By: Michelle King
Neil Miller knew he wanted to gain more work-related experience. When the physics major heard NASA had sponsored a computer club he decided to find out more.
The High Performance Computing Club at Buffalo State College gave him an inside look into careers he was interested in pursuing. He worked on a semester-long project to learn a program called Labview to control new computer programming language. He said the system is important because many companies currently use it and is something is not easily learned from a textbook.
“In one year I learned that there are other things you need to learn for a job instead of coursework,” he said.
The High Performance Computing Club consists of about 10-15 students each semester, said Jaoquin Carbonara, a mathematics professor and adviser for the club. He said HIPERC increases members every year.
Over 15 faculty members oversee the projects from different areas of study ranging from computer information systems, design, physics, biology, philosophy and math. The club also helps show students how computer technology has contributed to a broad range of career fields.
At the end of the semester, the members will present what they have learned at an instructional seminar. In the past, the club has also done hands-on work such as learning robotics, while philosophy has provided students with thinking more critically in solving mathematical problems.
Some of the other missions of HIPERC include:
- planning educational and career-orientated field trips
- seeking additional grant sponsors
- upgrading hardware and software
- establishing affiliations-to grow support in the local community
In the fall of 2001, when HIPERC was first started, NASA donated $450,000 worth
of used equipment to get the computer club started.
Other sponsors are:
Milad Givili, the treasurer of HIPERC, said his involvement has given him more direction to a career goal. Last year, he was an undeclared major; since then he has a new found interest in computer engineering.
“The more you get into it, you see more about what the career is,” he said. “If you’re interested in anything particular-like being a network systems manager-you could work on a project.”
HIPERC is seeking new members. General interest meetings are held
during Bengal Pause every Tuesday in the Science Building in Room 219.
The club was officially recognized last spring under United Students Government, the physics department has provided HIPERC with the usage of the room and the math department has helped with faculty volunteers and paying for daily expenses.
More information can be found on its Web site at www.hiperc.org
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