Last updated: Wednesday 18th April 2012, 10:05 PT
Welcome to Coquitlam College and to the world of computer programming! A few words about myself... I arrived here from Yorkshire, England in the spring of 1995. I became a Canadian citizen in 1999, and am very proud to be Canadian. I have been employed as a Computer Science Instructor in this region since early 1996, and as the Head of the Computer Science Department of Coquitlam College since 1999. My main interests are computer programming and the Internet. My current passions are the Linux operating system, the Python programming language and Internet programming using XHTML, MySQL and PHP. Computer Technology is not a static science. It changes almost daily. Just when you think you understand it, it changes. You have to constantly update your skills if you want to keep pace with the rapidly changing technology. It may not always be easy, but it will always be interesting. As well as loving my subject, I also like to talk about it - especially to a captive audience. As a certified teacher of adults, I also have an avid interest in passing my knowledge on. My employment background is varied. I graduated from university with a degree in Biological Chemistry, and went on to do a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry. It was during my work as a Ph.D. student back in the early seventies that I started to use computers. At that time, the single university computer required its own building and air conditioning system (which was always breaking down). My interest in chemistry was soon matched by my interest in computers and programming, and in 1988 I took a Masters degree in Computer Science. I was later able to combine my interests while working at the Departments of Surgery and Chemical Pathology at the University of Leeds, England. There I was a member of a team developing an Expert System to diagnose acute chest pain. Part of my work in Leeds involved giving lectures to students at the university in statistics, biochemistry and programming. During this time I was given the opportunity to attend a one year, full-time course of instructor training for adult education specialising in Computer Science. At Coquitlam College, as Head of the Computer Science Department, I'm very lucky to be able to combine my love of computers and programming with my love of teaching. I look forward to helping you attain your own goals in this exciting world of computer technology. On a personal note, my hobbies include: computer programming, horseback riding, walking, thinking, kayaking, canoeing, eating fish and chips and watching Coronation Street on TV. Anne Dawson http://annedawson.net
