College of Science Computer Use Committee: Farhang Amiri, Physics; Todd Johnson, (Chair) Chemistry; Marek Matyjasik, Geosciences; Robert Okazaki, Zoology; Mohammad Sondossi, Microbiology; James Peters, Mathematics; Chris Trivett, Botany.
A. Goals
Introduction. The work of science and mathematics requires computer tools for gathering and analyzing data, for simulating models, and for presenting and reporting results. One set of goals for our programs involves teaching our students to use these tools. We have divided our computer related goals into three categories. The first, general category involves those skills that we feel all college students should possess. Our second set of goals includes those items that all science majors must master. Our third set involves those items which are specific to particular degree programs. Ideally, the facilities of the open laboratories within our college would be sufficient to meet the first two classes of goals, with our departmental laboratories having the means necessary to fulfill the third.
a. Universal Goals
WSU students should be able to:
1. Edit and format documents using any word processing package; use of spell checker and a thesaurus; develop tables; write basic scripts for mathematical and chemical formulas; merge and sort text; Import graphics and spreadsheet data into documents.
2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of electronic mail and calendaring schedules
3. Search the Internet for resource data; Use search engines to connect to on-line reference facilities and data bases to find information
4. Prepare color slides, transparencies and posters to support presentations in courses and for professional meetings.
5. Demonstrate up-to-date computing skills necessary to perform in their particular field of study and future career.
b. College of Science Goals
WSU College of Science students should be able to:
1. Create and edit scientific graphs; plot data; write simple macros to resolve basic mathematical functions; scan and digitize images; import and export ancillary data into a spreadsheet program and generating output in the form of graphs, charts, tables, or text.
2. Understand the basic procedures involved in data acquisition, interfacing computers, and technical equipment; Demonstrate ability to run appropriate software and collect data from a variety of computer-linked laboratory instruments.
3. Demonstrate ability to store experimental data and transfer data to other formats, including spreadsheets and graphical software; Perform basic statistical operations using computer software.
4. Operate appropriate laboratory equipment, software and understand computational techniques required in research.
WSU College of Science Faculty should have:
5. Up-to Date equipment and discipline-specific training in computing areas appropriate to the respective disciplines. Expertise is critical in maintaining high academic standards in the computationally intensive areas of science.
6. Access to electronic library databases, reference material and online journals.
c. College of Science Facilities should meet the following criteria:
1. All main teaching classrooms in the college of science should be equipped with multimedia equipment with complete access to the internet
2. All electronic laboratory equipment should be updated to be Y-2K compliant. Allocations should be provided to update out-dated equipment, especially those systems which are date-dependent.
3. Group licensing should be made available for major cross discipline software which can be accessed by all faculty in the College of Science
4. Access to University of Utah and Utah State University major software applications should be made available through the state
5. All requests to place and maintain software applications in the Science Lab Student Computer Center should be honored in a timely manner.
6. All full-time faculty members should be provided with a computer and appropriate software. Updates to hardware should be reviewed every 5 years or sooner.
d. Program Goals in the College of Science
Botany students should be able to:
1. use a specific taxonomy computer program.
2. search online subject indices such as the Wilson Indexes and Biological Abstracts.
Chemistry students should be able to:
1. Write a simple program in BASIC, Fortran, or C which would involve fundamental calculations in Chemistry and write simple macros for spreadsheets and graphic software.
2. create a small data base, including basic search and retrieval procedures; search national databases such as Chem Abstracts/ Genbank etc. on line.
3. Draw simple and complex molecules for two and three dimensional modeling and export models for presentation.
4. Perform simple DNA/protein analyses using either VAX based or PC based software.
5. Graph and analyze experimental data using linear and nonlinear regression models
6. operate all major scientific instruments and the software packages which control them
Geosciences students should be able to:
1. Students involved in the Applied Environmental Geoscience major require experience in groundwater applications and must demonstrate an ability to apply software around finite element models of fluid flow, and produce graphical representations as output. Environmental modelling, hazards assessment, and mitigation procedures require sophisticated software modelling and data base design skills.
2. Students involved in structural geology require experience in plotting subsurface data to generate structure contour plots and subsurface 3-D modelling scenarios.
3. Students studying Geospatial Analysis must demonstrate a functional understanding for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and digital image processing of remotely sensed data through skills in contouring, applied spatial statistics, writing simple macros, digitizing, data base design, map design and development, and hardcopy output through computer-assisted techniques. Specifically, students must demonstrate a working understanding for industry standard software programs such as SURFER, ARCVIEW, ARC/INFO, and ERDAS Imagine. Advanced level computer applications in surfacing, softcopy photogrammetry, and global positioning systems (GPS) technology are also incorporated into the curriculum.
4. Search for and retrieve information from computerized databases on CD-ROM or from remote sources (e.g. Geoabstracts, Georef, General Science Index, Uncover, UMI General Periodicals, and OCLC FirstSearch.
Mathematics students should be able to:
1. Use a computer algebra system such as Mathematica; this is expected of all our students and it is required of our calculus students.
2. Use a programming language, such as LOGOWriter and an interactive geometry software program, such as Geometer's Sketchpad, if they are in the elementary school teacher training program. In addition, the appropriate use of technology in the classroom is an important element in the training of all teachers.
3. Use a programming language. This is a required for all applied mathematics majors.
4. Use technological aids, such as Mathematica, Geometer's Sketchpad, a programming language, software for statistical analysis, the Personal Science Laboratory and calculators as they are appropriate in many different courses.
5. Continue to develop their abilities to appropriately use technology: perform numerical or symbolic computations with confidence; solve significant or otherwise intractable mathematical problems; illustrate concepts and theorems from their courses when it is helpful; explore and discover mathematics on their own and articulate their findings.
6. Have lab aides available who are knowledgeable in Mathematica and other educational software.
Microbiology students should be able to:
1. Use electronic databases such as Bergey's, Biolog (Computerized Microbial I.D. Data Bases) genetic, molecular biology data bases, and other programs.
2. Use computer-assisted aids to research in libraries.
3. Digitize, edit, and analyze images and to import them into term papers, reports, and manuscripts.
4. Use software that controls equipment such as laboratory fermenters, micro-plate devices, and other interfaced devices.
Physics students should be able to:
1. Use the software program Mathematica to perform simple symbolic manipulations (e.g. substitutions, factoring) and to evaluate derivatives and integrals symbolically.
2. Understand simple algorithms for numerically solving transcendental equations, minimizing functions, performing linear interpolations, evaluating derivatives and integrals, and solving ordinary differential equations. Be able to carry out these calculations using at least one of the following: spreadsheet, standard programming language (SPL), or other high level package (Mathematica, etc.).
3. Write a simple program in a language such as BASIC, Fortran, or C to read data from a file, perform simple calculations, and write the results to a file.
4. Use random numbers to evaluate an integral or generate simulated data.
Zoology students should be able to:
1. Search for and retrieve information from computerized databases on CD-ROM or from remote sources (e.g. Medline, Current Contents, Wildlife Review, Biosis).
2. Use discipline-specific software, for example, DNA analysis software, modeling software, or laboratory equipment controlling software.
B. College of Science Projects
1. Computer Lab Improvements.
a. Project description: Space must be provided which will allow a major expansion and development of a computer teaching area. Three possibilities for utilizing space will be explored: 1) conversion of part of the first floor storage facilities; 2) expansion into the present Testing Center facility, and moving the testing center function to some other location; 3) reallocation of space in Lind Lecture Hall, perhaps on the second floor. At least 20 new computers would be required for a small classroom. The software requisition should include Mathematica, TrueBasic or VisualBasic, both a Fortran and C - compiler, a scientific graphing program such as Axum, MATLAB or Maple, LaTeX, a statistics package and the capability to search databases, along with any discipline-specific software described under "departmental projects."
b. Detailed justification: There is no place in the science computer lab where an instructor can meet a class working on computers. Students need to know how to use much specialized computer software. An efficient way to train a class of students in the use of such software is to be able to demonstrate to the whole class on a projection screen, and allow the students to simultaneously work on the same problem at their own workstation.
c. Budget.
| no. |
item |
unit cost |
total |
|
Remodeling |
|
$15,000 |
| 20 |
Pentium Class III PC's |
$1300/ea |
$26,000 |
|
Furniture |
|
$5,000 |
| 1 |
Instructor Display |
|
$8,000 |
|
Software |
|
$10,000 |
2. Department Computer Lab Facilities
a. Project description: Each department would like to have a small computer area which may be used by students and faculty working on discipline-specific projects. Each department has committed to allocate space for at least two computers which can be accessed by students during normal operating hours. At least 14 new PC's will be required to equip all departments with discipline-specific hardware and software. The software portion of this project is described under "Departmental Projects."
b. Detailed justification: The student computer centers on campus are equipped and maintained through University sources. The software applications provided are general applications which provide students with word processing and internet access. Each department would like to provide discipline-specific instruction using technical software which is generally not understood by persons outside of the academic discipline. It is not reasonable to ask the computer centers to maintain and support software which is not understood by the support personnel.
c. Budget
| no. |
item |
unit cost |
total |
| 14 |
Pentium Class III PC's |
$1300/ea |
$18,200 |
3. Classroom displays.
a. Project description: Following the model developed by CATS, a multi-media display system has been installed in Rooms LL 121, 124 and130 of the Lind Lecture Hall in part through funds applied from an NSF Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement Grant awarded a faculty member in the Department of Geosciences, and funds acquired through CATS. Eventually, all lecture rooms for each department in the College should be equipped.
b. Detailed justification: New multi-media systems can greatly improve pedagogy, and through distance learning networks, can offer expanded learning opportunities to students off-campus. The campus strategy for development in this area is being coordinated through CATS and is receiving major funding through the state Higher Education Technology Initiative. The College of Science has participated in these efforts and the development of classroom systems which take advantage of the computer-based multi-media displays and Utah Education Network Television connections.
c. Budget
| no. |
item |
unit cost |
total |
| 4 |
Multi Media |
$10,000 |
$40,000 |
4. Faculty workstations.
a. Project description: All-campus planning groups have recommended that all faculty and department offices be equipped with PC, or Mac workstations connected to the campus ethernet. There will be a continual need to upgrade and modernize computers as they age and become obsolete.
b. Detailed justification: See College of Science Goals, section B part #6.
c. Budget:
| Unit Cost |
Total |
| $ 800/ faculty member/ year |
$52,000/year |
C. Departmental Projects
Botany
A. Faculty workstations
1. Project name: Faculty Workstation
a. Detailed justification: See science goal #6
b. Budget Requirement: as outlined under College of Science Projects, item 4
B. Laboratory facilities
1. Project name: Gel Documentation System
a. Project description: This is a package which includes a digital camera, an illuminator and software for scanning electrophoresis gels and producing images as well as determining the densities of bands on the gel. This enables the instructor to make multiple images of one gel for students, rather than running separate gels for each student.
b. Detailed justification: See science goals #1,3,5 and 6.
c. Budget requirements: $6,000
2. Project name: Temperature/Relative Humidity Sensors and Accessories
a. Project description: These sensors monitor temperature and relative humidity at set intervals. The stored data can then be downloaded for analysis via a data logger/controller. There is also specific software required. Botany experiments often run for several weeks/months and require constant monitoring of these environmental factors.
b. Detailed justification: See science goals #3,4,5 and 6.
c. Budget requirements:
| no. |
Item |
Unit cost |
total |
| 10 |
Sensors |
$15 |
$150 |
| 1 |
logger/controller |
$300 |
$300 |
3. Project name: Photograph-quality Color Printer
a. Project description: Currently the Botany Department does not have access to a good color printer. This would be useful for printing photographs from digital images to be used as instructional materials or for posters for professional presentations or required class projects.
b. Detailed justification: See college goals # 4 and science goals # 1
c. Budget requirements: $350
4. Project name: LaserJet Printer for Microtiter Plate Reader
a. Project description: The Botany Department currently has a microtiter plate reader that is used heavily in certain classes (e.g. Plant Physiology) and research. It would be very useful to have a printer designated to that device to print out results for analysis and discussion during lab periods.
b. Detailed justification: See science goals # 3 and 6.
c. Budget requirements: $500
5. Project name: Digital Video Camcorder
a. Project description: The camcorder would be used for movie capture that could be easily translated into still computer images for use in teaching and research.
b. Detailed justification: See science goals #3 and 5.
c. Budget requirements: $2500
6. Project name: Video Card for PC Computer
a. Project description: The video card is necessary for capture of still images and short movie segments from VHS videotape. Many educational videotapes contain short segments which would be helpful in illustrating certain points, but it is too awkward to fast forward between portions of tape or switch tapes during class. A video card would enable us to incorporate pertinent images/movies into computer-based lectures.
b. Detailed justification: See science goals #3 and 5
c. Budget requirements:
| no. |
Item |
Unit cost |
total |
| 1 |
video card |
$200 |
$200 |
| 1 |
software |
$300 |
$300 |
Chemistry
A. Faculty workstations
1. Project name: Faculty Workstations
a. Detailed justification: See science goal #6.
b. Budget Requirements: as outlined under College of Science Projects, item 4
B. Laboratory facilities
1. Project name: Instructional Hardware and Software
a. Detailed justification: The following list of hardware and software would provide the chemistry department with the technological tools required to meet the educational goals set forth by the chemistry department. Moreover, outdated computers must be replaced with Y2K compliant equipment. We cannot continue to function on antiquated systems and expect our students to learn modern techniques
b. Budget Requirements:
| no. |
Item |
Unit cost |
total |
| 2 |
Pentium Class III PC's |
$1,300 |
$2,600 |
| 1 |
Color Scanner |
$200 |
$200 |
|
Software |
$350 |
$350 |
Software: All software requires the latest PC innovations
Dry Lab Software: $5,600 / user
This software predicts HPLC and GC chromatograms from data generated in lab. It allows students to see what happens when solvent systems are changed or HPLC conditions are changed... in seconds, compared to hours in the lab and costs of hundreds of dollars per laboratory series. The cost for a single work station is $ 5,600, and network price breaks are only for 5 or more users, precluding network installation from a financial standpoint.
SPSS Table Curve and Peak Fit - $640
This software helps analyze model equations and fit data from multiple sources and fit more than 3,500 equations or user defined equations, finding solutions in 2- or 3-dimensions. For example, unresolved peaks from HPLC or GC chromatograms can be resolved mathematically. This cannot be done with standard graphics software we currently have on campus, due to the extensive programming and code that must be written by expert users.
LabTech Software
This software package allows our laboratory computers to be interfaced to chemical testing instruments and both acquire data and control the instruments. We have used this software in our lab, but the new Win96+, graphic interface will not run on our 486 systems, and our old versions are no longer supported and will not work with our newer instruments. Our old version is DOS oriented and often hangs up when running in a MSDOS window. We have all but retired the software due to incompatibility problems.
Chemical Databases for Unknown Searching
Two software packages now on the market offer the opportunity for students to search for unknown chemicals by physical constants they have obtained in lab. More are appearing every month, with comparable pricing. These software packages offer unique teaching opportunities for learning about chemicals and their properties across large numbers of compounds. They are:
1. The Merck index on CD-ROM - $250/user $1050/network
2. The Chemical Dictionary - Aldrich - $350 $1999/network
Microsoft Office 2000
At least two copies of Microsoft office will provide students with a comprehensive package of Excel and Access. The Corel package offered through the University provides Quattro Pro which is cumbersome and lacks the graphing capabilities of Excel.
ChemWindow - $800
Two copies of ChemWindow will provide chemistry students and faculty the tools necessary for writing and publishing chemical reports
C. Instructional technology
1. Project name: Complete Multimedia Classroom
a. SL 540 was remodeled and equipped with multimedia components. However, funding was not sufficient to complete the project. An ELMO camera system is now included in the plan to complete the project
b. Budget Requirements: $3000
Geosciences
A. Faculty workstations
1. Project name: Faculty Computers
a. Detailed justification: See science goal #6
b. Budget: as outlined under College of Science Projects, item 4
B. Laboratory facilities
1. Project name: Applied Environmental Geosciences Computer Lab
a. Detailed Justification: The department has redirected its curriculum to address more applied and multi-disciplinary environmental applications in order to compete with other national level programs engaged in the earth sciences. We provide a unique program to students by integrating computer-assisted Geospatial Analysis Program with the Applied Environmental Geosciences major. Computer-assisted applications will be used in such areas as ground water, engineering geology, water resources, geochemistry, structural geology. The Lab will be combined with the upper division/meteorology lab and will initially utilize limited space within the Remote Sensing Geographic Information Systems Laboratory (RSGISL), but ultimately additional space will be required.
b. Budget Requirements: (hardware, software, support):
| no. |
Item |
Unit cost |
total |
| 4 |
Pentium Class III PC's |
$1,300 |
$5,200 |
|
Software |
|
$4,000 |
|
|
Total |
$9,200 |
2. Project name: Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System Lab
a. Detailed Justification: In order to accommodate increasing numbers of students in our programs, and to maintain industry standards in software development, additional computer work stations and maintenance of software licensing agreements are needed for the RSGISL. Geospatial analysis (GIS and Remote Sensing) is a key component to many geoscience applications and is currently the fastest growing area of employment for our students. The RSGISL was initially funded in part by grants from the National Science Foundation and NASA, and has become a nationally recognized facility. The Department will continue to seek outside matching funds, which combined with internal financial support, will allow to continue providing a high quality geospatial program to a growing number of students.
b. Budget Requirements:
| no. |
Item |
Unit cost |
total |
| 8 |
Pentium Class III PC's |
$1,300 |
$10,400 |
|
Software |
|
$6,000 |
|
|
Total |
$16,400 |
3. Project name: Computer-assisted Acquisition of Field Data
a. Detailed Justification: Practical ability to conduct and interpret a variety of geologic tests in the field that incorporate computers to acquire large data sets, including applications in hydrology (e.g. well aquifer tests), hazard assessment (e.g. surveying and slope analysis of landslides), and mapping (e.g. use of Global Positioning System (GPS)). Such abilities will better prepare students for future studies and for employment in a variety of government agencies and environmental firms. Two data loggers and one portable PC are needed for students to gain experience in the field data collecting using computers.
b. Budget Requirements:
| no. |
Item |
Unit cost |
total |
| 2 |
Data loggers |
$4,500 |
$9,000 |
| 1 |
Pentium Class III portable |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
|
|
Total |
$11,500 |
C. Instructional technology
1. Project name: Maintenance of Lind Lecture Hall Rm 124 Multimedia System.
a. Detailed Justification: Maintaining the multimedia system in Room 124 of Lind Lecture Hall will require computer upgrades, replacement of a laser disk player, and purchase of new software and visual materials. Maintaining of this system is needed to continue providing up to date presentations to students in a variety of Geoscience classes. This multimedia system has been partly funded by the National Science Foundation grant, and incorporating new multimedia techniques has become an important instrument for teaching geoscience concepts. In order to maintain this system, some hardware and software upgrades are needed.
b. Budget Requirements:
| no. |
Item |
Unit cost |
total |
| 1 |
PC computer upgrade |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
Laser Disk Player |
|
$700 |
|
Software and laser disks |
|
$2,000 |
|
|
Total |
$3,700 |
Mathematics
A. Faculty workstations
1. Project name: Faculty workstations
a. Detailed justification: See science goal #6
b. Budget Requirements: as outlined under College of Science Projects, item 4
B. Instructional Technology
1. Project name: Update the MathEd Computer Lab
a. Project description: Install a multimedia LCD projector, audio/video selector, overhead document camera, laser printer and statistical software package into the MathEd Computer Lab.
b. Detailed justification: This classroom is the primary place where elementary and secondary teachers are trained. The new hardware and software will help prospective teachers to gain a better understanding of the subject matter and learn how to use technology more effectively in the classroom. It will facilitate the display of computer screens, transparencies, printed material and videos. The new software will help students see connections between data sets, graphs and numerical representations as well as to visualize other basic concepts. See Mathematics goals #1,2,4 & 5; Science goals #1,2,3 & 4; General goal #3.
c. Budget Requirements:
| no. |
item |
total |
| 1 |
Panasonic LCD projector |
$3292.24 |
| 1 |
projector ceiling mount and labor |
$620.00 |
| 1 |
audio/video selector |
$50.00 |
| 1 |
Vizcam 1000 document camera |
$995.00 |
| 1 |
Laser printer |
$399.00 |
| 1 |
Fathom dynamic statistics software |
$399.95 |
|
Whiteboards and wiring |
$1000.00 |
|
Total |
$6756.19 |
C. Instructional Software
1. Project name: Update and Upgrade Departmental Software
a. Detailed justification: See General goals #3,5; Science goals #1,2,3,4,5,6 &7; and Mathematics goals #1,2,3,4 &5.
b. Budget Requirements:
Microbiology
A. Faculty workstations
1. Project name: Faculty Workstations
a. Detailed justification: See science goal #6.
b. Budget: as outlined under College of Science Projects, item 4
B. Laboratory facilities
1. Project name: Student Workstations
a. Project description: We have been getting surplus computers for laboratory use. These computers need to be compatible with our needs and handle large files and data from other projects. At the same time they need to be available to our large number of majors to be used for specific assignments and to be used with software not available on the network (microbiology specific).
b. Detailed justification: Our microbiology lab has been acquiring computer-interfaced equipment that generates large data files and Microbiology, molecular biology and other software programs. This could also be useful to faculty in research and to assist in laboratory instruction. See Science goals #1, 3, 5, and 6.
c. Budget Requirements:
| no. |
Item |
Unit cost |
total |
| 2 |
Pentium Class III PC's |
$1,300 |
$2,600 |
2. Project name: Software for Laboratory Use
a. Project description: There is software currently available in the Department (Biolog for microbial identification and BioPro-Control for fermenters) that need to be upgraded. The Department of Microbiology would also like to acquire the following software:
1) Antimicrobial databases for Molecular Modeling and Analysis Pro. This software is microbiology specific and contains detailed information on over 1000+ antimicrobial agents including 3-D molecular structures.
2) BatchPro Designer for simulated throughput analysis, and economic evaluation of batch and continuous processes in industrial and environmental microbiology.
3) Bergey's Manual on CD-ROM for classroom and lab use by students.
b. Detailed justification: See general goal #5, science goal #6
c. Budget Requirements:
| no. |
Item |
Unit cost |
total |
| 1 |
Antimicrobial database |
$300 |
$300 |
| 1 |
BatchPro |
$700 |
$700 |
| 1 |
Bergey's Manual on CD-ROM |
$500 |
$500 |
C. Instructional technology
1. Project name: Multimedia/distance Learning Classroom Equipment for LL127
Note: See College of Science Project #2. (Microbiology Department is the only Department lacking at least one classroom)
2. Project name: Portable Display Projector for Instructional Use.
a. Detailed Justification: Used in laboratory (could be used in many labs) Used in upper- division classes held in various locations in Lind Lecture Hall
b. Budget Requirements: $4500
3. Project name: Flat Bed Scanner for Lecture and Lab Instructional Uses.
a. Detailed Justification: To prepare lecture and Lab instructional material. The Department has only one scanner in the main office and it cannot be used conveniently by all faculty at all times.
b. Budget Requirements: $200
Museum of Natural Science
A. Instructional Technology
1. Project name: Interactive Computer Displays
a. Project description: Two large monitors and computers will be installed in an existing secure glass enclosure with external trackballs for visitor control. A third station will be used for museum staff.
b. Detailed justification: Over 10,000 people visit the College of Science's Museum of Natural Science each year. Large displays are needed that can be viewed by numerous visitors at once and that can be operated by the visitor. A CD-ROM stack will allow visitors to access hypermedia to both expand information available on existing museum displays and introduce topics that are not possible to display in a museum environment. An internet client such as Netscape will allow visitors to access digital images of the earth from space, biology research labs, chemistry and physics simulations, etc. Additionally, a computing station is needed for maintaining and creating museum displays.
c. Budget Requirements:
| no. |
item |
unit cost |
total |
| 3 |
Pentium Class III PC's with
64 MB RAM |
$1300 |
$3900 |
| 2 |
27 inch monitors |
$3000 |
$6000 |
| 1 |
17 inch monitor |
$700 |
$700 |
| 2 |
trackballs and extra wiring |
$50 |
$100 |
| 2 |
CD-ROM drive |
$500 |
$1000 |
| 1 |
Hi resolution color printer |
$1500 |
$1500 |
|
satellite feed connections |
|
$500 |
|
software |
|
$300 |
Physics
A. Faculty workstations
1. Project name: Faculty Workstations
a. Detailed justification: See science goal #6.
b. Budget Requirements: as outlined under College of Science Projects, item 4
B. Laboratory facilities
1. Project name: Electronics Lab: 2 Pentium Class III PC's to replace 2 old IBM XTs
a. Detailed Justification: The old IBM XT-computers are from the 1980's and are greatly outdated for use in a upper division physics laboratory. We must teach modern electronics using contemporary electronics analysis tools.
Software: Electronics Work Bench (10 copies package)
Electronics for Physics Students (10 copies package)
b. Budget Requirements: $6150
2. Project name: Modern Physics and Atomic Physics Labs
a. Detailed Justification: To teach atomic physics it is necessary to have at hand the tools of the trade. This includes a dedicated data acquisition and physical modeling computer together with the necessary software. This is in support of the prime educational mission.
Software: LabView data acquisition software (2 copies) Visual Basic compiler
Hardware: 1 Pentium Class III PC
b. Budget Requirements: $3,900
3. Project name: Laser Optics Lab
a. Detailed Justification: The upper division laser physics laboratory needs modern data acquisition software to efficiently operate the laboratory computer. It also needs a BASIC-language compiler to allow the physics laboratory students to program simulations to compare with their data.
Software: LabView data acquisition software
Visual Basic compiler
b. Budget Requirements: $750
4. Project Name: Computer hardware and software for the Semiconductor Physics and Nanoscale Imaging Laboratory Room SL 122)
Hardware: 2 Pentium Class III PC's
Hardware: Printer
Software: data analysis and graphing package
a. Detailed Justifications: Currently there are two computers in Room 122:
A 133 MHz Pentium running Windows NT. This computer also has a data acquisition card and LabView software to run optical spectroscopies. This computer is connected to the campus network.
A 66 MHz 486 machine running DOS. This machine is essentially dedicated to operating the Atomic Force Microscope. This computer is not connected to the campus network.
Computers: The computers should be upgraded in the near future. They will be the primary computers used for all research-related tasks of the instructor as well as students. In particular, analysis of high-resolution AFM (Atomic Force Microscope) images can be computationally intensive. Because this computer will be used to produce research related documents, it is important that it be able to run all current versions of graphing, spreadsheet and data analysis software efficiently.
Printer: There is currently no printer in either of the two first floor physics labs (SL 122 or SL 118). As a result, students must print material on the second floor. This is not just an inconvenience. Students have weekend and after-hour access to the labs but do not for security reasons have the same access to the department printers. An HP 895 cxi color inkjet printer with an HP jet direct 300 connection box could serve both laboratories.
Software: The data analysis and graphing package IGOR (Wavemetrics $340 academic) could be used for non-linear least-square fitting and other data analysis and to produce professional-quality graphs.
b. Budget Requirements: $3640
5. Project name: Physics Faculty Data Scanner Facility
Software: Omnipage text scanner/recognition for Macintosh
Handware: Printer
a. Detailed Justification: The physics faculty scanner facility currently has no printer. It has scanner software to allow figures to the scanned in as graphics (pixel maps), but lacks text recognition software. With text recognition software, existing text, tables, reference lists etc. can be scanned in, saving a large amount of faculty labor in typing text over again. This will help make the faculty free to be more efficient and more available to students. The cost of the software is low, and the time saving great.
b. Budget Requirements: $950
6. Project name: Observatory
Hardware: 1 Pentium Class III PC ($1250)
1 CCD camera ($7950)
Software: The Sky (sky charting) ($495)
Maxim DL (camera control) ($295)
a. Detailed Justification: This will allow physics majors to do projects involving astrophysics and photometry. It can also be used to support public outreach programs and provide handicap access to the telescopes.
b. Budget Requirements: $9990
C. Instructional Technology
1. Project name: Two copies of Mathematica
a. Detailed Justification: To be installed in the computers used in lecture hall LL121 and SL240. This will aid in classroom presentations, and make physics classes pedagogically better and more enjoyable for the students.
b. Budget Requirements: $1700
2. Project name: Four copies of Fortran compiler
a. Detailed Justification: To be installed in the computers used in the Natural Science Student Lab. This is needed for the recently approved computer course "Scientific Computing with C++ and Fortran". At the present time, Fortran compilers are not available in other general computer labs.
b. Budget Requirements: $2000
3. Project name: Computer and software for Room SL 240
a. Detailed Justification: This room which is used as a classroom for upper division courses and seminars, is equipped with audio-visual equipment and a Macintosh computer. It needs a PC and a copy of a Fortran compiler for the use in the computer oriented courses taught in that room.
b. Budget Requirements: $1500
4. Project name: Physics Cinema Classics Educational laser-disk programs
a. Detailed Justification: These are educational programs that no quality physics department should be without. Many physics demonstrations that are difficult because the experiments are very time consuming. The availability of physics cinema will greatly enhance the capability of the physics instructors to bring direct see for yourself experience to the students at Weber State.
b. Budget Requirements: $849
5. Project name: Mechanical Universe educational programs (Parts I and II)
a. Detailed Justification: These are also educational programs that no quality physics department should be without. Many physics demonstrations that are difficult because the experiments are very time consuming.
b. Budget Requirements: $2700
Zoology
A. Faculty workstations
1. Project name: Faculty computer
a. Detailed justification: See science goal #6.
b. Budget Requirements: as outlined under College of Science Projects, item 4
B. Laboratory facilities
1. Project name: Laboratory Instructional Improvement
a. Project description: The department is in dire need of upgrading its laboratory computer-based instruction in graphics, statistics, simulation exercises, and internet access instruction. The current hardware available for students are antiquated 486 computers (from surplus) and two Pentium portable computers which were acquired through a 1998 ARCC proposal. One HP DeskJet and three Laser Jet printers (all from surplus) are available for the four laboratory classrooms. These four laboratory classrooms instruct approximately six to eight courses per semester. One of the major goals of the department is to build a student computer lab. Because of the space constraints, the department is forced to designate space possibly in the back of one of the four laboratory teaching rooms for this proposed computer lab. The department proposes that computer lab would house six portable computers with surplus printers and a new proposed scanner.
b. Detailed Justification: The proposed four computers in addition to the two existing portable computers will greatly enhanced support for software based instruction. An advantage served with portable computers is the small footprint (space) required especially in their use in the proposed computer lab. All six portable computers would be secured through cabled locks to prevent theft activities. The rational for the acquisition of three PowerBook portables is that five of the eleven members of the Zoology Department use Macintosh computers in their offices and laboratories. The three PowerBook computers will be used for teaching and student class and research activities only, and will be used to run existing software that only runs on a Macintosh. Currently, our faculty have personal software such as, MacClade 3.0, a phylogenetic analysis package which allows exploration of character state evolution both molecular and classical data and PAUP* 4.0 which includes algorithms for parsimony, distance, and maximum likelihood analyses of molecular and classical data, and numerous statistical analyses of such data. Additionally several faculty have educational CD-ROMs which will run faster on a Macintosh system. This enhanced speed is particularly useful in the classroom, where it is important to move from one demonstration to another (sometimes one CD to another) in a short time. In addition, Macintosh users are sometimes not familiar with the Windows operating systems and occasionally have difficulty trouble-shooting or navigating certain programs.
These four additional portable computers would also relieve pressure on the existing two pentium portables which are now continually used for teaching. Rather than taxing the capacity of the two pentium hard drives with software for the entire department, the MacIntosh users could load their software on the Macs and use those exclusively. The department provides many field related courses and opportunities for student field research projects. Thus, the application of portable rather than desktop computers for instruction, instrument recording, and student research under field conditions cannot be over emphasized in terms of convenience, logistics, and compactness.
The scanner will permit the copy of instructional materials from books, magazines, and personal photographs (copy-right laws will be followed). The Statistica software will allow advanced statistical instruction to the students and access to a comprehensive range of statistical analyses for use during preparation of their laboratory reports. Although current university statistical packages are available, the highly rated and user-friendly Statistica software program has several analyses, such as the G-square test which could be used in some of the advanced course. The purchase is just for one package at an academic discount of $300 compared to the normal cost of $1100
c. Budget Requirements: (hardware, software)
| no. |
item |
unit cost |
total |
| 1 |
Pentium Class III portables |
$1,300 |
$1,300 |
| 3 |
PowerBook G3 portables |
$2,500 |
$7,500 |
| 1 |
HP ScanJet 6350Cse |
$500 |
$500 |
| 1 |
Statistica Software |
$300 |
$300 |
|
|
Total |
$9,500 |
