This project should help you prove your knowledge of Java's array-like containers.
Do Programming Project 7.2.
Have the user enter the coordinates of each cell that contains life initially. Then display the grid and as long as they don't enter 'quit', calculate a new generation and repeat.
(See below how to boost your levels with a graphical interface.)
This project earns you (Level 4) toward your level requirements.
You may look ahead to Chapter 9 (Section 10, available at the student's companion web site) and build a graphical application as suggested for an additional (Level 3). Clicking on a cell should toggle the life in that cell. That is, a living cell clicked will die and a dead cell clicked will come to life. Provide buttons in your application (also Chapter 9) for displaying the next generation, clearing the grid, and quitting.
This space reserved to add more boosters...