Problem Description

Problem Characteristics



Student Progression Dilemma in Computer Science at ODU


  • Students are not following the course series in the expected order
    This data provides purpose behind the need to reassess methods of assisting students’ progress in how they learn the topics at hand
    When during the learning process this assistance would be most effective

    Changes in class volume, which could indicate that students are leaving the major for less intense fields

    Drop-off in student numbers from CS150 to CS250
    Related to differing major requirements and course overlap, but the decrease in student body is significant enough to warrant a deeper look into later classes in the major path

    Decreasing class sizes show a steady decline in CS course enrollments as course level difficulty advances
    Decreases may be indicative of students dropping out of the CS program or changing majors


    Statistics to Support the Student Progression Dilemma


    According to the ODU Factbook:

    2012 - 2016:
    Number of undergraduate CS majors increased from 284 to 429
    Showing the high demand in the degree path

    2014 - 2015:
    Roughly 672 students enrolled in CS150

    2015 - 2016:
    Roughly 327 students enrolled in CS250

    2016 - 2017:
    Roughly 199 students enrolled in CS361
    Roughly 180 students enrolled in CS330
    Roughly 182 students enrolled in CS350


    Computer Science Courses as Requirements


    CS150:
    “Service Course”
    Required to be taken by CS, Physics, Math, Engineering, & Mod-Simulation majors

    CS250:
    Required to be taken by CS, Mod-Simulation, & Computer and Electrical Engineering majors

    CS330:
    Required to be taken by CS & Mod-Simulation majors

    CS361:
    Required to be taken by CS & Computer and Electrical Engineering majors

    CS350:
    Required to be taken by CS & Computer Engineering majors


    Student Progression Dilemma - Table






    Student Progression Dilemma - Graph






    Student Progression Dilemma - Table & Graph - Updated