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