COEIT researchers awarded NSF grant to reassess computer science education in the era of AI

UMBC faculty members Rebecca Williams, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, and Edward Dillon, an associate professor in the Department of Information Systems, have received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for their initiative, Collaborative Research: CER: Training And Learning for Emerging New Technologies with AI. 

The project is driven by the rapid integration of artificial intelligence across technical disciplines, which has created an urgent need to align computing education with shifting industry expectations. As emerging technologies redefine workforce requirements, undergraduate computing programs face the challenge of updating instructional practices to ensure students graduate with practical, relevant competencies.

To address this challenge, Williams and Dillon are establishing academic and industry partnerships, collaborating directly with hiring managers, industry professionals, educators, and students. The research team will develop, evaluate, and refine evidence-based recommendations, and upskilling resources tailored for undergraduate computing faculty and students. These materials aim to bridge university instruction and workforce needs, enhancing student competitiveness and readiness in an AI-driven job market.

The collaborative initiative spans a four-year performance period. Funded through the NSF's Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate, the grant forms part of a multi-institutional effort supported by total collaborative funding of approximately $980,128, with $462,092 representing the UMBC share, enabling to develop evidence-based pedagogical framework and instructional materials, directly support students to apply these through paid summer internships, evaluate the effectiveness, and disseminate these materials and findings broadly for adoption nationwide.