(Have we omitted your good news? If you have recent news about FSC mathematics or computer science students, please contact one of the Mathematics or Computer Science faculty members.)

Our graduates have been very successful:
Graduates from the computer science and computer science / mathematics program the past two years were employed by: Harris Corporation, Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and Publix Corporation. Last year, three of our graduates were accepted into graduate computer science programs.

• (Fall 2008) FSC junior Adam Trewyn presented his mathematics research at the Annual Meeting of the Suncoast Region of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA). Adam's research was part of his senior seminar work, performed under the direction of Dr. David Rose.

• (Summer 2008) FSC junior Megan Beddow was selected to participate in the FSC Student/Faculty Collaborative Research and Creative Acvities Program. The project was supported by the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College. Megan worked under the direction of Dr. David Rose.

Our students continue to enjoy working with the iRobot Create robots:

HP Technology for Teaching Grant:

Florida Southern College was awarded a 2008 HP Technology for Teaching grant, designed to transform teaching and improve learning in the classroom through innovative uses of technology. FSC Faculty Gwen Walton, Ken Henderson, and Eric Kjellmark are using the resources provided by the grant to redesign selected computer science, mathematics, and environmental science courses.

 
The grant included 21 tablet PCs and other HP equipment as well as some funds to buy additional equipment. Some of the grant resources were used to purchase a few additional robots and some HP mini-notebook computers to serve as the robots’ on-board computers. After the new equipment is deployed, we will be able to provide first-year students with a more entertaining way to practice object-oriented programming concepts and upper-level students with more advanced robotics programming projects.

For additional information about the HP grant project, click here.

Summer Internships:

During Summer 2008, four of our undergraduates were awarded summer computer science internships:

• Adam Trewyn worked at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
• Alan George worked at Lockheed Martin in Orlando
• Matt Rackley worked for Lockheed Martin in MacDill Air Force Base
• Liron Kirsh worked for TTI Telecom in Atlanta
• April Brown worked for the City of Lakeland’s IT department and on a FSC internship project for Mote Marine Research Laboratory.

Service Learning Project:

During Fall 2007, the CSC335 Database Analysis and Design students performed data analysis and designed a database for the Mote Marine Research Laboratory in Sarasota FL to support the rescue and archival of historical biological data collected in the Lemon Bay area in the 1930s.

Building on the results of the CSC335 service learning project, the Spring 2008 CSC400 Software Design and Development students collaborated with Mote Marine Research Laboratory staff to implement the database and develop and document a software system to support data entry, editing, and retrieval. This project led to a small grant to Florida Southern College to support FSC student work during Summer 2008 to enhance the system.