BE Undergraduate Newsletter
Announcements
Join the Baskin Day team!
Baskin Day is an annual student-run event open to everyone, where we celebrate the Jack Baskin School of Engineering, its students, faculty, and its achievements over the years. We aim to hold Baskin Day 2023-24 on Friday, October 13 (tentative). The event will feature various activities and educational events for everyone to enjoy — highlights of last year's Baskin Day included faculty research panels, a career recruiting event, and an engineering-themed Jeopardy! game, plus cool swag like stickers and T-shirts.
We are looking for enthusiastic and passionate students to join our planning committee over summer break and in fall quarter to help organize our event. If you are interested, please fill out this short application form and we will get back to you!
https://tinyurl.com/
Open committees:
- Media
- Logistics
- Sponsorship
- Internal
- External
Hope to meet you soon, and thanks for your interest in helping us with this annual event. Go Slugs!
If you have any questions, feel free to email the organizers: Alison <allasun@ucsc.edu> or Yogita <ysenthil@ucsc.edu>
Introducing SlugLoop: Revolutionize Your Campus Commute!
Ever found yourself stranded, waiting for a campus shuttle that's late or lost? Do you wish you had real-time updates on exactly when your ride is arriving? If so, SlugLoop, a new app from UC Santa Cruz, is here to transform your transit experience!
Born out of CruzHacks 2023, SlugLoop is a student-created app aimed at making transportation around the UC Santa Cruz campus more efficient and convenient. We've worked tirelessly since our beta phase, refining and enhancing features based on your feedback.
We're always eager for more suggestions on how we can improve. Your input will help us make SlugLoop an indispensable tool for all UC Santa Cruz students. Together, we can make campus transportation as seamless as possible.
Check us out at https://www.slugloop.tech. If you have any questions, suggestions, or bugs to report, don't hesitate to use our "Contact Us" form on the SlugLoop website. We're all ears and ready to make your commuting experience better!
Upgrade your campus commute today with SlugLoop!
Research Mentoring Internship Program
The Genomics Institute's Research Mentoring Internship (RMI) program is a research training program for UCSC undergraduates. RMI scholars receive hands-on experience performing wet-lab, computational, or faculty-directed research into the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic research. Award recipients will also receive a $3,000 quarterly scholarship and professional development and networking opportunities. Application cycles occur twice a year in the fall (transfer students only) and spring. Visit the RMI website to learn more about the program and RMI sponsored workshops that are open to all students.
For more information, contact Alondra Figueroa Olivo at afigue30@ucsc.edu.
Introducing the New Baskin Engineering Makerspace Initiative!
As part of the dean's Creative EDG2 initiative, the Baskin School of Engineering recently held Sustainable Sewing and Screen-Printing workshops in their new experiential learning and creative space (working title: SlugWorks) located in the basement of the Jack Baskin engineering building (JBEB 55).
Two successive 3 hour workshops were held in collaboration with the Rachel Carson College Earth Week festivities. Students learned about the life cycle of textiles and sustainable design practices, while creating tote bags and shirt designs to screenprint. The students and staff offering workshops in the new facility are eager to create and host casual yet progressive learning experiences where UCSC students, regardless of major, previous experience, or socio-economic background, can feel supported in making anything they can imagine using the tools and equipment available.
All students who submitted feedback were interested in further involvement, or proposing a future workshop. They also agreed that after the workshops, they could now find their way back to the SlugWorks location without guidance, overcoming the current wayfinding barrier. Lastly, the majority of students felt better connected to the Baskin Engineering facilities and what they have to offer.
Be on the lookout for upcoming Workshops and opportunities to get involved this upcoming Fall!
Students creating stencils to screen-print shirt designs.
Create Circuits, Control Motors, and Learn The EDA Toolchain!
Design-Build Experience: Electronic Circuit Design & the EDA Toolchain
By Undergraduate students like you!
The electronics circuit design module of CMPM 17 will introduce the basic concepts of electricity, circuit design, and circuit building by taking participants through the full manufacturing process of a printed circuit board. Students will initially learn the physics and measurement skills needed to design and troubleshoot their circuit on a breadboard before working through the entire Electronic Design Automation (EDA) workflow to build a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that controls the speed and direction of a motor for a desktop fan. In addition, the use of soldering for circuit construction and the process of sourcing electronic components is introduced. Taking this class will prepare you to streamline your own personal electronics projects and give you the skills to participate in engineering project clubs like UCSC Rocket team, Autoslug, Formula Slug, and Slugbotics.
The class has been designed to teach skills from the ground up, starting with a theoretical basis and quickly progressing into hands-on labs and activities designed to build upon each other and coalesce into a unified final project.
Link to the syllabus.
3D Design and Printing: Bring Your Creativity to Life This Fall!
Design-Build Experience: Introduction to 3D Design and Fabrication
The Introduction to 3D Design & Fabrication section of CMPM 17 is a class designed to give students the opportunity to learn introductory level skills associated with 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing. CAD software is frequently used by different types of engineers and designers. CAD software can be used to create two-dimensional (2-D) drawings or three-dimensional (3-D) models.
Students will learn how to use the industry standard 3D design software, SolidWorks, to design their own projects that will later be manufactured using3D printers. Students will be introduced to SolidWorks through mini-design exercises ( e.g. learn how to design and 3D print lego pieces) that will prepare them to create a final fabrication project design of their own choosing. Concepts such as rapid prototyping and iterative design will be explored and will culminate in a final project in which students get the freedom to design and fabricate something of entirely their own design. Students will gain an array of skills including: Post Processing ; CAD design(Solidworks) , 3D Printing (Prusa Mini), STL Slicing (Ultimaker Cura), Sourcing/ importing parts, Creating Mechanical Drawings and how to keep an engineering notebook. This course is designed to be both challenging and fun, while giving students the opportunity to apply their new-found skills to create something they can be proud of.
See the Course Syllabus for more detailed info.
CMPM 17 Design-Build Experience: Fall 2023
General Course Information
The goal of Design Build Experience is to introduce and practice a variety of concepts, skills, and strategies fundamental to engineering design and creative projects. Students will be trained in the engineering design cycle through project iteration and implementation from a holistic perspective, taking into account economic viability, resource efficiency, social resilience, ecological impact and ethical responsibility. Students will learn discipline-specific concepts while designing and building a tangible product that necessarily requires the safe use of tools and equipment available in a makerspace facility. Due to the 10-week time constraint design projects will, of necessity, be limited in scope. In-person lab attendance is required and it will be difficult to make up this time if classes are missed.
After completing this Design Build Experience, students are welcome to apply what they have learned to their own personal projects or to form/join a collaborative design team or student club within SlugWorks. In most cases, the completion of the course will result in a learner being approved to use specific equipment on their own.
Note that each instance of Design Build Experience focuses on a specific technical topic with associated final project, equipment-use, and foundational knowledge. Thus, students can elect to enroll in any variant featuring a topic or skill of personal interest. Design-Build courses can be repeated for credit and do not have prerequisites.
Humanizing Technology Program
Humanizing Technology, a Humanities certificate program for engineering students, provides undergraduates the opportunity to explore the impacts of existing and emerging technologies, while also fulfilling GE requirements.
How to Earn the Certificate
- Take three of the six courses listed below:
- HUMN 15 Ethics and Technology
- HUMN 25 Humans and Machines
- HUMN 35 Language Technology
- HUMN 45 Race and Technology
- HUMN 55 Technologies of Representation
- LIT 126H Artificial Intelligence and Human Imagination
- There are no prerequisites and you can take the courses in any order you choose. Each course fulfills a different GE requirement.
Not interested in pursuing the certificate program but would like to take a Humanizing Technology course? The six courses are open to all UCSC undergraduate students. We encourage engineering students to take at least one of these courses. More information can be found on the Humanizing Technology website.
Civil Engineers - Ready to Work? SacDOT Job Opportunities & Job Fair!
Are you looking for gainful employment in the California Bay Area in civil engineering, transportation, and/or public works? The Sacramento County Department of Transportation is hosting a job fair for Civil Engineering students, graduates, and working engineers seeking a career change. Opportunities include Senior & Associate Civil Engineers, Bridge Operator, Highway Maintenance Equipment Operator, and some student internships. Follow the link and browse the openings to see if any of these positions pique your interest: Jobs With SacDOT. Dress to impress and bring a copy of your resume - early attendees may be interviewed on site. Be sure to consult your academic or career advisor for interview pointers! The details are below along with some other helpful links.
Date: Friday, September 8, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: 4111 Branch Center Way, Sacramento CA. 95827, Conf. Rm. B
Links: FB / Eventbrite
Empowering Computer Engineers in Pasadena, CA this October!
The Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI) is holding their 35th academic conference in Pasadena, CA this year: The Great Minds in STEM Conference from October 11th to the 14th.
The agenda includes research presentations, professional development sessions, computing workshops, cyber security competitions, and keynote speeches from industry leaders!
Graduate students and undergraduate students are encouraged to apply. Scholarship support to cover travel and registration expenses is available for qualifying students. Follow this link to the conference website for details. Follow this link to the application.
Black Staff and Faculty Organization (BSFO) Annual Scholarship
The University of California, Office of the President’s Black Staff and Faculty Organization (BSFO) is encouraging systemwide UC-enrolled African American students to apply for BSFO’s Annual Scholarship.
In these days and times, scholarships are used to help towards the astronomical costs of completing your educational goals and meeting daily expenses. BSFO recognizes the hard work, sacrifices, and dedication it takes to reach your educational goals. We provide a $1,000 scholarship annually to students to use towards items of your choosing and help lighten some of your financial obligations.
We want to hear from you, tell us a little about yourself, your passions, motivations, and examples of your persistence throughout your educational journey. Tell us about your academic achievements, professional goals, and scholastic endeavors. The Application process is simple, complete and submit UCOP’s BSFO Scholarship Application by December 31, 2023. You will not need to wait long to receive the funds, BSFO notifies selected students of their selection status by the end of January 2024 and funds are provided by the end of February 2024. Selected students will also have an opportunity to speak at BSFO's Scholarship Awards Ceremony that will be held in February 2024.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Bioinformatics & Coding Summer Bridge Course: Apply Now - Course Starting Soon
This September, The Baskin School of Engineering and the Genomics Institute is again offering the Bioinformatics & Coding early start course! This pre-fall-quarter course is designed to teach foundational skills to first year students and expose them to the bioinformatics, bioengineering, computer science, and computational biology majors. This non-credit course is free and will be 100% online.
Dates of course: September 4th - September 29th, 2023
Class meetings: M,W,F 4:00- 5:50PM PDT
Prerequisites: Must be an incoming frosh or transfer student. Class size will be limited to 15 participants. Coding experience is NOT required.
BIPoC, Latinx, differently abled, and other students of backgrounds historically underrepresented in STEM fields are strongly encouraged to apply. Interested students are encouraged to apply soon with this online form, as the course start date approaches quickly!
For more information, email Zia Isola: zisola@ucsc.edu
Please note that the syllabus is subject to change before the first day of the course: SyllabusBioinformaticsBridgeCourse.docx
Rare Opportunity to take a class with the Director of the Genomics Institute!
Still looking for an interesting course to take this Fall?
In "Scientific Principles of Life with dynamic professor David Haussler you will:
- Learn basic principles of life as it exists on this planet
- Explore the future of life in machine learning and adaptation, AI, genome editing, and fully artificial life
- Satisfy Scientific Inquiry 5-course credit requirement!
BME 18 - M,W,F, 1:20 PM - 2:25 PM. Enroll at my.ucsc.edu using class # 11228
Learning Support Services is Hiring! Extended Deadline till August 30th!
Learning Support Services is hiring CSE and ECE tutors for Fall 2023!
We are looking for tutors in the following classes:
CSE
- 102
- 103
- 107
- 120
- 130
- 80A
ECE
- 171
To qualify, you must be:
- An undergraduate in Fall 2023
- In Good academic standing
- Passed the course with a B or better
- Able to enroll in STEV 96 (2 unit pedagogy course)
To apply, please visit Handshake and our Google application. Check out our website for more information!
Questions? Contact lss@ucsc.edu
Events
Breaking Down Barriers in Computing at this FREE AiC Community Webinar!
Event Date and Time: 08/29/2023 3:00 pmEvent Location: Online Event.
Elevating Excellence: NCWIT’s Collegiate Aspirations in Computing Community
Female, genderqueer, and non-binary computer engineers in our community are encouraged to join a FREE webinar this August 29th at 3pm hosted by The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT). This organization provides resources, networking, workshops, and seminars/webinars like this one regularly. These events are aimed at increasing the influential and meaningful participation of girls and women in computing, and will include presentations by the following speakers:
Sarah Olson, Aspirations in Computing Campus Rep
Meghan Flynn, 2019 National Award winner, now at Bank of America
Dr. Alan Jamieson, recipient of the NCWIT Mentoring Award for Undergraduate Research
Vonesha Shaik, NCWIT AspireIT Leader
Valencia Coleman, Graduate member of Aspirations in Computing Community
Speakers will share their stories while providing an overview of the AiC Community and how it has impacted them and their careers in computing, highlighting opportunities for new collegiate members. Speakers will also discuss the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Collegiate Award and other ways you can get involved with this network of highly influential and well-connected engineers.
For more information, check out the event website and register for the webinar now! You don’t want to miss this highly informative event and these powerful speakers.
Register for the event on the NCWIT website.
SACNAS Presents: Gaming, Identity, and Innovation with Angélica Romines
Event Date and Time: 09/07/2023 12:00 pmEvent Location: Online Event
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Press Start: Connecting Student Gaming Interests to Success in STEM |
Would you rather be playing video games right now?
Are you seeking more representation for indigenous and Latinx people in the world of programming and game design at your institution?
Are you wondering about ways you can connect your love for gaming with your passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics?
This conference is for you! It is time to look at gaming through alternative lenses in STEM! Indigenous speaker, bona fide gamer, and Oklahoma University researcher Angélica Romines (Chickasaw, Choctaw, Mississippi Choctaw, Mexican) will talk about the ways that the modern age in gaming has created a culture of identity-forming, positive community, socio-emotional growth, and community leadership. She’ll also discuss ways that you can get involved with gaming in your college journey and into your professional life! Don’t miss it!
Register on the SACNAS website!
Wiki-a-thon for BIPOC Engineers and Scientists
Event Date and Time: 11/08/2023 1:00 pmEvent Location: Jack Baskin Engineering B2 180
Join us for an afternoon of creating and editing pages for BIPOC engineers, scientists, and technologists! Bring your laptop and a friend and enjoy some pizza while making a difference!
Wikipedia overwhelmingly recognizes the achievements of white people. This wiki-a-thon works to reverse this trend, highlighting the often overlooked accomplishments of BIPOC leaders in science and technology, and ensuring that the next generation can see role models who look like them.
NO EXPERIENCE NECESARY - We will provide a list of scientists who don't yet have pages, as well as training on how to contribute to Wikipedia.
Hosted by the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute and the Jack Baskin School of Engineering. All are welcome!
UCSC Genomics Website.
Explore Graduate Studies in CSE
Event Date and Time: 09/16/2023 11:00 amEvent Location:
Have you considered applying to graduate school in CSE, but don’t know where to start? Here’s your opportunity to connect with a group of current graduate students and faculty for some help figuring it all out – and to explore whether graduate study in computing is for you.
Students from all institutions are invited to apply to attend a one-day workshop at the University of Michigan, Explore Grad Studies in Computer Science and Engineering, to learn more about what it means to be a grad student in CSE. All interested students are welcome, even if you’re not certain if Michigan is the right school for you. Participants will learn about the graduate school application process and the opportunities that exist for those who pursue graduate work in this impactful discipline.
This event will be fully virtual and take place on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 11:00am – 3:00pm EDT.
Workshop highlights include:
• Workshop on preparing graduate applications
• “Life as a grad student” – Q&A panel of current graduate students
• “Academia vs. Industry” – Q&A panel with current faculty
Check out the University of Michigan website for more information. Apply for the event here.