The University of Alabama computer honors program

Abstract

Most universities around the country design their curricula for the average student. They provide information to the student, develop his ability to perform techniques with accuracy and understanding and, at most they develop his power of analysis and ability to solve problems. The degree requirements of the umiversities create a lack of flexibility in the educational curricula. Because there is little opportunity for the creative student to exercise his imagination and work independently, many universities have now established honor programs which are designed to improve the quality of education for bright s t u d e n t s . I n 1968, Dr. Char les L. Seebeck e s t a b l i s h e d the University of Alabama Computer Based Honors Program for the creative and independent student. He realized through his work with students in the University Computer Center that the cam. purer would be an ideal tool for teaching bright students. It would allow students a greater c~pert,~-4ty to .he creative, to use their imaginations, and to work independently because not all of the answers in the field of computer science are known--particularly in the area of applications and systems work. With this in mind, Dr. Seebeck designed a proposal for a computer based honors program. His proposal resulted in the receiving of a grant from the National Science Foundation making the Computer Based Honors Program a reality. Dr. Seebeck directed the Program until he retired in 1976. Dr. Thomas F. Gatts then replaced him as director. The Cm~puter Honors Program is designed f~ students who are interested in acquiring an education i n g r e a t e r dep th t han i s no rma l ly a c cep ted by an undergraduate. Studen t s i n the program are permitted to select their major fields of study and the division of the University in which they wish to enroll. The participants in the program have been enrolled in mathematics, engineering, biology, and other areas of the University. As ready as 18 hours credit may be earned for participation in Computer Honors classes and seminars to apply toward degree requirements in any division of the University. Selecting students to participate in the Program is not an easy task. Each year letters are sent out to the students in the National Merit Finals informing them about Computer Based ~nors. Around SO0 responses are usually received, and after being evaluated by the Computer Advisory Board, these a re narrowed down to 20 a p p l i c a n t s . These a p p l i c a n t s are t h e n i n v i t e d t o v i s i t the campus of the U n i v e r s i t y f o r about two days f o r testing, evaluatlou and interviews. After this, the board meets and selects five finalists mad two alteraates to participate in the program. Each of the five finalists receive student support felIowshipe of $1000 for each year that they remaim in the Honors Program. The money for the fellows h i p s now comes from the P r e s i d e n t ' s O f f i c e . Other s t u d e n t s a re p e r m i t t e d i n the Program w i t h the permission of the director of the Program. The students in Computer Honors are chosen on the basis of their potential for general academic success in the University, and also en their ability to "work independently, thlmk logically, and reason abstractly." An interest in developing skills in computer techniques is also sought. The Computer Honors Program is designed te follow a four-year format. Freshmen entering the program must take an intensive, high-level course their first two semesters at the University. This course is designed to give them an introduction to electronic data processing and ts equip them t o w r i t e i n s t r u c t i o n s f o r computers i n bo th p rob lem and mach4ne oriented language. Simoe the students are bright, six semester hours is sufficient to enable the students to utilize the University,s computing equipment with ease and i m a g i n a t i o n . During the s t u d e n t s ' l a s t th ree y e a r s i n the program, they a re a s s i g n e d to a c o m p u t e r o r i e n t e d r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t . F a c u l t y w i t h c o m p u t e r o r i e n t e d r e s e a r c h p r o j e c t s may r e q u e s t the a i d o f an i n t e r e s t e d h o n o r s t u d e n t i n br ing~n~ t h e i r r e s ea rch p r o j e c t t o a s u c c e s s f u l c o n c l u s i o n or the mare. advanced a t u d e n t s may work on projects of their own origination. While in the program, the student works with and under the direction ef • faculty msmber who is the leader of the project. This close relationship of student and faculty member helps provide a basis for creative endeavet. It also provides the faculty member with • broader knowledge of the computer as • useful tool. The student participates in project planning, prepares computer programs necessary for the completion of the project and aids in interpreting the results. When a student completes one project he is assigned to another. No attempt is made te assign a student to a project in his field er major interest. The only formal part of the program during the last three years is a one-hour-aweek seminar. During this sem4na~ the students report on completed projects or discuss algorithms they have designed to solve their research