Class Journal Week 1

Week 1 Reflection Questions:

Tauras

Denning Pre-Questions

1. When I hear computer science, I think of the underlying processes of the black box I am used to working with. I see computer science as the field of discovering how to create digital processes and then how to improve them.
2. I'm not sure, likely the same thing that comes to mind for me but a little more mystery behind it.
3. I think they think of it as making computers, but I am not sure.

Janovy Pre-Questions

1. When I hear biology, I think of the study of life at all levels from ecosystems down to genetics.
2. I do not consider myself purely biologist even though it is the topic of my study. It seems too limited as a lot of my interests are philosophical or psychological although I do use parsimony and evolutionary theory as the governing paradigms in my thought processes.

Post-Reading Questions

1. The purpose of these readings was for us to think more deeply about what computer science and biology are.
2. The scientist personality appeals to me the most. I'm interested in how the black box works and see the need for future research, but prefer to apply what is being done to questions in the natural world rather than work in the process of discovering or improving technology.
3. Hierarchical aggregation applies all throughout biology. Ecosystems are formed by populations, populations by individuals, organisms by cells, cells by organelles. This scaling is pretty much the definition of hierarchical organization which is small fragments that are combined as part of a larger whole.
4. I found the most interesting part, and also the part I disagreed with the most, of Janovy's text was that a biologist or a biological mindset is somehow categorically distinct from that of other disciplines. I disagree as his description of the biologist seems to be a general description of an analytical mind and what he seems to separate is mostly the apathetic from the observational. I also disagree with the notion that a biologist has a set of values as well. I don't see how it's necessary to respect or see the wonder of life to study it.
5. To be a biologist is to be an inquisitive mind uniquely focused on the natural world. I still cannot consider myself a biologist because my interests expand beyond the area typically considered biology but I am nonetheless biologically minded. I am just interested in additional disciplines as well. (I am aware that this did not change much, that is largely because I disagree with Janovy's defining features of a biologist.)

Taur.vil (talk) 11:05, 29 August 2013 (PDT)

Viktoria Kuehn

Denning Questions:

1. When I hear the term computer science I think of it as an understanding of the way computer programs are made and how they function. It also has to do with applying this knowlegde to other fields and using it efficiently.
2. When older relatives hear the term they probably think of the people who created yahoo and the other websites they know how to use.
3. I think younger relatives think of it as creating video games.

Janovy Questions:

1. When I hear the term Biology I think of it as the study of life, how it functions, and its surroundings.
2. I do consider myself a biologist because I am interested in learning and better understanding the way life works.

Reading Questions:

1. The purpose of these readings was to introduce the bigger picture of these two areas of study. This clarified any misconceptions and showed their unifying qualities to the readers.
2. Surprisingly, the programmer appealed to me the most. I liked the sense of creativity and excitement for the work that was voiced in this section. It presented some qualities that I did not expect to play such an important role in programming.
3. The principle of Search/Automation can be applied to many aspects of daily life. People tend to look for connections in life, even if they seem obscure or unrelated. For example, many pieces of art allude to very different ideas than their actual context shows at a first glance. This shows the connections of seemingly unrelated subject matter to give it greater meaning.
4. I found his ideas of being a biologist rather than doing biology very interesting. I also found his discussion about one's own values influencing one's career in biology to be very relatable.
5. Yes, I consider myself a biologist because I have always had a fascination with how the natural world works and how we fit into it. I also know that this will not cease just because of my future choice of profession.

Vkuehn (talk) 11:55, 29 August 2013 (PDT)

Kevin Meilak

Before Denning article questions

1. Computer science brings to mind people who have learned how to code computers. It is a field that is dedicated to making computers more useful to users.
2. It is likely that they think of a complicated system beyond their understanding that some people with a particular aptitude work in but that for most is incomprehensible.
3. It is likely that younger friends and relatives think of the many science fiction fantasies that computers can do, such as artificial intelligence.

Before Janovy chapter questions

1. Biology brings to mind a field that studies life. It is the scientific approach to what life does and how it works in all of its many forms.
2. I consider myself a biologist because I am a biology major. While I do not work full-time in scientific pursuits, I have dedicated this time in my life to the study of life, which is the fundamental aspect of biology. Furthermore, I have engaged in research, which is the quintessential work of a biologist.

After reading questions

1. The purpose of these readings was to dispel common misconceptions about both computer science and biology.
2. The computational thinker appealed to me the most because of the emphasis on problem solving and because that job links programmers and scientists to do incredible things.
3. While it is obvious, and even uses a word created for the human brain before computers and computation, the principle of recollection can be applied to the memory of human brains.
4. I found the most interesting and provocative piece of this reading the distinction between identity and action. Someone may work their entire life in a shop, but that does not make them a shopkeeper. And, conversely, there are some people who spend relatively little time in a shop yet consider themselves shopkeepers for nostalgic, idealistic, or other personal reasons. When applied to biology, his critique of the education given to biology majors is valid; they are taught about the science, but not what it means to be a scientist, or why they chose to be one.
5. Being a biologist means accepting an identity, typically one that began in fascination with the world. I do consider myself a biologist because of this fascination, and not my chosen major or work. To liken myself to the author’s examples, I had a collection of pine cones, leaves, twigs, dead insects, etc. when I was young because I was fascinated with them. This makes me a biologist far more than any formal education could, for while I do biology, doing something does give an identity.

Week 1 Journal Entry

Kmeilak (talk) 12:11, 29 August 2013 (PDT)

Kevin McGee

Denning Pre-questions

1. When I think of computer science, I think of the language and process of imputing a command, and having a computer do that command.
2. I feel that many older people have a very limited idea of what computer science is.
3. When younger people think of computer science, they probably think of making websites or using social media.

Janovy Pre-Questions

1. When I think of Biology, I think of the broad study and observation of life.
2. I consider myself a biologist to an extent. This is because while there are many areas of biology that interest me, there is also parts of biology that I am not interested in. Since biology is a broad category, I feel like a cannot consider myself purely a biologist.

Post Reading

1. These readings are designed to encourage young students to enter the fields of biology and computer
2. Biology spoke to me the most. I am actually very interested in dealing with computers and studying DNA after college.
3. An example of a bottleneck is a DUI checkpoint. Police slow down traffic to evaluate whether or not a driver has been drinking.
4. I specifically found the part where he talks about post World War II science to be very interesting. He talks about how it brings questions up that we have not had to ask before. This makes me excited for the future of science and where it will take us.
5. I do consider myself a biologist. I am, like the Janovy, fascinated with the world around me. I specifically find the aquatic world fascinating. Even if I do not go into this field after college, I know that I will always carry this fascination with the world with me forever.Kevinmcgee (talk) 14:19, 29 August 2013 (PDT)

Gabriel Leis

Denning Pre-questions

1. When I hear the term computer science I initially think "uh oh" before recalling my work experience at Hewlett Packard where I learned some basic computer science
2. My parents, upon hearing the words computer science, think deeply before settling their thoughts on their mac computer.
3. When my younger sister hears computer science, I'm sure her first thought is "I hate science and do not understand computers. Ew."

Janovy Pre-Questions

1. When I hear the term Biology I think immediately about my freshman biology lab.
2. I consider myself a biologist because I frequently wonder about and reflect upon the natural world around me.

Post-Reading Questions

1. The purpose of these readings is to provide a deeper perspective into the goals of this course. In particular that biology and computer science go hand in hand in the modern science world and are often inseparable in todays research.
2. The voice of the scientist certainly appeals to me most. I find the similarities between computers and living organisms fascinating. I am also very optimistic about the use of computers to advance natural science disciplines in the future.
3. In language, the use of acronyms acts like compression in computing. As a more modern example, texting language is a compressed form of more formal language for the purposes of speed and reduced information volume.
4. The most provocative portion of Janovys writing was his reflection on the interaction of biology and philosophy. Janovy notes that, inevitably, the study of biology leads to the conclusion that the human species is capable of exhausting the natural resources provided by the Earth that may be unreplaceable.
5. According to Janovy a biologist is someone who takes new observations of nature and comes to a greater understanding through these observations. I do not consider myself a biologist because my observations of nature are not novel nor do I feel that I synthesized new understanding of the natural world through my observations.

Gleis (talk) 17:51, 29 August 2013 (PDT)

Hilda Delgadillo

Before Reading Denning Articles

1. When I hear the term computer science, I think intricate computer skills and codes, sort of like those in the Matrix .

2. When older relatives hear the term computer science, I would think they consider it to be a much harder discipline than it probably really is since they may lack some basic knowledge in regards to computers to being with.

3. When younger relatives hear the term computer science, I would think they picture video games and fun games in general.

Before Reading Janovy Chapter

1. When I hear the term Biology, I think of all forms of life on Earth and the life cycle.

2. I do consider myself a Biologist since I hold a great interest in learning as much information on the inhabitants of this planet and how we proceed to remain on this Earth.

After Reading Denning Articles and Janovy Chapter

1. I believe the purpose of these readings was to inform the readers how the field of computer science is vastly overlooked. In almost every other field of study, there is always a use for programming and computation. Hence, the field of computer science can be used virtually everywhere, specially in biology.

2. The voice which was most appealing to me in the Voices of Computing article was The Programmer. It was interesting to realize how computers would be virtually useless without a program. I never truly realized how programs are significantly emerged into our lives. Programs not only exist in our computers, but also our phones, IPods, cameras, etc. Without programs, the technology around us in our everyday lives would not be as advanced as it is today. Programming drives the advancement of our technology.

3. A hierarchical aggregation can be applied to getting ready in the morning. In the morning, most people say “I need to get ready", but what does that really entail? It could include fixing ones bed, taking a shower, changing clothes, applying your makeup, fixing your hair, brushing your teeth, etc. This whole process of getting ready in the morning progressively culminates towards the bigger picture, finally being ready to face the day.

4. One area of the article that I found most interesting was when the author talked about the “conflicting realization” that all biologists encounter that of which humans have made such incredible advancements for this world, but also hold the key and power to destroy the world as quickly as they are proceeding with advancements (Janovy, 2004).

5. According to Janovy, a biologist must make an original observation in regards to nature. With that observation, conducting research is necessary in order to understand what has been observed. Therefore, I would consider myself a biologist because my curiosity drives me to persist and delve into questions with the purpose of finding answers. I, specially take notice of spider reproductive fitness and its connection with genetics.

Lauren Magee

• Before reading the Denning articles
  1. When I hear the word computer science, honestly I think of very challenging coding sequences that make up very useful programs. Computer scientists are those who can translate the foreign language that computers speak into something useful and understandable to the general population.
  2. When my elders think about computer science, I don't think they give it much value. They have all grown up in simpler times, where the functions of computers were not a part of their daily life. Therefore the older community, my father especially, believe that computers, and all technology for the matter, are frivolous items to collect.
  3. The younger community is very imaginative and has high hopes for the future of computers. They can picture robots doing their chores, cars flying in the air, and toaster's that never leave a slice of bread burnt. There expectations of computer science are limitless and they believe all the wildest inventions of their mind can be brought to life through it.

• Before reading the Janovy chapter
  1. When I hear the term biology, I immediately think of genetics. There are other thoughts that run through my mind, 'like cells are the building blocks of life", but because genetics is the main reason I am studying biology, it always comes to the forefront of my mind.
  2. I don't consider myself a biologist, because I only concentrate on one factor of biology. The title "biologist", seems to encompass the idea that this individual knows everything that the subject has to offer. I would never strive to be my definition of a biologist, because it is only the study of genetics that I am interested in pursuing.

• After reading the Denning articles and the Janovy chapter
  1. What was the purpose of these readings?
  2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
  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.
  4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
  5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?

Lena Hunt

Before Reading the Denning articles:

1. When I hear the term computer science I think of a bunch of nerds in a dark room doing programming. Programming what? I have no idea. I have been hearing on the news that a Syrian has been shutting down American websites, like the New York Times site. I guess they are computer programmers.
2. I don’t think my grandparents would have any idea, they barely know what a computer is. I think my older friends would probably think of hackers, or people who program things for the military, not day to day computer science.
3. My younger relatives and friends might have a better idea. Now they are giving laptops to the students at my old high school, so maybe they are learning some computer science and computer science applications.

Before reading the Janovy chapter:

1. When I hear the term biology, I think of ecologists deep in the jungle collecting samples, or of animal behaviorists watching primate interactions. It’s a bit romanticized, but it is what I imagine when I decided I wanted to be a biologist.
2. I do consider myself a biologist. Biologists study life, and I am always looking at my surroundings and trying to figure out why plants grow a certain way, or why some animals are more prevalent than others on campus.

After reading the Dennings articles and Janovy chapter

1. The purpose of these readings was to explain what it means to be a computer scientist or biologist, and get people thinking about these fields.
2. I guess the scientist's voice appealed to me the most because I am also really excited about discovering things about nature, but all the voices seemed a little far away from my values. I don't know a lot about computers or managing data on computers, and I don't even have a smartphone. Hopefully the voices will resonate with me more after this class.
3. Hierarchal Aggregation (Design) can be seen in panels of relief sculpture. The sculptor carved several distinct images, but unless they are all seen together, the panel doesn't make any sense.
4. I found it interesting that Janovy made the point that biology is not an isolated field; that it connects everything from history, to art, to sociology.
5. I think to be a biologist you have to be in a constant state of wonder with the natural world. That is what drives biologists to keep asking question, and keep searching for answers. I do consider myself a biologist. I am curious about a lot of things, but I think the natural world is the most fascinating and most relevant field of study.

Katrina Sherbina

Before Reading the Denning Articles Questions

1. When I hear the term computer science, I think of writing, troubleshooting, and implementing code to effectively store and use data.
2. I think that when older relatives and friends hear the term computer science they recall the early computers that took up an entire room, which required punched cards to function.
3. When younger relatives and friends hear the term computer science, I think they picture streams of code moving quickly across a monitor as they are being executed.

Before Reading the Janovy Chapter Questions

1. When I hear the term biology, I think of elucidating, particularly through wet lab work, the mechanisms underlying the complex functions and relationships that make life possible.
2. I consider myself more of a biomathematician, at least one in training, than a biologist. I am not sure that the term biologist on its own adequately describes the mix of computational and wet lab work that I have been engaged in during my college career.

Mitchell Petredis

Denning Articles Pre-Read

1. When I think of computer science, I think of the various types of code that are used to make various programs, from simple scripts to video games.
2. I think older relatives view computer science as jargon that’s making life more difficult.
3. I think younger relatives and friends mostly see the video game design aspect of computer science.

Janovy Chapter Pre-Read

1. When I think of biology, I think of the complexity of life and how all the parts come together to make a living thing.
2. I consider myself a biologist because it’s what I study and enjoy the most.

Denning and Janovy Post-Read

1. The purpose of the readings was to better understand the meaning of computer science and biology through the words of professionals
2. I’d classify myself mostly as “The User” voice, since I don’t think I’ve done enough to associate myself with “The Computational Thinker” and “The Scientist”. I’ll call myself a hybrid of these three voices.
3. The search principle can apply to art in that the computer can identify and filter out specific elements of an artistic piece, such as searching by color, size, style, and kind.
4. The most profound thing I saw in the Janovy chapter is how passionate some biologists are about what I would consider mundane subjects, such as the mentioned frog example. Even though its contribution looks weak compared to say the studies of medicine, the fact that these kinds of biologists are happy and satisfied with what they do is admirable to me.
5. A biologist, from my interpretation of Janovy’s thoughts, is one who finds the biological world fascinating and continues to ask questions and pursue answers in this field; biologists seek a better understanding of the world around them through natural observations. I still consider myself a biologist from Janovy’s point of view because I think my personality parallels his ideas.

Mpetredi (talk) 22:06, 29 August 2013 (PDT)Mitchell Petredis

Dillon Williams

Denning Before Questions

1. The study of the nature of computers and how to use them in order to further research in technology and theory.
2. People who develop computer software and hardware for everyday use.
3. People who work in the development of anything involving the use of a computer.

Javoy Before Questions

1. The study of living organisms and the way in which they interact within themselves as well as with each other.
2. As an aspiring biologist, yes. As a realistic-thinking student who is well aware of the work that professional biologists do on a daily basis, absolutely not.

Post Reading Questions

1. To show that both the fields of biology and computer science are far more expansive than most people initially think. The articles helped to dispel any illusion regarding what both subjects are inherently about.
2. The computational thinker.
3. Hierarchical aggregation can literally be applied to any situation in life. If somebody makes a decision, there are many smaller factors that are effecting the decision as a whole.
4. I found the dichotomy that Janovy presented (or at least one that I seemed to notice) fascinating. Throughout the article, Janovy presented the role of the biologist as being somewhat "above" the human capacity based on the assumption that biologists looked at life as part of a system that predated human consciousness. However, after this, Janovy goes on to say that anybody can be a biologist, whether amateur or not, as nature itself is the greatest resource for learning about the study of life.
5. After reading Janovy's article, I would say that a biologist is anyone that actively participates in the study of natural phenomena and seeks to understand the motivations and mechanics of these phenomena. In this light, I would consider myself a biologist, as I am always striving to understand more about the natural world around me from both a holistic and atomic point of view.

-Dwilliams (talk) 23:01, 29 August 2013 (PDT)

Alina Vreeland

Denning Before Questions

1. When I think of computer science, I mostly think of coding, and the process of creating and altering code in order to make a computer run a certain way.
2. When others think of computer science, they may think that it involves the creation or innovation of computers. They may also think bout coding, or perhaps the using of computers in science related projects.
3. Younger people may think of doing science on a computer, whether it be science research or interactive labs.

Janovy Before Questions

1. When I hear the term biology, I think of the study of life's processes, and the study of organisms both small and large, and their interactions with each other and the environment.
2. I may not be an official biologist in terms of having a job title, but since I am studying biology and interested in biological topics, I think I can considered to be one.

After Reading Questions

1. All three of the readings strove to break open the meanings of the terms given to the professions of computer scientists and biologists. Each encouraged the reader to reflect on what it meant to actually be involved in each of the fields, and whether or not the terms were more than a professional title. They also seeked to show the similarities between the two fields, and the common misconceptions and myths regarding each of them.
2. The voice that appealed to me the most was that of The Scientist. Not only because I am interested in being a scientist myself, but because the idea of discovering new aspects of nature and then being able to apply them to different fields, and vice versa. I'm not as interested in the mathematical and coding aspects, but can appreciate the interconnectedness between it and other areas of science.
3. One example of the “Design/Hierarchical Aggregation” principle in biology is the coordination of prganelles to make up a cell, cells to make up a tissue, and tissues to make up an organ.
4. The part I found most interesting about Janovy's article is a biologist's ability to see the interconnectedness of observations made in the field and between those of other fields. This is a skill I feel I have not yet mastered, but feel is important for being a successful scientist. The ability to be open-minded and to think critically and openly about what is observed is something I would like to personally improve.
5. To be a biologist, one must have a passion for studying elements of nature. It is critical to have this passion whilst engaging in biological study, and not only to have the profession in mind. A biologist looks at the world a certain way, and requires a bit more than technical training. I'd like to think that I have this innate curiousity for nature's elements, and that the technical training I have received is only aiding in my journey to be a successful biologist. However, according to Janovy, a biologist must be able to observe and connect to a wide variety of applications, which I may not be fully attuned to.

Ajvree (talk) 23:01, 29 August 2013 (PDT)