Stephen Wong

Biography

Dr. Wong, a Lecturer of Computer Science at Rice University, is an experienced computer scientist, physicist and educator specializing in object-oriented programming, software engineering and computer science pedagogy.   A Howard Hughes Ph.D. Fellow, he received his Ph.D. in experimental solid state physics from M.I.T. in 1988 and worked at Bell Labs and Hughes Research Labs before entering academia.   His industrial research and software consulting experience includes optical semiconductor physics with to-be-Nobel laureate Steven Chu, high-temperature superconductors, engineered bandgap materials, website design and chemical kinetics modeling.   Over the course of his two decades of academic experience he has taught a wide range of computer science, physics and mathematics courses.  He has published numerous papers and run many seminars on design patterns and C.S. pedagogy.   He has designed and taught innovative introductory “objects-first” courses leveraging the power of interactivity to teach fundamental C.S. concepts and skills.    He pioneered a cutting-edge experientially-driven, discovery-learning process software engineering course where highly realistic software engineering situations that require solutions using state-of-the-art design, information management and project management skills.    His current research includes the use design patterns in redesigning traditional algorithms, serious gaming systems, cloud-based enterprise information management systems, large-scale, high-fidelity simulation systems and technologies for massive open on-line courses. 

Research Interest

Object-oriented algorithm and system design