| For a while now, I feel like I haven't been challenged enough. Writing papers for my dissertation is definitely time-consuming, but it's more meticulously logical than mind-expanding. And while it's nice to not be stressed out, I feel like I'm not learning and growing unless I push myself. So, I've been doing a couple things lately to get outside of my comfort zone.
First, I've been taking a class that's totally outside my field of expertise. Here it is:
Engineering and Computer Science 277. Advanced Visualization (4)
Texts:
• Schroeder, Martin, Lorensen, “The Visualization Toolkit,” 4th ed., Kitware, 2006, ISBN 1-930934-19-X
• Recommended: Farin, “Curves and Surfaces for CAGD,” 5th ed., Morgan Kaufmann, 2002, ISBN 1-558607-37-4
• “IEEE Visualization,” “SIGGRAPH,” and “IEEE Trans. on Visualization & Computer Graphics” papers
Objectives:
• Learn about data approximation and interpolation methods
• Learn about higher-degree approximation for visualization
• Learn about hierarchical approximation and visualization
• Learn about advanced scalar and vector field visualization methods
• Learn about feature detection and topology-based visualization
Assignments:
• Four (4) programming projects: approximation, data reduction,
topology visualization, advanced scalar/vector field visualization, “chosen project”
(“chosen project” = project based on method in literature or own research project idea
plus 15-25 minute presentation plus paper on final project plus program demonstrations).
• Programming can be done on workstations, PCs, or notebooks.
• Each program must be demonstrated to the professor.
• Each student must choose his/her final programming project herself/himself,
write a paper about it, give a presentation about it in class, and demonstrate it.
It's a graduate computer science class, and I'm the only non-computer science grad student. It's a refreshing change of pace from clinical neuroscience, and I'm really enjoying it. The principles they talk about, regarding how to visualize complex data sets, just seem to make sense. We'll see if I can handle the programming projects though. If not, I'll learn a lot failing. Yes, I could just audit it, but then there wouldn't be any pressure and that wouldn't be any fun =)
Second, I've been designing a computer case to make my desktop easily portable. Before I started this project, I knew nothing about hardware and construction (as in drilling, countersinking, screw thread callouts, types of hinges, etc). I still haven't actually built anything yet, but I've been absorbing a ton of information online and I see why working in a workshop can be addictive. I'm finalizing my design by arranging all the components in 3D in Google Sketchup, and ordering bits and pieces that I'll need. Once I have the exact measurements, I'll be able to buy the materials and start putting it all together. Things will probably go wrong and I'll have to solve a lot of unforeseen problems, but at this point I've thought about it as much as I can and I need to just physically start doing it. Hope it turns out as well as I envision!
Third, inspired by reading about construction techniques, I signed up for a woodshop class that starts this week. I really like designing and creating things in general, but up till now it's been abstract things like websites and short stories and music videos. This is the first time I'll be able to make something physical, from scratch, with my own hands. Should be fun, and we really need some new dining chairs!
It's kind of a thrill to be in a situation where I know failure is a real possibility, as opposed to the slow progression of writing papers until I graduate. That uncertainty about whether I can keep up with computer science grad students who live and breathe code is pretty motivational. I can't wait to see how it goes.
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(Double Production Speed w/ Stone)
per turn
