This proposal will enhance the curriculum in upper division major courses by establishing a high performance workstation laboratory and assigning projects using the workstations and specialized software packages. The specific courses and curricular enhancements are as follows. (1) a new course, systems performance modelling, which will use a variety of simulation tools to model and analyze computer systems in student projects will be developed. (2) The computer graphics course will be enhanced through inclusion of the PHIG standard and assignments utilizing a PHIG software package. (3) The numerical analysis course will be expanded to include use of a modern numerical analysis programming package for solution and graphing of representative problems and the inclusion of symbolic computations. (4) The modelling and simulation course will use sophisticated simulation tools to design more detailed and graphically enhanced models. (5) The data communications course will use specially designed network simulation tools to introduce pseudo "hands-on" projects not previously possible. (6) Interactive LISP, available free from the University of Texas, will allow enhanced capabilities in the LISP, artificial intelligence, and programming languages courses. (7) Undergraduates will be encouraged to use the workstations and tools provided to complete research projects proposed but not completed due to lack of resources. (8) If possible, additional software such as CASE tools, circuit simulators, C++, PROLOG, and databases will be acquired and projects incorporated into the corresponding classes.
