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Student-Centric Scheduling: Integrating Student Preferences into University Course Planning
Get PDFUniversity course scheduling has direct impacts on student success. In the Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE) department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), students face registration challenges like limited course availability and waitlists, which may delay academic progress. This thesis provides a qualitative and quantitative investigation into the course registration experiences of CSSE students. From a survey of 100 CSSE students and follow-up interviews, this study identifies the key factors influencing registration outcomes. This research also evaluates the predictive model currently used by the CSSE department to anticipate course demand, revealing mismatches between predicted and actual course selections and limitations in forecasting student needs. Statistical analysis shows that first-year students report significantly higher satisfaction with the course registration system, while third-year students are significantly more likely to encounter waitlists; other factors show minimal effect. Grounded theory analysis of interview data uncovers recurring instances of planning strategies, registration actions, structural barriers, and more. Recommendations for improvement include the incorporation of student preferences in planning, transparent communication of course offerings, and model improvements to benefit specific student groups. These findings highlight the importance of student-centric scheduling that aligns institutional resources with student demand and serve as a baseline to inform future course scheduling practices as Cal Poly transitions to a semester system
Spatial and Functional Metrics for Analyzing Seedling Roots
Get PDFTo study the complicated structure of a maestro pea seedling root, we investigate three spatial metrics and one functional metric. The spatial metrics are fractal dimension which measures the complexity, convex hull area which measures the occupied space, and Euler characteristic which topologically describes the shape of the root. We discuss the successes of various metrics and the possible limitations they bring to analysis. As a functional metric, we study the rhizosphere: the volume radially around the root branches from which the plant accesses nutrients and water. We investigate the relationship of the rhizosphere to the root, and propose how to analytically determine the radius of the rhizosphere when it has not been found experimentally. These metrics provide a foundation upon which roots can be studied
Fire Safety Design for Los Angeles County Fire Station 171
Get PDFThis report provides a fire safety analysis for Los Angeles County Fire Station 171. To accomplish this, the fire station is analyzed using both a prescriptive and performance-based design approach. With this in mind, the report will show areas where Fire Station 171 is in compliance with codes and standards outlined in the International Building Code (IBC) and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). This report will also recommend improvements for the fire station in areas where the building is not up to current standards and codes.
Fire Station 171 is a two-story Type IIA construction fire station that also has various office spaces within the station. The station is unique because it is one of the larger buildings the Los Angeles County Fire Department owns and operates. Additionally, a fire station can typically be classified as a mixed-use facility since the people that occupy the building will occupy offices, dormitories, classrooms, and storage areas.
From a prescriptive-based approach, the building does have some structural fire protection, egress features and fire safety devices that are used to protect the life safety of occupants in the building. The building does not have any fire sprinklers installed. Due to this, this report proposes a fire sprinkler design and reviews a cost-based analysis to determine if fire sprinklers may be cost efficient when considering all the values at risk inside a fire station, in particular all of the equipment and apparatus at risk.
According to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), from 1996-1998 44% (approximately 66 station fires out of 150 total reported fired) of fire station fires involved apparatus on station property. Therefore, a performance-based design approach is used to determine if an apparatus floor fire would create untenable conditions for occupants trying to escape in the event of a fire. The tenability criteria assumes that some of the doors on the apparatus floor are left in the propped open position as this does happen from time-to-time in the fire station. The design includes determining and comparing Available Safe Egress Time (ASET) and Required Safe Egress Time (RSET). RSET is determined by determining Detector Time, Pre- movement Time, and Movement Time. ASET is determined by selecting tenability criteria identified in Chapter 63 of the Fifth Edition of the SFPE handbook. The tenability criteria include Heat Flux, Fractional Effective Dose (FED), Optical Density (OD), and Visibility. Using this design approach and scenario, it was shown that for FED, OD, and Visibility, RSET \u3e ASET meaning leaving doors propped open should not be done as untenable conditions will exist in the path of egress. However, the solution to this problem is simple, ensure all apparatus doors stay shut at all times due to the life risk in the event of a fire. To address the values at risk in the event of a fire it is proposed that fire sprinklers be installed. In this report it is shown that for approximately $3256 annually, millions in equipment, building repair and apparatus could be saved in the event of a fire and may be a worthwhile consideration.
In conclusion, the building does meet codes and standards of the IBC and NFPA from a prescriptive-based approach; however, improvements can be made by providing the building with a fire alarm system, and fire sprinkler system. From a performance-based approach, station occupants should ensure that apparatus doors remain shut at all times as an apparatus floor fire presents significant untenable conditions for the occupant’s egress pathways
Effectiveness of Nutrition Education on Male Student Veterans From Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo University
Get PDFThis pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of a 13-week nutrition education intervention designed to improve dietary patterns, physical health, and mental health outcomes among 10 student male military veterans at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The intervention, grounded in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025, included a one-time educational presentation and periodic recap videos to reinforce key messages. Outcome measures included dietary intake, body mass index (BMI), handgrip strength, depressive symptoms (via the Beck Depression Inventory), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (via the PCL-5). Results revealed no statistically significant changes in dietary patterns, BMI, handgrip strength, or mental health outcomes across the three measurement points. However, small, non-significant trends indicated slight increases in fruit and vegetable intake and reductions in depressive and PTSD symptoms. These findings suggest that while short-term nutrition education interventions may not produce significant quantitative changes, they hold potential for supporting small positive behavior changes and highlight the feasibility of integrating nutrition education within veteran care initiatives. Larger studies with control groups and longer follow-up periods are recommended to further explore the role of nutrition education in improving health outcomes among veterans
Adjustable Dynamometer Motor Mount
Get PDFThe Cal Poly Electrical Engineering Department and sponsor Dr. Dolan needs a manufacturable motor fixture that securely aligns motors of various sizes with dynamometers. Previous lab motor fixtures could not accommodate motors of different sizes, making precise alignment between motors and dynamometers time-consuming and unreliable. Our team developed a modular, manufacturable fixture capable of aligning various motor sizes quickly, accurately, and securely, enhancing lab consistency and usability
Shop Skills
Get PDFThe first goal of this project is to present the machine shops with a new and memorable Red Tag, recently rebranded as the License to Drill certification. This certification provides students with a lasting project that also teaches them about the usage and safety of a broader scope of machines.
After students receive their License to Drill, students must devote a minimum of two hours in the shop to gain access to further training associated with the lathes, mills, and welders. These trainings are now called Intermediate Shop Skills Trainings, formerly known as Yellow Tag Trainings. Our second goal is to design project kits for students to invest their time in the machine shop so they can further develop their skills and gain familiarity with machine use
Blow Down Air Knife System
Get PDFGAF is encountering a problem with their manufacturing line where fiberglass mats are produced as a base layer for roofing shingles. As the fiberglass mat comes out of the curing oven, there is a possibility that it will stick to the conveyor belt and follow along the return route if a loss of tension downstream occurs. When the fiberglass mat follows the return route, it wraps around the rollers causing substantial damage and downtime for the plant. The goal of this project is to eliminate that problem
Remote Monitoring and Control of Protection Relays via Programmable Logic Controller
No full textThe purpose of this study is to explore the ability of a programmable logic controller (PLC) to wirelessly monitor and control power protection relays. The technologies surrounding power protection and industrial automation are ever evolving and have developed significantly in recent history. Industrial power applications call for consistent condition monitoring and status updates for various high-importance components. The high-importance components have power protection schemes that are managed by digital relays to trip circuit breakers in fault or unsafe operating conditions. The smart relays have a wide range of capabilities, including communications. Cal Poly assembled a collection of relays from Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL). PLCs are a common way to control, monitor, and automate several industrial processes. Cal Poly also acquired Schneider Electric PLC systems. The primary goal of this study is to connect the relays to the PLCs, specifically the SEL-710 Motor Protection Relay and the SEL-587Z High Impedance Differential Relay. These two options were selected because they both support the Modbus industrial communication protocol, which is natively supported on the Schneider PLCs. The PLC lab and the power protection lab are in different rooms, so the connection was established through the Schneider Trio JR900 Ethernet Radios. The first deliverable of this study is a lab, lecture, and pre-lab module created for the Cal Poly Industrial Automation and Control Course. The second contribution is an analysis to determine whether or not it is a practical topology to wirelessly monitor relays via PLC. Response time tests were conducted for fourteen test cases to discover delays associated with different parts of the communication network. Ultimately, the wireless connection was successful in reading live data and controlling settings from both relays. However, the results indicate that the topology is only practical for the SEL-710. The SEL-710 supports Modbus TCP Ethernet protocol and had a sufficiently fast response time to be deemed effective in application. On the other hand, the SEL-587Z only supports Modbus RTU serial protocol, which limits its response time, causing it to be out of the specified range for efficient operation
Video Game Hacking, a General Problem With Generalized Solutions
No full textAs video games continue to get more popular and lucrative, the number of malicious actors seeking to exploit them grows with it. As this industry expands, so does the importance of securing games against cheating and abuse. This thesis aims to educate developers to help mitigate the abuse of video games by these malicious actors. The goal of this thesis is to provide a foundational framework for thinking like a hacker and how to make games harder to abuse once a hacker bypasses conventional anti-cheat software.
This thesis outlines some of the most common cheating methods and provides general context to what video game hacking is like, what it is used for, and the reasons why people cheat. Additionally, it discusses options for dealing with cheaters upon detection from these systems.
Included in this thesis is a case study that implements these systems along with code samples of what the actual usage of these systems may look like. The implementation is done in Roblox Studio, a beginner-friendly game development environment, along with its easy-to-understand scripting language, Luau. While the case study is specific to Roblox and its game engine, the topics discussed are relevant to almost all popular game engines
