Congratulations to 2011 Computer Science graduates

It's Winter graduation time!

We want to offer our congratulations to our latest graduates in Computer Science:  Joel Perez, Alexander Schmid, (Magna cum laude) and Nicholas Zelinski (Cum laude).   We're very proud of you.

Pictured are Alex and Nick.  Unfortunately, Joel was unable to attend the ceremony.  Alex starts his new job with CA Technologies on Jan 17th.  Nick is starting his new job on Jan 23rd.

Everyone in the Computer Science department wishes them both the very best of luck.   We look forward to hearing from you.

       

From Classroom to Marketplace

Computer Science senior, Alex Schmid, decided to put his newly learned Android programming skills to a real test.  As he was completing Comp 494 Programming for the Droid, taught by USF Computer Science alumnus, TJ Eakle, he took his final project, put his own twist on it and then made it available on the Android Marketplace.

After publishing his new app, Ocarina of Time - Song Helper, based upon the music in the game Legends of Zelda, he had over 100 downloads and had covered 50 countries.  His app has a early rating of 4.5 stars.     When downloaded the app is named SongHelper


 If you wish to check out his app, here's the link: 

https://market.android.com/details?id=edu.stfrancis.alexschmid.SongHelper&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImVkdS5zdGZyYW5jaXMuYWxleHNjaG1pZC5Tb25nSGVscGVyIl0

Congratulations, Alex, on showing how to take your skills from the classroom to the world!
        

An Argonne Opportunity

USF Computer Science alumnus, Pam Richmond  (1997) from Argonne National Labs, just contacted me with a great opportunity.  She is looking for someone for a part time web developer position at Argonne. 

She said:  "We are looking for someone who is a good student, cooperative, and conscientious, but they need not have existing web development skills.  We are willing to train in HTML, web image editing, and related technologies.  If you know Kevin Beckman, Mathematics and Computer Science (2009), he is working with me and would also work with the new hire."

If you're interested, please contact me so I can put you in touch with Pam.   They are looking to interview and hire in early January, so don't delay.
  

Department of Homeland Security 2012 Summer Internships

Summer may seem far off, but if you want this very special opportunity you need to get your application by January 5th, 2012.  Since you'll need to review sites and you'll want to have the opportunity to present yourself in the best possible light, it's not too soon to be begin reviewing the requirements.

Here's a link to the site:  http://www.orau.gov/dhsinternships/  

This is a 10 week commitment and there is a $500 a week stipend.  The program is aimed at rising juniors and seniors, so if you will be completing your sophomore or junior year in the Spring this might be an opportunity for you.  You should have a 3.30 GPA.

Please review the site for all the specific information, including reimbursed travel expenses.

Lincoln Elementary - Spring 2012 Internship

Mike McGowan, Computer Science alumnus, is looking for another intern for Spring 2012 at Lincoln Elementary in Calumet City.  According to Mike  there's going to be a lot of interesting things going on  he wants to start "before the end of the school year to start prepping the equipment and such. So it would be a good time to learn some project management skills."   Lincoln Elementary District #156 is at 410 West 157th St, Calumet City, IL 60409. 

Jordan Parcel, Information Technology - 2011, and Joel Perez, Computer Science Senior,  have both had successful internships at Lincoln Elementary and report very favorably about the experience and the opportunity to learn.  

Remember that an internship can count as an upper division elective, so if you're interested stop by and see Ruth Weldon and we'll get the paperwork started.

Argonne Co-op Opportunity

We received a message from Emily Mancini, from Argonne National Labs Communications, Education and Public Affairs Department.   In it she stated:

"We would like to alert to you immediate opportunities for undergraduates to work part-time at Argonne National Laboratory while maintaining full-time student status. Over the years, many students have become involved in conducting research with Argonne scientists and engineers. We are particularly interested in students who are majoring in Computer Science.

The Laboratory offers such opportunities through its Co-op Program. We offer Parallel Co-op Appointments in which the students work part-time, up to a maximum of 19 hours per week during the academic year and 40 hours per week during the summer period OR full-time hours in alternating semesters."

Please note this is a paid internship at a prestigious facility.  If you are at least a sophomore with a minimum GPA of 2.87 this is worth investigating.  The USF Computer Science Department is happy to participate in the Co-operative Education program.

More details about the program can be found at:  http://www.dep.anl.gov/p_shared/coop/coop.htm

Here's a link to the application: http://www.dep.anl.gov/p_shared/coop/coopapp.pdf.

Good luck!

       

Coming Soon - Robotics

We're very excited to offer our first course in Robotics this coming Spring.  It will be taught by Computer Science alumnus, Tim Archer, who also spearheaded the development of the USF portal when he was with the USF IT Department. 

Students will build the Boe-Bot robots and program them as part of the course.  At the end of the semester the students will keep the robots.  It promises to be a wonderful and fun learning experience.