9452525 Dorf Traditionally, computer software development courses have produced projects with small numbers of homogeneous users requiring limited maintenance and which run on a single platform as opposed to products which are distributed to large numbers of diverse users, run on multiple platforms, and which are upgraded and re-released many times. This proposal focuses on establishing a software product development laboratory in an effort to provide students with the product development experience that many will need upon graduation. Initially, the laboratory will be for development and maintenance of a multimedia student/campus directory for distribution and use by the students and staff of The University of Toledo and possibly other institutions. This user population will force development for multiple platforms and provide a significant user population for evaluation of the product. Due to the amount of information and the variety of queries to be supported, database engineering will be a significant factor in the development of the product. To provide this expertise, Software Engineering and Database Systems classes will be required to work together to design a solution. The first year a basic, but usable, product will be developed and distributed on campus. The following year's Software Engineering and Database Systems students will be required to maintain the previously distributed product by providing bug fixes and enhancing its capabilities. This software product development laboratory will provide the facilities for a realistic development experience.
