By Jeff Murphy,
April 17, 2019
Photo courtesy of CCSC-CP/YouTube
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 欧美视频 students who are studying in areas
such as mathematics, computer science and cybersecurity demonstrated their analytical
and technological skills by recently capturing first place in the (Consortium for Computer Sciences in Colleges) Central Plains annual regional conference.
The four-hour-long event took place April 6 at St. Charles Community College in Cottleville,
Missouri.
The award-winning team from UCM was comprised of three students, Jon Bockhorst, computer
science major; Ryan Looney, mathematics major with minors in computer science and
cybersecurity; and Mikhail Husyev, a computer science major who is also pursuing a
minor in business administration. Known as 鈥淭eam C,鈥 they were one of five UCM teams
to participate in the competition that included 27 teams from 10 different colleges:
UCM, Southwest Baptist University, University of Missouri-Columbia, Monmouth University,
Missouri Western State University, Drury University, Avila University, Northwest Missouri
State University, Fontbonne University, and Purdue University-Columbus.
Belinda Copus, program coordinator for computer science and software engineering,
was one of four UCM faculty members who joined students at the event. She said the
contest consisted of eight questions that were presented at the beginning of the competition.
Challenges faced by students required a higher level of thinking than problems typically
presented in the classroom. Students were required to solve each problem by creating
a computer program, an undertaking that followed considerable time spent designing
a solution on paper.
鈥淭he team of up to three persons has one computer to share. They must work as a team
to complete each program,鈥 Copus said. 鈥淪everal programming languages are allowed
to be used. The time it takes to create the solution is also tracked and the teams
are judged on how many correct solutions they submit and the time it took to complete
the solutions.鈥
Teams often address problems using classic computer science theory and applying substantial
algorithmic thinking, according to Copus.
鈥淭eams will approach problems in a class fashion, but it is often the unusual, or
out-of-the-box solution that allows the team to arrive quickly with a working solution,鈥
she said.
Team C captured first place by solving two problems in 88 minutes. Each of the other
UCM teams submitted solutions, but the time it took to create a solution was not strong
enough to place.
鈥淭he problems this year were more challenging than usual,鈥 Copus said. 鈥淎ll of our
teams put forth their best effort and stretched their minds and skills to new heights.
Skills in problem decomposition, algorithms, mathematics and programming had to be
applied to the problems in addition to team work. John, Ryan and Mikhail demonstrated
an incredible ability to contribute their individual strengths and come together to
tackle this very challenging problem set.鈥
Congratulating all 15 UCM students who participated, Copus said she is continuously
amazed by the fearless approach her students take in this voluntary competition, particularly
knowing the challenges they face.
鈥淲e have very talented and industrious students on our teams. When competition is
presented, our teams have a singular focus to reach the target and at the finish have
given everything they have 鈥 skills, thinking, and team work,鈥 she added.
With the 2019 win, this marked the second consecutive year a UCM team finished first
in the CCSC-CP competition.
Four other participating UCM teams and their members included:
- Team 2 鈥 Juno First: Victor Ortiz, John Irle, and Paul Friedlein
- Team 3 - Thread Pool Noodles: Ebenezer Jeya, Jacob Sauther, Chris Lingenfelter (who
was unable to attend)
- Team 4 鈥 Lobster Sushi Rolls: Marcus Khai Weng Tan, Ka Wai Ng, and Yen Wei Tan
- Team 5- Codefest: Salah Eddine Azekour, Sunil Lama, and Roshana Bajracharya.
鈥淲e are very proud to have such dedicated students and are already preparing for next
year,鈥 Copus said.
UCM faculty members from the School of Computer Science and Mathematics who joined
students for the competitive event were Dabin Ding, Jason James, and Mahmoud Yousef.