Class Journal Week 1

Nicole Anguiano

Before reading the Denning articles (on your honor), answer the following questions;

1. When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?
   • When I hear the term computer science, I think of creation. To me, computer science is not only the science of computing, but the science of creating new software and hardware to perform computational tasks and to make our lives easier.
2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
   • My older relatives and friends who are not versed in computer science think of something complicated and difficult to understand. They think of binary and complicated lines of code, and the coders that they see in movies.
3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
   • Younger relatives and friends think of code and new ways of doing things.

Before reading the Janovy chapter (on your honor), answer the following questions;

1. When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?
   • When I hear the term biology, I think primarily of cells and genetics.
2. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?
   • I do consider myself a biologist. I have a desire to know and learn about the intricacies of life. Being a biologist is not solely about experimenting in a wet lab and going out in nature. It's also about the desire to learn about biology and having a curiosity about the world.

After reading the Denning articles and the Janovy chapter, answer the following questions:

1. What was the purpose of these readings?
   • I believe the purpose of these readings was to get a new perspective on biology and computer science. Many people have preconceived notions as to what biology and computer science are. The articles provided a different viewpoint to the fields of computer science and biology, challenging us to think about them in new ways and from a different perspective.
2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
   • The voice of the programmer appeals to me the most. While several of the other voices, such as that of the Computational Thinker and the Scientist also appealed to me, programming is what excites me the most. The possibilities behind what can be created through programming inspire me to keep learning and growing as a programmer.
3. Apply one of the seven principles from the Computing is a Natural Science article to something as "non-computer-science"-y as possible, either from other subjects or your daily life.
   • Automation can be applied to habits. Many people, myself included, have a routine that they follow every morning after getting out of bed. First the habit has to be developed (just iike a search algorithm needs to be coded before use), but after the habit has been formed, it becomes almost automatic. I don't need to think about my morning routine - it's just something that I do automatically.
4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
   • One thing I found interesting about the Janovy reading was the connection of biology and art, especially regarding the separation of art and science in schools. In my personal experience, the sciences and the arts have been separated ever since I was in middle school, with students focusing primarily in one or the other. I had never really thought about how biology and art are connected, and the Janovy article helped me to see the connection between them. Biological understanding is conveyed through art, with the art serving to bring focus to the content of the paper or textbook. This helps to deepen the student's understanding of the material. As a result, I can see that art and science should not be separated, but instead linked.
5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
   • Being a biologist means being a naturalist and having a sense of wonder about the world and how the world works. It means having an interest in the world of organisms, and being able to appreciate the natural world. I do consider myself to be a biologist. I have an interest in the world and the organisms that make up the world. Even if my passions lie in computers and technology, I have never lost the sense of wonder at the natural world and the creatures within it.

Nanguiano (talk) 14:30, 6 September 2015 (PDT)

Emily Simso

Before reading the Denning articles (on your honor), answer the following questions;

1. When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?
   • When I hear computer science, I mostly think of programming or people writing code for various programs. It's very technical and requires a lot of training and knowledge.
2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
   • I imagine that an older generation would have a similar view to computer science as I do, with the emphasis of the technological aspects. For some, this vision may be slightly less defined that my own, since it's a newer field that is constantly changing.
3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
   • A younger generation would maybe have a broader view of computer science, since they can see more direct applications in their own lives.

Before reading the Janovy chapter (on your honor), answer the following questions;

1. When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?
   • The term "biology" makes me think of doing field experiments, research, and observations. Biology is an interesting field because it incorporates so much and can be used in so many different ways.
2. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?
   • I would consider myself a biologist because not only do I perform biological work in my courses, but I am motivated to learn more about the natural world around me.

After reading the Denning articles and the Janovy chapter, answer the following questions:

1. What was the purpose of these readings?
   • These readings provided a good overview of how computer science and biology are used in the everyday. I think they provided a better appreciation of both fields and the variety of work they encompass and also showed how the two areas are connected to each other.
2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
   • The Scientist voice appealed to me the most because I like that computer science can be used in the "traditional" science fields to make new discoveries about the natural world. I also like the idea that this could also be applied to the medical professions.
3. Apply one of the seven principles from the Computing is a Natural Science article to something as "non-computer-science"-y as possible, either from other subjects or your daily life.
   • As a Dance minor, the principle of Coordination stood out to me as particularly applicable. In dance, you not only have to coordinate your own body in various ways, but you have to do so with the others around you as well. Everyone is in a "network" of sorts as you work together to achieve a common goal that, ultimately, will also have some function.
4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
   • I liked the idea of changing your mindset from " I do" to "I am." I think this represents a shift in mindset that is important no matter what field you go into because it means that not only is your body immersed in your work, but your mind and inner self as well. It marks a different level of passion that I think is important if you want to make any real difference in your profession.
5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
   • After reading the article, being a biologist means having a deep appreciation and understanding of the natural world and striving to make this a part of your daily life. I think it also means being able to incorporate other ways of thinking into your own as technology grows and the scope of the natural world expands. The author also seemed to think that biologists sometimes have to defend the importance of their work to others, but so willingly because they are so dedicated to what they do.

Emilysimso (talk) 10:37, 5 September 2015 (PDT)

Before reading the Denning articles (on your honor), answer the following questions;

1. When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?

• From my basic understanding of the science, programming and C++ come to mind.

2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?

• Windows 95 or Windows 98 comes up a good amount in conversation.

3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?

• My younger cousins are infatuated with minecraft and understand so much more about computers than I did at that age. They have a stronger base when it comes to understanding the subject than the generation before them.

Before reading the Janovy chapter (on your honor), answer the following questions;

4. When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?

• The study of life, in all its forms.

5. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?

• Yes, because I enjoy and actively pursue to study life in all its forms. Biology is a vast science with many pathways to find a greater understanding of life and all its intricacies.

After reading the Denning articles and the Janovy chapter, answer the following questions: 6. What was the purpose of these readings?

• Both Computer Science and Biology are very similar in that they take data sets and information and derive and explain its meaning. These readings give a greater understanding into the meaning of the terms Computer Scientist and Biologist. There is a broad category of jobs and endeavors to be undertaken in both fields. The combination of these two disciplines opens up a new niche of endeavors to be undertaken and questions to be proposed. FINISH!

7. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?

• Finish

8. Apply one of the seven principles from the Computing is a Natural Science article to something as "non-computer-science"-y as possible, either from other subjects or your daily life.

• Hierarchical aggregation can be seen throughout all of biology, especially cell theory. Cells compose tissues, which compose organs, which compose systems, which ultimately comprise the organisms the organ systems reside in. This idea can be seen in the way our military is structured. There is always heirarchy in place to describe the order of command, who is in charge and has the ultimate authority. Starting with the grunts at the bottom of the totem pole and the Generals at the top.

9. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?

• Finish

10. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?

• Finish

--Eyanosch (talk) 15:22, 5 September 2015 (PDT)

Brandon Litvak

Before reading the Denning articles (on your honor), answer the following questions;

1. When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?
   • When I hear the term computer science, I think of logic, structure, and coding. Infrastructure and hardware development also comes to mind. For me, computer science is something that leads to new resources and tools; products that enrich our lives and help us solve problems.
2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
   • Older relatives/friends would likely think of the software and hardware that they use on a day-to-day basis and its development. They would probably see CS as being a complicated field that is difficult to understand.
3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
   • Younger relatives and friends would likely associate computer science with progress and the various systems that are the products of computer science. I think that they see CS as an exciting and growing field that will continue to impact their lives.

Before reading the Janovy chapter (on your honor), answer the following questions;

1. When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?
   • Life systems, interrelationships, and existence come to mind when I hear the term biology. Biology is not something that is abstract; it certainly feels tangible and salient in daily life.
2. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?
   • I do consider myself a biologist because I connect biology to aspects of my surroundings and experience. I feel that the world, and the relationship that living beings have with it, must be explored.

After reading the Denning articles and the Janovy chapter, answer the following questions:

1. What was the purpose of these readings?
   • I think that the purpose of these readings was to give an insider perspective on the two worlds of biology and computer science (and to make those two fields feel less abstract and more human). Another purpose would be to broaden the perspectives of both CS and biology (for the reader) and to show how they both relate to each other and to other fields.
2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
   • The Scientist definitely appeals to me the most because it seems, for me, to be the most exciting and forward-thinking of the voices. The Scientist also highlights collaboration and interdisciplinary work, which is something that is essential (and the driving force behind a lot of great discoveries). Another voice that I see a lot of appeal in is the User; I just really enjoy using and consuming the products of the CS field.
3. Apply one of the seven principles from the Computing is a Natural Science article to something as "non-computer-science"-y as possible, either from other subjects or your daily life.
   • The principle of compression is evident in the use of mnemonic devices to represent and remember information. Compression is also prevalent in a lot of fields through the use of streamlined models to convey information (e.g. the use of bond-line structures in organic chemistry to show a simplified view of a molecule’s structure).
4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
   • One of the most compelling ideas brought up in the Janovy reading was that of values being a lot like tools. It is a really fascinating thought that a lack of values, like a lack of certain equipment, limits the areas in which one can comfortably work and think. Janovy makes clear the use and importance of values and I find his argument to be very simple and provocative.
5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
   • To be a biologist is to understand that the living world consists of a massive amount of diversity built upon structural and functional similarity (DNA, evolution, reproduction… etc). A true biologist also sees the web of relationships and dependency that exists between all living things, and experiences a genuine emotional attachment with the natural world (or at least, aspects of it). If one is to be a biologist then one must come to see their natural surroundings with a kind of wonder and fascination; a kind of outlook that leads to original questions and observations about nature. After reading this text, I feel that I am in some ways a biologist but I feel that I lack some elements of the naturalist’s perspective/world-view. With more experience and work (especially field work), I think that I will be able to gain more of a naturalist’s perspective.

Blitvak (talk) 00:54, 7 September 2015 (PDT)

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Jake Woodlee

Before reading the Denning articles (on your honor), answer the following questions;

When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?

• I think of programming and lots of code. Also I think of high tech industries and companies like Google, Apple, etc.

When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?

• Probably very similar notions as me, but they are probably much more intimidated by it because they didn't grow up with computers.

When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?

• They probably think about all those commercials that are trying to get more young kids to code. Also, Mark Zuckerberg.

Before reading the Janovy chapter (on your honor), answer the following questions;

When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?

• Studying life, DNA, Cells.

Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?

• Never really thought about myself as a biologist because I don't have a formal education or degree in Biology. I am not a biologist right now because I'm not currently studying life nor am I an expert. However as this class progresses my studying of biological phenomenon may put me into a position to call myself a biologist.

After reading the Denning articles and the Janovy chapter, answer the following questions:

What was the purpose of these readings?

• So you could show us the clear connection between computer science and biology. These articles also do a good job of establishing the principles behind computational and biological study which will be useful as this class progresses.

Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?

• Computational Thinker and Programmer appeal to me the most.

Apply one of the seven principles from the Computing is a Natural Science article to something as "non-computer-science"-y as possible, either from other subjects or your daily life.

• The formulation of language seemed to apply to the principle of Communication as well as Recollection. When we speak we have to retrieve the information we want to communicate and then effectively communicate that information via language. So we must retrieve the data from our brains' storage and then reliably transmit that data to another person. This happens many times everyday and only highlights the fact that computing is a natural science.

What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?

The point Janovy makes that peoples entire lives can be dictated by their early developmental environment. The reason biologists - or anyone - studies what they do is largely determined by their early environment, and most of the time we don't know what aspects of their environment made them the way they are.

What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?

• Janovy explains that biologists live by certain guiding principles, and to see ourselves as biologists we must make some sort of original natural discovery. I do not consider myself a biologist because I am not an expert in living organisms and am currently not studying them, this may change however as my life goes on. Furthermore, while I do live by some biological principles I don't consider myself a biologist because I don't fit into the definition of one.

Jwoodlee (talk) 12:31, 7 September 2015 (PDT)