Class Journal Week 1

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Mahrad Saeedi

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 about the science behind the programming and operation of a computer. The science of how a computer is programmed and utilizing it for specific uses.
  2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • When older relatives or friends hear computer science they most likely imagine coders or website designers and programmers.
  3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science they probably only imagine computer technology and in simple terms, how they can be used.

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 of life and all of the complex, integrative processes which exist in the world, from a cellular level all the way to an environmental level.
  2. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?
    • I definitely consider myself a biologist because I have been studying, experimenting, and researching living organisms as an undergraduate and have concurrently made contributions to scientific literature.

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

  1. What was the purpose of these readings?
    • The purpose of these articles was to portray the distinctions between the fields of computer science and biology and demonstrate how they are connected.
  2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
    • The voice of the scientist appealed to me the most because I also consider myself a scientist even though medicine is the field I hope to enter. His voice was the easiest to understand and relate to due to my background in biological studies.
  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 recollection principle can be applied to my every day life in the form of me writing down important events and dates on my calendar, the storage of material, in order to be able to retrieve it later and trigger my memory.
  4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
    • The most provocative part of the Janovy reading was how he was able to portray the significance of combining two fields of study. I had never contemplated the idea of taking my interest and background in biology and combining it with another field. It is made apparent that through combining two fields one can obtain new perspectives and be able to more easily solve intricate problems.
  5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
    • Being a biologist is about studying the interactions involved in the world around us, between plants and animals, and in doing so it furthers allows us to understand the value of these interactions as a whole. I definitely do consider myself a biologist due to the fact that I have been attuned to a certain way of thinking and to question things about our natural world. I conduct research on a variety of topics, from Crows to MRI studies, and I understand the significant value that research can serve in solving or further comprehending complicated issues.

[[Msaeedi23 (talk) 01:15, 8 September 2015 (PDT)]]

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)

Erich Yanoschik

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 Computer Science, programming languages come to mind. Such as C++, Java, and Python.
  2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • Most people only see the finished product displayed on their computer screen. They view Computer Science as a mythical and complex field that allows them to use their iphones and laptops for everyday activities.
  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 knowledge base when it comes to understanding the concepts and principles in computer science. Computer Science is viewed as a challenge that most younger people are undertaking.

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

  1. When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?
    • The study of life, in all its forms.
  2. 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:

  1. What was the purpose of these readings?
    • The purpose of the readings was to highlight the similarities of biology and computer science. Themes common among one discipline often transcend the bounds of the other. Advancements in the field of Biology and Computer Science are possible because of their mutualistic relationship. New programs geared towards more efficient data collection allowing for more accurate field models. Creating multidimensional scholars proficient in both areas will help to advance our understanding of the natural world.
  2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
    • The voices of the user and the scientist are the most appealing. I have been and always will be an avid user of technology, from math games as a little kid to MMORPG's in high school and all the social media and photoshop in between. The use of programs and the creation of a life online that is sewn into the fabric of our society drives what will be created in the future.
  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.
    • Hierarchical aggregation can be seen throughout all of biology, for instance cell theory. Cells compose tissues, which compose organs, which compose systems, which ultimately comprise the organism as an individual. This idea can be seen though the military chain of command. There is a hierarchy in place to establish the order of command, who is in charge and has the ultimate authority. Starting with the grunts at the bottom of the totem pole, the Generals at the top, and everyone else in-between.
  4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
    • The most interesting part of the Janovy reading was how most people will not understand or appreciate the impact of your work if it doesn't pertain to popular science. The drive to become a scientist has to come from within. One of his colleagues studies frogs in South America, not because it's going to cure cancer but because he loves it. The knowledge obtained through this research is invaluable, it provides a greater understanding of the natural world.
  5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
    • A biologist is someone interested in the framework of life and understanding every aspect. This can range from the processes that allow for the survival of cells, metabolism and waste removal, to studying organisms habits and tendencies. Understanding and documenting the adaptations provided through evolution brought on by circumstance that allowed for an organisms continual survival is fascinating. I do believe myself to be a biologist, because I am interested and actively pursuing my education in the sciences.

--Eyanosch (talk) 22:17, 7 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)

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)

Anindita Varshneya

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 think of computer science, I think about the creativity and logic that goes behind programming.
  2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • Most of my older relatives think about computer functionality and the processes that make a computer work the way it does.
  3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • When my younger friends and family think about computer science, they almost exclusively focus on coding. For the most part, they think that computer scientists are the people who sit in front of their computer coding all day and night.

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 biologist, I think about life on earth and the complexity of all of the systems of organisms that exist on our planet. I also think about the way these organisms interact with each other.
  2. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?
    • I do consider myself a biologist because I have been studying biology for the past several years, and actively participate in a research project and labs that require an understanding of different aspects of biology.

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 clear insight into what it means to be a computer scientist and a biologist. Furthermore, these articles made evident the large overlap between the two fields, and the many ways that they can influence and further each other. In relation to this class, these articles helped introduce us to the interdisciplinary aspects to bioinfomatics and systems biology.
  2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
    • The three voices in the "Voices of Computer" article that I most relate to include the user, the computational thinker, and the scientist. I think that each of these voices describe the most interesting and exciting parts of computer science for me. However, if I was to choose just one voice, the computational thinker is the most appealing. The use of algorithms or any other predetermined logic in order to solve new, complicated problems is incredibly interesting to me, and is something that I hope to practice regularly both inside and outside of my classes.
  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 "communication" is incredibly relevant to several different fields of study and life. For example, this semester I am working as a TA for a biology lab, and it is very important to reliably and clearly convey detailed information regarding proper lab technique and instructions to the students.
  4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
    • I found it interesting when Janogy mentioned that as a naturalist, we observe the world around us and see humans as the most effective competitors of the world's resources. Considering the problems with global warming and other environmental crises, I found this portion to be very interesting and particularly relevant to the mentality that is portrayed on the news in regards to the role of humans on earth. Furthermore, I found the portion of the writing where Janovy mentioned the influence of early life in shaping future interests and choices to be very thought provoking.
  5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
    • Janovy explains that biologists must understand the world through both structure and function, and other founding principles that challenge world view. He explains that one of the most fundamental attributes of a biologist is a passion to learn about living organisms. Furthermore, Janovy mentioned that in order to be a true biologist, you must actively be making new and distinct observations of the world. I do not consider myself to be a biologist right now because I do not think that I have a deep enough understanding of the world, but I hope that by continuing my education and furthering my understanding of the naturalist's perspective of the world, I could more deservedly call myself a biologist.

Anuvarsh (talk) 22:19, 7 September 2015 (PDT)

Veronica Pacheco

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

  1. When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?
    • The first thing that comes to mind is Jarvis, the system that Iron Man has in his suit. It's very high-tech and impressive. That's how I see this field: high tech, impressive and very complicated. However, after creating my user page, I see that I might be able to do this.
  2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • When I told her that I am taking a computer science class, she couldn't believe that computer science is now a huge career. She says when she was in school it wasn't even a thing. Then again, she used a type writer for her work so her amazement is reasonable.
  3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • My cousin would say that computer science is associated with gaming. He loves playing games on all different kinds go consoles.

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, the first thing that comes to mind is the central dogma of biology which is DNA to RNA to protein.
  2. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?
    • Yes, I consider myself a biologist because I am almost at the end of completing my degree so I think it is safe to call myself a biologist.


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

  1. What was the purpose of these readings?
    • The purpose of these reading is to really emphasizes that biology and computer science aren't completely two different fields. The integrate more than we probably think initially. Also that skills such as problem solving is used in both biology and computer science. This also reminds me of the exercise the class did on the first day where we had to compare an object to both a cell and a computer. In the end, we saw that there were points where the two overlapped.
  2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
    • The voice that appealed to me the most is the computational thinker. I find that the problem solving mindset and using formulas to find solutions is very fun.
  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.
    • For Search/Automation, it reminds me a lot of doing field research. Studying a species and finding the patterns in their behavior is very similar to that principle.
  4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
    • The line that stuck with me the most was when it said:Scientific, unlike religious, belief is derived from evidence and is subject to modification. Yet belief function in biology, and in science in general, in much the same way it functions in religion- to direct behavior and maintain values. Often, it is perceived that science and religion are separate and contradictory but they way this line was written has it clear that religion and science are similar in their outcome.
  5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
    • To be a biologist, one must make an observation about the world around them and use interdisciplinary faucets to make connections and create understanding. Yes, I consider myself a biologist. I feel that even without knowing I make observation and hypotheses and use different avenues to try to figure it out. I integrate what I know with what I observe and pick up new information to make sense of what is happening in the natural world.
Vpachec3 (talk) 21:50, 7 September 2015 (PDT)

Kevin Wyllie

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


  • When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?
    • The first thing I think of is coding, but I wonder of the science behind how actual hardware works is considered to be part of the field as well. I think of all of the ways that I am dependent on computer science; what really hits me is how dependent I am on the internet.
  • When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • Probably things like Microsoft Office or tax software. Since their lives revolve less around electronics than those of my generation, I imagine that they think moreso of straightforward, practical applications that they really couldn't do without.
  • When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • Since technology is more deeply embedded in their lives, they probably think of more general concepts, like communication. I bet they see it as a given that computers are integral to how they communicate with one another, due to their use of things like social media and other electronic communication.


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


  • When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?
    • I can't help but think of a cell. Of course there are dozens of other angles - besides cellular structure/function - from which you can examine life on Earth, but to me, the cell is a symbol of biology.
  • Do you consider yourself a "biologist"? Why or why not?
    • I suppose that, literally speaking, I'm not a biologist, as I don't have any kind of actual credentials (like a degree) in the field. But other than that, I do consider myself to be a biologist, as someone who has a genuine interest in the field and has some level of biological knowledge and experience.


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


  • What was the purpose of these readings?
    • I think one of the purpose of these readings may have been to demonstrate the importance in widening one's perspective within their field of study. "Computing is a Natural Science" attempts to make the point that computing is just as applicable to the natural as to the synthetic. "On Becoming a Biologist" emphasizes that a biologist should not be dismissive of the connections and influences between biology and other "less sciencey" fields like theology or sociology. And "Voices of Computing" quite explicitly states that computing can be seen from several different angles.
  • Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
    • Although I probably identify more with The User, the perspective of The Scientist was most appealing to me: using elementary, yet substantial knowledge of how computing works to solve scientific problems that would be out of the intellectual reach of a human being.
  • 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.
    • Bioinformatic software, such as BLAST, are an example of Automation. They can be used to locate a particular nucleotide sequence within an organism's genome, which would be effectively impossible (or at least incredibly tedious) for a human to accomplish due to the large size of many genomes.
  • What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
    • I very much related to the section where he discusses the disconnect between biologist and the general population, in terms of sustaining an identity. He gives the example of a non-biologist belittling (or at best, dismissing) the work of a biologist who studies frogs in South America. I don't lead my own independent research projects, but being an outnumbered biochemistry major attending a liberal arts university, I know how it feels when others don't understand (or even don't respect) your interests, motivations and passions.
  • What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
    • Janovy seems to be insistent upon the distinction between "doing" and "being." He argues: "You can do a job without being something. But being requires an active commitment to sustain an identity." (page 8) And later he says: "The decision to become a biologist demands an attachment to the world of living organisms." I would like to think that I have committed and continue to commit to sustaining my identity as a biologist. And I certainly do feel an attachment to living organisms - that came naturally (although I think that as organisms ourselves, all humans should feel this attachment).

Kwyllie (talk) 14:36, 10 September 2015 (PDT)

Trixie Roque

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

  1. When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?
    • I immediately think of programming algorithms, or the idea of algorithms, that solve a specific problem in the most efficient way. I also immediately think of the internet for whatever reason.
  2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • I think what comes to their mind is a person, a “code monkey” for a lack of a better term, who is always secluded from the rest of society, but who is very intellectually gifted, though obviously these are very debatable, because of the image that various media have formed in their minds. They would think that computer science is something that is complicated for them to understand resulting in their impression that those who work in this field are geniuses that they can't compare to so they hardly try to understand the concepts behind computer science.
  3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • I believe what comes directly to their minds are video games and apps that they can readily use. As a side note, I think that the difference between the older and the younger generation is that the older ones tend to think of what the people in that field do and what they are (or are supposed to be) like, as opposed to what the younger ones think of: the games/apps that they tend to use often. However, as a result of the children using those apps, they would envision how those apps were made in the first place, something that is very impressive with younger people since their minds are so malleable that they dream of how certain objects function.

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

  1. When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?
    • I immediately think of the study of life, evolution, and cells/bacteria/other microorganisms.
  2. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?
    • I don’t consider myself a biologist because my area of study is mostly concerned about the artificial side of the world and about creating something abstract using machines whereas biology is literally the study of living organisms.

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

  1. What was the purpose of these readings?
    • I think the point of reading these articles is to clarify what a computer scientist and a biologist do and how their professions can cross in a variety of ways that we would have otherwise not thought about. I also think that it is a way to remove or dissolve any stereotypes we might have regarding these two areas of science since one field isn't necessarily exclusive to studying artificial or natural concepts.
  2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
    • The voice of the programmer appealed to me the most as well as that of the computational thinker and the mathematician. I've learned in my two years of studying this field that computer science is not all about making programs; it is also about analyzing them and finding a way to make them run more efficiently. Although I feel that I resonate with the programmer the most since I have loved programming in various languages since I started coding, I also think that it is as necessary to my studies to know which algorithms work best for certain situations and develop new creative ways to problem solve as it is to produce a working program.
  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.
    • Recollection (storage and retrieval of information) can be applied to remember simple everyday chores or certain occasions. One can simply leave sticky notes throughout their own household or items that are used often in order to trigger their memories of an upcoming/important event. By doing it this way, every time the item is used, the person can remember what they need to be doing.
  4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
    • What struck me as interesting in this article is the amount of terms that Janovy uses that made me picture something related to computer science. He introduces what paradigms are,"frameworks within which we work", and this reminded me of the APIs that application developers use to make a product from something that already exists. He then describes paradigms as fleeting and something that are eventually replaced by new information which then reminded me of the countless programming languages deemed obsolete or less efficient than newer languages. Another more obvious use of terms was when he was describing teaching students about "structure, process, complexity" which are all too familiar to me.
  5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
    • According to Janovy, to be a biologist, one must have both the knowledge and the intention of trying to understand the world, be it about the study of a specie of frogs or the human race (at least from what I understood). He describes that college students are mostly motivated by money instead of a natural curiosity about life itself and its processes. However, after reading all the articles, I still don't see myself as a biologist. Even though there are similarities between computing and biology by saying that computation exists in nature, I can't exactly say that biology exists in computing. My main study is about the artificial and abstract instead of discovering what made the earth the way it is, and although it is easy to argue that computer science is indeed applied as a tool in order to accomplish this goal, programs are obviously made for situations other than those presented in the articles; for me, it's mostly about my desire for creating.


--- Troque (talk) 23:50, 7 September 2015 (PDT)

Mary Alverson

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

  1. When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?
    • Especially since the two computer science classes I have completed here at LMU have been very programming based, programming is definitely what comes to mind when I think of computer science. Big tech companies such as Microsoft and Google also come to mind because I feel like they are very obvious career options for my future.
  2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • I think many are mystified in what computer science is. After I tell them my major they don’t really know what to say next other than “oh” or “cool!”. That’s okay, though because I’m a computer science major and even I am not that good of explaining exactly what I am going to learn before I graduate.
  3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • My friends often ask me to fix the wifi on their computers or hook up their TVs (both of which I don’t have any more experience in doing than the average teen) but they usually say “come on, computer Science major, you can do it” when hooking up the cable to their TV is not really what I am learning how to do in my classes. Also, they often say things like “I could never do your major”, which shows me that they think computer science is some extremely difficult thing that is out of reach for most people.

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

  1. When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?
    • I think of evolution mostly. I also think of looking at things under microscopes.
  2. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?
    • Not right now because I haven’t taken a biology class since early high school and don’t have much knowledge on the subject. I also think that to be a biologist I would have to be actively doing something related to biology which I don’t think I am doing right now.

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

  1. What was the purpose of these readings?
    • The purpose of these readings was to show that computer science and biology are much broader and apply to our lives much more than we might realize. In this way, it also shows us that we can recognize our inner biologist and computer scientist when that wasn’t as easy a thing to do before.
  2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
    • I liked The Scientist voice because it applied thinking like a computer/ like a computer science to the natural processes around us, showing the similarities between what is natural and what is computational.
  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.
    • Communication/compression can be applied to music. When you play a song on your iPod, sound waves are received by your ear but those sound waves have the capability to make us feel many different emotions as well as a connection to the artist. It represents communication/compression because things such as emotion are transferred from the artist to the listener through the sound waves.
  4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
    • I found it interesting that Janovy conveyed that being a biologist is about realizing you have a set of ways and values that allows you to look at the world as much more than as a home for humans by viewing it as an ecosystem of potential experiments and observations.
  5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
    • According to Janovy, biologist describes a sense of being rather than a job or action. A biologist is interested in the world and the living organisms that live on it and are not limited to humans. A biologist does not need to be a biology major, but a biologist must look at her surroundings and come up with questions as well as explorations to try and answer those questions. I don’t quite consider myself a biologist (yet) because although I wonder why things are the way they are in nature around me, I don’t find myself experimenting to find out why, and I tend to wonder about mostly things that affect the human race.

Malverso (talk) 21:26, 7 September 2015 (PDT)

Lena Olufson

Before reading the Denning articles, answer the following questions:

  1. When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?
    • I think of the science behind computers, more specifically how they operate and work to perform and display the way that they do. I also think of coding and programming and the science of how they are incorporated into technology.
  2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • I think that they think of computers in general and technology as a whole category rather than the more specific details.
  3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • I think that the younger people have more of a better understanding of computers and the specific components of them so they are able to think of computer science in more detail. They probably also incorporate video games and other various subcategories of computers and technology.

Before reading the Janovy chapter, answer the following questions:

  1. When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?
    • I think about the ecosystems and life on our planet and how all of the different living organisms operate and interact with one another.
  2. Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
    • Yes I consider myself a biologist because I have studied in the field of biology and feel as though I am educated enough to study and perform experiments in the field of biology on my own.

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

  1. What was the purpose of these readings?
    • I think the purpose of these readings was to present both a biologist's and a computer scientist's perspectives on their subject fields. They provide logical explanations and ideas about why and how and whom participate in the fields of biology and computer science and it gives us students insight from a more experienced influencer.
  2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
    • I liked the scientist's voice in the article because it approached it from a reasoning and straight forward perspective. I was able to relate to this voice the most because I have studied science for the past few years and am more accustomed to that perspective.
  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.
    • I think that the Search/Automation principle is relevant and relatable to my life because I have done research before that focused on a particular species of birds in the field and so this subject is similar to the search principle.
  4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
    • I liked how Janovy combined and intertwined a few distinct areas of study together. For example, when he was explaining how art and science or technology and science can aid each other and benefit from each other, it was very relevant to this course because we are doing just that as we combine biology and computer science. I feel as though Janovy is correct when he says that combining two fields of studies can significantly aid us as humans in numerous ways.
  5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
    • I think that being a biologist means that you are comfortable and passionate about the field of biology. It means that you have been well educated in the matter and that you are ready to explore the world from a biology perspective. One often will conduct research of some sort to further their intelligence in biology. I consider myself a biologist because I have been studying the field of biology for the past few years and I feel as though I am well-equipped to explore the world around me as I study further into the biology of life on the planet.

Lenaolufson (talk) 22:25, 7 September 2015 (PDT)

Josh Kuroda

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

  1. When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?
    • A rush of information comes to my mind, since I have taken so many classes and have learned so much about the breadth of the field. The main thing that comes to mind is programming software, since that seems to be what most computer scientists do.
  2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • Many people I talk simply tell me that it's "the major to have" and that "technology" is everywhere now.
  3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • Most of my friends immediately think that it is a massively difficult major, and that I spend every second of my life coding on a black screen with green text flowing across it like the Matrix.

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

  1. When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?
    • I think of the processes like make life possible, and all of the interesting history behind the evolution of life.
  2. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?
    • I wouldn't consider myself a biologist mostly because I don't know what it means to be one. I would assume it is someone who studies some field within biology and I don't do that.

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

  1. What was the purpose of these readings?
    • I think we were assigned these readings to broaden our scope of what it means for one to be a "computer scientist" and a "biologist," and see how concepts and principles within both fields can apply to many other fields and studies. We also see how aspects of these fields overlap, and why these overlapping aspects are integral to many studies.
  2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
    • The voice of the programmer seems to appeal to me the most because of the fact that I do enjoy programming. Although I think I also align with the computational thinker because I love the process of solving problems and I am extremely satisfied when I do solve a problem.
  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.
    • I think that the principle of compression can be applied to material sciences and clothing, especially when it comes to things like travel and portability. Having the lightest and smallest backpack or jacket is sometimes invaluable, and it comes down to material scientists and fashion designers to make this possible.
  4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
    • I thought it was interesting when Janovy stated that, "historically human progress has been characterized by a blurring of the lines between disciplines." I found this intriguing because I believe that humans love to categorize and catalog things to make for better organization, but it is when these categorizations mix that the most progress can be made.
  5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
    • After reading the Janovy chapter, I believe that in order to see myself as a biologist, I will have to "make some kind of original observations of nature and meld them into a synthesis of understanding." I don't believe I am a biologist yet, but I hope to be. I have only relied on others' observations of nature and I haven't quite gained a complete understanding of what those observations mean.

--- Jkuroda (talk) 23:23, 7 September 2015 (PDT)

Kristin Zebrowski

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

  1. When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?
    • I think of coding and programming primarily. I don't know very much about computer science but I think of experts in the field as very underrated--I know computer scientists are responsible for a lot of things we use in our daily lives, like search engines or security systems or GPS, but I doubt many people ever think about who is behind it all and how much credit they deserve.
  2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • I don't think they truly understand what computer science is at all, but then again, my knowledge is also limited. I think they think of code and complicated number and symbol jargon.
  3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • I think the younger generation has a better grasp of computer science than we do and a greater desire to learn about it because it has been such a norm in their lives. I think they have a greater respect for computer scientists and see things that are so-called high-tech as very desirable.
Before reading the Janovy chapter (on your honor), answer the following questions;
  1. When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?
    • I think of biology as the study of life. I think of cells, evolution, and DNA. I think of endless questions and always searching for more, but not in a bad way. Studying life and searching for answers in the world around us is a very rewarding search in my opinion. I think biology is something all people should have knowledge of.
  2. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?
    • I consider myself a biologist because I seek to understand why things are why they are and how the different pieces of the world fit together, and I've always had a sense of wonder. I like being amazed by the world. I strongly believe that there is a lot to learn about and learn from the world around us.
After reading the Denning articles and the Janovy chapter, answer the following questions:
  1. What was the purpose of these readings? The purpose of these readings is to help us understand the benefits and implications of interdisciplinary research between biology and computer science. Together, the possibilities of acquiring more knowledge and understanding are incredibly broad. The surprising amount of overlap between the two not only means endless opportunities in the future but can be critically important in how we see the world. The readings equally stressed how important it is to not focus on just one discipline but to incorporate many by blurring the lines between them.
  2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
    • The User's voice appeals to me the most, but I'm also intrigued by the voice of the Scientist. Like the User, I'm very grateful for what computer science has brought us, but I also have very limited knowledge. I also really relate to the voice of the Scientist because I love discovering things about nature and I think there are so many opportunities for collaboration between different disciplines that can make an enormous difference.
  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 bottleneck principle of forced flow laws is similar to genetics. If, for example, a certain population of cheetahs is decimated by a disease, then the alleles of the surviving cheetahs "force" the phenotype of the remaining cheetahs in a certain direction, which exposes certain traits or disorders.
  4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
    • The most interesting thing I found was that as horizons open up for scientists you must also become more specific in what you study, while simultaneously hoping that your topic or job does not become obsolete amidst a rapidly diversifying and expanding field--it's an exciting race for sure, but I wish he had shared more on his views on how to figure out this paradox.
  5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
    • To be a biologist means to look to your surroundings to understand your identity, and to find connections in places where others may not. It means to understand that a true grasp of reality and identity means looking outside of yourself and into the world. I definitely consider myself to be a biologist. I know that I am only beginning to understand what the world is like and it truly fills me with amazement whenever I learn another little piece. Even if what I learn only makes me feel like I understand less, it's worth it.

Kzebrows (talk) 23:50, 7 September 2015 (PDT)

Brandon Klein

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

  1. When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?
    • The term computer science brings to mind images of extensive documents that house thousands of lines of code and the work that it takes to refine them. Although I do not understand the coding languages in which these documents are written, I recognize that I benefit from their translation every day when using computing devices.
  2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • I believe my older relatives associate computer science with extensive programming performed in solitarily cubicles. However, this entire image is likely to be hazy and surrounded by confusion due to a lack of understanding.
  3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • When my younger relatives hear the term computer science, I believe they think of a fundamental and important area of study in which creative minds work to expand the limits of our technology. Their respect for the field is likely to be much higher than that of my older relatives.

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

  1. When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?
    • The keyword biology immediately makes me think the study of life and all of the wonderful specialties of knowledge that come with it. Although the term initially invokes images of naturalism and observation of living organisms around us, my mind quickly jumps to areas of personal interest such as microbiology and medicine. However, the unifying thread between these separate specialties is a collective curiosity and desire to understand the mechanisms of life, as my initial definition suggests.
  2. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?
    • I absolutely consider myself a biologist. From a very young age, I have viewed the world through the lens of a scientist and asked questions about the nature of the living things that surround us in our daily life. Within this paradigm, I have always had a particular interest in how to preserve the miracle of life. My family famously remembers how I would see forest and think of how to synthesize compounds that could be used to create a pill so that a human could "live forever". Such fundamental concerns in the nature of life have guided my academic career. As I continue to study the sciences and work toward a career in medicine, I firmly believe that I qualify as a biologist.

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 present insightful and relatable perspectives on the nature of computer science and biology that were accessible to individuals of diverse academic backgrounds. All three articles sought to debunk common stereotypes and myths of their fields while drawing on insider information to paint pictures of these disciplines that were truer to their actual forms. Beyond this, each reading included some form of an interdisciplinary connection to the science included in this class that was not the focus of the article. Thus, they were definitely a powerful gateway into understanding new disciplines and revising our understanding of our own studies.
  2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
    • The voice of The Scientist in this article appealed to me the most. It was immediately relatable to me when it invoked the biologist's passion for making discoveries about nature. It then went on to discuss the fundamental importance of computing to modern scientific research, which was also quite relatable after performing research enabled by biological imaging and statistic softwares. To top it off, this viewpoint mentioned the scientific contributions to developing artificial intelligence, which is one of my personal research passions. Beyond this, I thought the viewpoint of The Scientist captured the thriving interplay between the traditional sciences and computer science quite well.
  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.
    • In honor of this weekend's Lip Sync festivities at LMU, I would like to apply the Coordination principle to the performing arts. Whether we are discussing a dance ensemble or band concert, coordination between artists is crucial to achieving a successful performance. It is often said that a band is only as strong as its weakest link, which I agree to be true after playing in a number of my own bands. When one part of a band (or network) breaks down, the entire band (or network) suffers. Proper coordination is thus critical to all activities involving some sort of collective.
  4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
    • I found Janovy's discussion of naturalism to be the most interesting component of this article. Often as a student interested in medicine, I place less emphasis on the biological questions concerning non-human life. However, this article captures the fundamental importance of understanding all forms of life to biology. Just as Janovy honored his colleague studying Neotropical frogs, it is indeed the study of seemingly trivial lifeforms such as model organisms like the zebrafish that illuminates our understanding of ourselves (along with the world around us).
  5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
    • Being a biologist means holding a passion for life that is infused into the paradigms through which you view the world. A biologist does not simply read research articles or do lab work. A biologist carries their fascination with nature with them wherever they go in the world. After all, the world of biology surrounds us; so a biologist must draw inspiration for their work from the world. I consider myself a biologist as firmly as I stated in the question above. I absolutely carry such a paradigm regarding human health and the nature of life with me wherever I go, and I too draw inspiration for my research from my interactions with the living world around me.

--- Bklein7 (talk) 23:55, 7 September 2015 (PDT)

Ron Legaspi

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 about my own personal computer and how multiple parts are linked together in such a way to perform various functions. Although I have little understanding of how computers actually work, I think about how computer science may grow in terms of developing new technologies that will promote the advancement of us, as a species.
  2. When older relatives or friends hear the term ‘’computer science,’’ what do you think comes to their minds?
    • When older relatives/friends hear the term ‘’computer science,’’ they probably think about individuals who are in front of computers coding, programming or other activities; or they think about their phones and computers. They don’t understand how computer devices work, and they probably don’t plan on trying to understand the science behind the devices that allow them to search information, to call a family member from afar, or to play their music and videos.
  3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term ‘’computer science,’’ what do you think comes to their minds?
    • When younger relatives/friends think about the term ‘’computer science,’’ they share a similar fascination compared to myself in that they probably are imagining how computers work and how individuals are able to develop new technologies through the use of code or programming. Younger relatives may not have the same desire to pursue more information about computer science, but they have a fascination that draws them to using computer technologies in their daily life.

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 about how broad and expansive the field of biology is because I am a biology major and have taken a variety of courses that deal with different but related topics. I think about cells and how cells are the building blocks of life. I find biology as a product of the fields of physics and chemistry.
  2. Do you consider yourself a ‘’biologist’’? why or why not?
    • Although I am a biology major, I would consider myself a budding ‘’biologist’’ because there is still a lot for me to learn. I feel that a biologist needs to have a broad understanding of biology or has an extensive grasp on a specific field of biology. A biologist goes beyond the books/articles published and seeks to find out more. For me, I am still laying the foundation by studying more specific areas of biology and by trying to learn outside of what is covered in the classroom.

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

  1. What was the purpose of these readings?
    • The purpose of these readings, in my opinion, was to give us an introduction to both the fields of computer science and biology. I think that we are to challenge ourselves to compare and contrast the two fields to make connections and distinctions between biology and computer science.
  2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
    • Of the Voices of Computing, the voice that appeals to me the most are the User and the Scientist. At moments, I can be the simple User who enjoys using the products of computer science, for I love being able to use my laptop and phone for most of the things I need to get done for school, extra-curricular activities, and work. On the other hand, I can be the Scientist that wishes to pursue more information and make discoveries on my own or with the help from others.
  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 Bottlenecks principle relates very closely to my work as a Store Associate at In-N-Out Burger, which is a part of my daily life. Throughout a typical shift at work, I am faced with the task of taking orders and relaying that information from my computer terminal to the cooks of the restaurant. There are different “nodes” when it goes from taking the orders to giving the completed order to customers. There is a bottleneck effect in that a line may develop; thus, customers have the thoughts of their orders only to themselves until they reach us Store Associates.
  4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
    • The most interesting part that I read in the Janovy reading came from the section in which he describes the fact that a biologist can become a biologist at any given moment in their life path, as long as they consider the right questions and share in the same visions and values as a professional biologist. An individual is a biologist as soon as they investigate their world – studying interrelationships between organisms, observing the complexity of life, and embracing the diversity of our world.
  5. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
    • Being a biologist means engaging in one’s surrounding world and find a place for himself/herself within this world. As I said previously, I do not consider myself as a fully-fledged biologist because I have not challenged myself to make original observations and to ask the “right questions.” I have relied on the teachings of my professors and the readings from the books/articles assigned to me. I may “do” things that a biologist does, but I “am” not a biologist.
Rlegaspi (talk) 02:29, 8 September 2015 (PDT)
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