CS-related summer research, 2005



The following CS-related undergraduate research are anticipated at St. Olaf for Summer, 2005. Come and create new knowledge for your summer job! Open to St. Olaf students.

Summer research in Computer Science

We are looking for one to two summer research students with strong software design/implementation skills to assist with the development and implementation of Co-Process Extension Tool (CPET), a browser "plug-in" that makes it possible to add customized enhancements to systems such as Moodle without modifying those systems directly. Ten weeks, full-time during Summer 2005. CPET will be used in CS courses beginning this year; this summer, we will improve security in the existing version of CPET, extend its capabilities for use in computer science, and begin developing new applications of CPET for teaching and research in other fields. CS 251 "SD" background or equivalent is essential; additional CS courses beyond SD and related extracurricular experiences are assets. Contact Dick Brown, rab@stolaf.edu, x3860.

Summer research in Bioinformatics of Tuberculosis Latency

Approximately a third of the human population (~2 billion persons worldwide) have viable, but nonreplicating tubercle bacilli in their lungs. Together with HIV, it is the worlds number one killer. Using a combination of computer science and statistical thinking we build a "whole genome" view of the causative bacterium M. tuberculosis. Over the past few years, we have provided bioinformatic support for several major labs, helping them store and manage the data on the expression all of this bacterium's genes under several hundred different growth conditions, helping discover the roles of each gene. We also build and distribute new open source software to help biologists discover new things. Knowledge of Biology is not necessary: this can be learned on the job. Lovers of UNIX/Linux and/or Statistics are especially encouraged to apply. For more information see orb.public.stolaf.edu or drop by to meet Dr. Rutherford in SC226.