Improving Computer Science Through an Exploratory Laboratory Course

计算机科学专业通过引入探索性研究性编程，可以显著提高学生的解题能力。这种编程通常不会出现在正常学习过程中的计算机科学课程中，但可以与其他科学专业经常进行的探索性学习相媲美。这个项目的目标是向学生介绍正在进行的大型软件项目框架内的探索性编程技术。在整个实验室中，学生们从事与移动机器人导航有关的五个不同的项目，并具有探索性组件。这些项目向学生介绍了当前的技术，如X-Windows编程和Unix TCP/IP网络编程，同时也要求学生对复杂的硬件设备进行编程，如立体视觉系统和各种传感器。学生在研究编程和大型团队编程项目方面接受出色的培训，以帮助那些继续进入强大的软件开发公司或优秀研究生院的人。该设备不仅惠及大学生和教职员工，也惠及数理中心和当地高中。*

Computer science majors can significantly enhance their ability to solve problems through introduction to exploratory research programming. This kind of programming is not typically found in computer science classes in the normal course of study but is comparable with the kind of explorative study performed regularly by other science majors. The objective of this project is to introduce students to exploratory programming techniques in the framework of large-scale, ongoing software projects. Throughout the laboratory, students pursue five different projects pertaining to mobile robot navigation and having exploratory components. These projects introduce students to current technology such as X-Windows programming and Unix TCP/IP network programming, while also requiring students to program sophisticated hardware devices such as stereo vision system, and various sensors. Students receive excellent training in research programming and large-scale team programming projects to benefit those who go on to strong software development firms or excellent graduate schools. The equipment benefits not only the university students and faculty, but also the Mathematics and Science Center and local area high schools. *