1. Maybe the language requirement. I am not very passionate about learning a new language; I find it to be boring and tedious work. Also I do not really find myself using it outside of class at all, hence it never really sticks. Instead, I wish I could choose something I am more interested in, like history, music (piano), or even some other kind of science. I think these could be appropriate substitutions. I guess if language was not required not many people would take it, thus the department could potentially fall apart... which is why it is probably a requirement.
2. Security-focused classes have a lot of pre-reqs, which slows down students wanting to reach those classes. For example, many security classes require courses like ICS 311 and ICS 222 (which are basically just math courses). I wish we could be exposed to security practices and software earlier without having to go through these extra hoops and whistles.
3. ICSpace can get really loud, which is why I prefer to go to the library.
1. Being in the field of computer science, I feel that the courses should try to be streamlined onto one website/platform. For example, ICS 314 has its own website separate from 311 which are both separate from laulima which the school provides and they all essentially do the same thing. It can get confusing going from website to website trying to remember what is due for what class and when.
2. I agree with others below that more ICS classes should find a way to incorporate more focus requirements. If I am majoring in computer science, I shouldn't need to take a dance class to graduate when it has nothing to do with my field of work I am pursuing. This problem is not necessarily what is wrong with the ICS program, but more a problem with college as a whole.
3. Less late night classes. It is hard to have energy and be focused by the time the night class starts because some other classes are only morning time so it is a cycle of waking up early and going to bed late.
The ICS program at UH could improve in a couple of ways. It has improved a lot in the recent past or might have just recently solved some of the problems but nevertheless. If the department had a clearer path, or paths depicting what classes should be taken in order to best prepare students for more specific kinds of work, that would greatly help prepare students early on for the harder classes they need to take later.
It might be helpful for some students if the department were to loan out laptops to students on a semester to semester basis, since not everyone who doesn't have a laptop can spend extra time on campus in the computer lab.
It would benefit many students if all of the sections of a class were to fulfill the same requirements, for instance this semester ICS 314 is writing intensive for Phillip Johnson's classes but not for the other teachers sections.
1. It would be nice to build something one might actually use in real life
2. Limited classes. You need to take things you might not be interested in just to get a degree
3. Some professors make the class difficult on purpose, when there could be an easier way to learn the same material.
1) It would have been have nice if the school could organize study groups.
2) The lab classes have to many students per lab assistant.
3) Some of the syllabus are expensive.
1. It might cost a fair bit of money to acquire a laptop suitable for ICS needs,.
2. A student will need to put in the quality time and effort outside of class in order to perform adequately. May prove to be a problem for those who have a busy schedule.
3. Classes will require different amounts of software, all of which you are responsible to learn.
1. I noticed that ICS classes are generally held later in the day. This is something I want to change as I work best in the mornings.
2. There are not many classes in my field of interest of Data Science. I wish we could take a lot more in depth classes into specific predictive modeling techniques, for example, a class only revolving around neural networks.
3. Another way that the UH ICS program could improve is by working with other departments more formally. For example, working with the business school/math department for formal projects with their students.
1. By reviving the tantalizing bioinformatics courses that are staring at me from the catalog
2. Making more interdisciplinary courses, for people who want to specialize in more sciencey topics
3. Making python more prevalent in the core classes since its convenient and easy to learn
1. Python, instead of Java for introductory courses. ACM actually published a survey in 2014 that says Python is more popular than Java when it comes to languages for teaching programming.
2. Have large classes for lectures with small lab classes the same way they do it for Physics or Chemistry. In small classes, we can focus on writing programs or implementing what we have learned from the large classes.
3. Provide career-related internships.
All in all the university of Hawaii provides a diverse and dynamic education environment.
however it is my opinion that if there were anything that could be changed it would include the following.
1. It can be very difficult for students that are required to work to also pursue a computer science degree at U.H.
and even more so to pursue in a 4 year timeframe.
2. certain important courses are only available at inconvenient times.
3. It can be difficult to find parking
1) Lack of internship opportunities compared to schools from the mainland.
2) We are required to take classes that are not even remotely close to our major (language) and most likely will not use.
3) Some classes are slotted in weird/ inconvenient hours.
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