Female Under-Representation in Computing Education and Industry - A Survey of Issues and Interventions <s> A. Inherent gender characteristics linked to computer science capability <s> Theoretical background Perturbation theory Error analysis Solution of linear algebraic equations Hermitian matrices Reduction of a general matrix to condensed form Eigenvalues of matrices of condensed forms The LR and QR algorithms Iterative methods Bibliography Index. <s> BIB001 </s> Female Under-Representation in Computing Education and Industry - A Survey of Issues and Interventions <s> A. Inherent gender characteristics linked to computer science capability <s> After a review of the power of contemporary computers, computer science is defined in several ways. The objectives of computer science education are stated, and it is asserted that in a North American university these will be achieved only through a computer science department. The program at Stanford University is reviewed as an example. The appendices include syllabi of Ph.D. qualifying examinations for Stanford's Computer Science Department. <s> BIB002 </s> Female Under-Representation in Computing Education and Industry - A Survey of Issues and Interventions <s> A. Inherent gender characteristics linked to computer science capability <s> Alternative explanations for the male advantage in arithmetical reasoning, as measured by the ability to solve complex word problems, include a male advantage in spatial cognition and a male advantage in computational fluency. The current study was designed to test these competing hypotheses. To this end, 113 male and 123 female undergraduates were administered arithmetical computations and arithmetical reasoning tests, along with an IQ test and a test of spatial cognition. There was no sex difference on the IQ test, but males showed significantly higher mean scores on the arithmetical computations, arithmetical reasoning, and spatial cognition measures. A series of structural equation models indicated that individual differences in arithmetical reasoning were related to individual differences in IQ, spatial abilities, and computational fluency. Moreover, the results suggested that the male advantage in arithmetical reasoning is mediated by the male advantages in both computational fluency and spatial cognition. <s> BIB003 </s> Female Under-Representation in Computing Education and Industry - A Survey of Issues and Interventions <s> A. Inherent gender characteristics linked to computer science capability <s> Computational thinking will influence everyone in every field of endeavour. This vision poses a new educational challenge for our society, especially for our children. In thinking about computing, we need to be attuned to the three drivers of our field: science, technology and society. Accelerating technological advances and monumental societal demands force us to revisit the most basic scientific questions of computing. <s> BIB004
This argument postulates that there are a number of inherent gender characteristics that influence the decision to study computer science and subsequently engage in the workforce. This essentialist argument promotes the view that there is a male superiority in arithmetical computation, reasoning and spatial cognition BIB003 . Baron-Cohen  further indicated that an underpinning viewpoint in support of this argument is the empathizing-systemizing (E-S) theory. This theory hypothesizes that the female brain is predominantly wired for empathy and the male brain wired for building systems. On this premise, males are naturally drawn to subjects and careers that are linked with problem solving through designing and building of systems such as engineering and computing. Similarly, females are drawn towards subjects and careers such as health care and socially demanding environments. The concept of computing as an area of study emerged from the principles of traditional mathematics. Initial emphasis was on numerical computation, then numerical analysis  , BIB001 and then symbolic computation  . Consequently Computer Science could be referred to as a branch of applied mathematics relying heavily on abstraction. Although there is no study to support the hypothesis that computing professionals and students are proficient in mathematics, studies have however shown that mathematics is an important tool for problem solving and conceptual understanding of computing  , BIB002 . Wing BIB004 defines computational thinking as -a problem solving approach concerned with conceptualization, developing abstractions and designing systems (automations)‖.This element of problem solving as a key requirement for computer science correlates with skills required in mathematics, designing systems and spatial ability. On this basis, the Essentialists and E-S theorists would argue that this accounts for the lack of females in computing education and industry.