A Quantum Leap for the Department of Computer Science
Edward H. Currie, PhD
Department of Computer Science, Chairperson Department of Engineering, Associate Professor
Edward.H.Currie@hofstra.edu
Hofstra’s new Science & Innovation building (SIC) is an important architectural addition to our campus. This beautiful, 4-story, stone and glass building is expected to be completed as early as June of this year. But having acknowledged this amazing structure, perhaps equally exciting is the fact that it provides a wealth of significant advantages in terms of the many new resources that it will house. For example, SIC’s state-of-the-art computer center will provide the most powerful computational capability on Hofstra’s campus Students and faculty will greatly benefit from its presence both in terms of their classroom and laboratory experiences, and various research activities taking place at Hofstra. This computational center will also house a sophisticated GPU Cluster system that is of vital importance for training in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). The rapidly increasing importance of these technologies makes it essential that Hofstra provide training in these fields which can only be accomplished with such resources.
Equally exciting is SIC’s complete Maker Laboratory which will allow Computer Science students to create a variety of robotic and other computer engineering projects. The virtual reality laboratory in SIC will serve as a sophisticated environment in which students can work with state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) systems. There is also a Video Graphics and Gaming laboratory that will accommodate many more students than is currently possible and allow the introduction of more advanced courses in these areas. This broad array of new resources together with Hofstra’s existing Cybersecurity Laboratory provides a wide spectrum of technologies and pedagogical opportunities that are vital for not only high-quality student training, and preparation, but also Hofstra’s many research projects.
Hofstra’s students and faculty will enjoy not only SIC’s esthetics but also a myriad of new opportunities and learning experiences far beyond what has previously been possible. The arrival of SIC will undoubtedly do much to further enhance Hofstra’s standing in our nation and the ability to provide some of the nation’s finest and bestprepared graduates
[DeMatteis School Spring 2023 Newsletter]
