An Analysis of Retention Problems for Female Students in University Computer Science Programs

Abstract

Females are less likely to take advantage of computer learning opportunities than males. Gender biases and societal stereotypes, as well as differential interests, experience and attitudes contribute to a low level of participation by females in computer courses. In order to better understand the gender imbalance and high level of female attrition in computer science, survey instruments were developed to measure attitudes toward the experience of students currently enrolled in the Computer Science Department at a large western university, and to note differences in the reasons that males and females choose to change from computer science to other majors. The study suggests that a key factor influencing the high rate of female attrition is lack of previous experience with computers before entering the program. Other factors may be gender-biased attitudes and behavior, interactions with other computer science students, and the nature of computer science as a discipline.

Keywords:

• computer science
• gender
• higher education