School Projects

The following is a list of my classes and a link to download some work for each class. Use the links to navigate the sections:

Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Work Term

Term 1:

Math For IT
   I learned pertinent math skills that wll be used in writing any computer program. I also developed logical mathematical approaches to solving problems.

Operating Systems
   I learned the basics of Redhat Linux. One of our major projects was the Linux Command Reference. Linux Command Reference (Word Document).

Programming I - Program Logic and Structured Programming
   I learned structured programming logic, modular program design, and how to properly plan out a program before writing the code. Documents that I can now prepare are Problem Description Forms, File Description Forms, Spacing Charts, Hierarchy Charts, IPO Charts, Pseudocoding, and Memory Mapping (to test a module). The final assignment in this course was planning and coding a COBOL program to print a report. Payroll Register By Department And Store Report (Zip containing Word Documents, Excel Documents, and a Viso Document)

Technical Presentations
   I expanded my skills in public speaking by presenting two power point presentations to my class mates. The Wonderful World Of Ebay (Power Point) and How To Set-Up An E-Commerce Website (Power Point).

Webste Development
   I learned many new and useful things in this class and have adjusted my work habits to use some of the tools we explored in this course. The most interesting topic covered was the Javascript language. My final project was a full web site designed by myself, Kevin Forbes, and Vincent Haddad. Toe Jam Website (Html - online).

Term 2:

Data Structures
   Data Structures was an extention of Programming III. The purpose of the data structures course was to learn advanced C topics such at basic structures, linked lists, and searching.

Database Administration I - Microsoft Access
   This course gave me a fundamental knowledge of the Microsft Access database as well as the various features that come with the software. Basic knowledge of Access lends a basic knowledge of all databases.

Network Administration
   Extension of the Operating Systems course - we delved deeper into the Redhat Linux operating system.

Programming II - Programming C
   This course was an excellent introduction to the C programming language.

Systems Analysis and Design
   In depth introduction to SAAD, outlining the various stages and documentation required to develop a software system.

Term 3:

Project Management
   The basics of project management, including using Microsoft Project.

Capstone Project
   Independant project work encapsulating all of the knowledge aquired for the year.

Term 4:

Database Administration II - Oracle SQL
   In depth discussion of Oracle SQL and an introduction to the Oracle database system. Portfolio Ready Reflection Piece (Word Document).

Quality Assurance
   Interesting course concentrating on teach backs by my class mates. My group covered bugs, patches and upgrades; versioning, naming conventions and quality metrics (measurements). Also developed a toolkit to use when applying quality assurance to the development process. Portfolio Ready Reflection Piece (Word Document) and Project Website (HTML - online).

Programming III - C++
   A continuation of the C language, C++ introduced Object Oriented programming. We covered the core concepts and also covered the .Net framework and used the special features of .Net to assist with Windows application development. Pretty cool stuff :)

Advanced System Topics
   An introduction to UML (Universal Modelling Language) as well as numerous system analysis and design methodologies. Portfolio Ready Reflection Piece (Word Document).

Powerhouse/C#
   This course started as a course about the Powerhouse programming language, but was later changed to a course about the new C# programming language. Powerhouse is an old unix based business language while C# is a new Windows application programming language designed on the .Net framework. Portfolio Ready Reflection Piece (Word Document).

Technical Writing
   Learned to hone my technical writing skills.

Term 5:

Programming IV - Java
   This course exposed me to the Java programming language. I had previous knowledge of JavaScript, but JavaScript is not way Java, although the previous experience helped. I really wanted to learn Java and this course completely satisfied my thirst for knowledge.

Distributed Systems
   This course was an extension of the Java programming course exposing me to the languages ability as a distrubted language (such as programming applets). As a group project we developed a completely bug riddled Java Messanger program called JABS (affectionate accronym representing the names of each group member). Portfolio Ready Reflection Piece (Word Document).

Data Mining and Business Intelligence
   This course was designed as a triple outcome course - learn about data mining and business intelligence, teach habits of continuous learning, and fill any gaps in the entire program. Portfolio Ready Reflection Piece (Word Document).

Programming V - Visual Basic
   This course exposed me to more .NET programming, but this time using the Visual Basic programming language. Excellent course which provided me with a new language to concentrate on. Not only will I be an accomplished PERL programmer, I will (with practice) become an accomplished VB programmer. Portfolio Ready Reflection Piece (Word Document).

Work Term:

Farnell Packaging - Spam Filter
   Over the summer of 2004 (and continuing after when time allows) I worked with Randy Wilson at Farnell Packaging developing a spam filter (written in PERL) to police their mail system and rid their system of junk (presently 35-40% of all of their incoming) mail. As a secondary objective, the spam filter was also designed to be freeware available to anyone who wanted to use it.

   The program is available online at Novell's Forge site. The project page has all releases of the program on it as well as a forum for users to communicate with me and news to inform of program changes.

   This project was a great challange for me for many reasons. Firstly, I had to become familiar with the Novell Netware environment and learn how to use various other software packages, such as the Mercury mail server. Secondly, I had to become an expert on smtp and mail structure which was quite an undertaking.