Computer scientists seek software design challenge

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 4747-7778
12/23/03

If you have a scheduling, database or other software design challenge that needs solving, computer science students at the University of Alaska Fairbanks may be able to help. Students are soliciting software design projects for a spring semester class. For more than a dozen years, students in UAF’s computer science program have gained real-world experience through designing and implementing software applications for Alaska organizations.

"So far, students have developed more than 48 consecutive successful projects," said Pete Knoke, associate professor of mathematical sciences. "Each project has presented the students with a new set of challenges."

Last spring student teams developed four systems including a client tracking database for the Fairbanks Native Association, a custom-designed marksmanship scoring program for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, personal digital assistant software for a "handheld math tutor" to assist Lathrop High School students with their math classes and a music download website for the Northland Children’s Choir parent organization.

"The projects we choose are based on feasibility and student interest," said Knoke. "Many projects are for non-profit organizations that would not otherwise be able to afford a custom scheduling or database program."

Past projects have been developed for the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Fairbanks North Star Borough, the Bureau of Land Management, the Alaska Fire Marshal’s office, the North Pole Police Department and the Alaska State Youth Soccer Association. Typical prices for commercial, custom software development projects like those done annually by UAF students can run as high as $40,000. The projects typically require about 650 hours of software development labor per team of five students.

The deadline for local government, public service and private organizations to submit proposals for consideration by students in the senior project and professional practice course is 5 p.m., Monday, Jan. 12. Request can come by e-mail to ffpjk@uaf.edu , or by regular mail to the UAF Department of Mathematical Sciences, P.O. Box 756660, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99775-1110.

CONTACT: Pete Knoke, UAF Department of Mathematical Sciences, (907) 474-5107 or e-mail ffpjk@uaf.edu .