Council on Academic Computing

January 14, 2009

Meeting Summary

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Department of Computer Science

Rami Melham, Chair of the Department of Computer Science, discussed his department’s research foci. Departmental faculty conduct research in each of the core areas of computer science: artificial intelligence, algorithms, databases, systems, and networks. Faculty members are also expanding into new areas, such as data visualization and medical imaging. The department’s research is often interdisciplinary in nature, since individuals within the department collaborate with faculty members from other departments within the School of Arts and Sciences and from the University’s other schools. Many of these research programs carry over into the department’s educational mission. Interdisciplinary educational programs include: intelligent systems, scientific computing, computer engineering, computational biology, bioinformatics, and telecommunications.

Report from Computing Services and Systems Development

Jinx Walton, Director of Computing Services and Systems Development, discussed CSSD’s strategic plan. The plan will formalize the unit’s priorities for the near future. Her staff is currently conducting benchmarking surveys in order to gauge how other universities manage their computing resources. CSSD will then solicit input from the University’s faculty members, staff, and students.