Counseling for IIT/NIT Aspirants

Presented by YES Centre

andThe Hindu Group

16 June 2013, Hyderabad

What You Need to Know

1. Will you Experience Singularity?2. What is Computer Science?3. Computing Disciplines & Majors4. Skills You’ll Learn if You Study Computing5. Job Market Trends6. IT Market Trends

Technological Singularity:The Law of Accelerating Returns

by Ray Kurzweil

“An analysis of the history of technology shows that technological change is exponential, contrary to the common-sense "intuitive linear" view. So we won't experience 100 years of progress in the 21st century -- it will be more like 20,000 years of progress (at today's rate).

The "returns," such as chip speed and cost-effectiveness, also increase exponentially. There's even exponential growth in the rate of exponential growth. Within a few decades, machine intelligence will surpass human intelligence, leading to The Singularity –

Technological change so rapid and profound it represents a rupture in the fabric of human history. The implications include the merger of biological and non-biological intelligence, immortal software-based humans, and ultra-high levels of intelligence that expand outward in the universe at the speed of light.”

The Law of Accelerating ReturnsTechnological Singularity

The Technology Trigger

1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

Visib

ility

Technology Trigger

Peak of Inflated Expectations

Trough of Disillusionment

Slope of Enlightenment

Plateau of Profitability

Internet www

Dotcom Starts

US IPO’s Start Dotcom

Shake-out

Publicized E-Failures

Disillusionment

True E-business Emerges

Optimized E-business

Post-net business

Source : Gartner Group

What is Computer Science?

• Computer science focuses on:– Fundamental theory of computing which includes models of

computation– Problems and their computability – The complexity of solutions and applications in unlimited

domains.

• In other words, it’s far more than just programming!

Computer science students learn the fundamentals of algorithmic thinking and how to design, develop and test software and information systems.

Computing Disciplines & Majors• Computer Engineering

Typically involves software and hardware and the development of systems that involve software, hardware, and communications

• Computer ScienceCurrently the most popular of the computing disciplines; tends to be relatively broad and with an emphasis on the underlying science aspects

• Software EngineeringFocuses on large-scale software systems; employs certain ideas from the world of engineering in building reliable software systems

• Information TechnologyFocuses on computing infrastructure and needs of individual users; tends to involve a study of systems (perhaps just software systems, but perhaps also systems in support of learning, of information dissemination, etc.)

• Information SystemsEssentially, this is computing in an organizational context, typically in businesses

Medical Imaging

• Doctors today can clean the arteries of a patient’s heart, preventing a future heart attack, or operate on patients half a world away using remote cameras and robotic arms

• Modern medical imaging can reveal a detailed view of clogged problem areas – without any surgery. CAT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds are all the products of computing professionals

Who Does What? Computer Engineers

Design the hardware. Computer Scientists

Devise the algorithms to process images from electrical impulses. Software Engineers

Write software and ensure that it meets medical quality standards. IT Professionals

Connect the imaging equipment to the rest of the high-tech hospital gear.

Information Systems Specialists Ensure that the right medical staff gets the right information at the

right time.

Skills You’ll Learn if You Study Computing

You will learn two types of skills:

1. Technical computing skills

2. General professional skills

Technical Computing Skills• Problem-solving ability, recognizing levels of

abstraction in software, hardware systems, and multimedia

• Practical skills such as building and using database management systems and other sophisticated software tools

• Programming• Using existing software libraries to carry out a variety

of computing tasks, such as creating a user interface• Being aware of the uses to which computers are put,

recognizing issues to do with security, safety, etc.• Looking at innovative ways of using computers,

creating tools, providing tools support, etc.

General Professional Skills

• Communicating in writing, giving effective presentations and product demonstrations, and being a good negotiator (both in traditional environments and electronically)

• Preparing for a job search; this involves building an impressive curriculum vitae and basing this confidently on technical and other skills

• Being an effective team member• Understanding the special requirements of a globally

distributed project with participants from multiple cultures• Recognizing the challenges and opportunities of keeping

skills up-to-date and understand how to do so• Literacy/fluency in computing; organizing all your

professional information effectively

Where Can You Work?

• Electronic Arts • General Electric • Google • HP • Microsoft • Mozilla • Oracle• Zynga

Final Advice

• Parents: Don’t live your legacy through your children

• Students: Have passion – don’t be coerced into taking computer science

Any Questions