The Department of Computer Science will establish a Computer Graphics and Visualization Laboratory to address the increasing interest and demand for instruction in data visualization techniques, for both majors and non-majors. The project will allow the creation of the laboratory featuring a cluster of powerful UNIX workstations configured with hardware, peripherals, and software specifically to support high- performance computer graphics. The laboratory will enable the department to enhance and extend two existing major courses, Computer Graphics and Advanced Graphics and Visualization, and to offer for the first time service courses focusing specifically on advanced visualization techniques. The development plan calls for the immediate introduction of a course targeted at science majors, Data Visualization and Display Techniques, with the possibility of other service courses being added later to address the needs of other potential user groups. The laboratory's graphical environment will support both these regular courses and special projects, and will extend the level of training beyond what is possible with the currently available PC-instructional clusters. With the new laboratory, the students can gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art graphics and visualization technologies and better prepare themselves for careers in research, public service, or industry.
