Capstone Project Proposal: A Cryptography Tool for Problem Generation Mark Weston CSc 197

Problem Definition Where is the need? Where is the need? Idea: Improve MTH121 Problem Generation Idea: Improve MTH121 Problem Generation Current system works, but… Current system works, but… Goals: A faster, flexible, more powerful tool Goals: A faster, flexible, more powerful tool

Requirements Two parts: Two parts: 1. Define problem structure 2. Implement algorithms and processes of that structure to generate problems

More on requirements Implies a modular structure Implies a modular structure Flexibility Flexibility Performance Performance Constraints Constraints

Existing solutions Current system works, but can be improved Current system works, but can be improved Commercial Software vs. Student Work Commercial Software vs. Student Work Trade-offs Trade-offs

So what is it, really Answer: That’s the goal of the research Answer: That’s the goal of the research New problem New problem Replacing human work with a computer Replacing human work with a computer Right now, instead of answers, questions: Right now, instead of answers, questions: 1. What makes a good problem? 2. Can we define a procedure to generate it?

Costs, risks, etc. The good news: This project is zero risk for the client The good news: This project is zero risk for the client The bad news: Catastrophic failure is still possible for the student * The bad news: Catastrophic failure is still possible for the student * Student work is free Student work is free Java is free Java is free IEF grant can buy books if needed IEF grant can buy books if needed Priorities: Linear progression Priorities: Linear progression

Conclusions Is this feasible? Is this feasible? –Could address a relaxed, sub- problem Highlights Highlights –Interesting –Benefits school –New problem

Thanks to: Thanks to: Professor Katherine Lesh Professor Katherine Lesh Professor Almstead Professor Almstead

Questions? Questions?