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:
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.
Grades for ECE 574 (CSC 574), Computer and Network Security, have now been posted. They are as follows:
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)
Grades for CSC 582, Computer Models of Interactive Narrative, have now been posted. They are as follows:
Instead of a midterm and final exam, this course had two complex projects.
Final average: 94.9 (A+)
Costs: $2100 (tuition)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Grades for ECE 517, Object-Oriented Languages and Systems, have now been posted. They are as follows:
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.
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:
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.
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.