The Weblog of Titus Barik » Career

Professional Engineer

Titus Barik — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 20:36:50 +0000

I passed!

State Board: Georgia
Exam Type: 
  PE - Electrical and Computer: Computer Engineering
Exam Date: October 2010
Exam Result: Pass

I’m a licensed Engineer, PE035568.

CSC 540: Results

Titus Barik — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 21:34:16 +0000

Grades for CSC 540, Database Management Concepts and Systems, have now been posted. They are as follows:

Homework 1, 88%
Homework 2, 100%
Homework 3, 100%
Homework 4, 100%
Project 1, 100%
Project 2, 100%
Project 3, 125%
Project 4, 130%
Midterm Exam, 90%
Final Exam, 96%

Final average: 100% (A+)

CSC 520: Results

Titus Barik — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 21:40:36 +0000

Grades for CSC 520, Artificial Intelligence, have now been posted. They are as follows:

Homework 1, 95%
Homework 2, 100%
Homework 3, 93%
Homework 4, 94%
Exam 1, 89%
Exam 2, 93%
Exam 3, 84%

Final average: 90% (A)

CSC 579: Results

Titus Barik — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 21:47:23 +0000

Grades for CSC 579, Introduction to Computer Performance Modeling, have now been posted. They are as follows:

Homework 1, 99.5%
Homework 2, 100%
Homework 3, 100%
Homework 4, 88%
Project 1, 105%
Project 2, 100%
Project 3, 100%
Midterm Exam, 85%
Final Exam, 100%

Final average: 98% (A+)

CSC 579: First Week of Class

Titus Barik — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:48:46 +0000

The course outline for Introduction to Computer Performance Modeling is as follows: Workload characterization, collection and analysis of performance data, instrumentation, tuning, analytic models including queuing network models and operational analysis, economic considerations. The course is being taught by Dr. … Continue reading →

CSC 540: First Week of Class

Titus Barik — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:44:06 +0000

The course outline for Database Management Concepts and Systems is as follows:

Advanced database concepts. Logical organization of databases: the entity-relationship model; the relational data model and its languages. Functional dependencies and normal forms. Design, implementation, and optimization of query languages; security and integrity, consurrency control, transaction processing, and distributed database systems.

The course is being taught by Dr. Kemafor Anyanwu.

CSC 520: First Week of Class

Titus Barik — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:34:05 +0000

The course outline for Artificial Intelligence is as follows:

Introduction to and overview of artificial intelligence. Study of AI programming language such as LISP or PROLOG. Elements of AI problem-solving technique. State spaces and search techniques. Logic, theorem proving and associative databases. Introduction to knowledge representation, expert systems and selected topics including natural language processing, vision and robotics.

The course is being taught by Dr. Dennis Bahler.

ECE 506: Final Results

Titus Barik — Sun, 10 May 2009 17:42:15 +0000

Grades for ECE 506, Architecture of Parallel Computers, have now been posted. They are as follows:

Homework 1, 100%
Homework 2, 100%
Homework 3, 95%
Homework 4, 100%
Homework 5, 100%
Homework 6, 100%
Homework 7, 100%
Midterm Exam, 90%
Final Exam, 96%

Final average: 95% (A+)
Costs: $2100 (tuition)

Finished with graduate school!

CSC 513: Results

Titus Barik — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:12:05 +0000

Grades for CSC 513, Electronic Commerce Technologies, have now been posted. They are as follows:

Homework 1, 97%
Homework 2, 100%
Homework 3, 94%
Project 1, 100%
Project 2, 100%
Project 3, 100%
Project 4, 100%
Midterm Exam, 84%
Final Exam, 88%

Final average: 93% (A+)
Costs: $2100 (tuition)

One more final exam to go, and then I’m finally done with graduate school!

Update: Originally, the grade was an A, but after appeal the grade has been changed.

ECE 506: First Week of Class

Titus Barik — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:33:34 +0000

The course outline for Architecture of Parallel Computers is as follows:

The need for parallel and massively parallel computers. Taxonomy of parallel computer architecture, and programming models for parallel architectures. Example parallel algorithms. Shared-memory vs. distributed-memory architectures. Correctness and performance issues. Cache coherence and memory consistency. Bus-based and scalable directory-based multiprocessors. Interconnection-network topologies and switch design. Brief overview of advanced topics such as multiprocessor prefetching and speculative parallel execution.

The course is being taught by Dr. Douglas Pase, who I’ve also had for CSC 501.

EOL Online Courses, Spring 2009

Titus Barik — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 20:53:47 +0000

It’s my final semester at NC State. To conclude the degree program I’ll be taking two courses from the available courses for Spring 2009:

CSC 513: Electronic Commerce Technologies
ECE 506: Architecture of Parallel Computers

Since the plan of work has changed, a new Plan of Graduate Work should be completed within the first three weeks of the semester, as well as a Request for Option B form.

ECE 574: Results

Titus Barik — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:09:41 +0000

Grades for ECE 574 (CSC 574), Computer and Network Security, have now been posted. They are as follows:

Homework 1, 100%
Homework 2, 98%
Homework 3, 107%
Homework 4, 112%
Homework 5, 102%
Homework 6, 106%
Exam 1, 82%
Exam 2, 82%
Exam 3, 87%
Final Project, 92%
Participation: 100%

The homework extra credit was much appreciated and helped my otherwise low exam scores. I was right on the edge of an “A-”, so as the Biblical character Job would say, “My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth”. (Job xix.20, KJV)

Final average: 93.9% (scaled, A)
Costs: $2100 (tuition)

CSC 582: Results

Titus Barik — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:40:33 +0000

Grades for CSC 582, Computer Models of Interactive Narrative, have now been posted. They are as follows:

Class Participation: 100%
Annotated Presentations: 100%
Class Experiment, 100%
Midterm Project, 89%
Final Project, 94%

Instead of a midterm and final exam, this course had two complex projects.

Final average: 94.9 (A+)
Costs: $2100 (tuition)

Atronix Engineering

Titus Barik — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 19:37:02 +0000

The timing could not have been better. I have accepted an offer from Atronix Engineering as a Project Engineer. They are located in Norcross, GA. Here’s a little bit more about them:

Atronix Engineering responds to system integration demands for both factory automation and office automation. As a systems integrator we provide quality integration services to both national and international markets. Our skilled and experienced engineers apply the latest technologies available to complex processes.

I start on November 10, 2008.

Last Day at Arch Chemicals

Titus Barik — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:12:53 +0000

As most of you are aware by now, today is my last day at Arch Chemicals. Looking back on the three years that I’ve been here, I sometimes surprise myself with what I’ve been able to accomplish. Some nice comments from co-workers for posterity:

I was very sorry to hear of your resignation. At least sorry for us, because I know you will be an asset to any organization you continue with. You were always very punctual in answering your phone and that was much appreciated. I wish you continued success in your new adventure.

The creation of the iFIX system is largely Titus’s brainchild. We owe him much in helping us migrate from Classic. And to say that he has made an impression on our business and future competitiveness is an understatement.

The culture of this place will change drastically in your absence. You are one of a kind.

ECE 574: First Week of Class

Titus Barik — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:18:42 +0000

The course outline for Computer and Network Security is as follows:

Security policies, models, and mechanisms for secrecy, integrity, and availability. Basic cryptography and its applications; operating system models and mechanisms for mandatory and discretionary controls; introduction to database security; security in distributed systems; network security (firewalls, IPsec, and SSL); and control and prevention of viruses and other rogue programs.

The course is being taught by Dr. Douglas Reeves.

CSC 582: First Week of Class

Titus Barik — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:47:55 +0000

The course outline for Computer Models of Interactive Narrative is as follows:

A theoretical and practical study of the computational models supporting the creation of interactive narrative systems. Topics include basic introductions to cognitive, linguistic and film theoretic models of narrative; representations and reasoning techniques from artificial intelligence related to the creation of storylines, dialog, camera control and other features of narrative in text-based and/or 3D virtual worlds; mechanisms for controlling character behavior in multi-agent multi-user stories; and applications of these techniques ranging from interactive entertainment to educational software to training simulations.

The course is being taught by Dr. Michael Young.

ECE 517: Results

Titus Barik — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:51:08 +0000

Grades for ECE 517, Object-Oriented Languages and Systems, have now been posted. They are as follows:

Homework 1, 100%
Homework 2, 97%
Homework 3, 97%
Ruby Project, 96%
Open Source Project, 88%
Design Document, 97%
Final Project, 100%
Final Project Extra Credit, 5%
Exam 1, 97%
Exam 2, 100%
Final Exam, 90

Final average: 100.2 (A+)
Costs: $2040 (tuition)

Once again, I did well in this class because it was project-oriented. There’s a trend here somewhere.

ECE 520: Results

Titus Barik — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:36:09 +0000

Grades for ECE 520, Digital ASIC Design, have finally been posted. I took my final exam after the official deadline so it took a few weeks to manually enter my grades into the system. The grades are as follows:

Midterm Exam, 85%
Homework 1, 100%
Homework 2, 100%
Homework 3, 100%
Homework 4, 100%
Homework 5, 100%
Final Project, 103%
Final Exam, ?

Final average: ? (A+)
Costs: $2040 (tuition) + $112.20 (books)

I find that I do better in classes that are project-oriented rather than exam-oriented.

ECE 517: First Week of Class

Titus Barik — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:18:35 +0000

The course outline for Object-Oriented Languages and Systems is as follows:

This course will cover object-oriented languages and the systems that can be built with them. Topics include object-oriented design and analysis, including methodologies such as the CRC-card method and the Unified Modeling Language. Systems concepts, including inheritance, static and dynamic binding, and aspect-oriented programming; implementation in specific languages.

The course is being taught by Dr. Edward Gehringer. Erik Boisen, one of my co-workers from Arch Chemicals, has decided to take the course as well.

Peer reviews for the course are done through the Expertiza system.

ECE 767: Results

Titus Barik — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:25:59 +0000

ECE 767 turned out to be an incredibly difficult course for me, especially since I lacked the Digital Communications pre-requisite. The lack of a final project and the low weight of homeworks, areas that typically boost my grade, also hurt my final score. The material was somewhat esoteric as well, and good references were hard to come by.

Midterm Exam, 70%
Homework 1, 100%
Homework 2, 100%
Homework 3, 85%
Homework 4, 95%
Homework 5, 95%
Homework 6, 55% (dropped)
Final Exam, 75%

Final average: 77.00% (B-)
Costs: $2040 (tuition) + $117.25 (books)

Still, I scraped by with a B-, and I’ll be more cautious about selecting 700 level courses in the future.

ECE 767: First Week of Class

Titus Barik — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:15:26 +0000

The course outline for Error-Control Coding is as follows:

An introduction to the theory and practice of codes for detecting and correcting errors in digital data communication and storage systems. Topics include linear block codes, cyclic codes, cyclic redundancy checksums, BCH and Reed-Solomon codes, convolutional codes, trellis-coded modulation, LDPC and turbo codes, Viterbi and sequential decoding, and encoder and decoder architecture. Applications include the design of computer memories, local-area networks, compact disc digital audio, NASA’s deepspace network, high-speed modems, communication satellites, and cellular telephony.

The course is being taught by Dr. Brian Hughes.

ECE 520: First Week of Class

Titus Barik — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:13:25 +0000

The course outline for Digital ASIC Design is as follows:

Modern digital design practices based on Hardware Description Languages (Verilog, VHDL) and CAD tools, particularly logic synthesis. Emphasis on design practice and the underlying algorithms. Introduction to deep submicron design issues, particularly interconnect and low power and to ASIC applications, and decision making.

The course is being taught by Dr. Paul Franzon.

Schedule Updates

Titus Barik — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:44:00 +0000

I have dropped ECE 515: Digital Communications, and replaced it with ECE 767: Error-Control Coding, by using the EOL Class Schedule Revision Form. Thus, my schedule for the Spring 2008 semester is finalized as follows:

With two heavy Engineering courses, this will be one of the most difficult semesters yet.

CSC 510: Results

Titus Barik — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:34:00 +0000

Grades for CSC 510, Software Engineering, have finally been posted. They are as follows:

Midterm Exam, 90%
Homework 1, 100%
Homework 2, 100%
Homework 3, 100%
Final Project, ?
Final Exam, 89%

Final average: ? (A)
Costs: $2040 (tuition) + $140.32 (books)

The final project grade was never posted, so it’s impossible to directly calculate a numerical final average. The Spring 2008 semester begins January 9th, with three out of ten courses having been completed thus far.

ECE 570: Results

Titus Barik — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:39:12 +0000

The second semester has concluded and the grades are slowly trickling in. Grades for ECE 570, Computer Networks, are as follows:

Midterm Exam, 86%
Quiz 1, 60%
Homework 1, 100%
Homework 2, 106%
Homework 3, 98%
Homework 4, 100%
Homework 5, 95%
Final Project, 98%
Final Exam, 66%

Final average: 86.44% (A)
Costs: $2040 (tuition) + $73.89 (books)

Quiz 1 was dropped entirely for most students because of the low results overall. Despite the low numerical final exam grade, I received the highest score on the final project in the class and that was enough to keep me at an ‘A’ (4.0) in this course for the semester. Numerically, these scores were considerably lower than CSC 501, but the difficulty was far higher and this is reflected in the grade distribution through scaling.

I’m still waiting on the results from CSC 510, Software Engineering, but I’ve once again decided to sign up for two courses in the Spring 2008 semester: ECE 515: Digital Communications, and ECE 520: Digital ASIC Design.

EOL Online Courses, Spring 2008

Titus Barik — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:35:38 +0000

NC State Engineering Online has posted a list of courses for the upcoming Spring 2008 semester. Registration for graduate students begins on Tuesday, October 16. This semester it looks as though they will be offering a variety of 700 level courses, including Computer-Aided Circuit Analysis, Digital Electronics, and Pattern Recognition.

CSC 510: First Week of Class

Titus Barik — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 16:13:22 +0000

The course outline for Software Engineering is as follows:

An introduction to software life cycle models; size estimation; cost and schedule estimation; project management; risk management; formal technical reviews; analysis, design, coding and testing methods; configuration management and change control; and software reliability estimation. Emphasis on large development projects.

The course is being taught by Dr. Aldo Dagnino.

ECE 570: First Week of Class

Titus Barik — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 16:09:07 +0000

The course outline for Computer Networks is as follows:

Detailed description and related performance issues of OSI layers two and three for wide-area networks, well-known standards for local and wide area networks such as Ethernet and TCP/IP, and basic random access mechanisms for local area networks. 3 credit hours.

The course is being taught by Dr. Rudra Dutta. It is a live course and thus offered through a RealMedia format. The digitized lecture is made available approximately thirty minutes after the actual class.

CSC 501: Results

Titus Barik — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:57:08 +0000

The second semester as an official distance learning student at NC State has begun, and I’ve finally been reimbursed for my first semester by my employer. Grades for the course were as follows:

Midterm Exam, 96%
Homework 1, 100%
Homework 2, 100%
Homework 3, 100%
Homework 4, 105%
Homework 5, 96%
Final Exam, 99%

Final average: 98.46% (A+)
Costs: $2040 (tuition) + $155.26 (books)

Based on these results, I’ve decided to take two courses in the Fall 2007 semester, CSC 510: Software Engineering, and ECE 570: Computer Networks.