Paul J. Wagner

Designing and implementing a cyberwar laboratory exercise for a computer security course

The development of a cyberwar laboratory exercise for a computer security course raises many pedagogical and management issues relating to the structure of the laboratory, its network and the exercise itself. We have designed, implemented and given such an exercise, and faced many of these issues. Evaluation of this exercise leads to multiple insights about the proper goals, structure and implementation of such an exercise.

Using testing and JUnit across the curriculum

While the usage of unit-testing frameworks such as JUnit has greatly increased over the last several years, it is not immediately apparent to students and instructors how to best use tools like JUnit and how to integrate testing across a computer science curriculum. We have worked over the last four semesters to infuse testing and JUnit across our curriculum, building from having students use JUnit to having them write their own test cases to building larger integration and use case testing systems to studying JUnit as an example of good application of design patterns. We have found that, based on this increased presentation and structuring of the usage of JUnit and testing, students have an increased understanding and appreciation of the overall value of testing in software development.

Developing real-world programming assignments for CS1

Instructors have struggled to generate good programming assignments for the CS1 course. In attempting to deal with this issue ourselves, we have generated two real-world programming assignments that can be solved by most students yet generate challenges for advanced students. We present our overall criteria for a quality programming assignment in CS1, details of the two example assignments, and other issues stemming from the generation and management of these assignments.

A query simulation system to illustrate database query execution

The underlying processes that enable database query execution are fundamental to understanding database management systems. However, these processes are complex and can be difficult to explain and illustrate. To address this problem, we have developed a Java-based query simulation system that enables students to visualize the steps involved in processing DML queries. We performed a field experiment to evaluate the system, and the results suggest that the system improves student comprehension of the query execution process.

Hybrid and custom data structures: evolution of the data structures course

The topic of data structures has historically been taught with two major focuses: first, the basic definition and implementation of a small set of basic data structures (e.g. list, stack, queue, tree, graph), and second, the usage of these basic data structures as provided by a data structures framework in solving larger application problems. We see a further evolution of data structures to include new generations of hybrid and custom data structures, implying that our students must not only understand how to use these new data structures but that they continue to understand low-level implementation issues so that they can develop the next generation of data structures needed in the future. We suggest that the data structures course evolve to reflect these new generations of data structures.

Using scientific data to teach a database systems course

Database systems instructors face an ongoing challenge to develop meaningful assignments for their courses. We have found that instructors can successfully use large scientific datasets in teaching a database systems course to better prepare students for real-world database systems work.

Integrating XML into a database systems course

eXtensible Markup Language (XML) is becoming a standard tool for data storage and transmission. Integrating XML into current database systems courses provides students with an understanding of the growing role of XML in data management and manipulation. We have successfully designed and implemented several exercises for a database systems course in the context of a real-world software project that educate students as to how XML relates to current Database Systems course topics.

Teaching data modeling: process and patterns

While competition for scarce space in a Database Systems course curriculum increases, the amount of time spent in many such courses on data modeling decreases. We instead recommend increasing the amount of time spent in the study of data modeling and encourage data model study beyond formalism syntax. We do this in an attempt to help computer science students better understand complex data domains and to help develop higher-level skills that serve them well in a job market threatened by the increased outsourcing of lower level programming jobs. We further recommend the study of process skills as part of data modeling, and develop the idea of data patterns to assist students in the development of advanced data modeling skills.

A portable computer security workshop

We have developed a computer security workshop designed to instruct post-secondary instructors who want to start a course or laboratory exercise sequence in computer security. This workshop has also been used to provide computer security education to IT professionals and students. It is effective in communicating basic computer security principles as well as an understanding of some of the significant tools and techniques in this area. Evaluations of the workshop have been very positive; we will offer the workshop locally, regionally, and nationally in the next year. The materials from this workshop are available at http://clics.cs.uwec.edu/workshopmaterials.htm.

Undergraduate cyber security course projects

1 Summary Computer science educators are increasingly being asked to provide education in the area of computer security, and a number of institutions are offering computer security courses and developing computer security programs. However, there is a need for computer security educators to develop “hands-on” projects that enable their students to move beyond a theoretical understanding of the field and develop practical skills that can be used in implementing secure computer systems for their future business and government employers.