People
Faculty Members
Richard A. Rasala |
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Professor Rasala pioneered the use of software toolkits to teach computer science concepts in the freshman curriculum, developing toolkits for robust input-output, graphics, scaling transformations, and function plots. These toolkits simplify programming for students and are structured to provide an exemplary model for software design. Recently, Professor Rasala discovered how to animate automatic array algorithms, enabling students to write standard code for array algorithms and generate animations automatically.
With his faculty colleagues Viera K. Proulx and Harriet J. Fell, Professor Rasala has developed computer science curricula; written more than twenty papers; and participated in panel presentations, tutorials, and working groups addressing key issues in computer science education. He also has advocated for early introduction of design concepts in the curriculum.
Currently, Professor Rasala and his collaborators are completing a set of showcase laboratories for freshmen, using the C++ language. They plan to build a similar set of laboratories using Java.
Professor Rasala served as faculty leader of the University's effort to increase campus-wide computer use and developed the model for dual major programs, now becoming common at Northeastern. He also has contributed to college and University-wide curriculum reform efforts.
Career Publication Highlights
Rasala, Richard A. 1977. On the minimal degrees of characters of S(n). Journal of Algebra 45:32-181.
---. 1990. Explicit cubic spline interpolation formulas in graphics gems. In Graphic gems, ed. A. Glassner. Boston: Academic Press.
---. 1997. Design issues in computer science education. ACM-SIGSE Bulletin 29, no.4:4-7