Front Range Community CollegeFort Collins Campus

credits course# of

sections

# of student

stiming

3 Intro. to Programming 7 140 all

4 Computer Science I: C++

2 50 fall

4 Computer Science II: C++

2 30 spring

3 Java Programming 3 70fall & spring

3 Discrete Structures 1 12 spring

3 C Programming 1 18 2 year

3 Object-Oriented Prog.: C#

1 24 2 year

3 Advanced Java 1 24 2 year

3 Visual Basic 1 18 2 year

4 Computer Organization & Assembly language

1 18 2 year

Curriculum

Thinking about

• Mobile application development• Current languages (CS & web students)• Learning the basics of 2-3 • Python• Perl• Ruby

DemographicsOfficially we look great because the CIS program is OK. The program includes• Computer Science • Computer Information Systems • (more then 50% women in the Word, Excel and

Access classes)

• Computer Web Developer • (about 50% women)

Computer Networking was included until this year, it is as bad as Computer Science.

Reality – this spring

Computer Science II • 38 people (4 women started the class, 2 women completed the class)

Java• 24 people in Java ( 6 women started, 4 completed, 2 were the same as in Computer Science II)• Total 60 people 8 women, 52 men

Challenges• Hiring and keeping good instructors• Students coming in with unrealistic beliefs• 2 year certificate and they will get a $60,000 /

year job

• Too many students have low math ability• Pressure by administration to have completers when too many classes won’t transfer• Advertising is for the program (3 years and still nothing)• State issues

Successful practices (general)•All classes are in a computer lab•Small classes•Student TA in the bigger classes.• A more advanced student helps students during class.

•Computer Help Center • Student staffed

•Hachathon

Successful practices (personal)•Homework Redo• Students redo homework until it is close to perfect• Penalties for each day / redo• Very harsh grading – many students get a zero on first attempt

•Daily quizzes (almost)•Small group work