Curriculum Committee ("CC") Minutes for 14 November 1995

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Attending:  Arora, Fleming, Fujimura, Goyal, Mamrak, Michaylov, Ogden,
            Sadayappan, Supowit, Weide, Yeack

* Discussion of proposed course on "Introduction to High-Performance
  Computing" (piloted as CIS 694E)
    
  Saday described the rationale and content of this course, which has
  been piloted 3 times as CIS 694E with attendance of about 20-30
  each time.  The intent is to offer a service course for grad students
  in other Eng and Sci departments who need to design and implement
  efficient codes for scientific computation problems.  This makes the
  course not part of the usual "zero-sum game", since it will attract
  new students to CIS courses and will consequently represent an addition
  to our collective teaching load.
  
  CC made several recommendations:
    - Change name to "Introduction to High-Performance Scientific Computing".
    - Assign (temporarily at least) the number 621, indicating that the
      course may be taken by CIS undergrads, and by CIS grad students
      for grad credit.  Saday argued the course is not appropriate for
      a typical CIS undergrad, so all but top-notch students should be
      counseled to try something else as a technical elective.
    - Clarify description to include "performance measurement of parallel
      algorithms", replacing "performance evaluation of ...".
    - Clarify objectives to make them more specific and "checkable".
    - In conjunction with the recommendation below, be prepared to offer
      the course once in summer (as with the pilots) and once in winter
      quarter.
    
  Most discussion centered on the role of this course vis-a-vis CIS 721.
  CC recommended that the faculty in this area come back with a proposal
  that includes a plan to make the proposed CIS 621 a prerequisite for
  CIS 721, to minimize overlap.  The prerequisites to CIS 621 should make
  it accessible to non-CIS students (as they do in the original proposal).
  CIS 721 may have additional CIS prerequisites (e.g., CIS 775).
  
  There was concern that CIS students concentrating in parallel computing
  should become familiar with the proposed CIS 621 content, and that there
  is little likelihood of adding yet another course in this area.  CIS 621
  will need to fulfill its original service role, along with a role
  for CIS grad students, and be selectable by (very good) CIS undergrads
  as a technical elective.
  
  Saday agreed to consult with other faculty in the area to follow up
  on these suggestions.
  
  
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Next meeting: Tuesday November 21, 12:30-1:30 in DL 698.


Respectfully submitted,

	Bruce W. Weide, CC Chair