Computer Science Professor Brian Borowski is on board to shed some light for incoming freshmen and experienced students. Borowski earned his Master’s degree and Ph.D. here at Stevens, and is familiar with life here on campus: “When I heard that there was an opening for a teaching professor, I immediately applied, hoping that I would receive an offer and once again be part of the community that I had come to love.” It’s no doubt that we are part of a great community when someone who has received multiple degrees from the same institution is eager to return. When asked about his favorite part of teaching here at Stevens, his response resembles what many other faculty members have said: the students.
On the topic of the Computer Science as a major, as well as a field itself, Borowski said, “Computer science courses emphasize problem solving. Students will train their minds to think about ways to manipulate data and apply their knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and complexity to devise correct, efficient solutions.” It seems that real world problems are the key focus of these courses. He also added what these skills will help accomplish in the future. There will be courses in databases, web development, operating systems, and, of course, programming.
As for any major, common stereotypes and misconceptions arise. “I’m going to take a humorous approach here. Though less relevant today than a few years back, many people I know think that because I have studied computer science I am an expert at fixing their AOL settings. This couldn’t be farther from the truth, as I have never used AOL! More recently I have been asked by friends to remove viruses and make their computers ‘run fast’ again. So, I think the general public does not really understand what the major is all about.”
For incoming freshmen in this discipline, proactivity leads to success. Deadlines are closer than they appear and, as Professor Borowski would put it, “there is a direct correlation between proactivity, and good grades.” As for what you should wear on the first day to get an ‘A’ in his class? “Clothes, of course!”
