Institute of Computing and Cybersystems (ICC) Blog

Category: Announcements

Register for Michigan Tech’s Design Expo, Thursday, April 15

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by Pavlis Honor College

Now’s the time to register to attend Virtual Design Expo, the annual Enterprise and Senior Design project showcase at Michigan Tech.

Once again, for the second time ever in its 21-year history, Design Expo will take place virtually. We’ve excitedly taken lessons learned from last year’s first virtual Expo and fused it with new ways of connecting to make the 2021 Design Expo more engaging and safe to attend in real-time!

Design Expo puts our undergraduate student innovators and their corporate and community sponsors and faculty advisors front and center.

Every year, teams showcase their solutions to complex, real-world and life-changing challenges. Teams compete for thousands of dollars in cash awards—and receive priceless, well-deserved recognition. 

Guests and judges will need to register in order to attend by April 9. 

This year’s event will happen in multiple segments online via Zoom and Gatherly. 

Monday, April 12

  • Noon — Remote, asynchronous viewing and judging of team videos opens on the Design Expo website, mtu.edu/expo.

Thursday, April 15

  • 11 to 11:30 a.m. — Opening remarks via live Zoom webinar
  • 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — Synchronous event with student teams begins: take part in real-time interaction/Q&A with students using Gatherly
  • 3 to 3:30 p.m. — Presentation of Awards via Zoom live webinar
  • 3:30 p.m. — Virtual Design Expo 2021 concludes
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Spring Celebration Update

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In light of recent changes to Michigan’s COVID-19 epidemic orders that increase the size of allowable group gatherings, Michigan Technological University has modified its graduation celebration planned for April 30, 2021 to allow families and guests to participate alongside their graduate.

As announced in an earlier email to students, the University will host a graduation walk through campus to celebrate this significant milestone. Students may now invite up to six guests to walk with them. Details, including the start times, are still being worked out. Graduates who would like to participate will be asked to sign up prior to the celebration. A signup link will be emailed to all eligible graduates on March 22.

As a reminder, Michigan Tech remains committed to the health and safety of our campus community. All guests and graduates will be required to wear a face mask at all times and practice social distancing during the event. Please be sure to check www.mtu.edu/commencement for the latest information.

Congratulations, Huskies—you did it! The pride you feel now will only grow stronger with time. Your Michigan Tech family and our community joins you and your loved ones in celebrating your completion of this journey. 

Regalia Update

Regalia is encouraged, but not required at the outdoor event. Regalia can be ordered through Herff Jones with direct delivery to the graduate. If you have questions regarding your order, contact Michele Nash from Herff Jones at mnash@herffjones.com or 248-667-9018. 

Class of 2021, you’ve done an amazing job! If you have any questions, contact commencement@mtu.edu.

Please Note

Neither participation in the commencement ceremony nor inclusion in the program constitutes official completion of degree requirements or the attainment of honors or other recognitions.

Graduates do not receive their diploma at the commencement ceremony. Diplomas are mailed to the graduate approximately six weeks after degree requirements are met.


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CyberCorps SFS Program: Info Session #1 Is March 22, 7 pm

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Monday, March 22, 2021 6-7 p.m.

An exciting scholarship opportunity has been announced for Michigan Tech students who wish to pursue cybersecurity-related degrees and work for government agencies after graduation.

Two informational sessions will be presented, on March 22 and March 30, both from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. EST, to help students complete the application process for the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program.

Both sessions will provide the same information. Prior registration is required. Following, you will receive a confirmation email and instructions for joining the session.

View the blog post here: https://blogs.mtu.edu/computing/2021/02/19/info-sessions-for-cybercorps-scholarship-are-march-22-march-30/

More info about the SFS Program: https://www.mtu.edu/sfs/

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SASE at Michigan Tech Is Newest Student Organization

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A new student organization has been officially approved through the office of Student Leadership and Involvement. 

The mission of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) at Michigan Tech is to support and promote the personal and professional development of Asian/Asian-American students and their friends.

Any and all interested students (including all majors and identities) are welcome to join SASE at Michigan Tech. Faculty and staff are also welcome to be involved as honorary members of the RSO.

Find more info and contact the SASE at Michigan Tech on the group’s Involvement Link webpage.

An APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) subcommittee will plan activities centered specifically around the Asian American experience,. Sudent leaders are working to officially affiliate the group as a national SASE chapter, in addition to its status as a Registered Student Organization (RSO) at the University.

The SASE group is co-advised by Distinguished Professor of Transportation Engineering Dr. Zhanping You (CEE) and Liz Fujita, Academic Advisor and Outreach Specialist in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department.

Information about the national work of SASE can be found here.


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Spring Commencement Update

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by Registrar’s Office

The commencement team has begun planning an exciting celebration for our 2020 and Spring 2021 graduates. Unfortunately, the indoor commencement ceremony has been canceled, and students were recently notified, but that isn’t stopping us from celebrating their successes.

In place of the traditional ceremony, graduates will be celebrated in an outdoor event along the campus mall on the afternoon of Friday, April 30. While planning is in the early stages, departments will be asked to take part in the celebration by cheering on their students as they participate in this sendoff. With that, departments, faculty, and staff are asked to save the date. The time is approximately 1 to 4 p.m., though not everyone will celebrate at the same time as graduates will be split into groups by their college to keep gathering sizes smaller.

Thank you in advance for your assistance and support. Additional information will be provided as plans progress.

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2021 Design Expo Continues As Virtual Event

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by Pavlis Honors College

The 21st Design Expo will continue virtually, but with a twist! Combining lessons learned from our first successful Virtual Design Expo and the desire to engage student teams synchronously, the Design Expo committee is excited to invite the Michigan Tech community, program friends and sponsors to register for this year’s Design Expo held via Gatherly, a platform used to simulate synchronous interactions and discussions, similar to a live MUB ballroom event.

Similar to last year’s Virtual Design Expo, more than 1,000 students in the Enterprise and Senior Design programs will come together to put on a virtual showcase of their work and compete for awards. This year, a panel of judges, made up of distinguished corporate representatives, alumni, community members, and Michigan Tech staff and faculty will critique videos of team projects, solutions, and results. We will kick-off and close the event via Zoom. At 11:30 AM participants will transition over to Gatherly, for the live two-hour synchronous showcase for student projects.

This event is free and open to the public. We encourage current and future students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, families of students. etc to help us celebrate our students and their achievements—register today to virtually attend Design Expo.

2021 Schedule of Events:

Monday, April 12

  • Noon — Remote judging open

Thursday, April 15

  • 11 a.m.: Opening remarks via live webinar
  • 11:30 a.m.: Gatherly event opens
  • 1:30 p.m.: Gatherly event closes
  • 3 p.m.: Presentation of Awards via live webinar
  • 3:30 p.m.: 2021 Design Expo concludes

Interested in judging for the 21th annual Design Expo? This year, judges will have the flexibility to judge team videos anytime between noon on April 12 through 1:30 p.m. on April 15. In addition to video judging, judges will be asked to attend Design Expo between 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. during the Judging Hour on April 15 to visit assigned teams via Gatherly.

Judges will be selected based on the availability to attend Design Expo during the synchronous event starting at 11:30 a.m. Judges will be assigned three to five teams to view and evaluate team videos over a four-day period (April 12-15) using an electronic ballot sent out via email and/or text message.

Judges will then judge the same three to five teams during the synchronous events 11:30-1:30 p.m. There will be a designated judging hour 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. but judges may continue scoring teams until 1:30 p.m.

Please consider serving as a judge — we welcome all Michigan Tech faculty, staff, alumni, industry representatives, community members, and anyone interested in the great work of our students!.

Click here for more information on attending and judging Design Expo. Check out all of the details of Design Expo here. For questions, please reach out to Briana Tucker.

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GRC Registration Closes Soon

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by Graduate Student Government

Registration for this year’s virtual Graduate Research Colloquium (GRC) will close at 11:59 PM tomorrow (March 2). The event will be held on Thursday April 1, and Friday April 2.

GRC is a great opportunity to work on your presentation skills and prepare for upcoming conferences. Students are free to give an oral presentation, a poster talk, or both. All talks will be scored by judges from the same field as the presenter, who will give valuable insight and feedback on how you can improve your talk. Cash prizes are available for the top 3 places in both oral and poster presentations ( 1st – $300, 2nd – $200, and 3rd – $100). Registration closes Tuesday, March 2, at 11:59 PM. Only a research abstract is due at the time of registration. Register today.

Guidelines to record a video for the poster session and to compile slides for an oral presentation are available on the event website. The video and slide submission deadline for the event is 11:59 PM, Monday March 22, 2021. Full information on the event can be found on our website.

Feel free to contact Sarvada Chipkar if you have any questions or concerns.

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Biocomputing, Digital Health Focus of New Research Center

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The Institute of Computing and Cybersystems (ICC) and the Health Research Institute (HRI) have established the Joint Center of Biocomputing and Digital Health (BDH).

The new research institute was co-founded by HRI member Jingfeng Jiang (BME) and ICC member Jinshan Tang (CC).

The mission of Joint Center of Biocomputing and Digital Health (BDH) is to conduct research, develop innovative solutions, and provide educational opportunities in the area of biocomputing and digital health, thereby enhancing Michigan Tech’s ability to recruit and retain high-quality researchers and students, elevating Michigan Tech’s presence in developing technologies for healthcare delivery, and increasing knowledge sharing in the global community.

Jingfeng Jiang is a professor with the Department of Biomedical Engineering. His research interests are in biomechanics, automated control of ultrasound scanning including the use of 3D printing technology, image and signal processing, non-invasive assessment of biomechanical properties of soft tissues, and computer aided analyses of cardiovascular flow.

Jinshan Tang is a professor in the Department of Applied Computing. His research interests are in image processing and pattern recognition, biomedical imaging and medical image analysis, and medical informatics and intelligent medical diagnosis systems. Tang is a member of the ICC’s Center for Cyber-Physical Systems.

The Institute of Computing and Cybersystems (ICC) creates and supports an arena in which faculty and students work collaboratively across organizational boundaries in an environment that mirrors contemporary technological innovation.

The Health Research Institute (HRI) aims to establish and maintain a thriving environment that promotes translational, interdisciplinary, and increasingly convergent health-related research and inspires education and outreach activities.

Please contact Jingfeng Jiang (jjiang1@mtu.edu) with questions.

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Computing Programs Ranked Among Best in Nation

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Several Michigan Tech College of Computing degree programs have been ranked among the best in the nation by Intelligent.com. In addition, the research guide ranked the University number three among all colleges in Michigan.

Intelligent.com looked at nearly 2,300 accredited colleges and universities nationwide making evaluations based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation and post-graduate employment. Programs were evaluated on a scale of 0 to 100 with Michigan Tech making it to the final list for 12 separate degree programs.

The four College of Computing programs and their national ranking as rated by Intelligent.com are:

Additional Michigan Tech degree programs included in the ranking are:

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Leo Ureel Receives 2020-21 CTL Award for Innovative Teaching

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The 2020-2021 CTL Instructional Award for Innovative or Out of Class Teaching is being presented to two instructors, and Assistant Professor Leo Ureel, Computer Science, and Libby Meyer, senior lecturer, Visual and Performing Arts.

Ureel was nominated in recognition of his “student-centric efforts which have increased retention and diversified the cohort of first-year computing students.”

Ureel’s presentation, “Three course innovations to support communication,” will be presented at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2021, as part of the CTL Instructional Award Presentation Series.

Link here to register for the event.

Ureel is a member of the Institute of Computing and Cybersystems’s (ICC) Computing Education Center.

Meyer’s presentation, “Beyond Carrots and Sticks: Mastery Based Grading and Narrative Assessment” will also be presented on February 18.

During spring 2017, academic deans were asked to begin recognizing instructors making contributions in these areas as part of the Deans’ Teaching Showcase, effectively nominating them for instructional awards.

CTL and Provost’s office members along with previous awardees then select one individual in each category from a pool composed of the Showcase and those nominated to the Academy of Teaching Excellence.

Ureel Lecture Abstract

Three course innovations to support communication Introductory courses present many communication challenges between faculty and first year students. In this context, we discuss three innovations used in our introductory computer science courses.

The first is the use of Snap, a high-level, visual programming language, as a form of pseudocode during the first five weeks of the course to build student vocabulary and problem solving skills before tackling programming in Java.

The second is a Code Critiquer developed as a Canvas plugin to provide immediate guidance and feedback to students when they submit their programming assignments.

The third is a grade visualization tool that helps students understand their current performance in the course and project a range that will contain their final grade. While not everyone teaches introductory computer science, we discuss how these or similar innovations and tools might apply to your course.

Leo Ureel, Computer Science
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