Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/3371
Date of Award
6-2026
Degree Name
MS in Computer Science
Department/Program
Computer Science
College
College of Engineering
Advisor
Ayaan Kazerouni
Advisor Department
Computer Science
Advisor College
College of Engineering
Abstract
Computer science and software engineering are disciplines in which a substantial proportion of graduates enter software engineering careers immediately after completing their undergraduate degrees. However, research continues to highlight a persistent gap between the knowledge acquired in university settings and the practical skills necessary to succeed in industry. Faculty who bring prior industry experience may be well-positioned to help bridge this gap by integrating applied perspectives and real-world problem-solving into academic instruction. As professors with practitioner experience are being hired into computer science departments, there remains limited research exploring how their professional backgrounds influence teaching approaches and shape computing education. This thesis aims to explore how instructors with industry experience deliver instruction in the classroom. Additionally, by exploring how they teach, their motivations for choosing to become professors rather than continuing their professional careers help us understand why they employ the classroom tactics that they do. Data are gathered through interviews with instructors who have significant industry experience, and interview transcripts are qualitatively analyzed to identify thematic connections across participants.