Computer Science faculty have the projects
described below available for students to work on.
Other projects are also possible. You can visit
individual faculty to discuss a project of your
choosing, or other projects that they might have
available.
Dr. Julie Barnes: Proteomics Analysis
Software
OBJECTIVE
To develop software to process spectra mass unit
values for cells. At a minimum the software will need
to sort two files in parallel, looking for an 80-unit
difference in values between the peaks that are
recorded on the two files. In addition, multiples of
80, such as 1600, 2400, etc. should be flagged if
they are found.
BACKGROUND
Cells are affected by a compound called a tumor
promoter, in such a way that they take on some of the
properties of cancer cells. The investigators have
evidence that these changes can be traced back to a
single protein. This protein, called PKC, is an
enzyme that donates phosphorescer groups to other,
unknown proteins. The mission of the group is to find
out the identity of the proteins. They will do so by
cutting up the proteins of the whole cell, in cells
where the PKC is unaltered versus those where it has
been eliminated. By detecting the 80-unit difference
between the peptides from PKC-replete and PKC-free
cells, the investigators will identify the peptide
fragments from the unknown proteins. >From that,
they can learn the identity of the proteins by
sequencing the peptides.
PROPOSAL
At present, the investigators have spectra from a
technique known as MALDI-TOF. They need to compare
the spectra obtained from the two types of cells,
which has so far been done "by eye".
However, there are already a number of spectra to be
compared, and the investigators may not have found
the differences. If software is used, we can
determine whether every difference has been found
"by eye" in those samples. This project
will be followed by further experimentation to
confirm the peptides as consistent products altered
by the enzyme, PKC. The software will be used in the
confirmation, as part of a graduate student's
Ph.D. project. It may be of interest commercially as
well.
Dr. Rajaei or Dr. Kresman: Use of Java and
Parallel Distributed
Simulation
BACKGROUND
Parallel or distributed simulation refers to the
execution of discrete-event simulation programs on a
multiprocessor system or network of workstations.
This may be carried out in a number of programming
paradigms, including
Java.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the suitability of certain public domain
Java simulation libraries by developing Java based
simulation applications using these libraries. The
applications may use several techniques. Conduct test
runs on target architectures and generate numerical
data on performance and other factors. Prepare a
detailed report on your work and give an oral
presentation at the department colloquium slot.
The project may employ more than one student. It
involves many phases with opportunities for students
to work in groups or in different phases of the
project.
PREREQUISITES
Familiarity with discrete-event simulation and
parallel computing. Good Java programming skills.
Dr. Kresman: Component Development for
Public-domain C
Library
BACKGROUND
The Internet Research Group at Sun Microsystems
initiated the development of a public-domain C
library to validate chains of X.509 certificates. The
relevant standard is RFC 3280. Volunteers from
outside have been working on many pieces of this
library. When completed, it can be used by
users/programs across a range of platforms. Soon, the
library may become part of open source code. For now,
it is still work in progress and a number of
additional components are
needed.
OBJECTIVE
Your part is a piece of the overall puzzle; you
need to follow good software engineering principles
and established architecture and programming
guidelines for the library. As well, the development
employs unit testing and code review.
Following the completion of the code and
comprehensive write-up, you will give an oral
presentation at the department colloquium
slot.
PREREQUISITES
Prerequisite include good C programming skills
(NOT C++), CS 4640 ideas, PKI and aspects of CS 5080,
CS 6290.
ELIGIBLE COMPONENTS
Some of the components are listed below, each of
which may be worked on by a team of students:
Certificate status checking (starting with full
direct CRLs and moving on to OCSP, segmented CRLs,
indirect CRLs, delta CRLs, etc.)
Name constraints checking; Certificate policy
processing
Fetching certificates and CRLs from LDAP, HTTP,
and other repositories (using information provided
in AIA, SIA, or CRLDP extensions or through
configuration)
Dr. Kresman: Parallel and distributed algorithms
for mining frequent patterns of large data
sets
OBJECTIVE
Study and implement at least 4 or 5 existing
algorithms. Empirical performance evaluation using
large (real) data sets. Use of real (OSU) and
simulated processors.
GOALS
Propose some improvement over one of the existing
ones, possibilities:
- patterns in underlying data sets vs influence on
performance
- improved data structure vs influence on performance
- processor topology vs influence performance metrics
- anything else?
EXPECTATIONS
Weekly progress report/meet with me (at least once
a week)
Write a VERY detailed, formatted, and
self-contained project report
- on the literature
- your understanding
- your improvements
- program design and methodology
- code walk through + documented code
- program run snapshots and discussion
The write-up may have to be iterated a few times
in consultation with me and possibly one other
faculty.
Formal oral presentation at a departmental
colloquium.
Dr. Maner: Team Formation by Genetic
Algorithm
GOAL
The goal of this project is to develop a GA
(genetic algorithm) that will assign students to
project teams of size N based, first, on personality
factors; second, on skill sets; and third, on
characteristics desirable in a team
leader.
THE PROBLEM
Teams composed of the same personality types tend
to be less productive than teams that are more
diverse. In addition, for class projects, it is
unfair for one team to have all the experts and
another team to have all the novices.
THE
SOLUTION
To solve these two problems, this GA program would
start by randomly distributing students into teams of
N members. Then, the GA would experiment with
different distributions of students until personality
factors are nicely balanced (i.e., as diverse as
possible). Then, with minimal disturbance to the
personality balance, the GA would experiment with
different distributions of skill sets until both
personality factors and skills sets are nicely
balanced. Finally, with minimal disturbance to the
balance reached for personality and skill sets, the
GA would place someone in each group who has the
potential to serve as team leader. If necessary, the
GA could favor personality balance over skill
balance, and skill balance over leader
identification.
DETAILS
This program should run as a web application, and
should collect the necessary student data by
presenting interactive survey forms to users. The
list of relevant personality factors and the list of
relevant skills should be imported from simple text
files, where they can be easily changed. Each line
would be an ordered pair:
"factor or skill in quotes" integer-value
The integer-value represents the strength of the
factor. For skills, this number will come from an
online self-assessment form; for personality factors,
this number will come from an online form that
measures personality type (e.g., the
"Personality Styles Inventory"). This
information would be stored in a mySQL database as it
is collected; as soon as information has been
collected from the entire pool of students, the GA
would import the data and begin its
experimentation.
DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGY
An iterative test-first strategy is expected.
Before any coding is done, a set of representative
test cases with known solutions should be
created.
QUALIFICATIONS
To complete this project, the student must know
(or be willing to learn) the required elements of
JavaScript, HTTP, Perl (or PHP), XHTML, AJAX, CSS,
mySQL and possibly HTML 5. The GA itself can be
implemented using Python or
Perl libraries.
Dr. Maner: Hartman Value Profile for BGSU Core
Values
This project presupposes some knowledge of
symbolic logic as taught, for example, in PHIL
3030.
Dr. Lee: Information
Visualization
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this project is to develop new ways to
visualize useful information in 2D and 3D data such
as medical data (e.g., CT and MRI scans). The project
will involve literature reviews in visualization and
develop new ways to show changes in the
data.
USEFUL BACKGROUND
2D and/or 3D graphics.
Dr. Lee: Computer Vision with GPU
Computing
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this project is to implement a
computer vision algorithm using Cg/CUDA-based GPU
programming language. In particular, the project will
involve GPU implementation of an existing satellite
image structural segmentation
algorithm.
USEFUL BACKGROUND
2D Graphics with OpenGL/GLUT, image processing,
GPU programming.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Dr. Lee has other graphics-related projects.
Dr. Zimmerman: MS Access
Database
OBJECTIVE
Work with the Sidney A. Ribeau President's Leadership Academy
( http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/pla/ ) to upgrade
their program technology infrastructure. This would
include: design and implementation of a new MS Access
Database, assessing and upgrading an existing
database, updating their website (including an
electronic application submission form
process).
START DATE
Project could be started in the summer and would
continue in the Fall.
Dr. Zimmerman: Parallel Graph
Algorithms
OBJECTIVE
Adapt or retool code that generates families of
Graphs/DiGraphs according to user specified
parameters and then allows algorithms to be executed
on those graphs. This would likely involve: the BGSU
cluster and the new SMP machine, but could also
involve use of machines at OSC.
USEFUL
BACKGROUND
MPI, graph theory
ADDITIONAL
NOTES
This would be an ideal project for someone who
enjoyed CS 4170 and CS 6120
Dr. Zimmerman: iOS
VRML
OBJECTIVE
We have been investigating the use of 3D graphics
as a component in the delivery of instructions for
construction tasks, e.g. build a Lego model. We have
principally been using VRML to generate the graphics
as well as to provide some of the user interaction
capabilities. This project would be to develop 1) a
new 3D construction task model and 2) a task
presentation environment in VRML/X3D. Experiment
design and preliminary testing as time
allows.
USEFUL BACKGROUND
3D Graphics
Dr. Zimmerman: Mobile Game Implementation -- Part
II
OBJECTIVE
A local entrepreneur has created a board game that
he wishes to move to a computerized version. The game
engine is complete. Part II will require
refining/revamping the front end user interface and
extending the game for network play. This project
would require learning to use the iOS application
development framework.
ADDITIONAL
NOTES
This is a continuation of a project started by a
former grad student.
Dr. Zimmerman: Mobile Game Implementation -- Game
AI Subsystem
OBJECTIVE
A local entrepreneur has created a board game that
he wishes to move to a computerized version. The game
engine is complete. This project would involve
developing an AI subsystem for the related project.
This would allow a player to play against a
computerized opponent. This project would require
learning to use the iOS application development
framework.
Dr. Zimmerman: Mobile Game Implementation -- Port
to Android
OBJECTIVE
A game engine has been developed using sqlite.
This project would first require developing a version
for the Android platform. Several next steps would be
possible including: developing an AI subsystem,
creating a network version, other. This project would
require learning to use the Android SDK. A game
engine has been developed using sqlite. This project
would first require developing a version for the
Android platform. Several next steps would be
possible including: developing an AI subsystem,
creating a network version, other. This project would
require learning to use the Android SDK.