David J. Powell

Teaching web programming using the Google Cloud

This paper describes a novel approach to incorporate web-based programming techniques in the undergraduate computer science curriculum using Google App Engine as the target platform. This approach provides students with a production-level understanding of current web-based programming. A description of the course materials along with the advantages of the approach are given.

A NSGA-II, web-enabled, parallel optimization framework for NLP and MINLP

Engineering design increasingly uses computer simulation models coupled with optimization algorithms to find the best design that meets the customer constraints within a time constrained deadline. The continued application of Moores law combined with linear speedups of coarse grained parallelization will allow more designs to be evaluated in shorter periods of time. This paper presents a scalable, standards based framework that uses web services and grid services with a multiple objective genetic algorithm to solve continuous, mixed integer, single objective or multiple objective nonlinear, constrained design problems. Test data is provided to validate a linear speedup based on the number of processors and to show the robustness of the genetic algorithm on a set of 10 design problems.

Genetic algorithms: a fundamental component of an optimization toolkit for improved engineering designs

Optimization is being increasing applied to engineering design problems throughout the world. iSIGHT is a generic engineering design environment that provides engineers with an optimization toolkit of leading optimization algorithms and an optimization advisor to solve their optimization needs. This paper focuses on the key role played by the toolkits genetic algorithm in providing a robust, general purpose solution to nonlinear continuous, mixed integer nonlinear and integer combinatorial problems. The robustness of the genetic algorithm is demonstrated on successful application to 30 engineering benchmark problems and the following three real world problems: a marine naval propeller, a heart pacemaker and a jet engine turbine airfoil.

Computer science III: a required course on client-server computing

Cisco predicts that over 14 billion devices will be connected over the internet by the year 2010 [2]. The internet has changed the way we live, play, work and learn. The majority of software applications that are under development or will be developed in the next five to ten years will be distributed. The Elon faculty have added a required course, Computer Science III, to insure that every computer science undergraduate has foundational client server concepts and skills. This paper discusses the development and implementation of a Computer Science III course.