Cyberinfrastructure – Changing the Face of Science & Engineering John D. Fernandez, Ph.D. Chair, Computing Sciences Opportunities for Broadening Participation

Engineering Degrees Twenty five years ago the U. S., Japan and China graduated a similar number of engineers ranging from 73,000 to 80,000, while Korean engineering graduates totaled just 28,000. By 2000: Chinese engineering graduates increased 161% to 207,500 Japanese engineering graduates increased 42% to 103,200 Korean engineering graduates increased 140% to 56,500 U. S. engineering graduates declined 20% to 59,500 Source: National Science Foundation, Science and Engineering Indicators, 2004.

State of U.S. Higher Education 55% of engineering degrees from American universities are going to foreign nationals. 55% 45% U.S. ranks 8th in the availability of scientists and engineers. India ranks 3rd. US ranks 37 th in quality of math an science education, behind nations such as Israel, Scotland and Korea. Source: World Economic Forum

Rising Above the Gathering Storm “Because our economic, military, and cultural well-being depends on continued science and engineering leadership, the nation faces a compelling call to action” (p. 106).

Rising Above the Gathering Storm The U.S. cannot rely on a long-term strategy of importing its S&E workforce. Instead, it must cultivate the untapped resource of talented yet underrepresented groups within the country. Many who entered the S&E workforce in the 1960s and 70s (the baby boomers) are expected to retire in the next 20 years, and their children are not choosing careers in S&E in the same numbers as their parents.

Compelling Call to Action About one third of all jobs in the U.S. require a science or technology competency Science and engineering jobs are growing at 300% of the rate in other fields The national Hispanic rate of growth is 3.6% while Hispanics declaring CS as a major has only increased by 1.2%

Evangelize with the Truth Myths If you major in computer science, you can’t find a job All the jobs are gone, or have moved to India Truths Computer Science is one of the fastest growing job fields Simultaneously, enrollment is down because folks believe in the myth Results: For those who choose computing sciences, prospects look very good P. Conrad, University of Delaware

Speaking the Truth Computing Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institutions (CA-HSI) –Florida International University –California State University Dominguez Hills –New Mexico State University –Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi –University of Houston, Downtown –University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez –University of Texas at El Paso

CA-HSI Project Goals To increase the number of Hispanic students who enter the computing workforce with advanced degrees To support the retention and advancement of Hispanic faculty in computing To develop and sustain competitive education and research programs at HSIs

CA-HSI Interventions A course designed to attract majors and bolster under-prepared students Peer-facilitation in the gatekeeper courses to provide an active learning experience and create leadership roles for undergraduates Undergraduate professional development and research experiences inside and outside the classroom Workshops to develop cohorts of graduate students and faculty On-line resources for students and faculty in support of CA-HSI goals

CA-HSI at TAMU-CC Alice programming environment for CS-0 course Peer-Led Team Learning for CS-0, CS-1 and CS-2 Affinity Research Groups –Networking and Security –Computer-Human Interaction –Scientific and Parallel Computing –Software Engineering

Texas Coastal Ocean Observation Network

Texas Coastal Ocean Observation Network Started 1988Started 1988 Over 50 stationsOver 50 stations Primary SponsorsPrimary Sponsors –General Land Office –Water Devel. Board –US Corps of Engineers –National Ocean Service Project StaffProject Staff –2 PhD, 10 FTE staff –50+ students employed since 1992 Gulf of Mexico

TCOON Overview MeasurementsMeasurements –Precise Water Levels –Wind –Temperature –Barometric Pressure Follows NOAA/NOS standardsFollows NOAA/NOS standards Real-time, online databaseReal-time, online database

TCOON Data Management Automated Acquisition, Archive, Processing, RetrievalAutomated Acquisition, Archive, Processing, Retrieval 15-year Historical Database15-year Historical Database Most processing takes place via InternetMost processing takes place via Internet Infrastructure for other observation systemsInfrastructure for other observation systems

TCOON Research Real-time Automated Data ProcessingReal-time Automated Data Processing Telecommunications / Network ProtocolsTelecommunications / Network Protocols Tidal Datum ProcessingTidal Datum Processing Web-based Visualization and Manipulation of Coastal DataWeb-based Visualization and Manipulation of Coastal Data Specialized sensor and data acquisition system developmentSpecialized sensor and data acquisition system development Neural-Network-based forecasts from real-time observationsNeural-Network-based forecasts from real-time observations Support for other research efforts (e.g., HRI)Support for other research efforts (e.g., HRI)

Data Collection Systems PC-104 based computerPC-104 based computer Linux operating systemLinux operating system Solid-state Flash memorySolid-state Flash memory 10 serial ports, 16 A/D channels10 serial ports, 16 A/D channels Low power consumptionLow power consumption Rugged for harsh environmentsRugged for harsh environments

Remote Controlled Shallow Draft Vehicle

Shallow-Water Remote Monitoring Project Objective: Develop a system to perform water-quality sampling and analysis in shallow water (<3ft) regions

Shallow-Water Remote Monitoring Limitations of existing monitoring methods for shallow-water areas –Shallow-water bays and estuaries are complex environments requiring dense sampling –Human-centered sampling methods often disturb environment being tested

Current approach: –Fixed position data collection (TCOON) –Man-controlled boat in areas with water 3 ft or deeper –Programmed robots/boats (many are submersible) ROV capabilities: –Reach hard to access areas e.g. soft bottom, contaminated, or other hazardous situations Collect data remotely, minimize disturbances to the test area Cover wide areas compared to fixed positions –Easy to deploy Why ROV?

ROV Prototypes

ROV Summary The programmatic control of the vessel has been achieved Chassis needs to be redesigned Future –Add vision capabilities (cameras) –Autonomous navigation capabilities –Internet based control and data presentation –Shift toward scientific sensor integration and database connectivity

Corpus Christi’s WiFi Cyberinfrastructure

City’s WiFi Vision The city of Corpus Christi’s wireless network is a strategic investment in the community that will allow residents, visitors and businesses an entry point to new markets and the benefits of the Internet and WiFi applications. The WiFi network will enable economic development, enhance governmental services, and reinforce educational opportunities.

City’s View of Benefits Enables Educational, Retail and Entertainment Organizations to engage in ever expanding conveniences and services Empowers private citizens to make better decisions based on more accurate information concerning City utilities and applications Enables greater access to a wide variety of Low-Cost communication applications

Physical mesh network Originally 24 square miles “live” Enhancements to over 100 square miles

City Strategy - I Government Network Service AMR, Mobile Applications, Automated Vehicle Location, Internet Phone Free Access to Community Portal E-Government, Education, Health Care, News, Shopping Value Added Services - Personal Productivity

City Strategy - II E-Commerce Application Service Provider Low Cost Online Store Front Integrated Marketplace Network Expansion Digital Community Network Development and Management Service Metro Area Communities and Beyond

Uniqueness of TAMU-CC CI Only Metropolitan-Wide WiFi Network Coastal WiFi and Marine Sensor Integration Opportunities Development of mobile computing devices that take advantage of these capabilities Multi-spectral data integration opportunities

Called to Serve