In most of the sciences, introductory college courses focus on concepts rather than their practical application, with the latter reserved for more advanced study. An exception to this has been the fields of information systems and computer science, in which instruction has tended to focus directly on the tools of the trade, such as the technical aspects of word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. The philosophy of The Computer Continuum, however,is to concentrate on the concepts of information systems and computer science, such as data representation, operating systems, programming languages, and algorithms.
While each chapter includes sections on software applications, and laboratory manuals are available to go with the text, the “concepts approach” of The Computer Continuum gives it a value that will last well beyond the current generation of computer tools. It builds a lasting foundation of fundamental concepts to prepare graduates for the future.
Primarily for use in undergraduate introductory computer concepts courses offered by departments of information systems or computer science,
The Computer Continuum is equally appealing to liberal arts majors and computer science majors. The text material has been tested on more than 10,000 college students in both large and small classes, and most of the concepts as presented can be expected to remain current for years to come. Furthermore, simulation and the associated computer concepts introduced in Chapter 11, “Simulation: Modeling the Physical World,” are the foundation for a new approach to computer science, in addition to the theoretical and experimental approaches.
Kurt F. Lauckner received his PhD in physics from the University of Michigan in 1968. While a member of the Department of Mathematics at Eastern Michigan University, he took a major role in creating that school’s Computer Science program. Over the past 30 years, he has developed a concepts approach to teaching computer literacy, and his “Computers for the Nonspecialist” has grown into EMU’s primary computer literacy course, currently enrolling approximately 1,000 students per year.
Mildred D. Lintner (1945—2003), to whom The Computer Continuum is dedicated, held BS (theater and music education) and MS (theater communication) degrees from Temple University, an MS in computer science from Bowling Green State University, and a PhD from the University of Michigan. During her first 20 years of college-level teaching, she specialized in theatrical performance and technical production at Bowling Green, before turning her talents to computer science at the same institution, ultimately becoming a tenured associate professor.
