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From: kurt@pyuxhh.UUCP (K A Gluck)
Newsgroups: net.college
Subject: Re: cs dept woes.
Message-ID: <596@pyuxhh.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 24-Apr-84 13:49:05 EST
Article-I.D.: pyuxhh.596
Posted: Tue Apr 24 13:49:05 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 26-Apr-84 01:25:30 EST
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Piscataway N.J.
Lines: 88

I received both my MS and BS degrees in Comp Sci from RPI
(Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute).

I started in 1976 received my BS in 1980.
I then spent 1 semester at RIT and 1 at NYU, before returning to RPI.
I completed my MS in 1982 (and am working on a Ph.D at Rutgers).

~5000 students in the university (mostly engineering).

Comp Sci major is in the Mathematical Sciences Dept of the School of Science.
Computer & Systems Engineering is in the Electrical, Computer, and Systems
Engineering Dept (in the Engineering School).

Major facilities:

Mainframe)  When I started the school had a 360/67.  This was replaced in 1979
            with a 3033.  Last December they replaced the 3033 with a 3081 twin
            processor.
            Because the operating system (MTS) is being modified to run o
            on it (under XA), the 3081 is only 50% operational.  As of the
            summer it will be 100%.
            
Graphics)   On the mainframe is a drum plotter, and a user area 4 pen HP
            plotter.  Also 2 Tektronics work stations (This is the small stuff).
            In the Comp Sci lab is a Ramtek 16 color graphics 
            computer/terminal (again small stuff).
	    In the engineering building is the Center for Interactive Computer
	    Graphics, with twin Prime 800's (?) with ~36 Imlac graphics 
            terminals (This is for students).
	    They also have an IBM 4??? (small 370) that is
            used for graphics research as well as other Primes etc .......
	    Some of the research equipment is also used occasionally 
            in courses.
            An op. system course plays with the 4???.
            An intro. graphics course goes in to the Image Processing Lab 
            (which I haven't described) and plays with the almost state of
            the art equipment.

Other)
	    The Engineering school also has at least 1 HP3000 and
            some Vax's.

	    The Comp Sci Dept has a Vax running Berkeley Unix.
            (I am trying to find them a news feed).

Really neat)
            IBM donated a machine for E-beam chip lithography 
            which can make almost state of the art chips.


---> When I got there the library building was 1 year old.
	The eng center opened my first year (I think).
	The security building is new (who cares ?).
        A "new" computer center opened (a converted chapel) my junior year -
        very impressive, with stained glass windows in the terminal rooms.
	They are building yet another big building because the 7 story
	Eng. Center filled up with computers (I exaggerate a little).
	Its just that when they planned it in the 70's they didn't
	leave enough room for the computers.  It does have
	an attached multi-story high bay lab where the
	Eng majors do things like build composite gliders, and
	mess with robot arms (except it looks like the IPL people
	with their graphics are having more fun with simulated robots).

Bad part)
	The program in Comp Sci is VERY math oriented and getting worse.
	They are also short of staff. BUT I have never heard horror stories 
        like those I have heard on the net about other schools. 
        There are comparatively few courses taught by TA's and faculty
        welcomes interactions with students.
        If you want one of their 90 credit Ph.D's, you might have trouble 
        finding enough courses that interest you.
	Major core courses (at least while I was there) could not close out.
	Another section would be arranged.
	Enrollment in advanced courses (especially those requiring lab
        facilities) would occasionally be restricted.  This is not done
        on a first-come-first-served basis.  Instead professors review each
        student's reasons for taking the course (which are recorded at
        registration time for limited enrollment courses) and decide
        who gets in accordingly.  Juniors and Seniors in the major are
        pretty sure bets - Seniors outside the major.

        I took lots of Independent Study, because I enjoyed it. 


-- 
Kurt Gluck SPL 1c273a  Bell Communications Research Inc 6 Corporate Place	Piscataway NJ, 08854
      ihnp4!pyuxhh!kurt                   (201)-561-7100 x2023