Our goal is to provide a strong background in computer science for students who intend to pursue further studies and careers in computers, engineering, and scientific fields - as well as digital literacy skills for a wide variety of non-technical fields that use computers, such as manufacturing, health care, finance, education, and media. Students will learn problem-solving techniques, theoretical concepts, and lifelong learning skills that will enable them to remain up to date with the developments of this rapidly changing industry.
We tend to teach Computer Studies from an art and gaming perspective in Grades 10 and 11.
Please see Mr. Ierfino if you have any questions about Computer Studies courses!
Teachers
Mr. M. Ierfino - Computer Studies Department Head
Mr. G. Payne - Computer Studies and Math Teacher
Clubs, Contests, and Events
Computer Club
A computer club extracurricular activity takes place in Room 305, on Mondays after school from 2:50pm until 4 pm. All NHS students are welcome.
During this time, students will work with senior students learning about solving complex problems in preparation for the Waterloo Canadian Computing Competition which is written each February.
Hackathons
YR Hacks, NRG Hacks
Students participate in 24-48 hour hackathons to build games or solve real-world challenges, developing coding skills, teamwork, and engaging in friendly competition with peers from other schools.
Coding Contests
Waterloo Beaver Computing Challenge (BCC) in October (Grade 9/10)
Waterloo Canadian Computing Competition (CCC) in February (Grade 11/12)
Future Careers
Currently there are too few people entering computer-related professions; those that do, however, are guaranteed to find employment in an industry that continues to grow rapidly, independently of economic downturns.
There are five general categories of computer jobs:
- Computer engineers design digital hardware and software, including devices such as global communications systems, wearable implantable computers, smart phones, digital players, personal video recorders (PVRs), Internet alarm systems, high-tech body scanners, and even laser surgical tools. They integrate customized hardware and software to improve existing technologies and invent new ones.
- Computer scientists conceive and create fun and valuable apps for Android, iPhones, iPads, Windows devices, Facebook, and Twitter. They design and build software and create efficient solutions to real-world problems in fields such as robotics, computer-enhanced vision, and digital forensics.
- Information systems specialists design and manage computing solutions that provide companies, non-profit organizations, and governments with the information they need to achieve their goals. IS professionals also employ computer systems to implement and improve the way organizations work. They combine their knowledge of computing and organizations to bridge the gap between technical and business specialists.
- Information technology (IT) professionals make a living solving, supporting, troubleshooting, and designing elements of the IT infrastructure – from websites to networks, in organizations ranging from business and government to schools, health care, and more. IT specialists possess the ideal combination of knowledge and practical, hands-on expertise to support both an organization’s technology infrastructure and the people who use it.
- Software engineers see the whole picture – the life cycle of a product, including efficiency and reliability, meeting customers’ budgets, proper testing, and maintenance. Large, expensive software systems often play a vital role in safety-critical applications and are made up of many smaller building blocks.