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Can you explain a bit about how using PHP is an indictment of the school? Imagine an environment where PHP is considered cutting edge and where 90% of students

Can you explain a bit about how using PHP is an indictment of the school? Imagine an environment where PHP is considered cutting edge and where 90% of students (and 80% teachers) don't know even C properly. That is the environment we have! PHP is something that is completely unknown to teachers and considered cutting edge. And I don't have any issues with Math. Mathematical logic is indeed required. BUT Physics and Chemistry are totally irrelevant as requirements! Unfortunately, they have 66% weight!

anaphor 13y ago
Using PHP for anything is not an indictment in my opinion, but making it the focus of an _engineering class_ is, imo. My point of view is that formal education should be for things you would have a difficult time learning on your own, and I don't see writing a Wordpress app as something you can't learn on your own. The only reason to take such a class is to boost your average, which is fine, but you're not expanding your way of thinking at all. Anyway I completely agree that physics and chemistry should not be heavy requirements like that.
lymie 13y ago
An engineering school that teaches a course in PHP instead of more fundamental and core languages such as C, Java, or even Python is shortchanging their students because they don't learn fundamentals. If I may offer an analogy... There is lots of money to be made in the field of IT and computer science work, just like there is a lot of money to be made in drilling for oil. Teaching C, Java, or Python is like teaching Geology and how to find the oil and how to refine it. It is fundamental. It is the process and the core of the business. PHP is like teaching your students how to work on an oil rig. Fast money. They will probably never have a real stake in the business. They will always be stuck as just, "workers".
seanmcdirmid 13y ago
Physics is often needed for many CS programs. I was a bit worried when I applied to UW CSE with a 2.9, 3.2, and 3.7 in my physics reqs.

anaphor 13y ago

Using PHP for anything is not an indictment in my opinion, but making it the focus of an _engineering class_ is, imo. My point of view is that formal education should be for things you would have a difficult time learning on your own, and I don't see writing a Wordpress app as something you can't learn on your own. The only reason to take such a class is to boost your average, which is fine, but you're not expanding your way of thinking at all. Anyway I completely agree that physics and chemistry should not be heavy requirements like that.

lymie 13y ago

An engineering school that teaches a course in PHP instead of more fundamental and core languages such as C, Java, or even Python is shortchanging their students because they don't learn fundamentals. If I may offer an analogy... There is lots of money to be made in the field of IT and computer science work, just like there is a lot of money to be made in drilling for oil. Teaching C, Java, or Python is like teaching Geology and how to find the oil and how to refine it. It is fundamental. It is the process and the core of the business. PHP is like teaching your students how to work on an oil rig. Fast money. They will probably never have a real stake in the business. They will always be stuck as just, "workers".

seanmcdirmid 13y ago

Physics is often needed for many CS programs. I was a bit worried when I applied to UW CSE with a 2.9, 3.2, and 3.7 in my physics reqs.