Class Journal Week 1

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Contents

Zach Van Ysseldyk's Responses

Before Reading the Denning Articles

  1. I think computer science is the science of formulating efficient and logical algorithms in order to complete a defined task. On an extremely broad scope, I think computer science is simply the science of how computation works.
  2. I think that other people may think of computer science as those hackers looking at computers with 0's and 1's filling the screen. I think others may have a very "media" like interpretation when they think of computer science.
  3. When my younger relatives think of computer science, I think that the first thing that comes to their minds are video games. I think that a lot of my younger relatives mesh graphics and actual coding together.

Before Reading the Janovy Chapter

  1. When I think of biology, I think of how organisms work. Really the study of anything that is living.
  2. I don't really consider myself a biologist by my definition because I am not actively studying any living thing.

After Reading the Denning articles and Janovy Chapter

  1. I think the purposes for these readings is for us to better understand what computer science and biology really is. I think that for this class to succeed, the very first thing that we should do is define our terms - especially when it comes to the very subject that we are studying.
  2. I find the computational thinker as the most appealing "voice." Solving problems cuts across all subjects at any level. It does interest me to think about how to solve problems using very different approaches - a skill that is very important in the computer science field. I can use the skills learned in various classes and apply them to different subjects.
  3. The principle of automation I believe very directly correlates with macroeconomic trends. Finding patterns with various correlations can be used to accurately forecast future economic events.
  4. I found the concept that true biologists find interdependency with pretty much everything especially provocative and thought provoking. I found myself thinking of the "butterfly effect" and how one change to the biological tree can effect almost everything else either directly or indirectly. Furthermore, according to the article, biologists go a step further to analyze and make observations on the relationships found.
  5. After reading the article, I see a biologist as someone who "makes some kind of original observation of nature and meld them into a synthesis of understanding." By this definition, I do not see myself as a biologist for one main reason. That being that I do not believe that I have made an original observation. I think that I have made observations that nobody has explicitly told me, however I do not believe that I was the first one to make that observation. For example: tree's leaves fall in Fall. I do believe that I have synthesized a fair amount of observations into understandings, however again, I have not made an original observation therefore my synthesis of observation is also not original.
    Zvanysse

BIOL/CMSI 367-01: Biological Databases Fall 2017

Assignments

Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 14

Individual Assignments

Zvanysse Week 1 | Zvanysse Week 2 | Zvanysse Week 3 | Zvanysse Week 4 | Zvanysse Week 5 | Zvanysse Week 6 | Zvanysse Week 7 | Zvanysse Week 8 | Zvanysse Week 9 | Zvanysse Week 10 | Zvanysse Week 11 | Zvanysse Week 12 | Zvanysse Week 14 | Zvanysse Week 15

Shared Journals

Zvanysse Week 1 Journal | Zvanysse Week 2 Journal | Zvanysse Week 3 Journal | Zvanysse Week 4 Journal | Zvanysse Week 5 Journal | Zvanysse Week 6 Journal | Zvanysse Week 7 Journal | Zvanysse Week 8 Journal | Zvanysse Week 9 Journal | Zvanysse Week 10 Journal | Zvanysse Week 11 Journal | Zvanysse Week 12 Journal | Zvanysse Week 14 Journal
Zvanysse (talk) 14:02, 2 September 2017 (PDT)

Blair Hamilton's Response

Before reading the Denning articles

  1. When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?
    • When I think about computer science the first thing I think about it coding. Coding something very cool, like an app or website, to which everyday people can use and benefit from.
  2. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • Friends and family probably believe computer science is a scary word for strange "nerds" who sit in dark rooms coding apps or hacking into secret data.
  3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
    • Younger relatives and friends probably believe computer science is the reason why their mom or dads iPhone is so fun, or they would only understand computer and science as individual concepts.

Before reading the Janovy chapter

  1. When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?
    • When I think of Biology I think of life. Biology is the study of things that are living around us, in which there is a variation of complex components within each system.
  2. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?
    • No, I would consider myself a mathematician. Rather than focusing on living beings, I focus on numbers and ways to utilize those numbers to benefit others around me.

After reading the Denning articles and the Janovy chapter

  1. What was the purpose of these readings?
    • These readings allowed for a deeper understanding of computer science and biology. Computer Science is made up of different fields, ideas and parts, such as math, users and engineers. While biology explains the importance of understanding the world around us.
  2. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
    • Being a math major, I would say the mathematics voice appealed to me the most. One of the best things about math is its ability to be applied to anything and everything and make a huge impact. For example, in hospitals math is constantly used to decide correct doses, or for businesses what equation is the fastest way to find their return on investment. Mr. Denning describes math perfectly when he says "I love mathematics. I know mathematics sounds pretty abstract to a lot of people. It’s not for everyone." This is the epitome of being a math major and having to explain why you chose to dedicate your life to numbers and proofs. Although choosing a subject "not for everyone" the ability to be fluent in a universal language is unparalleled to any other academia.
  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 Search or Automation principle can be applied to the idea of Sorority recruitment. As a potential new member, someone can be provided with lots of information such as sorority life, philanthropies, sisterhood and numbers like dues or national chapters. Being able to take in this information and condense it into an organized list of pros and cons, likes and dislikes with any sorority allow a new member to find a pattern that align best with their values and/or goals.
  4. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
    • Janovy discusses the idea that social climate is an important factor no matter the time period, including during Darwin's time. The idea that not only are biologists worried about learning and discovering new beings, diseases, cures, etc. but also need to account for outside forces, such as politics or religion. Janovy describes how although biology is described as a neutral field of study, outside forces always affect the outcome. For example, although medicine is quite advanced it's ability to adjust and/or predict modern medical calamities is insufficient and therefore requires social climate to allow it to progress.
  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 have a drive to learn about the world around us. Studying living beings causes a spark and fascination to learn more and understand how that being functions and survives. By this definition, I would say I am not a biologist as my drive to learn about living things does not steam from intellectual curiosity. Rather, my drive is directed towards preconceived ideas and processes, and figuring out how to apply those to everyday life.

Bhamilton18 (talk) 09:48, 9 September 2017 (PDT)

Category Links
User Page Blair Hamilton
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Class Journals Class Journal Week 1   Class Journal Week 2   Class Journal Week 3   Class Journal Week 4   Class Journal Week 5   Class Journal Week 6   Class Journal Week 7   Class Journal Week 8   Class Journal Week 9   Class Journal Week 10
Final Project Lights, Camera, InterACTION!  Lights, Camera, InterACTION! Deliverables

Qlanners Responses

Before Reading

  1. When I hear computer science I think of the utilization of the processing power of computers to make every-day tasks easier, more effective, and more affordable. I think of the creative but incredibly precise and logical mindset needed to write commands that serve this purpose.
  2. I think older relatives, focusing on those who are not specifically specialized in computer science, are often overwhelmed and intimidated by the words computer science. Several of my older relatives have a hard time navigating the simple dashboards of several software applications, so when they try to think of the interworking behind these dashboards, they probably only think of lines of incoherent words and symbols that have no meaning to them.
  3. Younger relatives seem to be more excited at the prospect of the possibilities that computer science holds. Having grown up always surrounded by technology, the younger generation is very technologically literate and is often very willing to learn how to harness computer science to its fullest abilities.
  1. When I hear the term biology, I think of the living world and the science behind how everything in the world interacts. I think of the importance of current hot topics in today’s society such as global warming and pollution and how we can use technology with the findings from biology to help the living planet.
  2. While I am pursuing a biochemistry minor, and have taken several biology courses, I wouldn’t consider myself a biologist. I am more interested in working with biologists to use technology to solve the problems that they find.

After Reading

  1. The purpose of these readings was to give a holistic introduction to both computing and biology. More specifically, both readings tried to combat the stereotypical view that each subject carries with it. The articles went beyond the ignorant views that people outside of each field have of each of them, and outlined the depth of each subject. The computer science article laid a foundation of the several different aspects that make up computer science, going beyond the typical view that computer science is just coding, to highlight all the possibilities one has in the subject. The biology article focused on articulating how a biologist has a moral inclination to discover the world. It also touched on technology’s place in biology, and the role we all can have as “amateur” biologists.
  2. The voice of the scientist in computing appeals to me most. I am most interested in exploring and discovering the possibilities that exist within the realm of computing. I am also very interested in making the world of computing as interdisciplinary as possible, using the power of computing to answer questions in other scientific and industrial fields.
  3. The principle of computation can be observed in our everyday life in our decisions on routes to take to arrive at a desired location. Each time we have a specified destination, we quickly think through all the possible routes that we could take to arrive at that destination, and decide upon the quickest route. We are quickly able to rule out most routes, and then take more time to think through the few remaining possible routes. Furthermore, each time we take a route to a destination (say between classes), the subsequent time takes less computing power (thinking), until we become able to take the quickest route virtually without even thinking about it.
  4. I was very interested in Janovy’s commentary on the importance for biologists to become technologically capable (and preferably technologically advanced). Janovy’s story of the realization of the power of technology at a University of Nebraska’s summer field program (p. 25), and his many examples of the types of biological advancements that technology have allowed for articulate this idea. In today’s world, for a biologist to be able to share his/her findings with the world, a step that is key to any academic, he/she needs to have to ability to analyze their findings in a meaningful way. And to do so, technology is necessary. This idea highlighted the reason that I am taking this course, in the idea that technology has found its way into every field, and knowing how to use the available technology at a high level will always be a skill in high demand.
  5. After reading the Janovy’s On Becoming a Biologist I would have to lean towards saying that I indeed am a biologist. While I do not intend to go on and get my PhD in biology, I am an avid outdoorsmen and lover of nature. I have several memories and moral values rooted in nature and the wonders the world has to offer. While my skills and career interests align more with analytics, Janovy’s commentary on the growing trend of interdisciplinary work reminds me that I will always be able to observe the Earth through a biologist’s view and use my skills in unique ways to learn things about our planet.

Qlanners (talk) 12:53, 18 September 2017 (PDT)

Simon's Responses

Before Reading The Denning Articles

  1. When I hear the term "computer science" I think of the digital inter workings of everyday devices and become both mystified and intrigued.
  2. I believe when older generations here the term computer science they either think of something more complex because they understand it or something less complex because they do not, some may not have any opinions on it at all.
  3. When younger generations here the term computer science I would guess that they think of games or applications on a phone.

Before Reading The Janovy Chapter

  1. When I hear the term Biology I immediately think of the term "the study of life" because I tend to translate terms in my head.
  2. I do consider myself a Biologist because of the research I've done here at LMU in labs as well as personal research and hypothesis I think of on a frequent basis.

After Reading The Janovy Chapter and Denning Articles

  1. I believe the purpose of these readings was to give us a deeper understanding of what it means to be both a biologist and a computer scientist and have us reflect on and mold our own definitions.
  2. The Programmer voice in the Voices of Computing article seemed the most appealing to me because of its broad nature and immense capability of accomplishing virtually anything.
  3. The Search Principle seems to be the most everyday like principle and is certainly most accurate to me. I'm always trying to recognize the shape, size, and color of my keys in the morning.
  4. I found the part about perception and what biologists actually see an how that manipulates what everyone thinks about the world. He talks about how having an accurate and consistent perception of the world is healthy for everyone. The more you know about the world's intricacies, the better and more well rounded your world view or perception becomes, thus allowing you to live a healthier and happier life.
  5. I believe a biologist is someone who observes the living world around them and actively works towards understanding its systems. I would consider myself a biologist because I too am in the active pursuit of understanding life around me.
    Simonwro120 Week 1

Simonwro120 Week 2
Simonwro120 (talk) 16:47, 4 September 2017 (PDT)


Mary Balducci's Responses

Before reading the Denning articles:

  1. When I hear the term computer science I think of exploring the many things that can be done with computers. I think of writing programs that can do almost anything. I think computer science is really interesting, and very expansive. It's not something I know much about, but I am really interested with everything that can be done in the field.
  2. In general, when my older friends and relatives hear the term computer science, I think they feel overwhelmed. I think they do not understand a lot of it, and are not really used to computers being so advanced, because the world they grew up in was nothing like that.
  3. When my younger friends and relatives hear the term computer science, I think they get excited. They are used to computers and they have grown up knowing how to use them, so they understand all the things computers have the potential to do.

Before reading the Janovy chapter:

  1. When I hear the term biology, I think of all living things. I think of biology as figuring out how living things work, and using that information in various ways, for example creating medicine that can accurately target and fight a diseItalic textase in the body.
  2. I consider myself a biologist. I am majoring in biology so the classes I've taken have given me information that other people wouldn't know. That said, there's still a lot that I don't know about biology.

After reading the Denning articles and Janovy chapter:

  1. The purpose of these readings was to make me reflect about how I think of computer science and biology, and to take in new information and new views on both subjects. Both sets of readings explain their subjects with perspectives I had not known about before. Especially as a biology major, the articles on computers science served the purpose of giving me a better understanding of what computer science is.
  2. In the Voices of Computing article, I think the User's voice appealed to me the most. It was the one I could relate tot he most. I've never done anything on the programming/ creating side of computer science before, but I have definitely used computers and love exploring all the things they can do.
  3. I thought that the Janovy chapter was provocative in saying that often times biology teachers and curriculums have no interest in explaining why biology is studied, but instead just study it. He said that in biology classes, no one ever reflected on why they were biologists, or what made them that way. Instead, the focus on actually being biologists, and studying. This was interesting because the two are so closely related, the answer to why people become biologists has to do with biology, yet that is not talked about.
  4. To me, being a biologist means to be immersed in the study of the living world, whether or not that is what your job is. I consider myself a biologist because I study the living world even when not in class. it's something I've always loved to do and been really interested in.

Mbalducc (talk) 16:11, 4 September 2017 (PDT)

Emma Tyrnauer's Responses

Before Reading the Denning Articles

  1. When I hear the term computer science I think of coding, making programs, software, websites, etc. I know very little about computer science in general, however recently I feel as though there has been a lot of buzz surrounding artificial intelligence.
  2. When older relatives hear the term computer science I think they might be more familiar with the coding aspect and less so with aspects such as artificial intelligence. Major strides have recently been made in the advancement of technology and computer science--some of which I even have trouble keeping up with.
  3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science I think they mostly think about smart phones, tablets, laptops, etc.

Before Reading the Janovy Chapter

  1. When I hear the term biology I think of cells with organelles that carry out specialized processes, as well as different groupings of specialized cells that make up complete organisms. I also think of genetic information being passed down from parents to offspring; specifically,how mutations in DNA and various steps in meiosis are responsible for the great diversity that is present on this planet.
  2. Being a biology major, I do consider myself a biologist because I am constantly studying the different forms of life around me. Taking lab allows me to study different life forms, ask my own questions, and make predictions about biological processes. To me, being a biologist means being interested in and studying life around you.

After Reading the Denning Articles and Janovy Chapter

  1. The purpose of these readings was to introduce and give a background on what it means to be a biologist and computer scientist. They offer insight into how we naturally participate in these fields in terms of our daily living, while also suggesting what it means to more actively contribute to the field.
  2. The User in the Voices of Computing article seemed to appeal to me the most. I have never really been interested in constructing new forms of technology, or even interested in how they work. However, I have always been thankful for the life it has allowed me to live. I also recognize that the advancements that have been made in technology have allowed for advancements in medicine.
  3. Hierarchical Aggregation: Can be thought of in terms of geography. For example, continents are divided into countries; countries are divided into states, regions, provinces, etc.; states, regions, provinces, etc. are later divided into counties; counties are made up of cities...
  4. I found Thomas Kuhn's perspective about paradigms driving inquiry very interesting. I haven't considered it before but it's true that professions are limited by a few professionals in their respective areas determining what is and isn't worth studying. Science is driven by what is needed and relevant in society at any given point in time. Janovy mentions that because relevance directs what is studied, individuals entering into these professions are limited by these paradigms.
  5. To be a biologist means to not only make observations about life and nature around you, but also to investigate. These observations are thoughtful in terms of their consideration of relationships, interdependency, and complexity. Investigation is based on previous knowledge, social paradigms, and other relevant data. After reading the article, I would consider myself an amateur biologist--while I do take part in both thoughtful observations and investigation, they are both mediated directly by my professors.

Emmatyrnauer (talk) 22:42, 4 September 2017 (PDT)

Links

  1. My User Page
  2. List of Assignments
  3. List of Journal Entries
  4. List of Shared Journal Entries

Corinne Wong's Response

Before reading the Denning articles

  1. When I hear "computer science," I think of coding and creating programs. I think of the advancement of our current technology with new computers and systems that are increasingly smarter and more complex.
  2. When older relatives or friends hear "computer science," I think they would think of coding and new and advanced systems as well, but only to a certain extent. I don't think they would know too much about the depth of what it means to code or advance systems.
  3. When younger relatives or friends hear "computer science," I think they would think of all that I think of: coding, creating programs, advancing technology to make it smarter and more complex. They would know much more than I ever knew at their age and maybe even more than I know now.

Before reading the Janovy chapter

  1. When I hear "biology," I think of the study of life in the past, present, and future. I think of the science and research that shaped and continues to shape our understanding of life.
  2. I consider myself a "beginner biologist" because it is what I'm studying, but there are others that I would consider more of biologists than I am. I'm a biology major, but I haven't sought out to perform or participate in research. I think of my studies as a basis/precursor to my future interests and career.

After reading the Denning articles and the Janovy chapter

  1. These readings show what it means to be a biologist and computer scientist. They break the careers down and show how people from any profession can relate to and understand their desires and goals.
  2. The User appeals to me the most because I can relate to it the most. I don't really understand the science behind computers, but I can come up with desires and ideas for improvements and be of use to other computer scientists.
  3. The "Search (Automation)" principle applies to puzzles. When you're doing a puzzle, you have to notice patterns and put the pieces together to solve it.
  4. What I found most interesting was how Janovy urges professors to teach why they are experts in their field. What is their role? Explaining this to students would definitely increase their interest in the matter and maybe some will even feel inclined to take this knowledge and apply it to their own interests. I'm a biology major, and when I have to take, for example, a theology course, I don't want the professor to just teach me the content. I want to know how this will be useful to me and that I'm not wasting my time in the class. I want to understand the value of what is being taught.
  5. To be a biologist means to have a strong fascination and care for all living things on this planet, and it means to have a value and goal of improving the world and saving it from destruction for the survival of every organism. I consider myself more of a biologist than I originally had because I do care for all living things, and even as a kid, I had a fascination with life and nature. Even though I don't plan on doing research and making discoveries, I still hope to do my part to create a better life for all things on Earth.

Cwong34 (talk) 17:28, 4 September 2017 (PDT)

Arash Lari's Response to the Readings

Before Reading Denning

1. The study of how computers operate and function. In other words, I think of how to transcribe complex processes and ideas into an algorithm with the simplest steps such that a computer could execute the commands with no ambiguity.
2. Coming from a “techy” family my dad always said computer science was akin to art or poetry, and programming is a method of self expression but in a more practical way. Other less tech-savvy members of my family would normally just say computer science is working with computers and leave it at that.
3. I think the younger generation think mostly about the practical applications of computer science such as web development or app creation, and not so much “science” part of it that pertains to the theory of computation and the more abstract principles and ideas of computer science

Before Reading Janovy

1. I think of the study of life, and living organisms. I think of anything that could have some sort of life or is naturally occurring all the way down to cells and their individual organelles, any smaller than that I think it starts to become chemistry.
2. I don’t consider myself a biologist as I haven’t studied it academically very much and would not call myself an expert on the subject

After Readings

1. The purpose of these two articles was to better understand the definitions of both fields so that we understand what our objectives are and how to merge these two fields of study together.
2. I feel some association with all of the voices, but the engineer might be the most appealing to me as my original major was software engineering, and I got into the field by wanting to build software that took care of various problems I had. That may sound like the problem solving voice, but I think I’m more the engineering voice because I like to try to solve problems in a pragmatic, practical way, which is kind of the purpose of engineers in any field they’re in.
3. Everyone that’s trying to be efficient would apply Intractability, the process of figuring out the best way to do something. An example would be the timing that you choose to cook stuff in the kitchen, such that everything is ready at the same time.
4. Definitely the butterfly effect, which is something I think about often. The idea that one small, seemingly insignificant change can have drastic consequences in the future is always something on my mind as I try to think as ahead as possible for every decision I make.
5. I would say that I’ve been known to do what biologists are known for which would be someone who observes the living world around them and actively tries to understand it better, my gripe would be with the word active. I actively try to learn more about computer science but I would say i passively try to learn about the world around me, because I welcome the information when it comes but I don’t academically research it.

Links

Main Page
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Assignment Pages: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 14 | Week 15
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Shared Journal Pages: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10
Group Project Page: JASPAR the Friendly Ghost

John Lopez's Responses

Before Reading Denning

  1. When I hear the term “computer science”, I think of both understanding how computers work in order can solve problems using computers. I believe that although programming is a very important aspect of computer science, it is also necessary to know what can be done using programming. While people generally make connections with mathematical analysis and computers, I believe computers can be used in other disciplines of study.
  2. When older relatives or friends hear the term “computer science”, they perceive it as a sort of magic. To them, knowledge of computers was reserved for either the wealthy or the well-educated, meaning they did not simply have exposure to understanding how computers functioned. While computer science education has significantly improved, older generations seem to not have interest in learning it.
  3. When younger friends or relatives hear the term “computer science”, they typically believe that computer science is too complex for them to understand. This is also due to the stigma that you have to be a mathematical genius in order to comprehend how to program. Furthermore, they typically associate computer scientist majors with game or app developers.

Before Reading Janovy

  1. When I hear the term “biology”, I think of the study of life. I think of understanding the chemical processes that allow life to function and I think of the several ways to study life. Understanding biology is the gateway to understand ecology, zoology, agriculture, and health. Furthermore, I think of how biologists use several types of tools and experiments in order to understand life.
  2. As of now, I do not consider myself a biologist. This is because I have not undertaken any sort of research dedicated to biology. However, I plan to use this class as a gateway to understanding some of the methods biologists use to understand life. Ideally I would like to research biology using computers, and once I do I will consider myself a biologist.

After Readings

  1. The three readings that were presented to us, students of two disciplines, were intended for the readers to have a different attitude towards their discipline than what is commonly thought. The two readings published for computer scientists, for instance, were intended to show that studying computing has more applications than programming and that it is necessary for computer scientists to think beyond their discipline. However, the Sanovy article, meant for biologists, was intended to say that despite all of the changes in social attitudes towards biology and scientific/technological progress, it is crucial to stay true to the naturalist roots of studying biology.
  2. Out of the voices in Voices of Computing, the computational thinker appealed to me the most. The thoughts and attitudes of the computational thinker towards problem solving and science align well with mine. Problem solving is my favorite part of computer science. I believe that although I am not a scientist myself, I would find great interest in using computers to help scientists solve problems.
  3. Elements in nature such as bird migration can be explained using the principle of automation, one of the seven principles mentioned in the *Computing is a Natural Science* article. The summary states that automation is “finding a pattern or configuration in a very large space of possibilities”. When birds migrate, they rely upon instinct to reach their intended destination in a specific direction during a specific time. This is a very natural phenomena that relies heavily upon one of the principles of computation.
  4. I found the sixth section of the chapter to be the most interesting part of the Janovy article. As technology progresses and advancements are made in computation, it is important to remember the roots of biology and what it truly means to study life. This section reminds us that while it is important for biologists to adapt to new technologies, they must remain focused upon studying biology rather than focusing on how to study biology.
  5. I believe that in order to be a biologist, you need to never lose your purpose in studying life. Sanovy, for example, spoke highly of those who were curious of the world around them and studied it despite what others thought. This was displayed with the herpetologist and the students. Despite the fact that I am curious about the environment around me, I am not a biologist. As of now, I do not act upon my curiosities nor do I research the world around me.

Johnllopez616 (talk) 21:19, 4 September 2017 (PDT)

Individual Journal Entries and Assignments

Class Assignments

Class Weekly Journal Entries / Project Weekly Journal Entries

My Page


Edward Bachoura's Response

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 specifically of software development. It's sad that it's my major and I've been taught it's more than that, but I still hear computer science and think solely of software development.
  1. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
They think of IT! Actually it seems that most of my friends and relatives think that my major is to study to be able to fix any issue that happens with electronics, and if there is ever an issue that I can't fix, they think this is because I'm a bad student.
  1. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?
A lot of my younger cousins are actually being educated in what computer science is in their middle school education. I'm not really sure what they are getting out of these classes but they seems to understand that it is about coding programs to do cool things.

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

  1. When you hear the term biology, what comes #to mind?
To me, biology is simply the study of life.
  1. Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?
A biologist is someone who studies biology and does some sort of research on organisms, to see how these organisms react to different environments and scenarios.

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 get us thinking about the true meaning of Computer Science and Biology by providing us with a better understanding of what it means to study and be part of each of these fields, aside from the stereotypes that everybody has.
  1. Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?
    The voices that I related to most were the engineer and the programmer. These three voices really speak to why I love computer science and where my interest comes from. Specifically the engineer because I love building something and finishing it and saying that this is something that I built. Makes me feel more accomplished about myself than most other things in the world.
  2. 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.
    We use compression everyday in the way we remember things. We find easy ways to remember things by using other parts of our memory as a way to remind ourselves that these things mean.
  3. What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?
    "At one time or another, in order to see yourself as a biologist, you will have to make some kind of original observation of nature and meld them into a synthesis of understanding." I found this topic interesting because the entire chapter he was defining biology and what it mean to be a biologist and then he ended it with this bold statement saying that in order for you to see yourself as a biologist, you have to have made some kind of original observations, studying the field is not enough.
  4. What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?
    As I said in my last response, in order for us to see ourselves as biologists we must make some sort of original natural discovery. I believe that in just wandering the world and living my life, I have melded my discoveries into synthesis' of understanding and therefore I am a biologist.

Ebachour (talk) 15:45, 12 September 2017 (PDT)

Antonio Porras's Responses

Before Reading the Denning articles

When I hear the term computer science, I think mostly of coding programs for endless possible reasons and how to design processes for computers to complete towards a certain end. When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, my best guess would be they would be thinking of the study of how computers work. I would guess more so in the physical sense and less in the world of networks and programming. I think my friends would have similar thoughts come to mind in terms of networks, the internet, and programming/coding come to mind when they think of computer science because we grew up with computers in our households.

Before Reading the Janovy chapter

When I think about biology, the study of life and intricate biological systems comes to mind. Life overall represents the beautiful product that is made by the intricate and time-tested biological systems. By biological systems, I hope to encompass the aspect of biology that takes apart the larger picture of what it means for something to be a living organism. Just as importantly, Charles Darwin definitely comes into mind when thinking about biology. With all honesty, I wouldn't consider myself a biologist. I would more so consider myself an aspiring biologist in the sense that I would hope to one day be able to take part in or contribute research within the biology field.

After Reading the Denning articles and Janovy chapter

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

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

After reading, the two authors left me with mixed thoughts on both biology and computer science. However, with this mixing came an important realization that these fields aren't as rigid and defined as I had originally thought. I believe the purpose of these readings was to give an introduction to the thinking behind both biology and computer science. Study of either of these areas isn't strictly defined by the classroom in the sense that there are endless opportunities outside of lecture halls however best professors attempt to prepare us with the most relevant information. Both of these authors loosened my rigid thoughts and hopefully this flexibility and openness will be applicable throughout the course. Of all the voices, I find the scientist to be most appealing. After studying biology, chemistry, and physics I've come to appreciate these areas and their complexities.In our daily lives, I think communication is easiest to apply because of our human ability to communicate to other humans both verbally and through nonverbal expressions. What's most interesting is that we have learned these communication skills naturally through time. For example, if someone frowned and clenched their fists, you would interpret this as someone expressing anger and therefore communicating nonverbally through body language. At a young age we understand basic language without significant formal teaching. Communication, in these two senses, interests me the most compared to the other six principles.

My understanding, from Janovy's reading, is a biologist has the ability to make observations of the world they live in and bring those observations into a framework of original thought. One can consider their framework to be their experiences gained at a young age similar to Janovy's. Doing this means observations affect their worldview and biologists' view isn't narrowed further when it should be expanded and increased. Instead of answering yes or no to whether or not I would consider myself a biologist, I instead consider myself an aspiring biologist and have a growth mindset in the sense that I want to increase my view of the world we live and share with other organisms. This mindset allows for limitless boundaries and prevents myself from attempting to strictly define what it means to be a biologist.

Antonio Porras

Aporras1 (talk) 19:30, 4 September 2017 (PDT)

Hayden's Week 1 Journal Entry

Before Reading The Denning Articles

When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?

  • I tend to think of very organized, literal people. I also usually imagine a lot of people crowded around computers in a small office located in Palo Alto.


When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?

  • I would assume that the massive computers of their days come to mind. I imagine the older relatives and friends envisioning a man in a lab coat seated in front of a computer the size of a kitchen.


When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?

  • I believe the younger generation would imagine a bunch of people on iphones, tablets, and computers designing apps.

Before Reading the Janovy Chapter

When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?

  • When I hear the term biology, I begin to think about cells. I envision an image of a cell, with a cell wall, organelles and a nucleus.


Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?

  • I wouldn't consider myself a biologist, mostly due to what the term biologist means to me. I consider a biologist to be someone who dedicates their lives to finding and examining specimens from nature.

After reading the Denning articles and the Janovy chapter

What was the purpose of these readings?

  • I believe reeducation to be the purpose of these readings. So many people(myself included) have a particularly narrow view when it comes to computer science versus "natural sciences".


Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?

  • The computational scientist voice appealed to me 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.

  • I believe there is a direct correlation between the communication principle and ethics guidelines for psychological data. There is great effort shown to report reliable conclusions when performing psychological studies. It is a way to ensure honestly and accuracy when reporting findings. The communication principle notes that reliable data transmission is a core entity of the principle, which in its own way, ensures honesty and accuracy when transmitting data.


What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?

  • I found the section regarding the fact that a beetle from Peru must be held with similar esteem as a human. I often do not think about the fact that I should respects smaller representations of life because they are a representation of life, which is not small in the least.


What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?

  • A biologist is someone who is entrenched in understanding life as it is understood and functions on this earth. I would consider myself a biologist in the broadest sense, because although I am not always studing the cellular processes of life, I am very interested in studying and constantly learning about the processes of life and how it relates to each and every human.


Helpful Links


Hhinsch (talk) 23:23, 4 September 2017 (PDT)

Dina Bashoura's Responses

Before Reading the Denning Articles

  1. When I think of the term Computer Science, I think of coding and using technology to accomplish tasks in a more efficient and logical way.
  2. When older relatives think of the term Computer Science, I think they have a vague understanding of what that entails and think they cannot contribute to this field because of their generational barrier.
  3. When younger relatives think of the term Computer Science, I think they think of gamers and the creators behind facebook.

Before Reading the Janovy Chapter

  1. When I think of the term biology, I think of being in the lab with a white coat on examining bacteria.
  2. I do not think of myself as a biologist only because I would consider the term to refer to someone who is an expert in their field and I am certainly no expert.

After Reading the Denning articles and Janovy Chapter

  1. The purpose of these readings was to give insight into both biology and computer science and illustrate how the two fields are related.
  2. The voice of the computational thinker appealed to me the most because this is something that I value and strive to be. I believe that being a computational thinker involves logic and strategy and allows you to handle situations in a more effective way.
  3. The principle of recollection seems to be very relevant in our daily lives when juxtaposed to our memory processes. Recollection involves the storage and retrieval of information which is the fundamental purpose of our memory.
  4. In Janovy's chapter on becoming a biologist, I found one thing to be specifically thought provoking. He discusses a man who studies Neotropical frogs and asks the question "what value to society is his work?". Janovy goes on to say that this man is contributing to "the overall picture of the planet upon which we live". I always thought that research had to serve a purpose and was done in order to better the world in some way, but after reading this I was introduced to the idea that research is not labeled as important based on the societal value that it holds and does not even have to hold a purpose to society at all, but is done to develop an overall picture or better understanding of the world.
  5. A biologist is an expert who dedicates their life to studying and understanding the living world. In contrast to what was originally stated, I would consider myself a biologist because, according to this definition, I have dedicated my life to studying and understanding the world simply by living in it and choosing to experience the world. I constantly am making hypothesis and testing them throughout the day, whether consciously or not. I have been doing so since I was born, making me an expert so according to this definition, I am a biologist.

Dbashour (talk) 04:48, 5 September 2017 (PDT)

Eddie Azinge's Responses

Before Reading the Denning Articles

  1. When I think of the term Computer Science, I think of software development and algorithm design.
  2. When older relatives think of the term Computer Science, I think they think of geniuses and prodigies making extremely new technologies that work over some fantastical world wide web.
  3. When younger relatives think of the term Computer Science, I think they think of people sitting behind desks programming and building the technologies behind Facebook and Google.

Before Reading the Janovy Chapter

  1. When I think of the term biology, the image that most prevalently comes to mind is that of a frog being dissected.
  2. I do not think of myself as a biologist, I believe myself to be far removed from dealing with the intricacies of learning about living creatures and how our bodily functions work.

After Reading the Denning articles and Janovy Chapter

  1. I believe these readings were to serve as a sort of primer for our forays into the fields of Computer Science and Biology, respectively. As they deconstructed the preconcieved notions of what the majority of people believe biology and computer science to be, they brought to light the core values behind each of the fields, for Computer Science, it focused on the aspects outside of simply coding, while for Biology, it focused on the explorative aspects of the field, evoking a sense of discovery for what we do not yet know about ourselves.
  2. I definitely identify with the computational thinker the most. In my opinion, programming languages are just an eloquent way of expressing solutions to problems that have already been solved in one's own mind, most of the dissonance preventing people from learning computer science is in difficulty of translating raw algorithmic thought to code. I believe that most everyone has a bit of a computational thinker in them, even if they don't believe it themselves.
  3. Compression relates most heavily with language in my opinion. Language is a lossy form of compression that condenses an idea into a string of words, which when interpreted by another person, loses so much data that it can hardly be considered the same idea.
  4. Chapter 8's focus on social sciences impacting biology was particularly intriguing; the parallel that he was able to draw between the interactions of primates and human beings, as well as the effect that they have on our study of biology was something that I hadn't really considered much prior.
  5. I believe that in order to be considered a biologist, you must not only be interested in reporting on life; but rather be wholly invested in studying it, investigating it and understanding how it works. I would not consider myself a biologist at this current moment, as my discipline still only really focuses on studying machines and computational ideas. As the field of computer science develops and machines become more and more similar to man, however, I may eventually see myself becoming a biologist.

Cazinge (talk) 23:46, 4 September 2017 (PDT)

Nicole Kalcic's Responses

Before Denning

  1. When I hear the term computer science, I immediately think about coding. Movies and television like to depict those who study or are interested in computer science as “hackers” of some sort. A true definition of computer science probably talks about the design and study of computer use.
  2. When older relatives and friends hear computer science, they are probably often confused. For example, my grandma can barely work her flip phone. Technology is foreign to her. When she hears computer science, she probably cannot envision that there are people and ideas behind it.
  3. When my younger friends and and relatives hear computer science, I imagine they envision Mr. Robot.

Before Janvoy

  1. When I hear the term biology, I become aware of body. I would simply define biology as the study of all living organisms. Vocabulary from high school comes to mind.
  2. I would not consider myself a biologist. I am not actively participating in the study of living organisms.

After Reading

  1. The purpose of these readings was to give a background into computer science and biology, so that those (like me) who are not well versed in either will have a better understanding moving forward when we begin to integrate these two subjects. These readings were selected because they can be appreciated from the perspective of an insider or an outsider to each respective field.
  2. The User voice was most appealing, as I can relate to it. As an artist, computers/technology is incredibly important to me, and although I do not understand much behind the subject, I am incredibly appreciative for the advancements in the science.
  3. The principle of Search is similar to the process of selecting a college. Each college has certain attributes that you become aware of. When you select the college size you want, the location, the program, public or private, you have created a pool of similar options that are best suited for you.
  4. It was very interesting to me when Janvoy talked about the values of the biologist. It is true, that most other activities are concerned with that of what it means to be a human, and how to deal with it. If we all valued and respected each organism, despite what it could or could not do for us, we would be living quite differently.
  5. I believe that being a biologist is is having a certain respect for the world and all of its organisms, and having a desire to study it and protect it. Being a biologist goes beyond a job or a level of education. I don’t consider myself a biologist. I think far too many activities I participate in are consumed with the superiority complex that is developed by humans.

Nicolekalcic (talk) 14:15, 7 September 2017 (PDT)

Katie Wright's Response

  • Before reading: Denning
    1. The first thing that comes to mind is software design. I also think of silicone valley tech startups, website coding/design and IT services.
    2. Older relatives may think of more mathematical or computational applications, like using computers for calculations in physics labs or space programs.
    3. When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, they probably think of the same things that I do.
  • Before reading: Janovy
    1. I think of the different types of biology and their applications, such as evolutionary biology, microbiology, and healthcare.
    2. I believe that anyone who has studied biology or conducted biological research is a biologist. I do consider myself to be a biologist, but I consider myself first and foremost a chemist since that is the area I have received most of my formal training.
  • After reading:
    1. The purpose of the Denning articles were to introduce the reader to different aspects of computer science and describe their importance. The Janovy chapter was written to spark a discussion about the difference between naturalists, biologists, and other people who study biology.
    2. I think the engineer appealed most to me, which is interesting since I have spent most of my university career as a "scientist." I think the engineer voice appealed to me most because I like to figure things out as I go along. I also like to work with systems, which is an engineering skill.
    3. The principle of "Hierarchical Aggregation (Design)" can be applied to a team of researchers at a university. The example I'm thinking of comes from when I worked for the University of Washington Division of Hematology. I worked for a small team of 5 individuals who ran the clinical trials for an MD/PhD oncologist named Pamela Becker. We were a part of her lab, which is a part of the Heme-Oncology team, which is under the division of hematology, which is in the school of medicine, which is a part of the University of Washington.
    4. It seemed to me that Janovy is calling some biology students not true biologists. He suggests that those who were not willing to talk about the values of biology are not really biologists. Some people would say that he is wrong, and that more people are biologists than we realize.
    5. To be a biologist is to be someone who studies nature out of a love for it. Personally, I never had that moment in my childhood where I was completely enthralled by nature. I have come to appreciate nature a little later in life. This is what makes me hesitant to call myself a biologist; I am much more comfortable calling myself a chemist, or more generally, a scientist.

Kwrigh35 (talk) 17:36, 12 September 2017 (PDT)

Hayden's Week 1 Journal Entry

Before Reading The Denning Articles

When you hear the term computer science, what comes to mind?

  • I tend to think of very organized, literal people. I also usually imagine a lot of people crowded around computers in a small office located in Palo Alto.


When older relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?

  • I would assume that the massive computers of their days come to mind. I imagine the older relatives and friends envisioning a man in a lab coat seated in front of a computer the size of a kitchen.


When younger relatives or friends hear the term computer science, what do you think comes to their minds?

  • I believe the younger generation would imagine a bunch of people on iphones, tablets, and computers designing apps.

Before Reading the Janovy Chapter

When you hear the term biology, what comes to mind?

  • When I hear the term biology, I begin to think about cells. I envision an image of a cell, with a cell wall, organelles and a nucleus.


Do you consider yourself a biologist? why or why not?

  • I wouldn't consider myself a biologist, mostly due to what the term biologist means to me. I consider a biologist to be someone who dedicates their lives to finding and examining specimens from nature.

After reading the Denning articles and the Janovy chapter

What was the purpose of these readings?

  • I believe reeducation to be the purpose of these readings. So many people(myself included) have a particularly narrow view when it comes to computer science versus "natural sciences".


Which of the voices in the Voices of Computing article seem to appeal to you the most?

  • The computational scientist voice appealed to me 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.

  • I believe there is a direct correlation between the communication principle and ethics guidelines for psychological data. There is great effort shown to report reliable conclusions when performing psychological studies. It is a way to ensure honestly and accuracy when reporting findings. The communication principle notes that reliable data transmission is a core entity of the principle, which in its own way, ensures honesty and accuracy when transmitting data.


What did you find most interesting or provocative about the Janovy reading?

  • I found the section regarding the fact that a beetle from Peru must be held with similar esteem as a human. I often do not think about the fact that I should respects smaller representations of life because they are a representation of life, which is not small in the least.


What does it mean to be a biologist? Do you consider yourself a biologist? Why or why not?

  • A biologist is someone who is entrenched in understanding life as it is understood and functions on this earth. I would consider myself a biologist in the broadest sense, because although I am not always studing the cellular processes of life, I am very interested in studying and constantly learning about the processes of life and how it relates to each and every human.


Hhinsch (talk) 23:23, 4 September 2017 (PDT)

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