Creating a new model curriculum: A rationale for Computing curricula 1990

Abstract

The Joint Curriculum Task Force of the acm and the ieee Computer Society has proposed a new flexible collection of curricula which provides the basis for broad-based undergraduate computing programs. In order to have the curricula applicable to as many types of undergraduate institutions as possible, the curricula have been designed around a collection of “knowledge units” which can be put together in a variety of ways to form a coherent set of courses leading to a major in computing. In order to help provide connections between these knowledge units, the task force has also identified a number of “recurring concepts” which tie together seemingly disparate parts of the curriculum. The purpose of this article is to provide an informal discussion of the considerations that went into the creation of these curricular guidelines, and provide insight into the reasons behind many of the decisions that were made.