Over the past decade, Computer Science programs have seen increased interest, with classes often growing in size to accommodate this demand. While enrollment trends have recently stabilized or even declined slightly in some cases, many programs are still serving these large numbers of students. One common response has been to expand the number of course sections, which requires hiring additional faculty to handle the increased load. However, this solution is often constrained by budget limitations and the availability of qualified instructors.

An alternative strategy, increasingly adopted by universities, involves offering very large sections of gateway courses that can accommodate 500 or more students. This approach aims to maximize faculty efficiency by reducing the number of instructors needed to teach introductory-level courses. While this model offers some logistical advantages, it presents unique challenges in terms of pedagogy, student engagement, and course management, especially for programs and institutions where managing large lecture formats is uncharted territory.

This Birds of a Feather session brings together instructors, teaching assistants, and administrators who are either navigating these changes or considering implementing similar solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their experiences, discuss best practices, and explore strategies for overcoming the challenges associated with scaling Computer Science education to meet the existing demand.