Discussion on updating this curriculum to new CS2023 guidelines

[theg1nza]

Problem:
As per cited in this repo's RFC template:

[...] Successful critiques of the curriculum will point out ways that OSSU is failing to uphold our curricular guidelines.

Since a new version of CS2013 - CS2023 - was released in 2024, those very guidelines could be updated to a newer and arguably more refined version.
I am opening this issue to draw some eyes on and kickstart the discussion about (a) how relevant to OSSU's CS curriculum's the new guidelines are, (b) the need to update OSSU's curriculum, and (c) what to update in the curriculum.

Duration:
No duration is proscribed. I am opening this issue to foster discussion and encourage reading of (sections of) CS2023.

Background:
Page numbers in this section are referencing the CS2023 Guidelines document.
Pages 23 to 47 (the Overview section) go over the changes and are a must-read for people participating in this discussion.

Here are some reading notes:

• CS2023 incorporated a competency model (what is learned by the student) to the previous knowledge model (what is taught to the student). In Computer Science, both models are complimentary. (pp.25-26) "Competency is defined as the sum of knowledge, skills, and dispositions [...]." (p.41) Page 42 goes deeper into CS2023's Competency Model.
• Topics are declined in one of two categories: Core (which must be known by every graduate) and Elective (of which 80% have to be known by every graduate). The time to cover topics will vary depending on the expected skill level for each topic, the latter of which are Explain, Apply, Evaluate and Develop. (pp.29, 31-32)
• CS2023 now has 17 knowledge areas (KA). (pp.29-30)
• Greater emphasis is now placed upon profesionnal dispositions, which are "[...] values, beliefs and attitudes that enable consistent [desirable] behaviors." For example, "[group] projects call for collaborative disposition, whereas mathematical foundations demand meticulous disposition.". Dispositions are now associated to a number of knowledge areas. (p.30)
• Various changes to the guidelines:
  • "Computational Science (CN) from CS2013 was dropped as a knowledge area because it had very little [...] content that was not also included in other knowledge areas.". (p.35)
  • "[...] the mathematical component of computer science was expanded from Discrete Structures in CS2013 to also include probability, statistics, and linear algebra." (p.35)
  • "Systems Fundamentals (SF) was considered for elimination, but ultimately retained since it provides a system-wide perspective not [available in other KAs]." (p.35)
  • "Data Science was considered for inclusion [but was rejected since its computer science-specific topics are covered elsewhere]." (p.35)
  • The Knowledge Unit Society, Ethics and the Profession (SEP) has been added, as "[...] the work of computer science graduates affects all aspects of everyday life [...]." (p.35)
  • (more points included elsewhere here or not included at all here)
• Instructions on how to assemble a curriculum are found at pages 38-39.

Proposal:
Analyze, debate and discuss the potential implementation of the new CS2023 guidelines within OSSU's Computer Science curriculum.

[kevintprivett]

Previous discussions on this change (see #1256) have been shut down on the idea universities would need to create entirely new courses to address the changes in CS2023.

This argument does not hold water for me, as there are clearly some easy changes that can be made to align with CS2023, and I think that we can adopt CS2023 as the curricular guidelines without needing the entire OSSU curriculum to be compliant.

I propose the following changes:

• Adopt CS2023 as the curriculum guide, understanding that this is a rolling change rather than an effort that needs to be completed immediately.
• Move Essence of Linear Algebra and Linear Algebra (unit 1 only) from Advanced Math to Core Math
• Keep the remainder of Linear Algebra (unit 2 & 3) in Advanced Math, in line with the KA Core requirements.

My reading of CS2023 is that the core hours of probability and statistics seem pretty well covered with discrete mathematics and "demoting" the probability course is overkill.

One thing to consider regarding the math requirement: CS Core (read absolutely mandatory) hours include only a full course worth of hours (40) in discrete mathematics and probability with a much smaller requirement for statistics (10 hours) and linear algebra (5 hours!). They also do NOT include calculus in core. When you expand to KA Core hours (read recommended), then you get your full semester courses in discrete, probability, statistics, linear algebra, and calculus.

[theg1nza]

I agree with a lot of what you said here, but also of what was said in #1256 : bumping up the importance of math and treating it as a fundamental building block of CS is important, but as an organism with essentially no funding, OSSU cannot develop classes and must thus wait for universities to develop their own, distribute them and then add them to its curriculum.

With my (very) limited experience of various math topics, I agree with your three proposals. Other topics and concepts may be important to implement, but it would be wise to have a wider discussion about them (dispositions, competency model implementation, etc.).

Many thanks.