End of the Semester
Today was the final day of classes for the semester. It's an exciting day! In ISAT 252 we set up our projects and evaluated each how well each worked.
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Colin Wright shows excitement for him and Matt Fenzel's project titled Pool Shark version 3000.1.
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I'm testing one of my peer's projects. This one was customized to allow a higher speed tolerance for the balls. This alteration bounces them rapidly around the screen, so fast, that they appear as flashing dots without great movement.
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Merideth Vida, my project partner, is testing another application. You can see the balls bouncing in a line on the screen. In the background you can see the rest of the class testing other applications in the lab.
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Merideth is completing the evaluation form after we tested an application.
Today in class was a lot more relaxed and a great final session before finals. Now the important task of studying for finals begins.
I hope the weather this weekend is nice; however, the outlook looks gloomy. If it's rainy all weekend it will be good incentive to stay in and study for final exams.
Tonight I'm headed to Wilson Hall for the CD release and end-of-year show of The Madison Project! It's going to be an amazing show!
Posted by Matt on April 29, 2005 09:56 AM | Link | Email Matt
Course Evaluations
Last night, Meredith and I finished the coding of our semester project. This is exciting for us because that means that we have the rest of the week to ensure that the application works correctly before delivering it on Friday. The application takes project one and expands it to have up to 20 pool balls bouncing on the pool table at once.
After finishing our meeting I went to my girlfriend's, who is a first-year sophomore living in Eagle Hall, to help her put her room back to the original condition. When she moved in, in August, the beds in her room were lofted; therefore before 23-hour quiet hours beginning on Friday for exams, we had to put the beds back up and take out the carpet. This is significant because it involved the dismantling of both beds and shuffling of furniture. I was impressed when I got there after my ISAT project meeting with her and her roommate's progress.
Today, in lab we celebrated the end of the semester with evaluations (as is normal for JMU classes). This is the opportunity to give your opinion and evaluation of the course, the instructor, the workload, the homework, and the lab components of the course.
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Here Dr. Altaii prepares to leave the room, as faculty are required to do during the evaluation process, but before doing so he is going over a few details before our last large lecture tomorrow and finals next week. Dr. Altaii has been a great professor, and by the way he teaches the course, it is apparent that he cares about his students and their comprehension of the material. I look forward to having him for ISAT 212, Energy Issues in Science and Technology, during summer session in May.
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Here I am finishing my evaluation for Dr. Altaii as the last lab session comes to a close. The form I'm filling out is a standardized ISAT evaluation form. The composition notebook beside me is my lab notebook for ISAT 253.
It's coming to the bittersweet end of another semester.
Posted by Matt on April 26, 2005 10:51 AM | Link | Email Matt
Fourier Analysis
Today, marked the beginning of the last week of classes! HURAH!!! In ISAT 252, we had a project workday for out second semester project that is due on Friday.
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Here Dr. Teate explains the background for Fourier Analysis, as covered today in lecture. He explained the concepts in preparation for our laboratory tomorrow afternoon, using what we've learned today in class.
This week is going to be extremely hectic, as it always is. We move out of the residence halls, right after we finish our finals, so that makes it all the crazier. Studying for exams is fun, while trying to pack up your room.
I've got to finish up studying for a music terms quiz this afternoon. I'll post again soon!
Posted by Matt on April 25, 2005 04:31 PM | Link | Email Matt
Jimmy Eat World & Taking Back Sunday
Last night the convocation center was filled for a sold out show. I was in charge of volunteer security for the University Program Board. It was a great show, there were some people in attendance that wanted to keep others from enjoying, but otherwise it was a great time.
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This is the stage we set up on Wednesday night. There are six 35 foot towers (four in front, two in back, suspending all the lights and speakers from the grid. We assembled the towers and grid pieces and slowly brought each tower upright, then raised the grid using six 1 ton motors. Once it was up about 15 feet we were able to start putting up the stage.
On Thursday, they loaded in the band's equipment which is seen on stage (note that it is divided in about half with the black curtain, the back stage portion has the other band's equipment already set up). Jimmy Eat World brought about 25-30 televisions that they used during their show.
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Here the band's light crew makes final adjustments before the show starts. Beside the light board is the sound board and rack with the computer monitor on it.
After the show we loaded the bands' equipment into their trailer, took down the stage, and lowered the grid and the towers.
I'm sorry that I wasn't able to get pictures of the bands, but photography wasn't allowed at the show.
Posted by Matt on April 22, 2005 04:21 PM | Link | Email Matt
Function Generator
Yesterday in ISAT 253 lab we used Function Generators and Oscilloscopes to learn about High and Low pass filters. We used a breadboard to make a circuit with a resistor and capacitor. We collected data from the circuit to better understand the operation of the filters.
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Here, K, a sophomore ISAT major like me, adjusts the frequency on the function generator to take measurements on the oscilloscope.
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Colin, also a sophomore ISAT major (who is also a Student Ambassador, so you may have seen him on a tour through campus sometime), is reading off the measurement from the oscilloscope for his lab partner. The oscilloscope is the device with the digital screen showing sinusoidal waves in the voltage flowing through the circuit from the function generator on the right with the red digital readout reading "588.80".
It was an exciting morning, as I had the last lecture for ISAT 252, and started working on a lab program to demonstrate knowledge of loops. I hope to have it finished soon, so I can work on load-in for the convocation (abbreviated as the convo) show tomorrow night.
Tonight, I'll be helping to set up the stage in the convo ‘til early tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow, I'll have a lunch appointment with Dr. Altaii do talk about ISAT 253, and prepare for the final exam in a week and a half, so close!
Those of you who are reading, I want to remind you to feel free to use the "Email Matt" link at the bottom of each post, to email me with questions or comments about anything I've posted!
Posted by Matt on April 20, 2005 01:08 PM | Link | Email Matt
A/D Conversion & Looping
This morning I learned how to create loops in Visual Basic, and on Friday I will be doing a lab with loops. I hope the lab isn't hard, as I've got a concert on Thursday night in the Convocation Center, (where JMU Basketball is played) featuring Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday. It should be a great concert.
In 253 today, we discussed binary conversions, which is what allows a computer to read analog sensor signal in a measurement system. This process of binary conversion, for computer analysis and storage is a part of Analog to Digital Conversion (A/D Conversion). Dr. Teate, showed us many examples of binary, however the conversion process is still a little confusing, but that's why he assigned a homework... to reinforce and allow understanding of the conversions.
In the scope of the semester, we are almost done! With 2 weeks left there are more semester projects, labs, and homework due over top each other... so I apologize in advance if my posts get a bit shorter, however I'll try to keep the frequency the same. Classwork takes priority in my life, however, I try and manage my time so that I can accomplish some extras (like the concert on Thursday) to maintain sanity.
Besides classes, college is also about learning to manage your time between social interaction and educational development.
Posted by Matt on April 18, 2005 03:50 PM | Link | Email Matt
Water Quality, RFID, and Critical Systems Control
I went to three senior symposium presentations, all were very thorough and informative. The first presentation was titled RFID: A Technology to Change the Future, about RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) Tag technology, which is used in speedpass, and EZpass systems. Matt Kudla, the senior presenting RFID, discussed the history of RFID, and what his research showed was the future of RFID. He also detailed the frequency spectrum that it operates on, and the data acquisition system.
I attended the presentation titled Wirelessly Interfacing with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Software Monitoring Critical Systems, presented by Mike Barnes. He continued a previous senior thesis by finishing a PDA control interface for a critical system. The example he described used a Pocket PC to control a Nuclear Power Plant temperature system. For this application it is essential to have a secure wireless communication system. He described the new wireless security system that will be implemented to secure these networks. Barnes also admitted that the Nuclear scenario was going to happen later in the Future. He also described the system being implemented into the Harrisonburg City Public Transit System, which will allow a student to stand at a bus stop in a Wireless hotspot and check on their PDA the location of the bus that's running late.
The final presentation I attended was titled Probing Water Quality at McGaheysville Dam and the JMU Farm, by Andrew Boyd, Ian DeVivi, Jason Wynne. This project was a three part project:
- Monitor the water quality while removing a dam on a river in McGaheysville
- Develop a continuous water quality monitoring system for the JMU Farm on the North River
- Develop a web interface that will allow access to the water quality data from the JMU Farm monitoring site
Each of the seniors was responsible for a separate section, however they worked together throughout.
Their research found was inconclusive in finding the results from removing the dam, because of so many external variables such as temperature and aquatic life change.
The system they developed for water quality monitoring was a system to use a cell phone and data logger to record and send the data to server at JMU that stores the data in a SQL (Structured Query Language) database. The SQL database is a relational database that allows the manipulation and access of the data stored, basically a Microsoft Access database.
The web interface was created using Visual Basic a Microsoft application that develops applications (What I'm learning in ISAT 252) and ASP.NET which is a overlay that allows the VB application to be adapted and published as a website. Using the web interface the user could access the water quality data recorded at the JMU Farm.
Sorry, I didn't provide pictures, but I felt it was inappropriate to take pictures during a presentation and the question and answer portions were short, and the lighting was bad. I know, it sound's like a bunch of excuses, but I didn't want to post bad pictures. Now, my weekend has begun and I'm going to try and relax for a day, and then back to work on ISAT Lab reports for ISAT 252, and ISAT 253.
Posted by Matt on April 15, 2005 11:41 AM | Link | Email Matt
ISAT Senior Symposium
Tomorrow is the ISAT Senior Symposium; it's a time for the seniors of ISAT to present their senior thesis projects. It's an exciting day, because you get to see what ISAT seniors have developed. The projects cover each of the concentrations of ISAT. One of the projects that stuck in my mind from last year is a project developed as a restaurant order management system, which included the software for a Pocket PC to be used by a waiter to take orders, to the queue system for the kitchen, and finally the order status interface for the manager of the restaurant. I'm looking forward to the projects this year. It's also nice because there aren't any ISAT classes on that day, and usually they have extra credit, or assign attendance to several of the senior projects relating to the courses you are enrolled in. I'll be attending at least one IKM, and several others for credit in ISAT 253 and ISAT 252. For a full list of the senior projects that are being presented, check out the ISAT Symposium Schedule.
Tuesday's exam in ISAT 253 wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. There was a strong emphasis on First and Second Order systems which is something I knew better than the other material.
On Wednesday in ISAT 252, we developed a Class to represent student data for a grade reporting application. This reinforced the lecture from last Friday, April 11th. After the lab, I had my scheduling appointment, which is really a digital appointment to go online to E-Campus and register for classes. I was able to get into MUS 204, History of Rock, as well as classes for the IKM, Biotech, and Telecom sectors.
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Before scheduling I met with Dr. Benzing, my faculty advisor, and discussed which classes I needed to take for each sector. He also teaches ISAT 253, and is shown here looking over some lab materials during my lab on Tuesday.
The weather has gotten cooler, which is standard for the valley, as it fluctuates often during the spring. However it has remained sunny throughout, which is nice. I hope it stays nice as the weekend is almost here. It's hard to believe that the semester is almost over, with 2 full weeks of classes and then finals week. Then summer is here! I'll be around over the summer, as I'm taking an ISAT class during summer session with Dr. Altaii. Summer session is optional, but I've done it both summers I've been at JMU and recommend it, as it helps lighten your regular semesters by a class or two.
I'll let you know what symposium presentations I go to in my next post, hopefully I'll get some good pictures of the presentations!
Posted by Matt on April 14, 2005 02:05 PM | Link | Email Matt
Beautiful Weather
Springtime has arrived around campus, as it's becoming extremely difficult to stay in class, finish homework/projects and focus on what needs to be done to finish the semester. All because the sun is shining and the air is warm. Yesterday afternoon I sat out by Newman Lake as I did some mathematics calculations for ISAT 253.
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This is the beautiful view of Newman Lake from where I was sitting under a willow tree. There I finished my calculations needed for the lecture I'm headed off to now.
Today's lecture in 253 will begin a new focus on signal conditioning analog to digital conversions. Tomorrow night is an exam in this class, something many of us are not looking forward to. Though necessary, it will be the worst part of my Tuesday evening.
Time to study and prepare.
Posted by Matt on April 11, 2005 02:14 PM | Link | Email Matt
Classes and Objects in Visual Basic
Today we learned about the application of classes and objects when coding in Visual Basic. This is all in preparation for our next lab using what we've learned (I'll tell you more about it when it's assigned).
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Dr. Cushman is explaining the concepts for coding in my ISAT 252 class. I enjoy the class, it's a basic introduction before I start taking courses in the Information Knowledge Management (IKM) sector next semester.
This afternoon I met with my partner to work on finishing our first project for ISAT 252. Unfortunately we weren't able to finish, as there seems to be some problems with the mathematics in the program, so we've scheduled a meeting with Dr. Cushman on Monday to work out the kinks. I've found that ISAT professors are very willing to work with students to get them to understand concepts outside of class. Email makes the difference, because that's the way their scheduling works.
Last night I sat down and attempted to plan out the courses I need to take before I graduate. When I'd finished the next two years at JMU had been planned out. Kind of scary that graduation is coming so soon. Using this plan I'll try and schedule on E-Campus (JMU's online registration system) next week during my scheduling appointment. I'm trying for ISAT 340 - Software Development for IKM, CIS 320 - Telecommunications, and ISAT 305 - BioTech Lab and ISAT 350 - Biotechnology for the New Millennium I. Besides those ISAT courses I'm also going to try and get into MUS 204 - History of Rock and Roll. Wish me luck as I race against time to get my classes!
Posted by Matt on April 8, 2005 04:29 PM | Link | Email Matt
First Order Responses
Yesterday in lab for ISAT 253 we used a thermocouple connected to a computer terminal to record the temperature change that occurs when we move the thermocouple from boiling water to ice water.
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This image shows the thermocouple (orange wire) in the boiling water with the ice water beside it. The gray box behind it is where the thermocouple is connected, which is then connected to the computer to aquire the data.
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The computer interface shows the graph of aquired data from the thermocouple. My lab partner, Krista is running the computer and taking data for calculations. The lab calculations use knowledge from the lectures to complete the lab.
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My Professor, Dr. Altaii signs my lab notebook and checks to make sure I've taken acurate notes.
Today, in my Visual Basic class we started programming a casino application that allows you to simulate the rolling of dice and betting on possible outcomes. I'll write more once I've finished writing the code for this application, and I've finished the calculations from the ISAT 253 lab.
Posted by Matt on April 6, 2005 12:56 PM | Link | Email Matt
Instrumentation and Measurement
I just wanted to drop a note before ISAT 253, Instrumentation and Measurement. In this class we discuss and learn about the many instrumentation methods and measurement tools. We discuss sensitivity and uncertainty. Last week we had the opportunity to use an infrared temperature measurement device.
This device displays the temperature of a surface without contact. After using this device we discussed many other temperature sensing devices and their sensitivities, as well as their application.
With the experience we gain from labs and lectures we will be able to adapt and learn continuously for the rest of our lives. Now, time for a 253 lecture.
Posted by Matt on April 4, 2005 11:16 AM | Link | Email Matt
Cross Sectional Analysis
With my first post I'd like to give some of my biography and my purpose for this blog.
I was asked by Dr. Cushman, who teaches ISAT 252 a Visual Basic .NET course, to blog about my experiences around campus and in ISAT. I'm excited about this opportunity to share my experiences with others. I hope by sharing what I've learned I can help others understand what Integrated Science and Technology really is. If when reading there are ever any questions, feel free to contact me directly. If you want to know more about the general ISAT program I refer you to the wikipedia (online open-source encyclopedia) entry about ISAT.
During my two years at JMU I've never had a hard time of finding things to do. It's often hard to find time that I'm not doing anything. In ISAT I’ve completed most of the base courses and am preparing to start the sector courses next semester.
I am currently working for Dr. Frysinger on a Law Enforcement Intelligence Gathering project for Shenandoah National Park. For this project I've been working closely with the Law Enforcement (LE) Rangers to develop a system with a laptop to put in their patrol vehicles so that they can be better LE Officers. This internship project has supplemented and reinforced what I’ve learned in my classes about social integration.
The emphasis that ISAT faculty and curriculum places on social effects and real-world application of technology is one of my favorite things about the ISAT program. This training offers a sense of respect for things outside your realm of expertise. Something that should happen more in today’s society.
Around campus I'm a member of University Program Board. This student organization brings concerts, movies and other exciting events to campus. In the past I've worked on the following UPB Convocation Shows:
- Phil Vassar – Fall 2003
- 311 – Fall 2003
- Maroon 5, Rahzel, Less Than Jake – Spring 2004
- Black Eyed Peas, The Wylde Bunch – Fall 2004
And in a few weeks I’ll be working the Jimmy Eat World, Taking Back Sunday concert. UPB is a just one of the many student organizations to be involved with.
That's the beginning of the analysis, more to follow – but an ISAT Lab calls my name.
Posted by Matt on April 1, 2005 11:39 AM | Link | Email Matt
