Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering, Drexel University
CS News & Notes
Issue 28 August 15, 2011
In This Issue
Philly Lambda Meeting
MCS Meeting 8/18
Philly Geek Awards
DGDG Meeting 8/22
Fellowships Info Session
Trivia Answer
Department Advising Notes
Programming Team
CS/SE Job Opportunities
TechServ Needs Members
Drexel Farmers Market

Remember:

The CS Website is updated regularly with events, news, and announcements. You can log in with your user name and password to explore more options and resources as well. If you have any questions about the site, contact webmaster@cs.drexel.edu.

Quick Links
Find us on Facebook 

Follow us on Twitter 
 

For questions about this newsletter or if you'd like to contribute content, please contact Julie Fisher.  

Drexel Campus
Welcome to the Department of Computer Science e-newsletter. This bi-weekly newsletter will list all upcoming CS events and announcements every other Monday.
This icon will appear in any event and announcement that includes FREE FOOD. 
fork and knife image

EVENTS

Philly Lambda Meeting 
Wednesday, August 17
6 to 8:30 p.m.
University Crossings 151

Philly Lambda will be holding their monthly meeting. Topics include building multi-channel communication apps with Tropo, Phono and SMSified (presented by Mark Headd at 6:30 p.m.), as well as an introduction to mobile robotics (presented by Tom Panzarella at 7 p.m.). For details see http://phillylambda.org/. 

MCS Meeting: Azure/WP 7 Presentation
fork and knife imageThursday, August 18
5 to 6 p.m.
University Crossings 153
Drexel's Math and Computer Science Society (MCS) hosts Mark Davis, a programmer from the Windows Azure platform, who will present a lecture on developing supportable cloud-based applications with Server-oriented Architecture (SOA). For more information about MCS, click here.
Philadelphia Geek Awards
fork and knife imageFriday, August 19
6:30 p.m.
Academy of Natural Sciences (19th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway)
The Academy of Natural Sciences is teaming up with the popular local blog Geekadelphia to host the first Academy Awards-style ceremony celebrating the city's "geek" scene. The Philadelphia Geek Awards is a black-tie, red carpet affair at which 19 awards will be given to honor "outstanding achievements in Philadelphia's vibrant geek community," according to Eric Smith, the brains behind the concept and co-founder of Geekadelphia, an art and culture blog that offers "a guide to everything geek in the city of brotherly love."  Nominees were submitted online by the public in 19 categories including Best New Blog, Best New Podcast and Best Local Viral Video. The event is free, but registration is required. To register, click here. For more information, email sybesma@ansp.org.  
DGDG Meeting: Game Night
Monday, August 22
6 to 8 p.m.
University Crossings 149
The Drexel Game Developers Group (DGDG) invites students for a game night to relax before finals week. 
Women in Science and Engineering Fellowships Info Session
Wednesday, August 24
3 to 4 p.m.
Hill Conference Room, LeBow 240
Drexel Fellowships Office and Drexel Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (DGWISE) will host a seminar about fellowships for women in science and engineering.  Fellowships program coordinator Cindy Schaarschmidt will discuss applying for fellowship opportunities and address the benefits of pursuing such fellowships. She will also provide information and guidance on applying online for the fellowships and offer tips and important facts. Following the seminar there will be a question-and-answer session and a short networking event for women in science and engineering to share experiences about applying for fellowships. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, email dgwiseboard@gmail.com or visit http://www.drexel.edu/fellowships/. 
MCS Meeting: Hackathon
fork and knife imageThursday, August 25
5 to 6 p.m.
University Crossings 153
Drexel's Math and Computer Science Society (MCS) invites students to hack around with other MCS members. During this hackathon guests will be presented with projects to work on and problems to solve. For more information about MCS, click here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Trivia Question and Answer

Q: Where can students receive help, consulting and other learning resources for computer science classes? (Hint: it's located in University Crossings and staffed by graduate and undergraduate students employed by the CS Department)

A: The Cyber Learning Center (CLC), located in University Crossings 147. Learn more information about the CLC's hours, class list and student helpers here. Fall 2011 schedule will be available in September. 

Be sure to check in for the next trivia question in August 29's issue.

Advising Notes
CS/SE Freshmen/Sophomore Advisor: Undergrad Advising Center
CS/SE Upper Level Advisor: Andrea Negro
Gaming Track/Concentration:
Some of the rubrics for the game concentration/track have changed. Below is the list of changes:
DIGM 260 is GMAP 260
DIGM 345 is GMAP 345
DIGM 141 is ANIM 141
DIGM 211 is ANIM 211
DIGM 212 is ANIM 212
DIGM 377 is GMAP 377 
DIGM 378 is GMAP 378
Even though these courses are restricted, our students are allowed to take them. Please contact your advisor for an override and a plan of study to make sure you can get the courses in on time. For additional advising information, click here
Drexel Programming Team Accepting New Members for 2011-12 Academic Year
Attention, Programmers!  Plans are underway to form Drexel's Programming Team. If you are an experienced/highly capable programmer, and would like an opportunity to use your skills for a chance at international competition, please try out for a team. Teams of three students each will be chosen to represent Drexel at two events in the near future. All programming will be done in C, C++, or Java. Undergraduates and graduates of all majors are eligible to participate. Email Dr. Jeff Popyack at jpopyack@cs.drexel.edu if you're interested in becoming a member.
Search the CS Website for Jobs  
TechServ Call for New Members

Due to an increase in the number of projects currently underway, TechServ is seeking more volunteers. No prior technical experience is necessary to join TechServ, and there are often projects which enable students to help out "when they can." Students interested volunteering or learning more can stop by during any of the meetings. TechServ is a student organization whose mission is to help bridge the Digital Divide in the Philadelphia area, primarily by computer refurbishment, donations, and training. For more information, visit www.dusers.drexel.edu/techserv/meetings/ or email techserv@drexel.edu. TechServ will have weekly meetings on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m in MacAlister Hall, room 0020 (basement).

Drexel Farmers Market
Open every Tuesday and Friday
Drexel Business Services invites the Drexel Community to the new Drexel Farmers Market every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside of the Drexel Recreation Center. The market is also open every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside MacAlister Hall. Based out of Boyertown, Pa., Frecon Farms has been growing locally since 1944 and will bring seasonal goods to Drexel's campus for students, faculty, professional staff and the community. For more information, email dbs@drexel.edu.