Archived News

International Education Week at UCF (November 16-20)

 

Please join us in celebrating International Education Week at UCF! This annual event is supported by the U.S. Departments of State and Education to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

International Education Week at UCF is comprised of numerous cultural events for students, faculty, staff, and community members. Learn about studying abroad! Experience cultures and taste cuisines from around the world! Watch amazing performances from international student groups!

For the full schedule of events, please visit http://www.internationaleducationweek.ucf.edu.

The week is a collaborative effort with support and sponsorship from the following UCF departments:

International Services Center

Office of International Studies

Global Perspectives Office

College of Education

UCF TV

Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning

International Student Association

Colombian Student Association

Recreation and Wellness Center

Dining Services

Center for Multilingual Multicultural Studies

Student Development and Enrollment Services

UCF Libraries

Burnett Honors College

Career Services

Office for Corporate Partnerships and Career Management

Experiential Learning

UCF Police Department

Victim Services

Submitted by: Nataly Chandia, Director of the International Services Center

S. Goldman Public Talk Nov. 18: Our Knowledge of Space & Time Thru the Ages & where it Stands Today

S. GOLDMAN PUBLIC TALK

On Thursday, November 19, 2009, Professor Gary Shiu from the University of Wisconsin will be visiting UCF and will deliver a public talk on how our knowledge of space and time has progressed and where it stands currently.

TITLE: String Theory and the Quantum Universe

ABSTRACT:

Our understanding of space and time has undergone a series of upheavals during the last 300 years. In this talk, I will describe some of these, from Newton's absolute conception of space and time, to Einstein's relativity, through quantum theory's uncertainty, to cutting-edge work in string theory suggesting more dimensions of space than those we can see. Ideas to reveal these hidden dimensions experimentally will be discussed. No expertise in physics will be presumed.

LOCATION: Classroom Building 1, Room 309

TIME: 5.00 pm

http://heplectures.physics.ucf.edu/publictalks/ShiuFall2009.pdf

About the Speaker: Gary Shiu GARY SHIU received his PhD from Cornell University. After postdoctoral positions at the Institute of Theoretical Physics at Stony Brook and the University of Pennsylvania, he joined the faculty of University of Wisconsin at Madison in 2002.  His research, broadly known as String Phenomenology, aims at understanding the connection between String Theory, Particle Physics, and Cosmology. His work is supported in part by the US Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and the Research Corporation.

Study Abroad Fair, November 18

Study Abroad Fair

Where in the world will you be this summer? Come visit the STUDY ABROAD FAIR, hosted by UCF's Office of International Studies, on Wednesday, November 18th from 10am-2pm in the Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom. Come find out more about this year's programs, talk with students who have studied abroad and meet faculty members.  For more information...

http://www.ucf.edu/pls/CDWS/w4_bbs_announcements.display?p_announcement_id=21270&p_org_id=1145

http://studyabroad.ucf.edu/

CIA recruitment visit to UCF November 12, 2009

CIA Recruiting Visit


The Central Intelligence Agency is making a Recruiting Visit to UCF on
 
Thursday, November 12, 2009
 
·         Public Service Career Showcase    10:00 am – 2:00 pm     Pegasus Ballroom
·         Information Session                             4:00 pm – 5:00 pm       BA2, 207

For further information please see:

http://www.career.ucf.edu/UserFiles/11-12-09-%20CIA%20Info%20Session.pdf

Virtual Reality Fires Up Research Efforts At UCF

Virtual reality is a hypothetical three-dimensional visual world created by a computer.

Virtual reality is widely used in video games and military training.  Can it make a difference in public safety and policy-making decisions?  Can it be used to solve complex environmental, medical, and social problems?  A National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, aimed at interdisciplinary research, is helping UCF researchers find out.

The NSF grant is funding the Forest Fire Project.  Researchers from three seemingly unrelated disciplines-computer science, psychology, and economics-are involved.  They are: Dr. Charles Hughes, director of Media Convergence Laboratory; Dr. Stephen Fiore, director of UCF's Cognitive Sciences Laboratory at the Institute for Simulation and Training; and Dr. Elisabet Rutström, who specializes in experimental economics.

The aim of the project is to find out if a virtual reality presentation of wildfires might influence or motivate local residents to invest in wildfire protection, such as prescribed burns and other protective efforts.  For more information about virtual and mixed reality research at UCF, view the five minute video at:

http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/science_nation/wildfire.jsp

Workshop: Getting Started with Undergraduate Research...November 17, 2009

Want to get involved in research? This workshop will discuss how to expand your academic experience through undergraduate research.

Date: November 17, 2009

Time: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Location: SU 218 CD

For more information about this event, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Research at our@mail.ucf.edu

National Conference on Undergraduate Research--Abstracts due December 4, 2009

The National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity in all fields of study. The annual gathering welcomes up to 2,600 scholars and their faculty mentors from all institutions of higher learning in the United States. NCUR creates a unique environment for the celebration and promotion of undergraduate student achievement.

The 2010 NCUR will take place at the University of Nevada from April 15 to 17, 2010.

If you plan to make a presentation at the conference, the abstract must be submitted by December 4, 2009. 

For more information about the conference, go to:

http://www.umt.edu/ncur2010/

or contact the UCF Office of Undergraduate Research at:

our@mail.ucf.edu

Workshop: Finding Research Literature--November 18, 2009

Travel Awards Available for Students Presenting Papers at Conferences

The Office of Undergraduate Research has travel awards for students planning to present their work at conferences, workshops or showcases. Up to $300 is offered for national travel and $450 for international travel. Groups may qualify for up to $1000. SGA also has $250 student awards.

Details can be found at http://our.ucf.edu/opportunities/travel.php

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you,

Kimberly R. Schneider, Ph.D.

Director, Office of Undergraduate Research
Research Assistant Professor, Biology Department
University of Central Florida
Computer Center II, room 209
Orlando FL 32816-1906
407-823-1788
schneid@mail.ucf.edu
www.OUR.ucf.edu

Women and Leadership in the 21st Century World: Breaking Barriers. Oct. 27, 2009, 2-4:15 PM

Subject:  Public Forum: Women and Leadership in the Evolving 21st Century World
Sent by:  Helen Donegan, Vice President Community Relations for UCF Global Perspectives

The Global Perspectives Office, in a partnership with Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jay
Garner, is pleased to announce a public forum on "breaking barriers." This
forum is part of an annual focus, "Women and Leadership in the Evolving
21st Century World."

The forum will be held Tuesday, October 27, 2009,
from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. in the Cape Florida Ballroom of the Student
Union on UCF's main campus.

This forum is free and open to the public.

Those presenting at this public forum include Robin Buckelew, Director,
Applied Sensors, Guidance and Electronics Directorate, Aviation and
Missile Research Development and Engineering Center, United States Army;
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Claudia J. Kennedy; Mary Rawlinson, Editor, International
Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics; and The Honorable Winifred
Sharp, retired from the 5th District Court of Appeals. The forum will be
moderated by Maria Cristina Santana, Director, UCF Women's Studies
Program.

In addition to the Global Perspectives Office and Gen. Garner,sponsors
include Lawrence J. Chastang and the Chastang Foundation, UCF Diplomacy
Program, UCF Student Government Association, UCF LIFE, UCF Political
Science Department, UCF Women's Research Center, UCF Women's Studies
Program and the Global Connections Foundation.

Research Opportunities at the National Institute of Health

Research Opportunities at the National Institute of Health

November 3, 2009

Are you interested in conducting cutting edge biomedical research?  Do you want to do research at the world's premier research institution?  Do you want to research various diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, different types of cancer, cardiovascular disorders, or obesity?  Then the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is for you!  Dr. Jaron Lockett (lockettj@mail.nih.gov), Intramural Scienetific Recruiter from the National Institute of Aging, will be on campus to discuss research training opportunities that are available to UCF students.

Time: 12-1 PM

Location: Student Union, 218 CD

For more information on these opportunities, contact the Office of Undergraduate Research at our@mail.ucf.edu

The Office of Undergraduate Research is Presenting a Workshop: How to Publish, November 3, 2009

Workshop: How to Publish, November 3rd, 2009

Presented by the UCF Undergraduate Research Journal this workshop will review the basic strategies to synthesize your research into something that can be submitted for publication.

Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm

Location: SU 218 CD

For more information, contact the Office of Undergraduate Research at our@mail.ucf.edu

 

New Academic Success Workshops Available This Semester From SARC

Student Academic Resource Center
Fall 2009 Academic Success Workshop Series
For more information please call SARC at 407-823-5130 or visit our website at www.sarc.sdes.ucf.edu
We Can Help Make Your Academic Goals a Reality!

Academic Success Workshops:

How to Handle Mixed Mode Courses
Just because you are not in the classroom does not mean you don’t have homework.  Learn important strategies for success in mixed mode courses.
Wednesday, October 28th 
3:00 - 4:00 pm
Student Union 218AB

Emotion Regulation
Understand how your emotions work and the skills needed to manage one’s emotions instead of being managed by them.
Monday, November 2nd
10:00 - 11:00 am
Student Union 220

Classroom Communication Skills for Success
This workshop will focus on some of the typical mistakes students make when communicating with professors. Students will examine practical and effective strategies for improving their success in the academic environment by improving their oral and written communication.
Monday, November 2nd
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Student Union 220

Classroom Etiquette
Learn what specific traits and behaviors UCF professors are looking for students to posses.  Knowing these characteristics can be the difference between a final letter grade of a "B" as oppose to a "C+".
Monday, November 2nd
1:00 - 2:00 pm
Student Union 220

Professor’s Office Hours - The Most Important Hour You Will Ever Spend
 Don't be intimated to meet with your professors; be empowered to meet with your professors.  Learn conversation starters which will assist you in developing a working relationship with your professor.  Discover the many reasons why you should visit your professors and the positive results you will gain from just one visit.
Monday, November 2nd
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Student Union 218A

How to Get a Great Letter of Recommendation
Presentation is everything!  Learn how to ask for a recommendation and what information you should provide a professor to receive a letter indicating your strengths, talents, and abilities.
Monday, November 2nd      
5:00 - 6:00 pm
Nike Programming Center

Establishing Your Reputation on Campus
How does a UCF Knight leave their legacy on campus?  Learn some of the greatest opportunities UCF has to offer and what skills are necessary to become a leader on campus.  Want to leave your mark as an Ultimate Knight? Come to this workshop and you will learn how to present your best!
Monday, November 2nd     
5:00 - 6:00 pm
Hercules Programming Center

POWer Studying
Preparation, Organization, and a Willingness to Succeed = POWer Studying.
Learn how to get ready to study so you are not cramming the night before.
Wednesday, November 4th 
3:00 - 4:00 pm
Student Union 218AB

Time Management - How Not to Procrastinate
Want to turn in an assignment early or better yet, on time! 
Learn how to force yourself to get things done.
Wednesday, November 18th
3:00 - 4:00 pm
Student Union 218AB

Final Exam Preparation - 12 Days and Counting
Finals are right around the corner!  Learn how to determine what to study for a comprehensive final and how you can motivate yourself to reach your goals.
Wednesday, November 25th 
3:00 - 4:00 pm
Student Union 218AB

Final Exam Preparation - Stress Management
Are you starting to feel overwhelmed by preparing for finals? 
Learn how to regain control and make finals week a Success.
Wednesday, December 2nd  
3:00 - 4:00 pm
Student Union 218AB


Freshmen Students - Receive 500 LINK Points for Attending! Learn the necessary
techniques for Success at the college level. These are not your High School Study Skills! 

Transfer Students
Enhance the study and learning skills you have already developed. 
Take them to the next level here at UCF.

For more information, visit our website at www.sarc.sdes.ucf.edu to review over 80 handouts & inventories
to enhance your study and learning skills for college Success.



Also available at SARC, one-on-one learning consultations with a Learning Specialist
Call 407-823-5130 to schedule an appointment

YES Program Distinguished Speaker: Mr. Ben Patz, CEO and Pres., Coleman Technologies: Oct. 22, 2009

Dear EXCEL Student,
 
Please join us for the fall 2009 YES Distinguished Speaker event.  This is a good opportunity to learn about the YES program (see below).

Date & Time: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 4:00pm-6:00 PM

Location: College of Business, Room: BA 135, Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Ben Patz, CEO and President, Coleman Technologies http://www.ctiusa.com/, UCF Alum Electrical Engineering MS, 2002 Florida Entrepreneur of the Year for Technology Services
 
Tentative Agenda
3:30-4:00 PM:  Check-in and pick up name badge
4:00-5:00 PM:  Presentation
5:00-6:00 PM:  Reception with refreshments
(You will have the opportunity to interact with the speaker, faculty and industry mentors, EXCEL students, YES scholars, and YES program staff)
 
Please RSVP (thodges@mail.ucf.edu or 407 823-4587) by 10:00 Monday morning (10/19) if you plan to attend.   We hope to see you at the event!

YES Scholarship Program:
The purpose of the YES (Young Entrepreneur and Scholar) Scholarship program is to recognize talented students in the EXCEL program who are interested in a business-oriented (entrepreneurship career) path or an academic-oriented (research career) path.  EXCEL students in their third and fourth year (junior and senior years) can apply to the YES Scholarship program if they meet program eligibility requirements.  See the YES Web site for further details http://yes.ucf.edu/.  Each spring, we recruit YES students from qualified EXCEL students. 

Ms. Terrell A. Hodges
EXCEL Administrative Coordinator
University of Central Florida
(407) 823-4587
(407) 823-1488  (Fax)
thodges@mail.ucf.edu

Undergraduate Student Research Grant Opportunity (Grant Applications Due Oct. 30, 2009)

Undergraduate Student Research Grant Opportunity
Grant Application Due Date: October 30, 2009 at 5pm

Do you need funding to conduct your research? If so, students can
apply for grants up to $500 to support their research project. Group
projects may be eligible for up to $1000.  For details regarding
eligibility and to view the application, please visit:
http://our.ucf.edu/opportunities/grant.php

To assist students in the preparation of a grant, the Office of
Undergraduate Research will be holding workshops:
Writing a Grant Proposal (SU, 221 AB)

Oct. 13, 1:30-3 PM  OR Oct. 14, 1:00-2:30 PM

If you have any questions regarding the student grants, please contact
the Office of Undergraduate Research:

Computer Center II, Room 209

OUR@mail.ucf.edu

407-823-3125

www.OUR.ucf.edu

Office of Undergraduate Research is Presenting a Workshop on Academic Publishing on Oct. 28 and 29,

Workshop: What is Academic Publishing?

Presented by the UCF Undergraduate Research Journal, this workshop will review the world of academic publishing and help you envision publishing your research.  The workshop will be given on:

 October 28th, 2009 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM in SU 218 AB

and on

October 29th, 2009 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM in SU 221 AB

For more information, contact the UCF Office of Undergraduate Research at our@mail.ucf.edu

 

Co-Op Position for Junior or Senior!

2009 EXCEL Students Persistence Challenge

A+A=$  It's simple math......   A's are worth more both to your GPA and now to your wallet.  The EXCEL program, with the assistance of WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA, '09 EXCEL students have the opportunity to earn Barnes and Noble Gift Cards for improving their math test grades.  All students are encouraged to take advantage of the tutoring opportunities available at the EXCEL Center and the Nike Annex.  Students should see their graduate mentor for additional information on the Persistence Challenge Program.  Good Luck!! 

College Open House, October 3

College Game Day takes place this year during Family Weekend on Saturday,

October 3, where everyone is invited to attend any of the open houses on

the UCF campus. Come early to the UCF vs. Memphis football game, and walk

to the college open house event of your choice.

 

Business Administration

Location: Business Administration I, Rm 107

Event & Time: Economic Forecast Speaker, 11:00 a.m.

 

Engineering & Computer Science

Location: Harris Engineering Center (HEC)

Event & Time: Senior Design Expo, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

 

Medicine & Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences

Location: Health & Public Affairs I

Event & Time: Med School Update & Undergraduate/Graduate Programs of

the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

 

Nursing

Location: HPA I, Rm 231 (Limited capacity)

Event & Time: Simulation Demonstration, 10:15 a.m or 11:15 a.m.

 

Burnett Honors College

Location: Honors Building

Event & Time: Mini-Lectures and Cook-Out, 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

 

Health & Public Affairs

Location: Health & Public Affairs I

Event & Time: Tips From an Athletic Trainer, 10:45 a.m.

 

Arts & Humanities

Location: Visual Arts Building, Lobby & Patio

Event & Time: Booth Displays and Art Gallery Tours, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

 

Education

Location: Education Complex/Teaching Academy

Event & Time: Basketball Free-Throw Competition and Game Show, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

 

Sciences

Location: College of Science Building, Rm 221

Event & Time: Physics Demonstration, 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

 

Alumni Association

Location: FAIRWINDS Alumni Center North Lawn

Event & Time: Family Weekend Tent Party. Pre-registration required.

 

For more information, visit www.openhouse.ucf.edu.

 

Physics Nobel Laureate Sir Anthony J. Leggett will visit the UCF campus and present a lecture Oct. 9

 

Calculus 1 Study Session

Pre Calculus Study Session

The EXCEL Pre Calculus class will be taking test #2 this Friday, Oct. 9th.  EXCEL is having a special study session for all Pre Calc students to help prepare them for the test. All Pre Calc students should plan to spend time in either the EXCEL Center or the Nike Annex to receive additional tutoring help.  Bring your questions; bring examples of problems that are giving you trouble.   
 
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009
EXCEL Center - begins at 6:00pm to close
Nike Annex (meet in the Programming Center) - begins at 7:00pm to close
(You do not have to be a resident of Nike to use the annex)
 
Food and Drinks will be provided!! 
 
**Please remember to sign in/out so your time can be recorded.   
 
Good Luck to all!! 

EXCEL Advising Day Oct. 7, 2009

First Year Advising:  Chelsea Worthington, cworthin@mail.ucf.edu

College of Engineering & Computer Science:  Melissa Falls, mfalls@mail.ucf.edu

College of Sciences:  Lee Kirkpatrick, lkirkpat@mail.ucf.edu

Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences:  Ana Maria Schwindt, aschwind@mail.ucf.edu

 

UCF Invites You to a College Work Experience Information Session with Lockheed Martin, Oct 7

What: Information session about the UCF/Lockheed Martin College Work Experience Program and Production Planning and Control.

When: 5:00-7:00 PM, October 7, 2009

Where: UCF Student Union, Cape Florida Ballroom (316AB)

Refreshments will be provided

SARC Scholarship Week Scheduled for September 14-17

 

Scholarship Week is sponsored by the Student Academic Resource Center.  There will be several informative activities taking place during the week.  Details of these activities are given below, and are also available at:  http://www.sarc.sdes.ucf.edu/workshops.php.  YOU CAN EARN 1000 LINK POINTS FOR WORKSHOP ATTENDANCE.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Tristan Hubsch to Speak on Extra Space Dimensions for Our Universe

Dr. Tristan Hubsch, Professor of Physics at Howard University will present a public talk entitled Extra! Extra! Extra Dimensions: Room Enough for Many Worlds on Thursday, September 17 at 4:30 PM in ED 174A.

Summary of the talk:  

Superstring theory, the first candidate "Theory of Everything," actually predicts space to have more than three dimensions. Besides the by now 90-year old idea of compacting the extra space into teensy clumps, the so-called Brane-World cosmologies (by now 10 years old) offer a truly exciting alternative: our World could be millimeters away from another, we may be able to signal (or even travel) faster than light... Curiously, some of these phenomena are foretold by the kind of complex geometry we've learned for compactification.

It is the first in a series of public talks planned by the Steve Goldman Lectures in Mathematical Physics at UCF. 

The Steve Goldman Lectures in Mathematical Physics are public lectures and/or colloquia given by nationally and internationally known speakers.  Steve Goldman is a Florida philanthropist, founder and former CEO of Distributed Processing Technology, and a world-recognized expert in computer storage technology.

More information on the series can be found at http://goldmanlectures.physics.ucf.edu/index.html.

NanoFlorida 2009 Symposium, September 25-26

The University of Central Florida's second annual NanoScience

Technology Symposium will be held on Friday and Saturday September

25-26, 2009, at the University of Central Florida's Student Union.

We invite you to join us for an exciting and engaging day of

information exchange and discussions encompassing cutting edge research

and developments in the fields of nanomaterial synthesis and

self-assembly; physics and dynamics of nanoscale systems;

nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine; and, nanodevices and applied

nanoscience.

For further information, please contact:

Michelle Shirzad

nano@mail.ucf.edu

 

 

407-882-1578

EXCEL students recognized at Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence

EXCEL would like to congratulate those students who participated in this year's Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence on April 2, 2009. The showcase, which was held in the UCF Student Union, is a forum for University of Central Florida undergraduates to present their research to others. The showcase is a wonderful way for students to display and speak about their research experiences and accomplishments.

Many of the EXCEL students highlighted in the showcase obtained access to research in labs that are of interest to them by participating in the EXCEL Undergraduate Research Experience (URE). We are proud of the outstanding work our students are doing in the lab under the guidance of their faculty mentors.

The next Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence is scheduled for April 1, 2010. Please visit www.showcase.ucf.edu for more information.

2009 Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence EXCEL participants:

JUAN ALARCON
Mechanochemical Approach to Alkyne Synthesis
Mentor: Dr. Richard Blair, Chemistry

MALIHA BEG
Effects Of Seed Sensity and Habitat On Seedling Emergence Of Chamaecrista Fasciculata
Mentor: Dr. Pedro Quintana-Ascencio, Biology

DANIEL CARLYLE
Elucidating SNARE Complex Formation in Plasmodium Falciparum
Mentor: Dr. Debopam Chakrabarti, Molecular Biology & Microbiology

LAUREN CAVETTE
Measuring and Teaching Creativity to Improve Engineering Curriculum
Mentor: Dr. Yan Wang, Industrial Engineering & Management Systems

KENNETH ETCHEVERRY
Development Of A Flow-through Layer-by-Layer Deposition Method For A Smart Capillary Tube
Mentors: Dr. Hyoung-Jin Cho, Mechanical Materials & Aerospace Engineering and Dr. Lei Zhai, Nanoscience Technology

HUMA KHAN
Enterococcus Faecalis, A Model System For Synthesis Of Labile Selenoenzymes
Mentor: Dr. William Self, Molecular Biology & Microbiology

RACHEL KING
Genetic Variation in Male Quality Has A Direct Influence On Female Physiology and Fitness
Mentor: Dr. Kenneth Fedorka, Biology

KANIEL MARTIN
Simple Bayesian Classifier
Mentor: Dr. Michael Georgiopoulos, School of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

KATHERINE RILEY
Weighing In: Using Photographs to Estimate Polar Bear Body Condition
Mentor: Dr. Jane Waterman, Biology

KRISIA ROSARIO
Novel Precipitation Agents for the Rapid Identification of Pharmaceuticals
Mentor: Dr. Richard Blair, Chemistry

KEVIN SCHILLO
The Design of A Future Supersonic Commercial Airliner
Mentor: Dr. Educardo Divo, Engineering Technology

TIFFANY THOMPSON
Growing Up Fast- Differences In the Movement of Juvenile Cape Ground Squirrels Xerus Inauris Prior to Dispersal
Mentor: Dr. Jane Waterman, Biology

KEON VEREEN
Optical Measurements in Nucleate Boiling In a High Pressure Refrigerant Flow
Mentor: Dr. Ranganathan Kumar, Mechanical, Materials & Aerospace Engineering

 

Meeting of the Student Undergraduate Research Society – All Students Welcome

If you are involved in research or are interested in getting involved in research, you are invited to join the Student Undergraduate Research Society (SURS). All students welcome!

Date:        September 9th, 2009

Time:        6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

      Location: Student Union, Room 222

Creativity and Problem Solving in Engineering

You are invited to attend a presentation by Victor W. Goldschmidt, Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University.  Topics include:

Problem Solving in Engineering, and

Releasing Ones Own Creativity

HEC 111    Monday, September 14, 2009, 10:00 -11:15 AM

Pre Calc Special Study Session

"Storms and Opportunities: A Planetary Energy and Climate Discussion"

SARC Student Workshop on September 2nd about Classroom Etiquette

Dear EXCEL students,

You might be interested in attending a SARC (Student Academic Resource Center) workshop that is scheduled from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Wednesday, September the 2nd at the Student Union 218B.

This workshop will focus on how to:

• Impress your professors this semester in the classroom with your best work to date.
• Make a name for yourself in the classroom through the development of an effective work ethic.

For more information about future SARC workshops that might be of interest to you please visit www.sarc.dses.ucf.edu

Nike Community EXCEL Center Annex Open!

McNair Scholars Program: Paid Research Opportunities for Juniors and Seniors

Dear EXCEL students,

The McNair Scholar program offers research experiences (during the summer term) for juniors and seniors.

This program is geared towards first generation college students who demonstrate financial need, as defined by federal guidelines, and for students who are members of a group traditionally underrepresented in graduate education. Students must have 4 semesters left before they graduate and a 3.0 GPA.

Please go to www.mcnair.ucf.edu and pre-apply to see if you qualify. The deadline for this pre-application is September 4, 2009.

If you have any question about the program or the pre-application send an e-mail to the McNair staff from the McNair web-site.

The RAMP Program: Paid Research Experiences Opportunity

Dear EXCEL students,

The RAMP (Research and Mentorship Program) offers research experiences for juniors and seniors.

Preference is given to first generation college students who demonstrate financial need, or to students who are members of a group traditionally underrepresented in graduate education. Students must have 4 semesters left before they graduate and a 3.0 GPA.

Please go to www.ramp.ucf.edu and pre-apply to see if you qualify. The deadline for this pre-application is September 4, 2009.

If you have any question about the program or the pre-application please call 407-823-1815 or send an e-mail from the contact link of the RAMP web-site.

2009 EXCEL Welcome Party

Dear EXCEL participants,

Saturday, August 22nd is the 2009 EXCEL Welcome Party for new and returning EXCEL students. 

The keynote speaker is Jason Lovelace from Disney Corporation. Jason is a UCF alumnus and he will give us a presentation explaining some of the work that he is responsible for at Disney. Jason Lovelace is the Team Leader of the Ride and Show Engineering Sustaining team for Disney’s Hollywood Studios Region, which includes the Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, Disney's Blizzard Beach, and Disney's Wide World of Sports™ Complex.

Activities are planned to help the new (09 cohort), and older (06-08 cohorts) EXCEL students to get to know one another.

The details of what, when, and where are below.

What:    EXCEL Welcome Party
When:   Saturday, August 22, 2009,  4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Where:  Harris Engineering Center, room 125

There will be dinner (BBQ) served at around 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Free Workshops on Getting Started in Undergraduate Research

There are several workshops on getting started in undergraduate research coming up in the next few weeks. These workshops are free and no RSVP is required. They will be given on the following dates:

 

Aug. 26, 1-2:30 PM (SU, 221A)

Aug. 27, 6-7:30 PM (SU, 221AB)

Sept 1, 1-2:30 PM (SU, 221 AB)

Nov. 17, 1:30-3:00 PM (SU, 218CD)

 

Questions: Contact the Office of Undergraduate Research

Located in CC II – 209, Phone: 407-823-3125, E-mail: our@mail.ucf.edu.

EXCEL students are encouraged to attend one of these workshops.

SARC (Student Academic Resource Center) workshop for EXCEL students

Ms. Jennifer Wright, Director of SARC, will present a workshop for the benefit of EXCEL students on topics such as:

• How to talk to your professors
• How to e-mail to your professors
• Essential Study skills in College

This workshop will take place on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at the

• Pre-Calculus class, COM 110, 3:30 p.m., and also at the
• Applications of Calculus I class, HPA 112, 4:30 p.m.

 

Current Topics in Machine Learning I Course Offered Fall 09

If you are a junior or senior in engineering or the sciences, an elective course, EEL 4818(H),  entitled Current Topics in Machine Learning I (described below) is being offered this fall, in which professors from the School of EECS will present Machine Learning topics related to their research areas.  Honors students may register without consent of instructor.  Others should contact Dr. Michael Georgiopoulos (michaelg@mail.ucf.edu), who will coordinate registration for the course.

 

Machine Learning (ML) is a discipline that evolved from the field of Artificial Intelligence. The course’s charter is to study, develop and build models able to perform “intelligent” tasks that may be second nature for humans, but are well beyond the capabilities of traditional computing paradigms. ML has a multidisciplinary base that includes:

Mathematics (classical/combinatorial optimization, game theory, etc.)

Statistics (statistical inference, detection and estimation, etc.)

Engineering (information theory, signal processing, simulation & modeling, etc.)

Computer science (algorithmic analysis, optimal software implementations, computer vision, etc.), and

Physics & Biology (non-traditional computing paradigms, such as simulated annealing, quantum computing, genetic algorithms, swarm intelligence, etc.).

The objective of this course is to provide students with the fundamental concepts in the field of Machine Learning that will help them understand popular ML algorithms and the theory behind them. Furthermore, a variety of applications (drawn from fields such as Electromagnetics, Digital Signal Processing, Computer Vision, Remote Sensing, Communications, Pattern Recognition, to mention only a few), where ML algorithms have proven their usefulness will be emphasized.

This class will serve as a prelude to Machine Learning II (EEL 4817), scheduled to be taught in spring 2010.  It is project-oriented and its purpose is to give the opportunity to interested students to get involved with a Machine Learning project. The work that a student does in the Machine Learning II class could potentially lead into a publication at an appropriate conference venue.

For further information, please contact Dr. Michael Georgiopoulos at michaelg@mail.ucf.edu,

New Opportunity: EXCEL URE Extra Funding Available for Fall 2009

There is a new scholarship opportunity for fall 2009 that is open to students completing the EXCEL program. The YES Scholarship Program is a great opportunity open only to EXCEL students majoring in engineering and computer science. The purpose of the YES program is to recognize talented engineering and computer science students who are interested in a business-oriented (entrepreneurship career) path or an academic-oriented (research career) path.

The YES program provides 23 scholarships a year (typically of $5,000 each) to junior and senior EXCEL students from the CECS (College of Engineering and Computer Science) who qualify for the YES scholarship.

We invite you to visit our website https://yes.ucf.edu/prospective_students.php  for more information and eligibility requirements.  Application deadline is June 30.

If you have any additional questions about the program or eligibility requirements, please contact Kim Small at ksmall@mail.ucf.edu or call 407-823-2455 for an appointment to discuss this opportunity further.

I hope that you will consider continuing your research interests with this program.

Regards,

Dr. Christopher L. Parkinson

Dept. of Biology

 

Important Scientific Discovery Made by Dr. W. Self, One of EXCEL’s Applications of Calculus Faculty

An important scientific discovery has been made by Dr. William Self, microbiologist in the Burnett School of

Biomedical Sciences, and one of EXCEL's Applications of Calculus faculty.  He has found that the arthritis drug

Auranofin inhibits the growth of bacteria such as super-bug Clostridium difficile, which can lead to

life-threatening bouts of diarrhea, and Treponema denticola, a major contributor to gum disease.

 Read more at…

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/health/ucf-drug-research060109,0,1926041.story

http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=00240041037381429012136c33d79006ed3

 

 

 

EXCEL Advising, Thursday, January 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., EXCEL Center.

EXCEL Advising Day:

Mark your calenders for EXCEL Advising Day this Thursday, Jan. 8th in the EXCEL Lab. If you are not able to make it on Thursday you must contact your advisor to schedule an appointment for Friday, Jan. 9th. This is mandatory for those who have a UCF GPA below a 2.5

Advisor Schedule during Advising Day:

First Year Advising, Ms. Meena Datta 10:30 to 3:00
407-823-3789 mdatta@mail.ucf.edu

College of Engineering & Computer Science, Ms. Melissa Falls 10:00 to 3:00
407-823-0040 mfalls@mail.ucf.edu

College of Sciences, Ms. Erin Myskowski 12:00 to 3:00
407-823-6131 emyszkow@mail.ucf.edu

M&M, Ms. Ana Schwindt 10:00 to 3:00
407-823-1259 aschwind@mail.ucf.edu

***************
EXCEL Advising Day

Welcome back to another brilliant semester at UCF! We hope you had a peaceful, relaxing holiday break.

To kick off the Spring 2009 semester EXCEL will have Advising Day in the EXCEL lab on Jan. 8th. This is an opportunity to meet with an advisor to discuss your schedules, major, or any other academic concern you may have. First Year Advising as well as college advisors will be there to assist you.

If your GPA has fallen below a 2.5 you are required to meet with your advisor. You must schedule an appointment with your advisor for Friday, Jan. 9th if you are not able to attend Advising Day on Thursday.

Mark your calender!!

Who: EXCEL students, '06, '07 and '08
What: EXCEL Advising Day
When: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: EXCEL Lab, CCII-223

View Flyer

SARC: How to Handle Mixed Mode Courses

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008, 10:00 a.m.-11-00 a.m.

Student Union, 218D; learn important strategies for success in mixed mode courses

EXCEL 06 Students: URE Meeting, Monday, October 6, 2008, Biology Building, room 415.

EXCEL 06 students who worked on the Summer 2008 URE experiences are encouraged to attend a meeting organized by Dr. Parkinson to discuss their summer research experiences and their plans to participate in the SURE Undergraduate Research Experiences in the Spring of 2009.

EXCEL 07 Students: URE Meeting, Wednesday, October 8, 2008, HEC 101, at 7:00 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.

EXCEL 07 students are invited to attend a gathering organized by Dr. Parkinson. In this meeting Dr. Parkinson will delineate the details of the sophomore paid undergraduate research experiences offered by the EXCEL program. Please plan to attend either the 7:00 p.m. or the 8:30 p.m. meeting on October 8.

EXCEL Faculty/Student Dinner, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008.

The first ever faculty/student dinner was a huge success on Thursday night at the UCF Marketplace. Approximately 30 EXCEL students showed up to have dinner with several faculty, TA's and staff. The informal event allowed students to talk to faculty about anything from personal to academic issues. Students provided suggestions on the center, Applications class, and other areas. We thank everyone who came for making this such a valuable experience and we look forward to doing it again.

 

EXCEL Advising Day, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008-10-15.

EXCEL Advising Day:

Mark your calenders for EXCEL Advising Day this Thursday, Jan. 8th in the EXCEL Lab. If you are not able to make it on Thursday you must contact your advisor to schedule an appointment for Friday, Jan. 9th. This is mandatory for those who have a UCF GPA below a 2.5

Advisor Schedule during Advising Day:

First Year Advising, Ms. Meena Datta 10:30 to 3:00
407-823-3789 mdatta@mail.ucf.edu

College of Engineering & Computer Science, Ms. Melissa Falls 10:00 to 3:00
407-823-0040 mfalls@mail.ucf.edu

College of Sciences, Ms. Erin Myskowski 12:00 to 3:00
407-823-6131 emyszkow@mail.ucf.edu

M&M, Ms. Ana Schwindt 10:00 to 3:00
407-823-1259 aschwind@mail.ucf.edu

***************
EXCEL Advising Day

Welcome back to another brilliant semester at UCF! We hope you had a peaceful, relaxing holiday break.

To kick off the Spring 2009 semester EXCEL will have Advising Day in the EXCEL lab on Jan. 8th. This is an opportunity to meet with an advisor to discuss your schedules, major, or any other academic concern you may have. First Year Advising as well as college advisors will be there to assist you.

If your GPA has fallen below a 2.5 you are required to meet with your advisor. You must schedule an appointment with your advisor for Friday, Jan. 9th if you are not able to attend Advising Day on Thursday.

Mark your calender!!

Who: EXCEL students, '06, '07 and '08
What: EXCEL Advising Day
When: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: EXCEL Lab, CCII-223

View Flyer