Message from the Director: Dr. Richard A. Aló

The Center for Computational Science and Advanced Distributed Simulation (C²SDS) has been established since 1995. A major goal of the C²SDS is to produce human resources in Computational Science – the science of man’s problems using High Performance Computers. To produce these resources for our information age society, our Center provides a range of activities.

One of our Center’s goals is to serve as a focal point for activities that will help produce a pipeline of better qualified students to enter all programs offered at UHD. This begins with the Houston PREP (our middle and high school summer program) and Computer Science Academy (held on various Saturdays during the academic year). On the college level, the Center assists the Computer and mathematical Sciences Department in improving remediation and retention of Developmental Mathematics students. We also have programs to involve undergraduates in projects stemming from C² SDS research activities. We already have a good track record and current funding levels will provide many projects for students in the field of Advanced Distributed Simulation. As our students reach graduation, our center will provide internships and graduate school scholarships to selected students.

Major funding sources are from the Minority Serving Institutions CyberInfrastructure Empowerment Coalition (MSI-CIEC) and Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving institutions (CAHSI). So join us in the excitement that the Center for Computational Science and Advanced Distributed Simulation brings to UH-Downtown. Help us and join us in our goal to build a first-class, four-year undergraduate, public, inner-city university and a center of excellence in computational science at the undergraduate level. We feel that we have the right model!

C²SDS is a unit of the Advanced Distributed Simulation Research Consortium of the U.S. Army Research Office with additional funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE).

C²SDS Community Activities

Center for Computational Sciences and Advance Distributed Simulation (C²SDS) community activities comprise of very successful programs for pre-college and college students whose interests lie in computer science, mathematics, engineering and the sciences. C²SDS is also highly involved in the development of K-12 schoolteachers. These programs form a strong pipeline for students as early as 7th graders to enter college at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD); these students are then guided into graduate school. Pre-College Programs, directed at middle and high school students, include Houston PREP, Computational Science Academy, CS Academy, Scholars Academy, and High School Tours/Visits.

C²SDS’s Houston PREP and Saturday Programs were awarded a Pre-College Award for Excellence in Mathematics, Science, Engineering and Technology by NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. in 1998. College Programs, which ensure student success at the undergraduate level, consist of Research Assistantships, Tutoring, Advising/Mentoring, Scholars Academy, Learning Center, Collaborative Learning Community Center, and the ADSRC Laboratory. Teacher Training is being undertaken in collaboration with NASA and other entities. These training sessions involve hands-on exposure/experience to new technologies and educational materials. Through future funding, we plan to make all developed curriculum accessible interactive online from this website.

Contact Information

Center for Computational Sciences and
Advanced Distributed Simulation
University of Houston-Downtown
One Main Street, Room 722-South
Houston, Texas 77002-1001
Phone: 713-221-8207
Fax: 713-226-5290
E-mail:rocham@uhd.edu

Page maintained by CST Web Support Technician

Last updated or reviewed on 8/28/09