By ALISA THOMAS

Staff Writer

Senior computer science majors presented “Project Watson,” a collection of interactive laboratories, during the annual spring Senior Design Conference held May 7 in Bogard Hall.

Patterson, project director and code of management team leader and a senior computer science major, considers the group’s performance a lesson in preparing seniors for their first job after graduation.

“Our performance shows that Tech’s computer science students are capable of developing professional quality software that is ready for the market,” Patterson said. “It is our hope that any computer science student attending the conference left inspired to strive for excellence in their own work.”

“Project Watson” is designed to teach fundamental computing concepts to a freshman audience.

Micheal O’Neal, computer science program chairman and an associate professor of computer science communications, said the project mimics the real world.

“We organize Capstone so that it closely models real-world software development efforts,” O’Neal said.

Capstone design is a two-year long project in which students present their method of teaching computing basics to the faculty, adding information supporting their findings and an explanation of why and how it is beneficial to the customer.

Components of “Project Watson” included an overview of the project, code management, bug tracking, graphics and Web site development and the finished product.

Hisham E. Hegab, conference coordinator and an associate professor of mechanical engineering, considers the conference a chance for others to see what Tech’s seniors have accomplished.

“The conference is to provide an opportunity for the seniors in engineering and computer science to showcase their Capstone design projects,” Hegab said. “It is held to coincide with the industrial advisory board meeting for the various programs in our college.”

Students took on important roles in designing this project and making it successful.

Other students in leadership positions with this project are senior computer science majors Tarun Agnani, head of testing and the bug-reporting team; Louis Landry, head of the Web site and graphics team, and Nicholas Richardson, head of the documentation team. Brandon George was also a team member and contributor to Project Watson.

The computer science department has participated in Senior Design Conference for the past three years.

O’Neal notes the conference as visual evidence of the success of the students’ projects and research.

“[It] is an excellent opportunity for engineers and computer scientists to present the results of their design projects to the students, faculty, staff and alumni of the university,” O’Neal said.

“Additionally, representatives from the industrial advisory board frequently attend the conference giving [them] an opportunity to see our students ‘in action.'”