New Kids on the Block

The Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Department welcomes three new professors starting Fall 2012. Learn what makes them tick.

Nilanjan Banerjee

Though technology has become an essential resource for many, it’s using up more and more of another kind of resource: energy. Not only is energy production costly, but it’s not infallible. For a generation that’s come to rely on technology, what do we do when we’re unexpectedly cut off? That’s a question that new Computer Science and Electrical Engineering professor Nilanjan Banerjee, 30, is answering with renewable energy-driven devices that keep us connected, especially when we need it the most. Read More…

Jian Chen

Few things are more daunting than an excel spreadsheet full of data. Even scientists can react to massive data sets with blank stares. That’s where the work of new CSEE assistant professor Jian Chen comes into play. As a designer of visualization and interaction techniques, Chen translates data into symbols that humans are good at interpreting.

“I have been working with biologists, physiologists, neurologists, cognitive scientists, and structural engineers to study cutting edge visualization science,” says Chen. Read More…

John Park

Even though this will be my first real term as a full-time lecturer at UMBC, I'm actually an old hand here.  I have been teaching part-time at UMBC for 4 years, during which I've taken turns at teaching CMSC 104, 202, and 331, in various forms, including developing and teaching CMSC 202H, the new honors section of that course.  I've had extensive industry experience in many subfields of Computer Science, including operating systems, real-time control systems, artificial intelligence/machine learning, digital imaging and graphics, and bioinformatics.  I'm now eager to apply that experience to a much broader range of courses in the department, combining sound theory with practical considerations and applications.  This coming fall, however, I'm easing into the new job by starting with CMSC 104 and 201. Read More…

Isaiah 34 (NIV)

¹Come near, you nations, and listen;

pay attention, you peoples!

Let the earth hear, and all that is in it,

the world, and all that comes out of it!

² The Lord is angry with all nations;

his wrath is on all their armies.

He will totally destroy them,

he will give them over to slaughter.

³ Their slain will be thrown out,

their dead bodies will stink;

the mountains will be soaked with their blood.

⁴ All the stars in the sky will be dissolved

and the heavens rolled up like a scroll;

all the starry host will fall

like withered leaves from the vine,

like shriveled figs from the fig tree.

⁵ My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens;

see, it descends in judgment on Edom,

the people I have totally destroyed.

⁶ The sword of the Lord is bathed in blood,

it is covered with fat—

the blood of lambs and goats,

fat from the kidneys of rams.

For the Lord has a sacrifice in Bozrah

and a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

⁷ And the wild oxen will fall with them,

the bull calves and the great bulls.

Their land will be drenched with blood,

and the dust will be soaked with fat.

⁸ For the Lord has a day of vengeance,

a year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause.

⁹ Edom’s streams will be turned into pitch,

her dust into burning sulfur;

her land will become blazing pitch!

¹⁰ It will not be quenched night or day;

its smoke will rise forever.

From generation to generation it will lie desolate;

no one will ever pass through it again.

¹¹ The desert owl and screech owl will possess it;

the great owl and the raven will nest there.

God will stretch out over Edom

the measuring line of chaos

and the plumb line of desolation.

¹² Her nobles will have nothing there to be called a kingdom,

all her princes will vanish away.

¹³ Thorns will overrun her citadels,

nettles and brambles her strongholds.

She will become a haunt for jackals,

a home for owls.

¹⁴ Desert creatures will meet with hyenas,

and wild goats will bleat to each other;

there the night creatures will also lie down

and find for themselves places of rest.

¹⁵ The owl will nest there and lay eggs,

she will hatch them, and care for her young

under the shadow of her wings;

there also the falcons will gather,

each with its mate.

¹⁶ Look in the scroll of the Lord and read:

None of these will be missing,

not one will lack her mate.

For it is his mouth that has given the order,

and his Spirit will gather them together.

¹⁷ He allots their portions;

his hand distributes them by measure.

They will possess it forever

and dwell there from generation to generation.

Reflection:

Recent films like “2012,” “The Day After Tomorrow,” and “Knowing” take us into an apocalyptic world where a catastrophic event of nature destroys modern civilization, as we know it.All the securities of today- homes, finances, technology, military power and food industry- are totally wiped out. And as we read this chapter, Isaiah’s prophecy is one of total desolation; a culmination of the preceding chapters, which were filled with God’s judgment against the opposing nations and people of the earth. All these nations and all that they glory in (which Israel was tempted to trust in instead of God) will one day be turned from streams into desert wasteland.This is a destiny decreed and sealed by the Lord “None of these will be missing…”

Our God is awesome and holy; He rules over and judges all the nations.And one day, everything that is not of Him will share in the same destiny proclaimed here, but for those who trust in Him, their story will be different- a life clothed in His mercy, hope and redemption.

Responding to the Transmission:

Let’s spend some time thanking God for His incredible goodness, justice, and holiness.Let’s also pray that we will learn to walk with Him so that our lives will reflect His mercy and redemption to all those around us.

Two podiums, one air conditioned auditorium, being shown in another air conditioned auditorium. Yes, the O’Reilly/Stewart debate is on and USDemocrazy is hosting a public showing of The Rumble in the Air Conditioned Auditorium next Saturday (October 6th) in the Commons’ Skylight Lounge. 

As you may know the TV comedian and the man-bear pundit have sparred in the past and never fail to produce compelling debates. This time they will be discussing America’s problems and the direction of the country. You know, just keeping it light. 

Following the 90 minute debate we will have a discussion session lead by our Editor-in-Chief Kal Kallaugher. 

The event starts at 8pm. Admission is free but we are accepting donations to charity as half of the debate’s profits are being donated by Stewart and O’Reilly. 

Show up, enjoy the slug fest, and maybe jump in our own debate afterwords.