9312578 Jones This project is for the development of a two-course introductory computer science sequence that uses results from recent research in programming languages. A number of later courses will be modified as well. Utilizing a new software environment and working collaboratively with colleagues at Indiana University, this project will incorporate Infer, a dialect of Scheme, with simple and powerful semantics and a strong polymorphic type system. Additionally, this language offers good support for modularity and programming in the large. The additional rigor encountered when learning to derive correct programs in such languages is expected to promote computing as a science. By making the introductory course equally challenging to all students, it is further anticipated that these curricular changes will improve the position of underrepresented groups in the discipline. A significant number of students in introductory courses have considerable experience of programming in some imperative language. Since the similarities between different imperative languages are more pronounced than their differences, other students with no previous programming experience are often discouraged on observing the comparative ease with which their peers approach the subject. The curricular changes incorporated in this project are expected to reduce the effects of this disparity in student backgrounds. With all the students starting from scratch in a new and challenging programming environment and new language, it is anticipated that women and underrepresented minorities can be encouraged to persevere. The project includes a plan for analysis and evaluation of this hypothesis. Increased retention and eventually increased enrollment of women and minorities are expected long-term results. Because the use of imperative programming languages in the introductory courses is common across the country, it is believed that the curricular changes incorporated herein wil l serve as a model for changes at other institutions. The results of the project will be widely disseminated through workshops, conference presentations and publications. ***
