In the recent times
In the recent times, there has been a lot of automation as well as computerization of processes in industries, businesses, and lifestyles of people. Therefore, computer-related careers have become very marketable. Computer science is one of those disciplines that put people on the path to becoming the heroes of the future as they will be solving computer problems in the lives of people. There are a lot of understandings and misconceptions about what computer science really is. Some people think that it has no practical use. However, from the study of literature concerning it and a thorough examination of the current trends, computer science is as important as medicine or any of the other lifesaving disciplines that people are proud of. To help create a better understanding of computer science as a course, the paper will examine computer science regarding what it is, what students of the discipline learn, the progress of the discipline to where it is now, the misconceptions, its contribution to today's world, the opportunities it offers and
Definition, Scope and Goals
Computer science is the art as well as the science that deals with software as well as hardware development. In some universities, such as Northwest, computer science primarily entails software development. The definition of the field is not exact; various people give various definitions of the discipline. Nevertheless, the constant part of the various definitions is the fact that it deals with computer and the development and improvement of its components (Pines). The scope of the discipline varies among the different universities that offer courses in the discipline of study. The goals of studying computer science include preparing students to work in the various sectors that depend on computers. Graduates of computer science can work in almost all industries in the information technology departments as well as the technical departments (Pines). The can work in government agencies that deal all sorts of services. Therefore, students are prepared in the various specialties in the field of computer science so that they can fit into the current and the future economies.
Stereotypes
Several stereotypical issues exist out there concerning computer science as a discipline and concerning the people that belong to it (Cheryan, Allison Master, and Andrew 49). It is important to dispel them to enable the other people who are interested in the field to join it. First, people believe that it is a field for geniuses. People call computer science students geeks. The films and other popular culture media such as TV shows have portrayed computer science professionals as people who lack any social life and spend time with their computers wearing spectacles. However, the case is different. Computer scientists are normal people who may or may not love fun. They are not antisocial and therefore should not be portrayed as people who do not understand social interactions (Cheryan, Allison Master, and Andrew 49). Computer science is also blamed for the many cybercrimes that have become common in the recent times such as the hacking of various institution. However, all fields have misfits. Therefore, even though hackers can be computer scientists, the fact doe not mean that all computer scientists are bad. Most computer scientists contribute to the many advancements in technology that are usually witnessed.
Changes in the Field
Computer science began growing after the advent of the most primitive form of computers by Charles Babbage when he designed and created a computing machine in the 19th Century. From the large machine that Babbage created that could not communicate but only solve simple functions like a calculator, the discipline of computer science has advanced to include more advanced technology and therefore solve significant problems that were not able to be addressed by the early computers. The discipline has expanded to cover not only the entire world but also to include functions that were thought to be impossible. Computers are not crucial in functions such as those that involve advanced medicine and surgery, artificial intelligence and robotics. The field has resulted in the change from computers that were as big as entire houses, to those that are as small as the palms of the hands of users.
How Computer Science Shapes the Understanding of the World
The field of computer science improves the understanding of people of the world because computers are used in all sectors. Computer science as a discipline is used in governance in various ways. First, professionals in the field create programs that are involved by the government to render services to the people. Programs that run on the internet are used by the governments to collect taxes from the people and updating of citizen information. Such programs are also used in the storage of information about citizens and therefore enable the government to serve people more efficient than it was before computer programmers created the many computer programs.
Computer scientists are also important on the security sector as well as the collection of intelligent by security agencies. Therefore, computer science helps people to understand the security of the country as well as their property (Corera). Computer scientists create programs and hardware that are involved in not only the collection of information but also the analysis of information. Forensic experts in the discipline of computer science are involved in the examination of evidence as well as recovery of information to help maintain security and secure not only the lives of people but also the properties of the people (Corera). Banks use computer informatics to examine the security of people, to avoid invasion by hackers and others security threats that may come.
In life sciences, computer science is used in bioinformatics by combing information technology and genetics as well as other principles of biology to create programs and algorithms that may help solve biological problems. (Schneider and Judith 78) Bioinformatics, when combined with principles of genetics, can be used in drug design through proteomics as well as genetic engineering through the designing of genes as well as proteins via bioinformatics. Computer science can also be used to simulate proteins and therefore understand how they function in the body. In hospitals, computer science applies to the management of the electronic health records as well as surgery and other places.
Career Opportunities
Based on the various examples of functions that have been discussed above, there are several careers that people who have studied the specialties of computer sciences can take. First, one can be a software developer. Software developers create programs that run on the various computers (Schneider and Judith 53). One can also be a program analysis. Such professionals examine the programs that have been created by other computer engineers and seek to understand how good they are. Program analysts are employed in almost all sectors as they are important in the examination of whether or not the programs are relevant for the use in the companies. System developers are also computer scientists who develop computer systems that are important in conducting functions such as storing electronic records, databases and so on (Pines). System developers create systems are suited for companies that involve many functions incorporated to finish tasks. For example, a security system may include the incorporation of an alarm system, computer hardware and software, doors, windows, controls and other parts. Computer scientists can also be network admins. Network admins are professionals who regulate and manage networks and therefore control the flow of information between connected devices (Schneider and Judith 45). Network administrators are important in any place that requires the use of networks. Computer scientists can also be bioinformatics and business analysts.
Types of Studies in Computer Science
Based on the broad nature of the discipline, there are various types of studies that students can undertake. People can do both qualitative-quantitative research depending on their specialty (Newell, and Herbert 34). For instance, one may want to know the applicability of a computer program in performing a particular task as compared to other programs in the case of software analysis. Computer scientists do a lot of research concerning software development based on the needs of people, and therefore, they may also take research studies such as the usefulness of an algorithm in completing a function. One may also have a research question such as the efficiency of antivirus software in protecting devices against a particular virus or group of malware.
Conclusion
In conclusion, computer science is a discipline that applies in all spheres of the modern life. The study of computer science prepared people to create programs and systems that are very important in research, security, and biology and other life sciences. Therefore, even though many may not be aware, computer science is very important in the twenty-first-century era and the future.
References
Cheryan, Sapna, Allison Master, and Andrew N. Meltzoff. "Cultural stereotypes as gatekeepers: Increasing girls’ interest in computer science and engineering by diversifying stereotypes." Frontiers in Psychology 6 (2015): 49.
Corera, Gordon. Intercept: The secret history of computers and spies. Hachette UK, 2015.
Newell, Allen, and Herbert A. Simon. Computer science as empirical inquiry: Symbols and search. ACM, 2007.
Pines, David. Emerging syntheses in science. CRC Press, 2018.
Schneider, G. Michael, and Judith Gersting. Invitation to computer science. Cengage Learning, 2018.
