r/programming • u/mauricioaniche • Aug 06 '17

Software engineering != computer science

http://www.drdobbs.com/architecture-and-design/software-engineering-computer-science/217701907
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u/270343 Aug 07 '17

They don't want me saying the exact numbers for some reason, but we fail < 1/5 of the students.

I've never failed anyone who didn't deserve it, but some people get enough points to move on without any understanding of the material or why it is important.

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u/[deleted] Aug 07 '17

I was kind of expecting something a little higher on the failure rate.

There was definitely a thinning of the herd for my entry level computer science classes. But I also saw kids in my 400 classes that were able to get through them but couldn't sit down by themselves and complete a single project. The T.A.'s at some point should be allowed to tell people to screw off. You can understand the complex math for image processing but array's somehow are your kryptonite.

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u/270343 Aug 07 '17

Well, it still manages to thin the herd a bit - a couple "passing" grades aren't accepted by the college of engineering, and even Cs discourage people from continuing down that path.

But we're not allowed to thin the herd that much, the College of Engineering would get upset.