While many software engineering programs focus on the theoretical aspects of that discipline, the capstone course [2] at Siena College has evolved into hybrid course that emphasizes "life-lessons" as well as the traditional software engineering materials. The capstone course still retains the basic structure of a typical software engineering course, with a yearlong team project that adheres to the waterfall model. However, team members' communication skills are tested throughout the year; a client relays his or her problem to the team in a fashion similar to real world interactions. At the end of each stage in the waterfall model (five stages in all), the team must make a powerpoint presentation where every member must speak in front of the class, clients, and other guests. Other communication exercises occur throughout the year, including resume creation, mock interviews, etiquette lessons, and mandatory classroom discussions.

Declining enrollments in computer science are a cause of great concern. There has been a 30% decline in enrollments in US computer science bachelor programs over the previous decade and more than a 50% decline in the enrollment of women in computer science [20]. Some research suggests this is due to the negative perceptions high school students hold of computer science [6,16]. IMPACT is a unique way of attracting excellent students to the major by inviting students and their teachers to a day of exploration and competition hosted by our college. The aim of our research is to investigate how the students' attitudes change and to assess the impact of this daylong event. This paper will demonstrate that IMPACT increases awareness of computer science and changes the perceptions of the students who attend the event.

This paper describes the two-semester capstone courses in Software Engineering offered in the Computer Science Department at Siena College. These courses have been offered for 27 years and they have recently become a graduation requirement for the major. The courses tie-together a variety of educational themes and goals related to Software Engineering, professional behavior, and preparation for professional careers. Over the years, the syllabi, content, format, and teaching-approach has changed substantially. This paper describes the two Software Engineering courses, and how the courses have changed, and how faculty and students perceive the courses.

ABSTRACTThe effects of N2, nitrate and ammonia as N sources were investigated in P‐limited and nutrient‐sufficient cultures of Anabaena flos‐aquae (Lyngb.) Bréb. The maximum growth rate (μm) was highest at 1.34 d−1 with ammonia, compared to 1.18 with nitrate and 0.95 d−1 with N2. There was no difference in P requirement between N2 and nitrate cultures. Under P‐limited conditions, the increase in cell P with growth rate (μ) was identical. With N2 as the N source, cell‐N concentrations in P‐limited cells increased with μ as did cell P, and the cellular N:P ratio remained the same (14) within the range of μ examined. With nitrate, however, cell N concentrations were high and independent of n, except at a low μ. It appears that this organism fixes atmospheric N2 only at the minimum concentration required to maintain a μ. The acetylene reduction rate increased with μ in both N2‐ and nitrate‐grown cells, but the rate was lower in nitrate. Under P‐limitation, there was no difference in net C‐fixation rate per cell between N2 and nitrate cultures at a given μ. However, the rate per unit of chlorophyll a (chl a) was higher in N2 than in nitrate cultures, and the rate was independent of μ with N2 but was a linear function of nitrate supplied. The maximum C‐fixation rate in nutrient sufficient cells was highest with ammonia, followed by nitrate and N2. The cellular chl a concentration was correlated with the total cell‐N concentrations regardless of H and the source of N.

The bioconcentration of 2,4,5,2′,4′,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB) was examined in the Great Lakes algae Fragilaria crotonensis, Ankistrodesmus falcatus, and Microcystis sp. The bioconcentration factors varied from species to species, whether they were expressed in terms of cell number, dry weight, cellular carbon, or cellular lipid. The factors were in the range of 105–106 and increased with decreasing biomass. The existence of a mucilage layer in F. crotonensis was associated with a twofold increase in the bioconcentration factor. Surface adsorption appeared to contribute only slightly to the bioaccumulation of HCB. HCB desorbed from all species but at a much slower rate than its adsorption.Key words: bioconcentration, bioaccumulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, hexachlorobiphenyl, adsorption, desorption, algae

The influence of 2,4,5,2′,4′,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB) on the growth of Great Lakes phytoplankters Fragilaria crotonensis, Ankistrodesmus falcatus, and Microcystis sp. was investigated in continuous culture under nutrient-sufficient and phosphate (P) limited conditions. Growth rate (μ) was inhibited only in F. crotonensis at cellular HCB concentrations as low as 4 × 10−8 ng/cell (0.8 μg/g dry weight) in nutrient-sufficient cultures; there appeared to be a dose–response relationship between cellular HCB and μ. Microcystis sp. and A. falcatus showed no inhibitory effect at cellular HCB levels up to 5 × 10−8 ng/cell (3.6 μg/g dry weight) and 30 × 10−8 ng/cell (11.5 μg/g dry weight), respectively. Under P-limited conditions HCB also affected F. crotonensis but not A. falcatus. The initial response of F. crotonensis to HCB addition was a significant increase in μ, followed by a sharp decline. In both nutrient-rich and P-limited F. crotonensis the cellular chlorophyll a (chl a) concentration decreased with the accumulation of HCB, yet the 14C assimilation rate per unit chl a increased. Cellular P concentration in the P-limited cells also decreased with the accumulation of HCB. Such responses were not observed in the other species.Key words: polychlorinated biphenyls, hexachlorobiphenyl, bioconcentration. Great Lakes, algae, continuous culture