It Begins!

Fall semester has officially started with the first meeting of the WiCS Crew (that's Women in Computer Science). We are working on a couple of podcasts based on robotics, so today we started building two types of robots.

Here are Missy, Jody, Sarah, and Logan building a WAO Cranius:



And this is Megan, Jessica, and Tina building a pan/tilt robot with a bioloid robot set.



We'll let you know when the resulting podcasts are available.

Welcome to fall!

Fall Approaches . . .

We are busy getting ready for fall and have made a few of changes to our spaces.

First, MCT 163 will no longer be an open lab. We're turning it into research space to support the various undergraduate research projects that are starting. It will give each of our research huddles a work space and a computer. This should give those project more resources and visibility, so we're hoping that it will enrich that aspect of our programs.

Second, the "zoid" (seminar room) and the department secretary's office have switched spaces. Mrs. Kann is very happy to have a window and the only downside for the seminar room is that we'll have to come up with a new name for it since it's no longer a trapezoid. Suggestions.

Third, with the retirement of Dr. Thomas, I have moved my office into his old office. We will re-purpose my old office into either a lab or space for our tutors. I'm happy to be out where I'm easier to find and I think it'll be a much more valuable use of my space.

Fourth, you may notice my reference to "tutors." We will have two graduate students who will be responsible for providing tutoring for all of our lower division (100 and 200 level) courses. Please take advantage of this!

Finally, we are welcoming a new faculty member: Dr. Alice Armstrong. Her office is between Briggs and Lee. Please stop by and welcome her to our department!

As always, I'm really looking forward to everyone coming back and our freshman class looks really strong. It should be a good year!