Computer Labs - Math and Computer Science

 ​The computer science laboratory is a flexible multi-use space where computer science students and professors can find the equipment and room to build things, do experiments, develop systems, or just hang out.

Typical uses include:

System Administration Laboratory
We give each student a working system. Then a professor breaks in and vandalizes each system in a different way. The student must repair the system and get it working again.

Robot Building
Each team of two students is given a micro-processor board and various sensors. They choose their own robot body from examples like a remote controlled car or person carrying scooter. The team constructs a robot from these parts. This activity can take an entire semester.

Robot Programming
Each team of two students gets a small pre-built robot. They must program the robot to navigate on a table top without falling off. Any bug in their program causes the robot to crash to the floor (and brings a professor over quickly).

Video Game Programming
A small group of students is working on a video game. They will typically have the video game world drawn on large papers scattered around while coding their world. Loud explosion noises and background music dominate the room.

Experiments
This is one of several places we have for computer experiments. Each experimental group can have a space to themselves where they work. The room itself is filled with posters announcing the results of past experimental groups. Experiments have included measuring the performance of computer systems under various loads, creating new forms of life using various artificial intelligence techniques, and using computers to write original music. Many such teams go on to give conference presentations at regional and national conferences.

Hanging Out
This is a nice place to go between classes. There will almost always be other students to talk with, and occasionally a movie or cartoon will be playing.

Art Competition
For some reason an art competition has become a tradition in the lab. Students doodle on the chalkboard, professors avoid using that part of the chalk board, and the best doodle wins. Some of the art is quite sophisticated (for chalk board art).

Equipment
Equipment varies with needs, but is always kept up-to-date. Currently it includes:

• 30 up-to-date workstations
• 2 video game workstations with specialized graphics cards, controllers (i.e. car steering wheel, joystick, etc.) and 3D Game Studio
• 16 Robots
• 36 Network Jacks (plus wireless)
• DVD and VCR players, Overhead Projector, Sound System, and furniture for your lounging pleasure.