The role of large scale computing in computer science education: panel presentation
Suk-Chung Yoon, Noah Pascarell, Jason Rudolph, Benjamin Feenchak, Jeffrey Saltz · Journal of computing sciences in colleges · 2007
The vast majority of Fortune 500 companies use mainframe-computing platforms. However, few universities expose students to this environment. Mainframes continue to show leadership capabilities in the areas such as security, reliability, scalability, flexibility, and integration. As businesses continue to rely on computers to power their transformation into on-demand enterprises, and as the average age of a mainframe programmer continues to increase, there is a growing demand for software developers with these large scale computing skills; having these skills will give students a competitive advantage when looking for employment. Recently, Widener University, JP Morgan Chase, and IBM developed a new large systems computing program using the IBM systems Z9 mainframe. In this panel, we will share experience and new ideas of the program with all attendees, including (1) the importance of large scale computing, (2) course goals, outline and examples of lab assignments, large scale computing lab at Widener University, (3) student perceptions of the large scale computing course at Widener University. By generating discussion, we hope that we can provide others with additional ideas to consider in their curriculum.