Statement of Purpose
Upon my growth as a student, I have learned to strive for excellence. My faith and trust in God has made it possible for me to succeed. I am Andrew L. Vinson Jr., a student at Elizabeth City State University. I have a major in computer science with a minor in mathematics. My objective is to obtain BS degree in Computer Science/Mathematics, to continue my education, acquiring graduate degrees, and to pursue a career in this field. Although the area of study in computer science is quite challenging, my enthusiasm in learning more in this area of study has brought me thus far. To me computer science is a very significant aspect in our society, and it is becoming increasingly vital. Technology has been emphasized in all aspects of life. I have an aspiration to one day not only become a successful computer scientist, but to own a business. I have grown to have a greater interest in the area of CGI (Computer Generated Imagery), graphic designing, web page designing, and CAD (Computer Aided Design) in architecture. Though I have a greater interest in these areas, I am not limiting my opportunity. I have experienced many different opportunities while studying computer science. At Elizabeth City State University, I was awarded the NASA/ONR scholarship. In receiving this awarded I encountered my first research experience. I was placed on the Physic Team. Our research topic was entitled, "Tunneling of Matter Wave through a Delta Function Type Barrier." In this research experience I was introduced to what research is all about. I also learned that research is a group effort, everyone putting their minds together to come to a conclusion. Summer 2001 I was excepted to the Undergraduate Research Experience in Marine and Ocean Science, at Elizabeth City State University. In this research program I gained knowledge about the many opportunities in the field of computer science. "Coast Watch Validation Study" was the name of my research. The Coast Watch Validation Study Team visited FRF (Field Research Facility) in Duck, NC take ground-truthing measurements, using instruments to use to compare with and analyze with Coast Watch AVHRR (Advance Very High Resolution Radiometer) data sets. At this research program not only did I study and research in marine and ocean science, but I experienced HTML and JavaScript training, utilization of some UNIX, and web page designing. We traveled to Woods Hole, MA to WHOI (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute). While at WHOI, we visited MBL (Marine Biological Laboratory) were marine scientist gave presentation on their research and studies, whale watching cruise, Sea Quest boating trip, and visited Sea Education. I have gained a great amount of exposure and knowledge in this program and I will build on what I have learned.