CSEET'03 - Panels

Panels

Certification for Software Professionals: The IEEE Computer Society's CSDP Program
Friday, 21st March - 16:00
Chair: Stephen B. Seidman - New Jersey Institute of Technology (USA)
Panelists: Donald Bagert - Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (USA), Dennis Frailey - Raytheon (USA), James Mason - SIAC (USA), Fernando Naveda - Rochester Institute of Technology (USA), Allen Parrish - University of Alabama(USA), Ann Sobel - Miami University (USA).

For more than twenty years, the IEEE Computer Society has played a leading role in improving the professionalism of software engineers. Its activities include development of a large collection of software engineering standards, publication of many seminal software engineering journals, texts, and reference books, co-sponsorship of undergraduate software engineering curriculum and accreditation activities, and co-sponsorship of the Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK) project.
In 1999, the Society launched an effort to certify the knowledge of practicing software engineers. This effort led to the development of the Society's CSDP certification examination, which was given to a test group in 2001. The examination will be offered to the public through test centers around the world in Spring 2003. The Society has also encouraged the development of face-to-face and online training opportunities for prospective test-takers. These opportunities will also be available in Spring 2003.

Developing an Undergraduate Software Engineering Degree
Saturday, 22nd March - 11:00
Chair: J. Fernando Naveda - Rochester Institute of Technology (USA)
Panelists: Jocelyn Armarego - Murdoch University (Australia), Donald J. Bagert - Rose Hulman Institute of Technology (USA), Susan Eisenbach - Imperial College London (UK), Thomas B. Hilburn - Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (USA), Steve Seidman - New Jersey Institute of Technology (USA) .
As those who have done it can attest, developing an undergraduate degree in software engineering is a daunting and challenging task, and there have been instances where a department has tried, but failed to get its program approved. A strong desire to develop a program in software engineering together with interested faculty may not be enough to build a credible degree, let alone a curriculum that will be approved by all the administrative and State organizations who may have a say in it .This panel brings together a group whose experience in developing software engineering degrees at their respective institutions may be helpful to those thinking about doing so. Each member of the group will describe his/her experiences in developing an undergraduate program in software engineering and address key issues and problems that should be considered in any such effort. There will also be ample opportunity for interaction among the participants.