Gaming with Java

Lab Assistant Mike Murray will be working on a Java based video game over the summer. Although the team claims little artistic ability, the game is still expected to be loads of fun. Mike will be working with the main game logic and also the storyline. Hopefully by the end of the summer we'll be able to see Mike's passion for programming and creative writing fused together nicely. More details to follow of course!

It's about networking.

Information Technology junior, Dave Gingerich, is in an internship program with Millward Brown in Naperville, a market research company. Not only is he using his skills as he provides desktop support but he’s gaining experience with customer interaction all in a real world setting. He’s working with two USF Computer Science alumni, Mike Malenki, and Jordan Raub, who contacted the USF Computer Science Department to let us know that their director wanted a USF student for a PC Specialist internship. Not only does Dave have an opportunity to build on his skills, add valuable experience on his resume, but he gets paid, too! That’s win-win-win!

Learning Initiatives with Alumni

USF students had an opportunity last Fall to work with Computer Science alumni, Jim Schuler '03, and Carl Ziech '06, as well as Business alumnus, Adam Helwich '04 in investigating how to use a Wii-mote as an input device to a Windows computer. A lot fun and a lot of learning took place as other alumni paticipated including, adjunct faculty professor, Panagiotis Kourtidis '03 who decided to implement his version on Linux.

There is an article about our learning initiative in the Spring 2009 edition of USF Magazine. If you don't have your copy yet (It will take up to four weeks for postal delivery to alumni), you can view it online from the St. Francis website. http://www.stfrancis.edu
Here's a direct link: Alumni magazine
The article can be found on page 16.

Wii remote: $49
Infrared lights: $5
Safety glasses: $12
Alumni involvement: Priceless!

Thank you to all alumni who participated, especially Jim Schuller and Adam Helwich who led the event and initiatied the research.

A Software Shopping Opportunity

Because of our membership in the MSDN Academic Alliance students have the opportunity to purchase selected Microsoft software products at excellent prices. Check out what’s in the USF MSDN-ELMS store at

http://msdn08.e-academy.com/elms/Storefront/Home.aspx?campus=stfrancis_cs

To get your signon id, stop by and see either Mike or Nick in the lab and they’ll create a userid for you.

Giving Beans about Database

In USF’s IS department, USF Computer Science student, sophomore Larissa Kries, is learning while she earns as she uses Java NetBeans and Oracle databases to provide information needed by the staff and administration here at USF. As she provides service to the University she’s adding another set of skills on her resume. And it's fun! Way to go, Larissa!

Database is for everyone!

Students in the Fall, 2009 Comp 201 Intro to DBMS class will have an opportunity to apply what they learn in a real world scenario the USF Recreation and Administration department has asked USF Computer Science for a database to track internships for their department. The Comp 201 students will gather the requirements and translate a user's view into a database that meets their needs. A great way to see how theory works in the real world and to provide a service to a fellow department at USF.

Alumni/Student get together.

We had such a great time last year we just had to plan another one.

Alumni, please join us for an evening of fun, a few snacks and to share your expertise with our students on interviewing and resumes.

Students, this is a great opportunity to talk to the people who know how to get the jobs.

The USF Computer Club/IEEE Student branch
is hosting an Interview/Resume tip meeting.

April 23rd, 2009

6 PM - 8 PM

Room A102

St. Albert's Hall

RSVP to Ruth or Cris