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Computer Science Program
Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science
Old Music Hall
St. Olaf College
Northfield, MN 55057-1098
(507) 646-3113
(507) 646-3116 FAX
cs@stolaf.edu

Richard Brown, Director
cs-director@stolaf.edu

Donna Brakke,
Academic Administrative Assistant
brakke@stolaf.edu

Spotlight on ATP (CS 350): Advanced Team Project

This new course gives students an Interim to work on a team undergraduate research project. At least two persons must work on each project in the course, but different teams may work on different projects. Seven pre-approved projects are available---see the list below. Other projects may be proposed.

The prerequisite background for these projects vary: one pre-approved project requires only CS 251 (SD); others require experience at the level of a CS core course. Some projects build directly on skills developed in particular courses, such as CS 284 (CSA) or CS 273 (OS); others involve learning and using languages such as PHP or Javascript that do not usually appear in other courses.

Some of the pre-approved projects are "urgent:" they have actual users waiting for their completion or future course offerings that will use the work. Priority will naturally be given to such projects.

Each team is expected to make a public presentation of their work at the end of the Interim, typically as a talk or a research poster, and must leave the project in a form so that a subsequent team can readily carry on with the work. For more information about project options or other aspects of the course, contact Dick Brown (e-mail rab@stolaf.edu, or sign up online for a time to meet).

Pre-approved projects for Interim 2006

C++ project

Minimum background for this project is CS 251 (SD), Software Design and Implementation.

code

Project name

Brief description and main tasks

SDprep**

Software Design Preparations

Preparations for upcoming offering of CS 251, Software Design and Implementation (new project)

Task:

Design a new exercise series (alternative to the "CD" classes) and a new project option, each related to biological, medical, or health applications.

Note:

** This is an urgent project: it will be needed for Spring 2005 CS 251 (SD).

Java client-server projects

Minimum background for these project is CS 284 (CSA), Client-Server Applications or comparable experience with Java.

code	Project name	Brief description and main tasks
Escher**	Escher, the online portfolio manager	Supports creation, maintenance and publication of web-based portfolios Tasks: one or more of the following. Add a navigation bar feature to the system Bring existing unit tests up to date and create new ones Improve interface and features for a web-site backup strategy Make editor interface more consistent with web standards
SVS**	Secure Verified Sockets	Secure, authenticated access to projects Tasks: one or more of the following. Implement a strategy for authenticating clients that aren't Java applets Securely share authentication without requiring multiple user logins Improve the implementation of the project and prepare it for later teams
ACE	Academic Contract Explorer	Manage project towards a credential (major, concentration, etc.) Tasks: one or more of the following. Design and implement a simplified database interface Improve the implementation of the project and prepare it for later teams

Note:

** These are urgent projects: Escher is needed for students carrying out individually designed majors through the Center for Integrative Studies (CIS); SVS is needed for future offerings of CS 284 (CSA) and to upgrade Escher.

Operating systems-related projects

code

Project name

Brief description and main tasks

Beowulf

Beowulf or other cluster

Develop a cluster of computers for applications to scientific computing (new project)

Task:

Research and implement first cluster of Linux computers for scientific computation. Background: Core-level CS course(s) or equivalent experience; CS 273 (OS) Operating Systems preferred.

Secure Linux

Develop a Linux kernel with improved security

Task:

Improve the implementation of the project and prepare it for later teams. Background: Requires CS 273 (OS), Operating Systems

Other projects

code

Project name

Brief description and main tasks

CPET**

Co-Process Extension Tool

General background requirements: Core-level CS course(s) or equivalent experience.

Browser plug-in and server for enhancing web pages

Tasks: one or more of the following.

Restore and extend the well-documented existing IE plugin. This task requires CSA-like experience and an interest in learning C#/Visual Studio.NET platform.
Create a new Moodle module that interacts with a CPET server. This task requires an interest in learning/using PHP language.
Automatically add inobtrusive links to web pages. This task requires an interest in learning/using Javascript language.
Implement improved privacy and integrity of data and guard against security attacks.
Prepare project for continued work.

Palantir

The Palantir Project

Research in computer graphics, visualization, and communication

Task:

Develop demonstrations and extend capabilities of 3D graphics lab. Background requirements negotiable.

Note:

** This is an urgent project: for example, the Moodle task is needed to upgrade the daily work system for CS courses (see the CPET poster), and the automatic annotation of pages is desired by science professors to support research.

Feedback We'd love to hear from you: inquiries, corrections, broken links, comments, suggestions---whatever! Send e-mail to cs@stolaf.edu.