Computer Science and why Programing

is just the Beginning

By:

Sean Ross

Robert Baird

CSIS 1030 400-F16

12/8/2016

Computer Science is A broad scope and involves more than just programing, it is the
study and practice of solving todays issues with computer technology.
By looking at the vast array of career fields the current research and projects in those
fields and the needs of todays companies, I will prove to you that programing is just the start of
what a computer scientists does. Research is a major factor in how we look at issues as well as
how we strive to solve those issues. Companies dont need applications just to be modern but
to solve issues from customer service to information storage and financing.
By looking at some of the major projects worked on in the field over the last few years
we can see that goals of these projects are to solve issues in the modern world. Computer
science issues dont only involve programing but designing systems to solve issues. These
systems need professionals to not only research the initial problem but we need to plan a
solution to that problem and a way to execute it.
There are projects that demonstrate advancements in health such as the current
research into partner robots to help support information retention in the elderly (Yorita &
Kubota). Through this project Yorita and Kubota are striving to create a system that can
understand human gestures and emotions through facial imaging. This project also strives to
present methods for assisting memory.
Projects outside the box of what is normally considered computer science such as
Googles Magenta project show how computer science can be used in art. This project Aims to
answer the quest can computers make art. It is an advancement in AI that demonstrates
machine learning in the Entertainment industry. The project will not only generate pictures and
painting but music. They are currently using Google's open-source library for machine learning
to teach these computers to create the art (Souppouris, n.d.).
An example of a current project that solves one of the major issues in corporations
today is the Pypestream app. This app is designed to save corporations money on customer
service by having a computer answer the questions in a conversational manor. It strives to
remove the please hold while I research that for you from customer service (O'Brien, n.d.).
As you can see these projects span many different major fields. They require full teams
of people designing, planning and managing the project. Some of these teams are large as in
the case of Magenta and some are smaller such as the artificial neural network project. This
shows that you can do much more than just program as a computer scientist.
A good portion of the fields that you can start a career in under computer science have
related research and research centers looking for a better way to solve the issues of today and

tomorrow. Some of these fields are but are not limited to Graphics, Robotics, Computational
Biology, Artificial Inelegance, and Security. These fields of research show that at the top level of
computer science there are so many disciplines to choose from. When everything from
entertainment to health use computers to do the brunt of the brain work, there is always room
for improvement. From better image quality to fast and larger data stores.
The Cornell Database Group explores issues with data management. They are changing
the way we collect and store data. This will improve the size and scalability of Databases. These
projects strive to create larger and more vast games in the number of NPCs with artificial
inelegance that can be contained in a game world. The improvements being made at Cornell
also allows for more comprehensive data collection for government and corporations. In short,
the advancements being made in databases improves both our collection of data and use of
that data.
There is always going to be research to be done in security as security gets better so to
do the tactics for breaking it. Research in security does not only pertain to networks but also
the storage of data and encryption types. This includes cryptography the study of hiding
messages in words. Pictography the study of hiding messages in images. These researchers are
working to find more efficient ways to protect our information.
Research into the physics computations and algorithms used in computer graphics is
improving the quality of graphics in games and animation. Games are becoming one of the
largest forms of social interaction and improving this medium is a lucrative field. As games
become larger in scale and more realistic the areas for improvement will increase.
By looking at these fields of research we can see some of the extent at which computer
technology effects our lives. The fact that the technology risk so ingrained in our lives proves
that there is a lot to do in computer science. There so many things to explore and much more
to be done. The amount of research done thus far also proves that there is more to do.
Companies dont only need people to write the code for their applications but they also
need people to design them and determine the fastest most cost effective approach to solving
a given issue. These are the fields where you see Data Analysts, Systems Analysts, Managers,
User Interface Design and many more. Per George Washington University there are several
areas of computer science outside of programing such as design, coordination, testing,
planning and management (The George Washington University, n.d.). This vast array of areas
shows that computer scientists do more than programing.

Before any work can be done or any code written someone needs to determine the
purpose and execution of a project. These professionals plan how many people are needed for
a project what issue the project solves and how it benefits the company. Knowing this a
manager can allocate time and resources needed to generate a final product.
Companies dont want a rough or unorganized project as their final product or tool. This
means they employ teams of people to design applications and web apps not only as products
but also for the organizations internal purposes. These teams of designers create a series of
conditions that the product or tool must meet. While others create the final look of the product
or tool.
Any time you have a team of people working together you need someone to make sure
they stay on course. These managers also track the development process and report statistics
to higher ups. Managers are not only important to keep employees on task but to communicate
hurdles to overcome and resources to allocate as the project moves along. Managers are there
to support their teams and keep things running smoothly.
This demonstrates that even if you start as a programmer or a tester, as you further
your career you may move into other responsibilities. Every team needs a great designer
planner and someone to get all these people together a manager. Going from one area to
another takes practice and personal development.
As anyone can see there are many fields that stem from computer science. This also
means that new fields of research arise as the needs for simulations and calculations that are
more accurate and faster come about. As of now you should be able to see that computer
scientists not only work in technology companies but in heath, manufacturing, networking,
security, civil projects such as city planning, and many more. In conclusion if there is a computer
the odds are that a computer scientist was involved. My challenge to you is to find a company
that does not need to use computers these days.

Bibliography

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