Judith Gersting facts for kids
Judith Lee MacKenzie Gersting, born on August 20, 1940, is an American expert in mathematics and computer science. She is also a well-known author of textbooks. She used to be a professor of computer science at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.
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Becoming a Math and Computer Expert
Judith Gersting finished her studies at Stetson University in 1962. She then earned her Ph.D. in mathematics in 1969 from Arizona State University. Her advanced research was about a topic called recursive function theory.
Teaching Career and Leadership
After her studies, Dr. Gersting taught for ten years at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). She became a full professor there. She also spent a year teaching at the University of Central Florida.
In 1981, she returned to IUPUI. She became a professor of mathematics and helped lead the computer and information science department. Later, in 1990, she moved to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. There, she led the computer science department for many years. Even after retiring from the University of Hawaiʻi, she continued to teach part-time at IUPUI.
Books by Judith Gersting
Dr. Gersting has written many important books, especially for students learning about math and computer science. Here are some of her books:
- Abstract Algebra: A First Look (1977) – This book is about a type of advanced math.
- The Metric System (1977) – This book helps people understand the metric system of measurement.
- Yes–No; Stop–Go: Some Patterns in Mathematical Logic (1977) – This book explores how logic works in math.
- Mathematical Structures for Computer Science (First published in 1982, with a 7th edition in 2014) – This is a very popular book that teaches the math behind computer science.
- Technical Calculus with Analytic Geometry (1984) – This book covers calculus, which is a key part of higher math.
- The Computer: History, Workings, Uses & Limitations (1988) – This book teaches about how computers work and their history.
- The Programming Process with Pascal (1989) – This book helps students learn how to program using the Pascal language.
- Invitation to Computer Science (First published in 1995, with an 8th edition in 2018) – This book invites readers to learn about computer science.
- Visual Basic Programming: A Laboratory Approach (1996) – This book teaches how to program using Visual Basic.
In 2002, she also helped organize and edit the annual symposium for computer science education, called SIGCSE.
Awards and Recognition
In 2006, the University of Hawaii system honored Dr. Gersting with the Regents’ Excellence in Teaching Award. This award recognizes her outstanding work as a teacher.
