jane | April 3, 2008...since it does relate to my posts!
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jane | April 3, 2008In this next part of the strangely popular series "Is Computer Science a Science?", I'll look at whether Computer Science fits the definition of "science". (see parts 1 and 1a for the inaugural posts in the series)
Most people seem to apply a certain litmus test of sorts to determine if something is a science. Something is a science if
(1) it uses the scientific method (i.e., empirical research and observation)
(2) it involves studying "fundamental principles" of the natural or physical world
(1) is, I think, a bit easier to address. I use the scientific method all the time in my work: I…
jane | March 30, 2008This weekend, I went to 2 different retailers to return a couple of items. (Grandma Jane bought Baby Jane an Easter outfit that consisted of a frilly frilly dress and a delicate WHITE sweater. Now, Easter is not exactly a dress-wearing holiday in our household, and if Baby Jane wore either item to daycare, or even around the house for more than 30 seconds, the outfit would be toast.) Since I was there anyway, and since shopping trips ALONE are so rare these days, I decided to check out the baby departments and see if I could spend the store credit then and there.
My experience at each…
jane | March 27, 2008Before I get too deeply into the Is computer science a science? series, ScienceMama suggested that I give my non-computer scientist readers an idea of what computer scientists actually do on a daily basis.
I'm going to focus on what I do as a research scientist. Hopefully some of my readers who are working as computer scientists in industry/government will chime in in the comments with a snapshot of what they do as well.
So, what does a typical research-focused day in my life look like?
MORNING:
First thing: check email, very briefly, just to make sure I don't have to put out any fires or…
jane | March 25, 2008
You could have stayed in bed all day and gotten more accomplished than you actually did.
You are a computer scientist---someone who works with computers for a living---and can't figure out how to program a seemingly simple thing on your computer.
You have an encounter that makes you (a) seriously question your department's dedication to properly mentoring you and (b) seriously question whether you have a snowball's chance in hell of getting tenure at your institution.
You have an infuriating encounter with a student that makes you question whether the encounter would have gone much…
jane | March 24, 2008There's an old saying that my friends in other fields love to bring up from time to time: any discipline that has science in its name, probably isn't a science.
Are they right? Is there some truth in that statement?
When I started to think about this question, I thought I could get it all into a single post. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how complex this question really is. So this will be the first post in a series exploring whether (or under what circumstances) computer science can be considered a science.
First, some background. Why am I interested in this…
jane | March 19, 2008Longtime readers of this blog are familiar with the struggles I've had to finish and submit journal articles. In particular, there are two such articles that I've been working on forever that I just couldn't seem to wrap up, for one reason or another.
Well, ahem...check out the "Stuff I should probably be working on" in the sidebar.
That's right, I finally got one of the two monkeys off my back. Relief does not even begin to describe what I feel right now.
I fully expect this article to be rejected, or best case scenario require major revisions. I sent it to the top journal in my…
jane | March 17, 2008Dear faithful blog readers,
Please excuse Jane from regular posting for a few days. She has hit the perfect storm of multiple deadlines combined with a hell week for Mr. Jane and very poorly timed day care closures. Once she figures out which deadline can be dumped or postponed with the least dire consequences, once she stops having to do the Day Care Shuffle, and once things return to "normal", she will be back to posting as usual. (And probably have a few things to say about backup child care arrangements.)
Fondly,
Jane's brain
(hmmm, I seem to be having a sense of deja vu, here.)
jane | March 13, 2008It happens like clockwork: as spring approaches, I get hit with the uncontrollable urge to rearrange my office.
Maybe this is my really bizarre method of "spring cleaning". All I know is that once spring hits, I decide that I simply! can't! work! in my office as it's currently set up, and that it's high time to move some furniture around.
I guess in a way this is healthy---new surroundings mean that you're taking away the familiar, forcing your brain to pay attention and fire new synapses and whatever it is that brains do when they have to "think differently". And that can only be good for…
jane | March 10, 2008On an intellectual level (and a good friend reminded me of this a few days ago), I realize that when students plagiarize or otherwise cheat in a course, it has nothing to do with me.
On an emotional level, it still stings. It's hard to dissociate the action/intent from the personal.
I'm currently dealing with a particularly tricky and trying case. Bright kid, tons of potential, can definitely do the work and excel at the work, but ... repeat offender.
I can't help but think, "why?"
On a practical level: why did the student go to the lengths she (I'm just going to use "she" for simplicity)…
jane | March 7, 2008Say you are a woman in computing. Maybe you're struggling to get through school. Maybe you're trying to start up a mentoring program, or have a great project idea, or are facing a career transition. And maybe you need some funds to get your project/schooling/transition off the ground, or at least help it along.
There's a program that might be of assistance....
The Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology, and the Systers Online Community, sponsor a program called Pass-It-On Grants. The idea behind the grants is to develop a network of women, who provide financial assistance to their…
jane | March 6, 2008Hello, ScienceBlogs readers!
I am so thrilled to be joining this little corner of cyberspace. Allow me to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about why I'm here.
I'm Jane. I'm a computer scientist, an assistant professor, and a new mom. Trying to juggle those three identities is, shall we say, challenging at times, but never dull.
I started blogging in late December of 2004. (Geez, has it been that long?!) When I started my original blog (over at See Jane Compute), there weren't that many women science bloggers out there. So my blog started as a way to add a new voice to the…