Computer Systems Lab
Project Abstracts and Categories
2001-2002

  • 2000 Student Ideas
  • 2002-2003 Titles
  • 2002-2003 Student Portfolios

  • 2001-2002
    1. Computer Simulation and Modeling, Computational Computer Science
      • Student: Mee-Jung Jang
        Title: Evolution of Darwin's Finches: Simulation using Genetic Algorithms

        Abstract: On his voyage around the world, Charles Darwin discovered 13 different
        species of finches on the Galapagos Islands. Darwin concluded that these
        different species had all evolved by means of natural selection from a single
        mainland species over the course of a few million years. This project uses
        genetic algorithms to simulate the process of the evolutionary changes that
        gave rise to the varying species of the finches. Factors including the
        abundance of food, probability of mutation, and size of the initial
        results of this project demonstrate the drastically different evolutionary
        paths the finches could have followed depending on varying environmental
        conditions. I

      • Name: Navdeep Singh
        Title: An Analysis of Seismic Related Structural Damage

        Abstract:
        This program deals with physical modeling. It simulates the effects of an
        earthquake on a building. The movemnt of a building wil be modeled in OpenGL.

      • Student: Brian D. Vo
        Title: Implementation of Valuation Models in C++ to Analyze Different Industries

        Abstract
        A program was developed to investigate the ability of computers to analyze
        data and predict the movement of stocks. The main programming language used to
        create the algorithm to forecast stock prices was C++. The program took
        different user-inputted variables coupled with pre-defined variables in data
        files and calculated an estimate of the worth of a company. It then ranked a
        stock according to its return and risk factor. The final product generated a
        recommendation list of stocks in different industries to the user, which could
        then be applied to one's portfolio.

    2. Computer Algorithms
      • Student: Jeff Cohen
        Title: The Use of Polynomial-time Reducibility to Improve Approximations to NP-complete Problems

        Abstract:
        NP-complete problems are thought, though not proven, to be intractable. Because
        they are commonly encountered by programmers in situations where an exponential
        -time solution will be too slow, efficient approximations based on greedy or
        random approximation algorithms are necessary. By the definition of NP-completeness,
        all NP-complete problems are polynomial-time reducible to one another. By
        reducing one NP-complete problem to another, some aspect of it that was not
        immediately obvious but that can be exploited to produce a superior greedy
        algorithm may be revealed. The goal of this project is to examine such reductions
        and determine if, in fact, this approach is viable for some set of problems.

    3. Artificial Intelligence, Games, Modeling
      • Student: James Andrew Gilbertson
        Title: Investigation Into An Artificial Intelligence for Bridge

        Abstract:
        Computer scientists have tried to make computers mimic human thought for quite
        some time. They have been relatively successful in making programs to play
        perfect information games such as checkers and chess. However they have been
        less successful with imperfect information games such as bridge. This project
        deals with creating a program to play bridge using a modified minimax tree.

      • Student: Mee-Jung Jang
        Title: Evolution of Darwin's Finches: Simulation using Genetic Algorithms

        Abstract: On his voyage around the world, Charles Darwin discovered 13 different
        species of finches on the Galapagos Islands. Darwin concluded that these
        different species had all evolved by means of natural selection from a single
        mainland species over the course of a few million years. This project uses
        genetic algorithms to simulate the process of the evolutionary changes that
        gave rise to the varying species of the finches. Factors including the
        abundance of food, probability of mutation, and size of the initial
        results of this project demonstrate the drastically different evolutionary
        paths the finches could have followed depending on varying environmental
        conditions.

      • Student: Will Burns
        Title: The Development of a 3D Chess Program with Artificial Inteligence in OpenGL

        Abstract:
        The creation of a 3D Chess program utilizing the 3D capabilities of OpenGL.
        It includes various levels of Artificial Intelligence with settings including
        one player against the computer and two players.

      • Student: Meng Tan
        Title: Deep in the Game: Artificial Intelligence and Civilization

        Abstract:
        The simulation of realism in computer games has typically become a greater
        concern as computer hardware has improved by leaps and bounds. The realism in
        modern war games and flight/driving simulators is astounding, as well as the
        artificial intelligence of computer opponents. However, the simulation of mass
        human behavior has never been attempted beyond very simplistic modeling based
        on fixed rules (i.e. civilization). Deep in the Game seeks to apply
        neural/belief network AI techniques to create a more realistic historical
        strategy game.

    4. Computer Graphics and Modeling
      • Name: Eric Zettervall
        Title: Using Lindenmayer Systems to Render Trees in OpenGL

        Abstract:
        This project uses the concept behind Lindenmayer systems to generate data in a
        linked list tree. This data is then taken and rendered using the
        OpenGL API to create realistic looking, three-dimensional trees in a simulated
        environment. This program uses the ability of C++ to do recursive functions in
        order to simulate a Lindenmayer System, and uses the advanced OpenGL concept
        of quadric shapes to generate the parts of the tree. This project combines
        L-Systems, recursive functions, and OpenGL to create the desired output.

      • Student: Daniel Walsh
        Title: Development of a Silhouette-Based Three-Dimensional Modeling Tool

        Abstract:
        An algorithm was developed to make three-dimensional renderings of an object
        based on silhouettes of the object. In order to take all visible attributes
        into account, silhouettes from the front, above, and the side of the object
        are used. Numeric data from the silhouette picture files are read into a
        three-dimensional matrix and scaled, producing a three-dimensional
        representation of the object. 45-45-90 triangles are drawn between existing
        adjacent points, forming surfaces of the object in space.

        Two images will be used. Common points between the images will be identified,
        and concentric circles will be drawn through the points. Equations of the
        circles will be calculated and put into slope-intercept

      • Student: Will Burns
        Title: The Development of a 3D Chess Program with Artificial Inteligence in OpenGL

        Abstract:
        The creation of a 3D Chess program utilizing the 3D capabilities of OpenGL.
        It includes various levels of Artificial Intelligence with settings including
        one player against the computer and two players.

      • Student: Niloy Dasgupta
        Title: Modeling and Development of an Adaptive Cruise Control System for Vehicles

        Abstract:
        Developing an adaptive cruise control system for vehicles with distance
        measuring capabilities in OpenGL. The development of the vehicle and its
        respective variables, functions and interactions with its environment is
        analyzed in an effort to produce the best algorithm for automated braking in
        the cruise control system.

      • Student: Jonathan Miller
        Title: Exploration of Irregular Shapes in OpenGL

        Abstract:
        When working in OpenGl often it is difficult to create objects that are
        irregular in shape, as very few things in the real world are composed solely
        of spheres, cubes, cylinders, and toruses. In order to create more realistic
        shapes simple triangles must be combined into a more complex polygon. This
        project looked at ways to more easily create and manipulate these complex
        polygons.

      • Student: Christina Valencia
        Title: Implementation of Ray Tracing to Create a Virtual Underwater Environment

        Abstract:
        Students are often faced with the challenge of envisioning the worlds they are
        taught about in the classroom. POV-Ray ray tracing enables the creation of an
        underwater environment for educational purposes. The realistic rendering of a
        scene beneath the water's surface allows users to experience and learn about
        the underwater surroundings. Students are able to "travel" underwater with
        this education tool.

    5. Networking
    6. HCI - Human Computer Interaction

    7. Computer Architecture
      • Student: Natan T. Cliffer
        Title: Analysis of a Decentralized MIMD Environment

        Abstract:
        This project is an investigation into the modelling and design of a pipelining
        system for a processor that allows maximum use of hardware. The proposed design
        would allow multiple instructions to be in one part of the pipeline at the same
        time in a flexible network of pipeline elements.

    8. Computers in Education
      • Student: Annalisa Grimes
        Title: The World Wide Web as an Educational Tool

        Abstract:
        More and more schools are taking advantage of computers as tools with which to
        teach subjects ranging from mathematics to art to English and foreign language.
        Children grow up with unprecedented familiarity with this technology. With the
        increasing accessibility of the web as a learning tool, subjects as diverse as
        college chemistry and the history of the United States space program can become
        targets for the students of the Information Age. This paper seeks to explain
        the various avenues one might take in designing different sorts of educational
        websites.

    9. Encryption
      • Student: Christopher P. Christensen
        Title: Encryption and Decryption Using Character Manipulation, Twist and Flip, and RSA

        Abstract:
        Internet security is an important issue these days, especially when it comes to
        sending personal, private information over the internet. Many people seek to
        take advantage of the lack of security often found online and attempt to use
        other people's personal information for their own gain. Internet fraud can be
        achieved via a method called pinging, by which a hacker illegally accesses
        another Internet user's hard drive without alerting the victim. Protection
        against hackers can be achieved with encryption. In order to help protect unsuspecting
        victims of hackers, this project seeks to develop an encryption method that
        provides better file security. The project will combine three methods of
        encryption already used in various levels of security. Character (bit)
        manipulation provides the least amount of security, but combined with a
        modified Twist and Flip algorithm and RSA, the most advanced encryption method
        in use, there is the possiblity of a nearly unbreakable code.

    10. Database Applications, Expert Systems
      • Student: Greg W. Price
        Title: Online Bleeding Logs for Hemophiliacs: Simplifying Data Collection and Analysis

        Abstract:
        The objective of this project is to simplify for doctors of hemophiliacs the
        process of collecting, compiling, searching, and viewing information contained
        in their patients' bleeding logs. The data are entered into a MySQL database
        using PHP scripts on a website and retrieved using a Java application that
        utilizes the Swing and JDBC APIs and the MM.MySQL drivers. The application
        currently creates graphs to display number of bleeds in one site over time or
        display number of bleeds at each site during a specified time period.

    11. Web and E-Business applications
      • Student: Amanda Agan
        Title: Development of a web-based condominium complex system using PHP and MySQL.

        Abstract:
        Managing a well-run condominium complex is extremely complicated. The use of a
        database to help manage the massive amounts of information can be extremely
        beneficial. This project will attempt to create and maintain a database of
        owner/tenant information, work orders, work histories and contact information
        for a condominium complex with a user friendly, web-based interface.

      • Student: Anthony Cross
        Title: Design of a Modular MySQL Database Structuring in the Development of a Dynamic Web Site

        Abstract:
        The goal of this project is to focus on the development of an advanced
        relational database structuring to provide the backend for a dynamically
        generated web site. The project will focus on a modular object oriented design
        of a database to carry out complex, large-scale database interactions through
        the most simple and efficient structure. The database structure is created in
        MySQL, and is designed to interact with a PHP frontend.

      • Student: Eugene E. Otto
        Title: Development of a User-friendly Control Panel for an Ensim-based Webhost

        Abstract:
        The control panel, Sevaa-CP, is an attempt at a visually pleasing an
        easy-to-use interface for people hosting with an Ensim-based host. It
        centralizes the most commonly used functions, such as e-mail and site
        statistics, into a single location with easy access for site administrators.

    12. Computers and Music
      • Student: Sunny Khemlani
        Title: The Development of a Virtual Synthesizer

        Abstract:
        The intent of the project is to develop and produce software that emulates a
        synthesizer. A synthesizer is a device used in musical creation. It combines
        simple waveforms to produce more complex sounds. This program will use several
        methods of multimedia, audio, and graphics development to program virtual
        instrumentation for music creation. It will use a GUI created in Visual Basic
        and DirectX to control and manage audio output while working with several
        algorithms to produce real-time effects.

      • Student: Geoffrey Pitsch
        Title:The Stravinsky Project : Using Genetic Algorithms to Compose Music

        Abstract:
        This program will use artificial intelligence and user input to compose
        original music using midi output from the computer. The AI will use genetic
        algorithms based on music theory to determine the "quality" of any given
        phrase, and the type of music will gravitate towards the preference of the
        user.