Wayne O. Cochran
Assistant Professor of Computer Science
School of Engineering and Computer Science
Washington State University Vancouver
14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue
(360) 546-9463
Vancouver, WA 98686-9600
cochran@vancouver.wsu.edu
Teaching
I have taught a wide variety of courses in computer science both
here in Vancouver and in Pullman (Introduction to Microprocessors,
C Programming, Windows Development Programming, Java Programming,
Computer Networks, Operating Systems, Automata and Formal Languages,
Computer Graphics, Programming Languages, Professional Practice).
Here are the course web sites for the classes I am teaching
this academic year.
Research Interests
Most of my research has involved modeling intricate shapes
using fractals defined by recurrent iterated function systems (RIFS).
I have created systems for compressing volumetric data, modeling rough
terrain, and synthesizing infinitely zoomable textures.
Exploiting the cheap processing power found on modern graphics cards
was at the core of the work performed with Gunay Uyan and Ryan Tindall
as they completed their MS degrees last Christmas.
Gunay and I developed a technique for the
real-time rendering of relief carvings such as those found on
the walls of ancient Egyptian tombs. Ryan and I used
the graphics processing unit (GPU) to simulate electromagnetic waves
using a discrete approximation to Maxwell's Equations.
Current Projects
I am currently developing a program that will
automatically extract nutrition information from photographs
of Nutrition Facts labels found on the packaging of most food products.
disclaimer
Wayne O. Cochran
September 15, 2006
