Leveling the Playing Field

The first stop for many students is enrolling in the Northwestern CS introductory course sequence. Historically, the mandatory sequence began with Fundamentals of Computer Programming I (CS 111) followed directly by Fundamentals of Computer Programming II (CS 211).

In the past few years, however, faculty have found that students who had already learned to program in high school had a big advantage in this sequence. In fall 2020, Sood launched Fundamentals of Computer Programming 1.5 to serve as a bridge between the first two courses.

“We found that the gap between 111 and 211 was a difficult leap for people who had not programmed before,” Sood says, “and that really hurt us in terms of serving students who didn’t program in high school. This new course helps the transition for students starting CS studies their first year of college.”

The department also recognized that non-CS majors might need a different entry point altogether. Sarah Van Wart, assistant professor of instruction, revamped Intro to Computer Programming as a beginning course for non-majors with no prior programming knowledge.

“The difference between the CS majors and non-majors is a history of technical experience with code,” Van Wart says. “Some students have been programming since elementary or middle school, some are just starting. Some students have a humanities and social science focus, some are STEM all the way. It’s very hard to pin down the typical student, and that’s great.”

The course uses familiar applications like art and music to engage students in the creative problem-solving, such as producing animation, that programming can support. It also emphasizes the idea of computational thinking, the process of formulating and solving problems by breaking them down into simple steps.

“Non-major students usually have not yet established a computational way of thinking,” Hu says. “I find it essential to reinforce computational thinking in non-major classes. I also spend more time ensuring that students can get their questions answered quickly.”

Other non-majors, including journalism and music students, regularly enroll in the Tools and Technology of the World Wide Web course Van Wart launched as an introduction to both computer programming and basic information design. Students practice building interfaces and work on projects relevant to their interests, including portfolios, interactive photo galleries, and infographics.

“Aside from offering the introductory classes to help students bring up their experience level, I think one of the best things we can do at the instructor level for the CS major classes is acknowledge that everyone comes from different backgrounds, everyone has a skill set they are bringing to the table, and everyone proceeds at a different pace,” says Sruti Bhagavatula, assistant professor of instruction. “We’re here to work with the students and figure out how to ensure everyone is learning effectively, and to give them the resources they need to continue.”

Developing Advanced Interdisciplinary Courses

Upper-level courses have also shifted, thanks to an expanding faculty. In 2016, the University announced a growth initiative committed to adding 10 new faculty appointments in core computer science areas and 10 collaborative CS+X appointments jointly with units outside the McCormick School of Engineering. Since then, Northwestern CS has added 16 new tenure-track faculty members and plans to hire nine additional faculty in the coming years.

During this time, the department has also added 10 fully integrated teaching-track faculty, all of whom hold doctorate degrees, advise undergraduate research projects, and pursue their own research specialties. The bolstered breadth of research interests among the expanded faculty team combined with their energy and passion has led to a host of new advanced, interdisciplinary courses. A common theme among several new classes is an emphasis on the social implications of technology.

In response to a specific request for an ethics course, Van Wart joined forces with Sepehr Vakil, assistant professor of learning sciences at the Northwestern School of Education and Social Policy, to launch Computing, Ethics, and Society.

The interactive course examines computing through the lens of social theories. Students assess how computing technologies both benefit and harm lives individually, culturally, and politically and examine critically the values, ideologies, and contexts through which computing technologies emerge.

Composed primarily of undergraduate students majoring in computer science, learning sciences, sociology, or legal studies, the course also draws graduate students, including those in the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program.

“Students from different disciplines with different backgrounds and experiences bring valuable insights to class around how technology and society mutually shape one another,” Van Wart says.

Students Building Community

Creating a supportive, inclusive community goes beyond offering new courses. Northwestern CS students also connect and build relationships through student groups and the peer mentor program.

Launched in 2015 by Professor Ian Horswill, the Northwestern CS undergraduate peer mentor program helps ensure that students representing a range of computing backgrounds receive individual attention and real-time feedback. Peer mentors aid students in courses at all levels. During regular “office hours,” they serve as positive role models, encouraging progress, answering questions, and providing instruction on course material.

Each quarter, Northwestern CS hires more than 150 undergraduates for the program. “Peer mentors are well-versed in the subject material and are familiar with the common errors students make because they went through the same themselves,” says Abigail Coneeny, a fourth-year computer science student and mentor.

“Peer mentors have helped me in my CS classes more times than I can count, and I’m glad to give back,” says Chase Duvall, a mentor pursuing a combined bachelor of arts and master of science in computer science degree. “One-on-one support from other undergraduates who understand the student experience really makes a difference. Whether in office hours, on class forums, or in tutorial sessions, it’s always gratifying to help someone have an aha moment.”

Outside of the classroom, students have created several CS-focused student groups, including Women in Computing, CodeID: Code for Inclusion and Diversity, and Code‘n’Color, a doctoral student support group for Black, Indigenous, and other people of color in computing and coding-related disciplines.

Van Wart, a faculty adviser for student groups, says they provide support, friendship, and an encouraging view of a CS future, adding, “Students have a vision of trying to build the world they want to live in. It makes me very hopeful.”

Photography by Jason Brown and Rob Hart