A good reason to get in on gaming: better skills all around

Certainly those of you who are good at gaming have relatively decent critical thinking skills.  But what would happen if you took the next step and started creating games, too?  According to a recent article on Sciencedaily.com, computer scientists believe that participating in computer game creation will broaden your critical thinking and creative skills.  In game creation, many elements are combined, including “storytelling, developing characters, evaluating plots, and working with digital images and music.”  Learning to develop these creative skills “might allow anyone to learn new thinking and computing skills.”

Moral of this story?  Even if you aren’t a frequent game player, take Building Virtual Worlds (CSCI 120).  This course allows all students to author on-screen movie animations and interactive games while learning the fundamentals of object-oriented programming using a user friendly environment.

Click here to check out the article from Sciencedaily.com.

Social networks and… the law?

Yes, in today’s technological society, lawyers are now using social networks as evidence in their cases.

In a story published by the New York Times, writer Damiano Beltrami hits on the idea that “with more people revealing the details of their lives online, sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are providing evidence in legal battles.”

The story, “I’m Innocent. Just Check My Status on Facebook”, can be found on the New York Times website.

Can “evidence” from social networks be trusted?  What are your thoughts?

Get ahead with a degree in computer science

In a down economy, many students worry about finding a job after graduation.  But research shows that most students with degrees (and a successful collegiate career) in computer science have little problem scoring a spot with an employer.  As technology continues to change and develop, degrees in computer science are molding students to become innovative thinkers and problem-solvers, qualities that any type of business should be looking for.

Read the following blurbs and articles for more evidence of how a degree in computer science truly matters.

“…computer science majors are critical for the U.S. economy because their training provides them with computational thinking and problem solving skills that they can deploy in any industry.”
-Peter Harsha, director of government affairs with the Computing Research Association. Article.

“The nation’s leading computer science programs say graduating seniors are still sought after by technology vendors and corporate shops, despite the globaleconomic slowdown and high-profile layoffs across the tech industry.”  Article.

“For our software engineering roles, we tend to look for people with a strong computer science background who have experience with programming.”
-Yvonne Agyei, director of Talent and Outreach Programs in Google’s People Operations Department. Article.

A degree in computer science = a job in biochemistry?

Well, maybe.  As technology advances, computer scientists are becoming more and more integral parts of various fields.  Take biochemistry, for example.  A recent article from Science Daily examines a game (designed by computer scientists) that allows users solve puzzles by manipulating (“folding”) proteins.  Zoran Popovic, Ph.D., an associate professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle says, “I know that some of our users have kind of described it as Tetris on steroids or something.”

Read the entire article and watch a short video: Science Daily.

So, keep in mind how much you might contribute using the various skills you learn while studying computer science at the College of Charleston.  That game programming course (CSCI210) might get you farther than you think.

Got talent? Creative? Consider a career in gaming!

Though I am in no way a “gamer” – or even a real fan of video gaming – I do find it interesting how all of those little worlds are created and built and packaged together.  Having the ability to go beyond just envisioning a virtual world, to creating one, seems like a pretty cool talent.  And to do that for a living?  And a good living?

While many recent college graduates are having a difficult time finding jobs in the US, computer science grads have one up on those with other degrees.  Furthermore, the gaming industry wants to hire innovative, creative thinkers who are passionate about the industry – and who are of a younger crowd.

For those of you interested in gaming – or who have enjoyed the computer science department’s course “Building Virtual Worlds (CSCI120)” – perhaps a career in this field is the right fit for you.

For more info on this subject, read the #4 article on the following page: http://www.naceweb.org/spotlight/2009/c090209.htm.

Get Creative

What is computer science at CofC?

For one example, read this blurb from a feature story in the latest College of Charleston Magazine:

“Though it’s one of the smaller departments at the College, with 15 to 30 graduates each year, and its cutting-edge culture may seem at odds with a campus that prides itself on history, it was a perfect fit for Nafees. The computer lab became a second home. There, the upperclassmen were inviting, and the professors friendly. Classes were small and intimate. ‘It was like getting coffee,’ Nafees says of lectures.”

As if you need another reason to see where a degree in computer science (and specifically one from the College of Charleston) can get you, check out this story on CS graduate Nafees Bin Zafar.

Current students and graduates:

The CS Department website and this blog display listings of jobs that are specifically focused toward computer science students.  Though the job postings to our website are a little less abundant over the summer than during the school year, employers are continuously searching for employees with computer science backgrounds.

Also, the College’s Career Center has a few really great documents on how to search for jobs, prepare your resume and cover letter, and even tips on how to avoid your future employer finding anything… dissuasive… on your Facebook page.
Check it out.

May the force be with you.

-Kala

Pecha Kucha Three

No, I am not fully aware of what awaits me tonight as I attend my first Pecha Kucha.

However, with the continued help of CS faculty and staff, I know to expect a wonderfully smooth (technically speaking) and exciting experience viewing the presentations of each… presenter.

See this link for more info!

And now, a word from Microsoft Research

This video offers a fun look into just a portion of the capabilities of computer scientists.

In the year 2020…

Computer Science at the College of Charleston will be…

–Add a comment to share your visions!–