Abstract:
This talk will explore some aspects of and relationships between science, computational science, and computer science. Broadly speaking, scientific research is the systematic development of information about a subject and the formation of explanations that permit generalizations and predictions. For almost fifty years, computer simulation techniques have extended the impact of computer science on research, and tools for computation based on computer science - languages, computers, systems, and so on - have contributed extensively to scientific research for even longer. The focus in computational science today is often only on simulation; a mistake in this speaker's view. Further, the essence of computer science is much deeper and broader than just providing tools. On the theory formation side, when one looks at the nature of some of the most important and challenging problems in science, it is easy to see how the essence of computer science provides intellectual tools that will be essential to dealing with them. In short, we have only begun to understand the impact of computer science on the conduct of science (and, of course, engineering).

Biography:
PETER A. FREEMAN is an Emeritus Dean and Professor at Georgia Tech and a Director of the Washington Advisory Group, specializing in strategic guidance for organizations involved in research, education, and development. He was Assistant Director of the National Science Foundation from 2002-2007 in charge of computing research. Dr. Freeman has been involved in computing and computer science since 1961, and was in the first Computer Science Ph.D. class at Carnegie Mellon University. He lives in Washington D.C.