Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around the absence of a programming class in the Electrical Engineering curriculum at a specific institution, as referenced in a curriculum guide. Participants explore the implications of this absence and share their own program requirements regarding programming courses.
Discussion Character
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions the lack of a programming class in their Electrical Engineering curriculum, referencing a specific curriculum document.
- Another participant finds it unusual, noting that their own program requires a minimum of two programming classes.
- A third participant asks for clarification on which programming classes are required in the other program.
- Some participants suggest that the curriculum designers may assume students will learn programming independently, indicating that programming skills are often acquired through practice rather than formal instruction.
- One participant mentions specific programming courses they are taking, including programming for engineers with a prerequisite of C++ and Lab-View programming.
- Another participant lists courses that may involve programming, such as Electrical Engineering Computing Methods and Microprocessors, suggesting that these may not be traditional programming classes but rather courses where students are expected to learn programming languages on their own.
- A participant shares their experience of having taken a basic programming course that has since been replaced with MATLAB programming and numerical methods, indicating a shift in curriculum focus.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the necessity and structure of programming classes within the Electrical Engineering curriculum, with no consensus reached on whether the absence of such classes is appropriate or beneficial.
Contextual Notes
Participants note that the curriculum may not explicitly include programming classes, but related courses may involve programming content, leaving the extent of programming education somewhat ambiguous.
Who May Find This Useful
Students considering Electrical Engineering programs, educators involved in curriculum design, and professionals interested in the integration of programming in engineering education may find this discussion relevant.