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\line{\hfil Dr. Paul Coddington,}
\line{\hfil Northeast Parallel Architectures Center,}
\line{\hfil 111 College Place,}
\line{\hfil Syracuse University,}
\line{\hfil Syracuse, NY 13244.}
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\line{\hfil Tel: (315) 443-4883}
\line{\hfil email: paulc@npac.syr.edu}
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\line{\hfil 11/13/92}
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I was research advisor for Thomas Rose in a Research Experience for 
Undergraduates program in computational science at Syracuse University
in the summer of 1992. 
His project was to evaluate the feasibility of using a new Monte Carlo 
algorithm similar to simulated annealing for solving general optimization
problems.

This required a working knowledge of the Unix operating system, the C 
programming language, Monte Carlo techniques and simulated annealing,
and some understanding of the basic physical principles relevant to the
algorithm.
Unfortunately in this project Tom was hampered by his limited background 
in all of the above topics, so that it took some time for him to understand
the techniques involved and to write the programs required.

The research project had to be completed in a short period of time (less
than 2 months), and the only real criticism I have of Tom's work on
this project was that he seemed to be trying to learn things in more
detail than was necessary to complete the project, certainly given the
brief time available. He seemed to be unfocussed, even when instructed 
to concentrate on specific parts of the problem.
This could be due to his lack of research experience.

Tom has good programming skills and is an enthusiastic worker, and I believe
he has the capability to do well in a graduate program in math and computer
science, which would be more suited to his background and experience
and allow him more time to develop expertise in his research area.

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