26 May 1997 Applied Computing degree a unique Lincoln opportunity

There is nothing ‘virtual’ about the reality of applied computing at Lincoln University. It is real world preparation to get where you want to go.

Lincoln University is the only university in New Zealand, and one of very few in the world, to offer a degree in Applied Computing.

Guiding the degree programme is Alan McKinnon who earlier this year was appointed Lincoln University's foundation Aoraki Corporation Professor of Applied Computing.

Previously Director of the University's Centre for Computing and Biometrics, and a Lincoln staff member since 1981, Professor McKinnon describes Applied Computing as the use of computing to solve real world problems using appropriate theory and practice.

"In this sense Applied Computing sits between computer science on the one hand and information systems on the other," he says.

The Lincoln post is the first industry-sponsored professorial chair in a computing discipline in New Zealand and is a commitment by both Christchurch-based Aoraki Corporation and Lincoln University to enhancing the links between computing academia and industry.

"Because of its strong tradition of applied thinking, Lincoln was the logical choice for a chair of this type," says Aoraki Chief Executive Gil Simpson.

"The very definition of computing as an academic discipline is in its infancy," he says, "and it is not something that should be subsumed under traditional disciplines such as mathematics, physics, commerce or engineering. It must have its own identity and we must encourage New Zealand to have its own schools of thought."

The new professor, Dunedin-born with a PhD from the University of Canterbury, is very comfortable with the applied focus of the Chair – not surprising considering the Centre for Computing and Biometrics he formerly headed is also the computer services arm of the University, providing some of the best student access to PCs of any campus in the country. The centre maintains everything from Lincoln's seven Novell file servers to the telecommunications network, making it very much an ‘applied’ operation.

Industry links are seen by Professor McKinnon as a key area in the job, particularly as they relate to opportunities for joint research projects and work opportunities for students and graduates.

On the subject of graduates, Professor McKinnon says the demand for tertiary qualified personnel has risen over the past 18 months and he sees the trend continuing. He attributes it to the establishment of new computer-related businesses and to information technology becoming more pervasive in organisations.

Professor McKinnon regards Aoraki Corporation's backing of the Chair as "a vote of confidence in Lincoln and encouragement for the University to increase its involvement with industry".

Professor McKinnon's own research interests cover a wide range of topics in Applied Computing but he has a particular interest in computer modelling and scientific visualisation.

The philosophy behind Lincoln's Bachelor of Applied Computing degree is very apparent from its structure. Approximately half of the papers taken are computing papers with the remainder being from other discipline areas.

"Employers want graduates who have a very good understanding of computing but who also know about the sorts of problems to which computing is applied," says Professor McKinnon.

Undergraduate computing papers include teaching modern programming techniques using a variety of languages, information systems including analysis and design, database systems, object-oriented technology, and end user computing. The development of good analysis skills is considered to be very important. Specialist subjects are available in technical computing, simulation and computer modelling, multimedia systems and geographic information systems.

The postgraduate papers for higher degrees reflect the research interests of the department which again reflect the applied approach. These include the application of computer-aided design to a variety of medical and industrial design problems; development of business systems with modern application packages; small business applications; business use of the internet; modelling forest growth; the movement of pollutants in soils; scientific visualisation and practical applications of parallel and distributed processing.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand