unique field,” Marlowe added. “It combines science, math, engineering, technology and human factors. So it’s going to expose you to an awful lot. The degree is very flexible. Business and law schools, for example, tend to like students who have a science, engineering or mathematics background.”

So, while selecting the perfect local pizza place may still be a challenge, for anybody with an interest in technology or mathematics, choosing a major may actually be getting easier. ♦

Computer Science In Practice

Lieutenant Robert Calderwood has been in the Navy for more than 20 years. He started out as a nuclear mechanic and is now a submarine repair officer at Pearl Harbor. He began taking college courses about five years ago, and in May he’ll graduate with a Master of Science in information systems from Hawaii Pacific University.

“Computer science caught my eye because I like creating programs or developing spreadsheets and different things to make my job and the jobs of others around me easier,” Calderwood said.

That’s where the crossover between his role in the military and school ends, though. “I wanted to do something that I didn’t do in the Navy,” he explained. “When I retire, I want to do something that I want to do. With 20-plus years in the military, I’ve got leadership experience. The computer science degree helped me to understand more of the nuts and bolts. Hawaii Pacific has a pretty broad knowledge base. Various electives have allowed me to dip into several different disciplines so when I get out, I’ll be able to manage all those skill sets better.”

Calderwood is an ideal success story—join the military, take advantage of the educational options, plan for the future—but he’s also quick to point out that it was never easy. “There was a lot of sacrifice,” he admitted. “My kids have lost time with their dad. My wife has had to give up time with me on the weekends and many nights because of homework. But it’s something we agreed to do to better our community and better our quality of life when I get out of the Navy.” And that’s exactly how it should be. ♦

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