Student Theses

Nejra Begovac, International Business, May, 2003

The Bloody Balkans

This paper focuses on the history of unrest in the Balkans. Political and cultural aspects that contributed to the continuous hostility between these nations states is included. The paper examines the effects of the Turkish invasion and the formation of the Ottoman Empire on the most recent period of ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Kosovo.

John Palmeri, Aviation, May, 2004

Air Taxi: The Future of the Airline Industry

In this paper, the author argues that with the advent of modern aviation and navigational technology and with the problems caused by many economic factors, small jet aircraft serving as air taxis, will in the very near future make a major impact on the air transportation industry, especially for businessmen making domestic flights.

Shannon Reid, Criminal Justice, May, 2003

Extremist Groups: A Meta-Analysis of Youths At Risk for Recruitment bySocial, Political, and Religious Extremist Groups

This paper is a meta-analysis of some of the factors increasing the risk of recruitment and/or membership in extremist groups of at risk young people. Some factors studied are race, socioeconomic status, family structure, psychological factors, and affiliation with groups outside of school.

Melissa Surpris, Music & Sound Recording, May, 2003

Identification of Dissimilar Compression Schemes and Various File Formats that One Can Utilize for Internet Transmission

The large number of compression schemes and file formats available make evaluation by individuals very difficult. This paper provides a background in compression schemes and then studies some of the more common compression schemes and file formats to help and individual make an educated choice when downloading large files from the internet.

Nadeem Abdul Hamid, Computer Science, May, 1999

The Traveling Salesman Problem

The Traveling Salesman Problem can be stated as follows: A salesman wishes to visit a list of cities in his territory in such a way that he travels the minimum total distance. Solution to this problem has applications to such diverse applications as cutting wallpaper, routing a fleet of delivery vehicles, and manufacturing silicon chips. However for a large number of "cities", the solution to this problem becomes extremely difficult, even for high speed computers. In this paper, several well-known algorithms for attacking the problem are discussed and evaluated for effectiveness.

Andrea Champagne, Chemistry/Forensic Science, May, 1999

Arsenic Content in Vegetation Beneath a Pressure Treated Wood Structure

Over five hundred million cubic feet of Chromated Copper Arsenic treated wood are sold annually in the U.S. This wood is used for fence posts, decks, utility poles, and many other common structures. There is great concern that the chemicals in such wood are leaching out and contaminating soil in surrounding areas. In this paper, the author investigates the levels of arsenic present in grass beneath a deck made of treated wood. She compares the results with levels allowed in the soil by the state of Connecticut and by the EPA, as well as the levels uncovered throughout the state in a more widespread study.

Christina Costello, Criminal Justice, May, 2002

Criminal Profiling: A Comparison of Three Methods

This paper looks at three methods used by criminal investigators in criminal profiling. Each of the three methods is described, and the methods are compared. Examples of notable successes of each method are given. By examining the percentage of accurate profiles each method has produced, the author attempts to show the usefulness of each method.

Erin Currier, Interior Design, May, 1999

The Transforming Workplace

In this paper, the author investigates new trends in workplace office design. These trends take into account the need for people in the modern workplace to have direct communication with other, while having direct and easy access to power and telephone lines. Today's office workers need furniture and systems that will allow them to personalize their spaces, maximize personal comfort, and offer adjustable work surfaces.

Kevin V. Dabrowski, Forensic Science, May 2001

The History of the Forensic Analysis of Ink

The history of the forensic analysis of ink is discussed from its earliest beginnings to its modern uses. As the chemical composition, molecular formula, and manufacturing processes have changed over the years, so has ink analysis. Due to the complexity of the modern processes of ink production, each manufacturer produces ink with a slightly different chemical composition, even though it is supposed to be the same type and color of ink.

Shereen Elghamrawi, Forensic Science and Biology, May, 2002Detection of VariationWithin the Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2 Genes

A neurodegenerative disorder that is often detectable by common laboratory techniques. The research project described in this paper included searching for a disease in which the genetic sequence had been identified, performing laboratory experiments, and analyzing the data obtained. From the author’s introduction, “The goal of the research was to determine if genetic variation within the trinucleotide repeats in the Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2 gene could be detected through common gene amplification methods and agarose gel electrophoresis.”

Ronald Jersey, Jr., Criminal Justice, May, 1999

Determining Pursuit Management Strategies

High-speed motor vehicle pursuits by law enforcement officers have been termed as some of the most dangerous and high-risk situations in the law enforcement field. Pursuit driving demands mechanical skill, an understanding of the laws governing motor vehicle operation, knowledge of the roads, healthy reasoning capabilities, and precise physical reflexes. The basic dilemma associated with high-speed motor vehicle pursuits of fleeing offenders is deciding whether the benefits of such pursuit outweigh the risks of endangering police officers, the public, and the suspects. The author discusses his belief that a uniform pursuit policy can be developed for all regions of the state that would be adaptable for all law enforcement agencies.

Matthew Mentone, Sports Management, May, 1999

Baseball and Radio: Early History and the Symbiotic Relationship that Formed

Sport and the mass media enjoy a very symbiotic relationship in American society. On the one hand, the staggering popularity of sports is due, in no small extent, to the enormous attention paid to it by the media. On the other hand, the media are able to generate enormous sales in both circulation and advertising based on their extensive treatment of sport. The purpose of this paper is to examine the growth of baseball and radio from the first baseball broadcast in 1921 to the beginning of television in the 1930's. The sports management issues can be used as learning devices for young professionals looking for a career in the sports media field.

Anat Niv-Solomon, Political Science, January, 2002

Education Among the Palestinians

This paper tries to look at the influence of education and socialization on the peace process in the Palestinian and Israeli conflict. The first two chapters review the origins of the conflict and some of the past and current conditions faced by the Palestinians, and then give a review of Palestinian education from the 1920s to 1993. The next two chapters review the education system since 1993, when the Palestinian Authority came to power. Finally the author explores and evaluates Palestinian Authority efforts to re-socialize its population.

Ijeoma Nnebe, Chemical Engineering, May, 1999

Modeling the Mass Transfer in Biofilters

With the growing action towards air pollution abatement, methods that are more economical are being sought to treat contaminated waste gas streams released by industries. Biological treatment technologies are promising alternatives that have been increasingly embraced in Europe and more recently in the United States. Biofilters are the cheapest and simplest biological treatment method. In this paper the author investigates the mass transfer process that occurs in a biofilter using both experimental data and well-known modeling techniques.

Deepshika Singhal, Mathematics, May, 2000

Automated Theorem Proving: Can Computers Really Prove Theorems?

Automated Theorem Proving (ATP) is the study of algorithms that search for proof of mathematical theorems. The goals of ATP include using computers to obtain logical consequences, to assist in problem solving, and to answer questions requiring deduction.

This paper discusses several automated theorem provers. She outlines the algorithms of each, and discusses their important uses.

Rajeev Singhal, Financial Accounting, January, 2000

WebTrust Seals

This paper studies the changing field of Accounting and how it relates to new opportunities for the accounting profession. The paper outlines the process of issuing, maintaining, and removing of the WebTrust Seal. Rules and regulations, as drawn up by the AICPA, are discussed. The seal's potential impact to electronic commerce as it relates to bringing consumer confidence to business on the internet is discussed. Analysis of the long-term impact of WebTrust seals to the accounting profession is conducted.

Bernard Williams, Interior Design: Pre-Architecture, May, 1999

Energy Conservation for a Unique Home

One aspect of design that requires greater attention and implementation by architects and interior designers alike is the application of innovative shapes in the design of buildings. Architects and interior designers should not be afraid to deviate or hold back their design instinct to digress from the monotonous box-like or square representations of residential and commercial buildings. One objective of this paper is to purpose effective solutions for designing unique homes. A second objective is to determine how designers and/or architects and harness solar energy through design in passive solar heating and cooling systems to provide for a cost effective, energy efficient home.