Towards excellence in computer science and engineering education

Summary form only given. The IEEE Computer Society (IEEE-CS) has maintained a leadership position in the development of educational programs in computer science and engineering education and in insuring the quality of such programs. These efforts have been centered in the Educational Activities Board (EAB) of the IEEE-CS. The EAB has published model curricula in computer science and engineering and has specified appropriate design activities in educational programs in computing. Both ABET and CSAB (Computing Sciences Accreditation Board) publish guidelines which address basic requirements for quality programs. The focus of the Excellence Project, on the other hand, is to move from these basic requirements towards programs that in some respects can be characterized as outstanding. It is also the case that the project is in some sense addressing those issues that are unique to computing. Many of the aspects of excellent programs are not necessarily unique to computer science and engineering programs, but are shared by excellent programs in other disciplines. It is the intent of the Excellence Project to place these items in the context of computing. In looking at curriculum design we are attempting to relate it to a modification of the waterfall model for software design and development as a model for discussing curriculum issues in computer science and engineering. The same techniques should be useful, whether a new curriculum is being engineered or an existing curriculum is being re-engineered