READING, Pa. — Current college students and professionals who want a competitive edge can “enlist” in the Penn State Berks Coding Bootcamp. This new summer program will provide in-depth training in JAVA programming with the goal of helping current college students get ahead in their studies and eventually the job market, while giving professionals a competitive advantage in their careers. Penn State Berks is the only college in Berks County to offer such a program.
The Coding Bootcamp will be offered as two courses in two summer sessions. The first session features an introductory course, which includes topics such as an introduction to programming concepts in JAVA and object-oriented programming in JAVA, and begins on May 16. The second session includes an advanced course, which will cover advanced programming concepts with JAVA and real-world experiences, starting on June 27. Both credit and noncredit options are available.
Curt Minich, adjunct instructor at Penn State Berks and a computer science teacher at Wyomissing Area High School, will teach the introductory session course. Minich has taught courses in C++, Java and other computer science topics at Penn State Berks for more than 17 years. Jeffrey Stone, an information sciences and technology faculty member at Penn State Schuylkill, will teach the advanced session course. Stone has been a faculty member at Penn State Schuylkill for more than 14 years.
“After speaking with many IT representatives, we learned that JAVA was an excellent language to create a strong foundation to become a programmer,” said Walt Fullam, director of Continuing Education and Outreach at Penn State Berks, when asked why the campus decided to offer the Coding Bootcamp.
Fullam went on to explain that the Coding Bootcamp is an ideal option for current college students working toward a baccalaureate degree in information sciences and technology or computer science. It will also benefit students working toward a bachelor of science degree in science, biology, engineering or business by providing these students with a competitive advantage. He added that the Coding Bootcamp would give a competitive edge to those who have already earned their degree in these fields, as well as professionals who want to advance in their current careers or are seeking new opportunities.
For more information about the Coding Bootcamp at Penn State Berks, contact Erica Kunkel, continuing education area representative, at 610-396-6221 or ELS5014@psu.edu.