CONCEPTS OF COMPUTING

Computing has dramatically influenced progress in science, engineering, business, and

many other areas of human endeavor. In today’s world, nearly everyone needs to use
computers, and many will want to study computing in some form. Computing will continue to
present challenging career opportunities, and those who work in computing will have a crucial
role in shaping the future. [1]

A. Definition of Computing

Computing is the process of utilizing computer technology to complete a task. Computing

may involve computer hardware and/or software, but must involve some form of a computer
system. Most individuals use some form of computing every day whether they realize it or not.
Swiping a debit card, sending an email, or using a cell phone can all be considered forms of
computing. "Mason understood that his new job at the large IT firm would require a large portion
of computing projects." [2]
The ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) Computing Curricula 2005 defined computing
as:
The term "computing" has sometimes been narrowly defined, as in a 1989 ACM report on
Computing as a Discipline:
The discipline of computing is the systematic study of algorithmic processes that
describe and transform information: their theory, analysis, design, efficiency,
implementation, and application. The fundamental question underlying all computing
is "What can be (efficiently) automated?"[1]

The term "computing" is also synonymous with counting and calculating. In earlier times, it
was used in reference to mechanical computing machines. [1]

B. The Overview Report

Since Curriculum ’68, the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Computer
Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE-CS) have endeavored to
maintain a current and formally defined recommended curriculum for computer science
programs. Similar work has taken place since the early 1970s in the field of information systems,
under the auspices of the ACM, the Association for Information Systems (AIS), and the
Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP). The 2001 update for the computer
science curriculum (Computing Curricula 2001 – Computer Science) pointed out the need for
formal curriculum documents from CpE and SE, and also stated, “Once the individual reports
have been completed, representatives from all the [computing] disciplines will come together to
produce an overview volume that links the series together. That overview volume will contain
definitions of the

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C. Computing Disciplines

Computing is not just a single discipline but is a family of disciplines. During the 1990s,
important changes in computing and communications technology and in the impact of that
technology on society led to important changes in this family of disciplines.
In the Review Report, they characterize each of the five major computing disciplines. These
are:

Computer Engineering

Computer Engineering is concerned with the design and construction of computers and
computer-based systems. It involves the study of hardware, software, communications, and
the interaction among them. Its curriculum focuses on the theories, principles, and practices
of traditional electrical engineering and mathematics and applies them to the problems of
designing computers and computer-based devices.
Computer Science

Computer science spans a wide range, from its theoretical and algorithmic foundations
to cutting-edge developments in robotics, computer vision, intelligent systems,
bioinformatics, and other exciting areas. We can think of the work of computer scientists as
falling into three categories.
• They design and implement software. Computer scientists take on challenging
programming jobs. They also supervise other programmers, keeping them aware of
new approaches.
• They devise new ways to use computers. Progress in the CS areas of networking,
database, and human-computer-interface enabled the development of the World
Wide Web. Now CS researchers are working with scientists from other fields to make
robots become practical and intelligent aides, to use databases to create new
knowledge, and to use computers to help decipher the secrets of our DNA.
• They develop effective ways to solve computing problems. For example, computer
scientists develop the best possible ways to store information in databases, send data
over networks, and display complex images. Their theoretical background allows
them to determine the best performance possible, and their study of algorithms helps
them to develop new approaches that provide better performance.
Information Systems

Information systems specialists focus on integrating information technology solutions

and business processes to meet the information needs of businesses and other enterprises,
enabling them to achieve their objectives in an effective, efficient way. This discipline’s

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 Information Technology

Information technology is a label that has two meanings. In the broadest sense, the
term information technology is often used to refer to all of computing. In academia, it refers
to undergraduate degree programs that prepare students to meet the computer technology
needs of business, government, healthcare, schools, and other kinds of organizations. In
some nations, other names are used for such degree programs.
Software Engineering

Software engineering is the discipline of developing and maintaining software systems

that behave reliably and efficiently, are affordable to develop and maintain, and satisfy all the
requirements that Customers have defined for them. More recently, it has evolved in
response to factors such as the growing impact of large and expensive software systems in
a wide range of situations and the increased importance of software in safety-critical
applications.
Software engineering is different in character from other engineering disciplines due to both
the intangible nature of software and the discontinuous nature of software operation. It
seeks to integrate the principles of mathematics and computer science with the engineering
practices developed for tangible, physical artifacts. Prospective students can expect to see
software engineering presented in two contexts.
discipline of software engineering with the ambiguous use of the term software engineer
as used in employment advertisements and job titles.

D. Graphical Views of the Computing Disciplines

Knowledge Areas: DIFFERENCES

In an effort to graphically portray these disciplines juxtaposed against each other, the
detailed descriptions of each of these knowledge areas were compiled into pie charts that
can assist in understanding the differences between these programs. There are 83 total
knowledge areas. Many of them overlap or have much similarity, so these 83 knowledge
areas were reduced to 15 emphasis areas for this paper. Additionally, since each formal
curriculum also gives an idea how much time should be spent on each knowledge area, it
was possible to combine subtopics within some knowledge areas. It is acknowledged that
the graphs derived from this analysis (Figures I-1 to I-4) are somewhat oversimplified, but
[3]
this was essential in order to reduce the complexity of the graphs as a whole.

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 Figure I – 1:
Computer
Science

Figure I – 2:
Computer Engineering

Figure I – 3: Figure I – 4:
Information Information
Systems Technology

Figure I: Knowledge Areas for Each of the Computing Discipline

In general, the graphs give great insight into each discipline. Computer engineering has
a very strong emphasis on computer hardware (Figure I-1); CS has a strong emphasis on
algorithms & complexity, computer hardware, programming, and software life cycle (Figure
I2). Information systems has a strong emphasis on developing information systems (Figure
I3), and IT has emphases in human-computer interaction, information management
(databases), development of information systems, networks, programming and security.
Software engineering has their major emphasis in the area of the software life cycle. [3]

Knowledge Areas: COMMONALITIES

It is not a surprise that there are substantial differences among these five computing disciplines.
Nevertheless, it would be very surprising if there were not some commonalities, since they all
claim to be a computing discipline. Analysis of the formal curricula shows that all five programs
cover: [3]

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 • Computer foundational topics
• Computer programming (including algorithms, implementation, and software quality)
• Capabilities and limitations of computers (including societal impact)
• Software lifecycle issues
• Processes, both computing and professional
• Advanced computing topics
• Professionalism (including interpersonal communications, teamwork, management,
ethics, and legal constraints)
• Applications to join theory and skills (including labs, assignments, projects, etc.) 
Capstone projects/Thesis

E. Nature of the Field of Study

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS)

The BS Computer Science program includes the study of computing concepts and
theories, algorithmic foundations and new developments in computing. The program prepares
students to design and create algorithmically complex software and develop new and effective
algorithms for solving computing problems.

Bachelor of Science in Information Systems (BSIS)

The BS Information Systems Program includes the study of application and effect of
information technology to organizations. Graduates of the program should be able to implement
an information system, which considers complex technological and organizational factors
affecting it. These include components, tools, techniques, strategies, methodologies, etc.

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT)

The BS Information Technology includes the study of the utilization of both hardware
and software technologies involving planning, installing, customizing, operating, managing and
administering, and maintaining information technology infrastructure that provides computing
solutions to address the needs of an organization.

The program prepares graduates to address various user needs involving the selection,
development, application, integration and management of computing technologies within an
organization.

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F. Program Goals

The BSCS, BSIS, and BSIT graduates are expected to become globally competent,
innovative, and socially and ethically responsible computing professionals engaged in life-long
learning endeavours. They are capable of contributing to the country’s national development
goals.

G. Specific Professions/Careers/Occupations for Graduates

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS)

Primary Job Roles

• Software Engineer
• Systems Software Developer
• Research and Development computing professional
• Applications Software Developer
• Computer Programmer

Secondary Job Roles

• System Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Quality Assurance Specialist
• Software Support Specialist

Bachelor of Science in Information Systems (BSIS)

Primary Job Roles

• Organizational Process Analyst

• Data Analyst
• Solutions Specialist
• System Analyst
• IS Project Management Personnel
Secondary Job Roles

• Applications Developer
• End User Trainer
• Documentation Specialist
• Quality Assurance Specialist

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Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT)
Primary Job Roles

• Web and Applications Developer

• Junior Database Administrator
• Systems Administrator
• Network Engineer
• Junior Information Security Administrator
• Systems Integration Personnel
• IT Audit Assistant
• Technical Support Specialist

Secondary Job Roles

• QA Specialist
• System Analyst
• Computer Programmer

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