Local News in Brief : San Diego

The UC San Diego department of electrical and computer engineering has received $1.8 million in state-of-the-art computer equipment and software from Apollo Computer Inc. of Chelmsford, Mass., and Mentor Graphics Corp. of Beaverton, Ore. The equipment will be used to train both undergraduate and graduate students in computer-aided design of integrated circuits.

The equipment will give UCSD students experience with equipment commonly used in private industry, said Paul Chau, assistant professor of electrical and computer science.

At San Diego State University, the College of Sciences has received a $150,000 challenge grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation of Los Angeles for geology equipment. The grant will be matched with $100,000 from the College of Sciences and an additional $50,000 to be raised from alumni and friends of the department of geological sciences. The money initially will be used to purchase state-of-the-art computers, seismology equipment and a microscope video camera and monitor.

Philip Kern, geology department chairman, said the equipment will help students prepare better for careers in private industry. The 57-year-old San Diego State program is among the nation’s top 10 in terms of granting degrees in the geological sciences.