Peter M.

When I learned about Computer Science as a discipline, what got my attention the most was how broad the field really is. At first, I thought it was just coding, but as stated by Denning et al. (1989), it is much more about solving problems using processes that deal with information, this means that coding is only a fragment of that puzzle.

According to the ACM & IEEE Task Force (2020), the five main computing majors help separate different types of work people can do with computers. Personally, I found this very useful, because many students like me can get confused about the differences between Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Information Technology. Reading their explanations made it clear that CS is more about science and theory, SE is more about building large systems, and IT is more about keeping systems running smoothly. This simple breakdown helped me understand where I might fit best.

One thing I noticed is that Computer Science is always changing. According to Misa (2007), computing has already changed how society works, and it continues to do so today. This makes me realize that students need to learn not only the current tools, but also how to adapt to new ones. I believe schools should focus on teaching students skills that will last long-term, like problem solving, logical thinking, and how to work with teams. Tools may change, but those skills will always be needed.

I also reacted strongly to the idea that ethics must be part of Computer Science. According to Brookshear & Brylow (2019), computers are deeply connected with how people live and work. If that is true, then the people who design and run systems have a responsibility to think about the effects of their work. For example, building AI systems without thinking of privacy or fairness could cause harm. To me, this means that learning Computer Science is not only about skills but also about values.

In the end, I see Computer Science as a powerful field that connects theory and practice, and the five majors give students a clear way to enter the world of computing. For me, the biggest lesson is that Computer Science is not just about machines, but also about people, and how technology can be used responsibly to improve lives.