Computer science students seek software projects

Submitted by Melody Hughes
Phone: 474-2777
12/05/05

Fairbanks, Alaska--University of Alaska Fairbanks computer science students are now accepting proposals for software design projects for their spring-semester class.

The projects allow students to gain real-world experience while local government, public service and private organizations gain customized software free of charge. Typical prices for commercial, custom software development projects like those done annually by UAF students can run as high as $40,000. The projects often require more than 650 hours of software development per team of five students.

Students have developed nearly 50 successful projects over the past 17 years. Last spring, student teams developed four systems, including a road lottery website for Denali National Park, a database program for UAF’s Planning, Analysis and Institutional Research, an eCard system for UAF’s Office of University Relations, and pathfinder software for UAF’s entry in the DARPA Grand Challenge autonomous vehicle contest. Other past clients include the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, Love INC, the Fairbanks North Star Borough, the City of North Pole and the Bureau of Land Management.

"Each project has presented teams with a new set of challenges," said Pete Knoke, associate professor of software engineering. "Our clients contribute to the process by evaluating student projects."

The deadline for applications is 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 13, 2006. Requests can be submitted via e-mail to ffpjk@uaf.edu or by regular mail to: Department of Computer Science, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 756670, Fairbanks, AK, 99775-6670. Proposals should include a basic description of your organization’s needs and contact information. Direct phone inquiries to Melody Hughes at (907) 474-2777.

CONTACT: UAF Public Information Officer Marmian Grimes at (907) 474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@uaf.edu