Bringing embedded software closer to computer science students

Abstract

Computer Science (CS) students have often shied away from the field of embedded systems owing to their perception of this area as "hardware" oriented, not without reason. But recent trends in embedded systems, with the growing importance of the software component, has brought about new opportunities for computer science students to participate and contribute to embedded system development. In this paper we present our views and experience gained by teaching Computer Science students, on how we can bring embedded systems closer to them, to provide them the opportunity to fully participate in this growing field. We believe that by building on the CS students' strengths, while lessening the emphasis on the 'hardware' aspects, we can still allow them to master sufficient knowledge and skills to participate in this field.