CECS Newsletter 13 for AY 2007/08

February 08 2008

by Dr. A. Monge

If you'd like to contribute to this newsletter, feel free to send contributions to Dr. Monge amonge@csulb.edu. The newsletter will be published once a week. Contributions can range from notification of jobs, internships, fellowships, and scholarships to announcements of campus events, and questions you'd like answered which would be relevant to the recipients of the newsletter.

The department has a tentative Fall 2008 schedule of classes ready. If you're interested in seeing it, you may ask your advisor. We will not make copies or distribute it, as it is not official yet.

Students are reminded that program planners and catalog rights for students who do not maintain continuous attendance at CSULB are valid for ONE calendar year only. Failure to maintain continuous attendance means that a student must meet the regulations current at the time of resuming the degree program or those applicable at the time of graduation. If you plan not to register in a semester, be sure to file a Leave of Absence with the University.

The CECS department approved the following GWAR Policy: All academic advisors in the Department of Computer Engineering and Computer Science shall approve for graduation all students who:

1. met all of the course requirements for their respective ABET/CAC approved program at the time they withdrew from the University.
2. Failed to pass the Writing Proficiency Examination at a time when that was the only effective method for satisfying Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement.
3. Were denied graduation on the basis solely of non-satisfaction of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement.
4. Subsequently passed one of the instruments (course or exam) for satisfying the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement.

If you are such a student or know of someone who may qualify under this new policy, please see your respective undergraduate advisor.

• Sunday, February 10 – is the last day for students to add classes using MyCSULB. This is also the last day for students to drop a class without receiving a 'W' grade.
• Friday, February 15 – is the last day for students to submit (without a fee) an approved 'Late Registration Request' form to add a class or request credit/no credit or audit grade option.
• Friday, February 22 – is the last opportunity for students to add classes or request grading options on an approved 'Late Registration Request' form to the Enrollment Services windows by 5:00 PM. A Missed Deadline fee will also be assessed.

The President's Forum on International Human Rights -- "Modern Genocides and Global Responsibility", will take place February 11-13. This is a major international event for CSULB. You should participate by attending the different events going on throughout each of the three days. You may attend the panel discussions, featured speakers, film screenings, and art performances. All events are open to the public and are free of charge. No registration is required. You should arrive early as seats will be available on a first-come basis.

Education Abroad is pleased to announce a greatly expanded list of opportunities for CSULB students to study abroad in summer 2008. All courses are taught by CSULB faculty. Most courses count for General Education and capstone credit. Some courses include community service. This is a great opportunity for students to take GE capstone courses abroad AND decrease their time to degree, and of course travel to countries like China, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Spain, etc.) For more information including course syllabi and application forms, visit the Study Abroad Programs website

Fluor Corporation is seeking students to enter a competition in their facilities during the Engineering Week 2008 Activities. The have room for one or two teams of 4 engineers each and the event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 11:00am to 1:00pm. This event would be an opportunity for students to meet some professional engineers and test their engineering creativity and teamwork. If interested, please contact Dr. Monge for a flyer with the details.

• ISSCC: Jeff Hawkins on Why a Computer Can't Be More Like a Brain. Jeff Hawkins is the founder of Palm Computing and Handspring.
• 10 New Technologies IBM Is Cooking in Its Innovation Labs Appears in eWeek (02/04/08) Vol. 25, No. 4, P. 34.

Student Organizations wishing to announce their meetings in this newsletter can send the information to Dr. Monge amonge@csulb.edu.

EAT is a club for computer enthusiasts in every area, with a special emphasis on embedded systems design. Our members are involved in various design competitions and work in teams to be successful. We offer candy and drinks when you need them most, and through our networking connections with industry professionals, the possibilities for job placement through involvement with EAT are endless! Come to have fun and learn at the same time! Our general body meetings are held each Tuesday at 4pm in ECS-304, and we generally meet on Thursdays at the same time and location for student-led workshops or presentations from industry professionals. Please visit our website Embedded Applications Technology, contact the secretary secretary@eatsociety.org, or stop by our office in ECS-303 for more information.

Warner Bros. Technical Operations Inc. seeks a Credit Intern – Software QA for the Tech Solution & Infrastructure department. Position is responsible for quality assurance of all ADS software/applications. Integration testing of all internally and externally developed code/applications. Assist developers in troubleshooting software/applications. Provide internal and external developers with development guidelines to ensure applications pass QA. Develop interfaces within the customer support tool for ADS. Perform a variety of other assorted production tasks as assigned. Below is a list of Internship Qualifications:

• MUST be in the process of completing a 4 year degree at an accredited institution.
• MUST be enrolled in a CREDIT ONLY INTERNSHIP COURSE at an accredited university or college.
• Majoring in areas of: Computer Science or similar degree program required.
• Experience in a QA role strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of HTML, Java, and at least 1 other web programming or scripting languages (e.g. C/C++, Perl, JavaScript, SQL, Unix shell, etc.) is required.
• Experience with wireless server side application development and testing. Strong skills in web application programming (e.g. database applications, session handling, content management, personalization) are preferred.
• Strong knowledge in a web application platform and frameworks (e.g. EJB, JSP, Servlet, Struts) preferred.
• Understanding of web application design (e.g. including formal methodologies, data modeling, and object-oriented design) is strongly preferred.
• Experience with web media production (e.g. Flash Generator, QuickTime, Real Media, Windows Media, etc.) is a plus. Must possess excellent problem solving skills.
• Must be a "self-starter" as well as work in a group project environment.
• Must be able to prepare and maintain software documentation.
• Must be able to organize and schedule a high workload, efficiently.
• Must have a flexible and friendly personality to interface closely with the production staff and outside clients.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with others (clients, staff, management, vendors, etc.).
• Must have attention to detail.
• Must have a desire to learn and master new technologies.
• Candidate must be able to work approximately at least 2 or 3 days per week.
• Candidate who works hard and knows how to have fun!

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, submit your information to the Time Warner website – this link is specifically for this internship!

Warner Bros. Technical Operations Inc. seeks a Credit Only Intern for the Tech Solution & Infrastructure department. Position performs design, development, and other software activities related to the implementation of websites and software applications. Provides software documentation such as requirements analysis, technical specifications, QA test plans for developed work. Understands and follows existing development processes. Performs a variety of other assorted research and development tasks as assigned. Below is a list of Internship Qualifications:

• MUST be in the process of completing a 4 year degree at an accredited institution.
• MUST be enrolled in a CREDIT ONLY INTERNSHIP COURSE at an accredited university or college.
• Majoring in areas of: Computer Science or similar degree program required.
• Knowledge of HTML, Java, and at least 1 other programming or scripting languages (e.g. C/C++, Perl, JavaScript, Unix shell, etc.) is required.
• Knowledge in a web application platform and frameworks (e.g. EJB, JSP, Servlet, Struts) strongly preferred.
• Strong database development skills (e.g. including database design and SQL queries and operations) are required. Understanding of web application design (e.g. including formal methodologies, data modeling, and object-oriented design) strongly preferred.
• Experience with web media production (e.g. Flash, QuickTime, Real Media, Windows Media, etc.) is a plus.
• Must possess excellent problem solving skills. Must have a desire to learn and master new technologies. Must be a "self-starter" as well as work in a group project environment.
• Must be able to prepare and maintain software documentation.
• Must be able to organize and schedule a high workload, efficiently.
• Must have a flexible and friendly personality to interface closely with the production staff and outside clients.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with others (clients, staff, management, vendors, etc.). Must have attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Candidate must be able to work approximately at least 2 or 3 days per week.
• Candidate who works hard and knows how to have fun!

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, submit your information to the Time Warner website – this link is specifically for this internship!

Internship positions are immediately available in the Video Processing & Analysis (VPA) group at Philips Research, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The interns will work on projects related to computer vision (for example, people localization & tracking, person identification, human motion analysis, gesture recognition, facial expression recognition, event detection, activity analysis, camera network, etc). Different focus options are possible depending on the interests and strengths of the candidates. The interns will work with other talented researchers in a stimulating environment, and will be encouraged to think out of box and find innovative solutions for real-life problems. The candidates have to be available for a period of at least six months. The work of the internship is expected to be written as a technical report. Publication at top conferences is highly encouraged. Requirements include: - Self-motivated Master or PhD student - Proven background in related areas – Computer Vision, Pattern Recognition, Machine Learning, Image / Video Processing – are highly desired - Excellent programming skills – Matlab or C/C++ - Proficiency in English

The VPA group is developing algorithms for a wide range of applications. For almost two decades, the group has been the cradle for various award-winning innovations in the field of consumer TV, such as Digital Natural Motion (TM) and Pixel Plus (TM). Currently, the group contributes to a large variety of video-oriented applications in the field of TV, Medical Imaging, 2D/3D Displays, Computer Vision, Human-Computer Interaction, Mobile Communication and Microscopy. To be successful in such a wide domain, the group cooperates with many other groups in Philips Research, as well as with various external parties.

Philips Research (www.research.philips.com) is the source of many advanced developments in Healthcare, Lifestyle and Technology. Building on over 90 years' experience in industrial research and our world-leading patent position, we’re dedicated to meaningful innovations. In the healthcare domain, we are enhancing imaging and monitoring systems, as well as exploring innovative personal healthcare. In lifestyle, we’re helping people see, hear, remember and share content, anywhere and anytime. Our vision focuses on simplicity, making technology an integral – but invisible – part of everyday life.

Please forward your CV, including your available dates, to Caifeng.Shan at philips.com (please put "Internship Application" in your email subject).

Prepare for a Future Career…Engage yourself in Public Service. Apply for a Capital Fellowship Today! Applications due by February 27, 2008. The Capital Fellows Programs consist of four individual fellowships:

1. California Senate Fellows
2. Executive Fellowship Program
3. Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program
4. Judicial Administration Fellowship Program

These nationally recognized fellowships, sponsored by the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento, are an outstanding opportunity for college graduates to engage in public service and prepare for a future career. Fellows work 10-11 months as full-time staff members in the California State Assembly, Senate, Executive Branch or within the California Court System. They gain first-hand experience in governing the most diverse state in the nation and a sense of personal involvement in the leadership of California society. The only prerequisite for the programs is a four-year college or university degree and a demonstrated interest in state government and public service. Fellows come from all cultural, political, economic, career and educational backgrounds, and no previous legislative or political experience is required.

For further information please see the Capital Fellows Program website or contact the Center for California Studies at calstudies@csus.edu

The Engineering, Science and Technology Job Fair will be on February 28, 2008 from 12pm-4pm at the University Student Union. The Career Development Center maintains a List of employers that will be at the job fair. They also provide a handout on Making the Most of the Job Fair (PDF).

The Corona Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) will be hosting an on-site Career Fair on Wednesday,February 13th from 2 to 6pm. The NSWC seeks Computer Scientists, Engineers, Mathematicians, Physicists, Statisticians and other IT professionals. US Citizenship is required. For more information visit their |NSWC website. To attend the Career Fair, RSVP to: m_crna_dea@navy.mil and be sure to bring your resume!

The SEIU Local 721 seeks a Program Analyst/IT Specialist to be responsible for maintenance and enhancements of existing systems, development of new systems, data reports, set up and maintain Network and providing technical assistance to other staff. This person will report to the Director of Information Technology Department and could be assigned duties beyond this job description. Local travel is required occasionally. Example of typical assignments or duties:

• Setup and support application development
• Participate in the overall functional and technical design and implementation for assignments
• Development of enterprise reports for internal departments and external vendors as needed
• Development and maintenance of necessary jobs, packages, scripts, and processes for the reporting databases
• Maintain and enhance back end database and front end application components and develop utility programs
• Perform analysis, design, programming, testing and other application development and maintenance tasks to meet new requirements and major enhancement requests.
• Create and update system documentation and specifications.
• Provide desktop and network support. Maintain and enhance back end server network.
• Configure, install, troubleshoot and resolve hardware and software issues for end users
• Install, configure and document standard client and server system hardware and software.
• Problem identification, systems architecture definition, hardware/software specification, design, implementation and solution deployment.
• Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply processes and procedures
• Share in the general responsibilities of the Information Technology Department and meet the goals and needs for the organization and all staff.

The minimal requirements are:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science.
• Team player and self-starter with excellent communication and problem solving skills
• Good ability to work on multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and efficiently
• Experience with Visual Basic 6.0/ Microsoft .Net/MS Visual Studio/Crystal reports/MS SQL Reporting Service/MS Access Database
• Knowledge of SQL server programming, stored procedure
• Knowledge of Relational database, ODBC, OLE/DB and ADO
• Solid Knowledge of IT on both servers and workstations
• Knowledge of Windows XP, Vista, Windows Server OS, Exchange, Back up Application
• Knowledge of TCP/IP networked environments, NFS/DNS configuration
• Knowledge of Cisco Pix/Sonicwall experience is a plus
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• All Microsoft business applications
• After Hours on call duties will be needed occasionally

Those interested should send their resume and a copy of University transcript to 721Resume@seiu721.org

Second Generation Heterogeneous Modular Robotic System – NASA needs a generic, affordable, autonomous robotic platform that can be adapted to a variety of tasks. Modular robotic systems are built from simple modules that can be reconfigured for multiple tasks, are smaller than monolithic systems, can be divided into groups for work on multiple tasks simultaneously, and have greater fault tolerance than monolithic systems. Student would design the chassis for robot modules, have them built, and assemble the hardware together with the electronics, actuators, and sensors into a completed module.

Desired skills: mechanical or electrical engineer, preferably with experience in designing and building real hardware devices with electronics (robotics). Preference will be given to graduate students. However, undergraduates who have completed senior level work and/or have considerable practical experience will be considered. US citizenship required.

Application Deadline: Open until position is filled. Applications must include the following: CV, cover letter (reference Job# SGHMRS 1.0), and letter of recommendation. Email applications to: amy.gilbert@adm.ucsc.edu

Visit the website for more information about the UARC STI.

The publisher of a local magazine is looking for a part time student that would be able to help with their Web sites. Specifically it would be to implement an already existing design with a content management system such as Word Press. Interested students should contact Liz Davis, Publisher of Kidsguide Magazine and Petsguide Magazine at Liz@kidsguide.info.

If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get a million miles per gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.

By "Robert X. Cringely", Computerworld, as it appears in Quotes for Programmers