Department of Computer Science s1

Department of Computer Science California State University, Northridge Survey of Industry Views on Computer Science Education March 2004

SUMMARY OF RESPONSES (28 RESPONSES) Thank you for responding to this survey. The results will be used to help the Department of Computer Science evaluate and update its curriculum so that it continues to produce computer science graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their chosen careers. Survey Responses: The bold numbers represent the number of responders who gave the corresponding answer.

1. How would you describe the primary business of your company?  Aerospace 6  Computer Engineering 0  Consulting 1  Government 2  Manufacturing 2  Software Engineering 10  Electronics / Communications 3  Other ______7

2. What computer science activities does your company normally recruit computer science graduates to do? (Circle all that apply):  Software Engineering / Programming 25  System / Network / Security Administrator 16  Database Designer 11  Project / Group Manager 8  Web Designer/ Web Programming 11  Software Testing 19  Customer Support 10  Hardware / Software integration 12  Other, please specify ______2 3. Are you responsible for hiring recent graduates from computer science programs, i.e. those employees who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science within the past five years? Yes: 19 No: 9 4. Do you supervise recent computer science graduates? Yes: 14 No: 14 5. The following questions are designed to determine those experiences/skills your company deems most important in computer science graduates that it hires. We are primarily interested in those qualities you expect from a computer science major who has graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science in the past five years. Please rate the importance your company places on the following knowledge and skills in your recent computer science hires using the following scale: Summary of Responses to Question 5 are given as means. The means are computed using the scale 4= Extremely Valuable; 3=Valuable; 2 = Somewhat Valuable ; 1=Not Valuable . If the item was blank, then the response was not counted in the mean.

A: Extremely Valuable B: Valuable C: Somewhat Valuable D: Not Valuable

Written communication skills A B C D Mean: 3.33 Oral communication skills A B C D Mean: 3.46 Ability to analyze and solve problems A B C D Mean: 3.74 Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data A B C D Mean: 3.33 Software design skills A B C D Mean: 3.50 Hardware / software integration skills A B C D Mean: 2.73 Networks / operating systems skills A B C D Mean: 2.85 Computer programming skills A B C D Mean: 3.46 Mathematical skills (college level math) A B C D Mean: 2.68 Interpersonal skills A B C D Mean: 3.15 Management skills A B C D Mean: 2.54 Ability to work effectively in teams A B C D Mean: 3.54 Knowledge of current technologies A B C D Mean: 3.23 Knowledge of current software tools A B C D Mean: 3.12 Understanding the social implications of computer science work A B C D Mean: 2.38 Other valuable or extremely valuable skills: ______6. What aspects of a computer science education are most relevant to a computer scientist’s job performance in your company? Programming 11 Software Engineering 7 Problem Solving 4 Ability to Work With Others 6 Network/Security Technologies 3 HW/SW Integration 4 Other 11

7. What aspects of a computer science education are most relevant to a computer scientist’s potential for promotion and advancement in your company? Technical Skills 7 Communication Skills 7 Problem Solving Ability 6 Leadership Skills 6 Good Work Ethic 3 Other 7

8. What skills or qualities, if any, are missing in the recent computer science graduates your company has hired? Written and Oral Communication Skills 7 Teamwork/ Project Management Skills 4 Knowledge of Specific Technologies 7 Practical Experience in Field 3

9. Where do the recent computer science graduates excel? Programming 10 Technical Level 8 Motivation 2 If you are familiar with the computer science program at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) or employees who have recently graduated from the computer science program at CSUN, please answer items 10, 11 and 12. For the purposes of this survey a recent graduate is someone who has graduated within the last five years.

10. How would you rate the computer science curriculum at CSUN? Good Adequate Inadequate No Opinion 10 5 3 10

11. What skills or qualities, if any, are missing in the recent CSUN computer science graduates your company has hired? Specific Technologies 5 (e.g., embedded systems, database design, web program.) Written and Oral Communication Skills 3 Software Design Skills 1 Solid Understanding of Fundamentals 1

12. Where do recent CSUN computer science graduates excel? Programming 9 Work Ethic, Motivation 3 Software Engineering 2

13. How has the technology changed at your company in the past five year? ( i.e. new products, new tools and technologies, new expectations of employees) New Technologies Mentioned: Embedded Software, Web Integration, Java tools, Distributed Data Management, Security Networking, Extreme Programming, Server side Java, Inter System Integration, Windows OS, Design Patterns, Linux and Open Source Tools, New IDEs, Parallel Processing with MPI. Most of these technologies were mentioned only once or twice. The exception is Web Integration, which was mentioned four times. 14. Do you believe that universities are educating computer scientists who can successfully work in this new environment? If not, please explain.

Yes: 10

The explanations for the NO answers were primarily along the lines of (1) universities are behind in changing technologies and (2) the students they are graduating need better communication and management skills and have weak programming and software development skills. Others did not circle Yes or No, but just noted that a person’s success is more a matter of individual ability and motivation.

15. To what extent do you agree that the Computer Science Department at CSUN should offer a separate program in Software Engineering? Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree No Opinion 5 12 2 0 9

16. If you agree, at what level should a program in Software Engineering be offered (circle all that apply)? Undergraduate Graduate Post Baccalaureate Certificate 9 11 3

17. What specific courses, subject areas or topics do you think are most important to be included in such a program in Software Engineering?

Mentioned topics included Network and Security Protocols, Microprocessor and RTOPs, Hardware/Software blending, Top Down Design, RDBMS, Oral and Written Communication skills, C#, Scripting, ., Server side Java, Application servers, Software architecture and modeling (UML), programming in the .NET environment, Basic overview of engineering.

Please return this survey by April 19, 2004 to the Computer Science Department, California State University, Northridge Northridge, California 91330-8281