BE Undergraduate Newsletter
Announcements
Internships and Job Training from Google: STEP & SWE coming to UCSC
If you are interested in a career in computer engineering - specifically one at Google - you're strongly encouraged to look into these programs!
Here are the links in the flyer below (you may not be able to click them from the image).
STEP Newsletter: https://rsvp.withgoogle.com/events/coe-c-step-swe-newsletter/forms/registration
Careers: https://careers.google.com/students
Explore Careers in AI, Games, HCI, NLP & Semiconductor Engineering at the Silicon Valley Career & Internship Fair!
Interested in a career in AI, Games, HCI, NLP, and Semiconductor Engineering? Recruiters from Intel, Cadence, NVIDIA, Marvell, Bloom Energy, and other great companies will meet with UCSC students and alumni with skills in AI, Games, HCI, NLP, and VLSI. Sign up on Handshake to attend this event with top Silicon Valley employers at our campus in Santa Clara: https://ucsc.joinhandshake.com/stu/career_fairs/41502Slug Security - Embedded Security Competition 2024
Slug Security, UCSC's Cybersecurity Club, is looking for competitors for UCSC's 2024 MITRE eCTF team. Additional information on the Embedded Capture the Flag Competition can be found on MITRE's eCTF site. The competition is split into two phases, the design phase and the attack phase. The design phase is where the team will be building some embedded application on a microcontroller, while ensuring security requirements are met. The attack phase is where the team will be attacking other teams' designs to capture flags.
In the 2023 competition, UCSC's team secured 2nd place. Our eCTF 2023 blog post is available online and our previous codebase is public for anyone to view on GitHub.
If you are interested, please review the information document and apply at this Google Form (CruzID restricted) by December 1st, 2023.
For any questions please reach out to SlugSec@ucsc.edu or visit slugsec.ucsc.edu.
Scholarship Opportunity for Women in Engineering
The Applied Materials Momentum Fund
Applied Materials is now offering support for female identifying engineering students to help them overcome unexpected financial obstacles and to empower their educational careers in the form of three core grants:
1. Rapid-response emergency financial assistance
2. Bridge grants
3. Last Mile grants
Qualifying students may be eligible for all three grants!
Additionally, recipients of these grants and other interested parties are encouraged to consider internship opportunities with Applied Materials.
Check the application page to learn more about the scholarship funds.
Find out more about internships with Applied Materials here.
Bioprocessing Master's Program @ Berkley: Now Holding Info Sessions for Prospective Applicants
Graduates in biotechnology and related fields: Are you looking for a competitive, career-focused Masters program that will give you the skills you need to compete in the food science, pharmaceutical, and/or bioprocess industries? You need a program that provides hands-on, applicable training with relevant tools and equipment – the kind of training that will put you a cut above other candidates and give you the capacity to hit the ground running!
UCSC graduates are encouraged to apply to the UC Berkeley Master of Bioprocess Engineering Program. The 9-month program is focused on bioprocess fundamentals, advanced concepts, and hands-on training to give students career preparation and relevant experience with industry-standard equipment and methods. The program boasts alumni employed with such industry giants as Pfizer, LanzaTech, Sutro Biopharma, and other major players in the bioprocess industry.
See the attached flyer and check out their website for more information.
New Course for Game Developers With Game Industry Veteran
CMPM 123: Advanced Programming
Lecture:
Tuesday and Thursday 11:40am - 1:15pm in Thim Lecture Hall 1.
Course Overview:
CMPM 123, titled "Advanced Programming", is introduced as a revamped version of the previously offered CSE 111: Advanced Programming. Unlike its predecessor, this course is now an elective rather than a mandatory subject and welcomes students beyond the domain of CS:GD. The prerequisites for this course are either CSE 101 or CMPM 35.
Course Focus:
CMPM 123 covers an a more advanced introduction to C++ programming, specifically tailored for the gaming industry. Key subjects that will be covered include understanding the core classes used in making a game viable. Here's a tentative outline for the initial weeks:
- Introduction to the code framework for the course.
- Exploring image loading and data formats.
- Looking at class structures and building an efficient base class.
- Deciphering when to utilize the standard library and when to abstain.
- Strategies for scaling a build process.
The course will delve into intricate topics like assembly code, debugging techniques, and profiling, ensuring that students grasp not just the theoretical, but also the practical aspects of the programming world.
Instructor Profile:
The course is led by Mr. Graeme Devine, a renowned figure in the gaming industry with a prolific background spanning over four decades. Some of his accolades include:
- Co-founder of Trilobyte in the 1990s.
- Former Chairman of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA).
- Pioneer in early gaming with works dating back to the 1970s.
- Key contributor to iconic games such as 'The 7th Guest', 'Quake III Arena', and 'Halo Wars'.
- Founder of GRL Games, Santa Cruz, emphasizing innovative game titles for iOS and Mac platforms.
- One of the initial members at the mixed reality startup, Magic Leap.
Real-World Applications:
The teaching methodology prioritizes real-world applications, drawing from Mr. Devine's extensive industry experience. Students will engage in detailed case studies, such as the challenges faced during the building process of "Age of Empires 3". Such examples bring forth the complex decisions developers often encounter, such as the choice between revamping an existing system and adhering to impending deadlines.
Interested to know how these challenges were overcome? Join CMPM 123 to discover the intricacies of the gaming industry!
Lead by Design: New SlugWorks Course
Rocket Team at UCSC
Rocket Team is an aerospace engineering club that competes in NASA's annual University Student Launch Competition. This competition challenges our team to build a high powered rocket each year and launch it to a pre-designated altitude. Following our rocket's decent, we are also challenged to successfully execute a payload mission mirroring the type of challenges NASA faces with their own payload challenges.
We are looking for new members at Basking Engineering that can help us rank within the top universities in this intercollegiate competition.
Please direct any questions to rockets@ucsc.edu and join our slack via: https://join.slack.com/t/rocketslug/shared_invite/zt-1w11ejqcl-DsBWr9s1slcmN8Ek0wmAsg
Resume Workshop hosted by Bioinformatics Club and UCSC Genomics Institute
Interested in the world of science and programming? Join the Bioinformatics Club! We offer workshops, panels, social events, and much more. Mark your calendar for our biweekly general meetings starting on October 4th. And don't miss our first event, a resume workshop, on October 6th. Follow this link to become a member of the club and RSVP for our resume workshop. We look forward to seeing you ~
We are looking for Baskin Day volunteers!
Hi! We are currently looking for volunteers who are interested in helping set up, run, and/or tear down for Baskin Day this year, which is taking place on Friday, October 27 from 12 PM to 5 PM at the Baskin engineering courtyard and in room E2-180. Baskin Day is an annual student-run event dedicated to celebrating achievements and community within the School of Engineering by showcasing its student organizations and research opportunities. Throughout the day, we will be hosting a recruiting event, student-led workshops, and faculty-led research talks, as well as providing ample opportunities to engage with your peers in fun activities like a Baskin-themed scavenger hunt and a faculty vs. students Jeopardy! game. Set up begins at 9 AM on the day of the event, and tear down concludes at around 6 PM. Please fill out this form if you’re interested in volunteering, and we will reach out to you via email if your help is still needed. And feel free to reach out to our chairs, Alison Sun (allasun@ucsc.edu) and Yogita Senthil (ysenthil@ucsc.edu), or our internal director, Rohan Kapur (rkapur2@ucsc.edu), if you have any questions. Thanks!
Baskin Voices
BASKIN VOICES is a section of our website that includes quotes and interviews with the people who make up the staff and faculty of the Baskin School of Engineering. You will find the experiences of graduate students, instructors, administrators, facility staff, and many other amazing people who represent the backbone of our institution. Check it out!
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.
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.
Info Sessions for Job Opportubnities at The Urban Institure
The Urban Institute’s 2023 Fall Recruitment Season is underway. There will be info sessions held regarding career opportunities within the Urban Institute’s Public Policy & Research centers.
• October 17th 3PM – 4PM ET
• October 19th 12PM – 1PM ET
• November 14th 12PM – 1PM ET
There will also be an information session focusing on early career opportunities in Urba’s Operational offices (Finance & Accounting, Human Resources, Communications, Contracts, Data Science):
• October 24th 12PM – 1PM ET
See the attached flyers. Check The Urban Institute website for more information.
Contact Jasmine Smith (JASmith@urban.org) for more details on the available opportunities and other pertinent information.
Events
UCSC Silicon Valley Career & Internship Fair! 10/10
Event Date and Time: 10/10/2023 4:00 pmEvent Location: UCSC Silicon Valley Campus
Ready to kick-start your career in AI, Games, HCI, NLP, or Semiconductor Engineering?
At the UCSC Silicon Valley Career & Internship Fair, you'll meet top recruiters from industry giants like Intel, Cadence, NVIDIA, and Marvell. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with Silicon Valley’s finest and build relationships that could flourish into rewarding careers. You don’t want to miss this!
UCSC students can register through Handshake.
UCSC Extension students & alumni: Register here.
Save the date: Tuesday, October 10, 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Silicon Valley Campus, Event Center.
Hit the Brakes!: $20,000 Prize Pool for Automotive Data Hackathon in Sunnyvale
Event Date and Time: 10/13/2023 7:00 amEvent Location: Sunnyvale, California - Brembo HQ
The Brembo Hackathon
The Data Science, Machine Learning, and Generative AI Solutions Challenge
October 13th-15th in Sunnyvale, CA
Participants will be hacking on Machine Learning, Data Science, and Generative AI challenges that utilize historical data sets and exclusive industry access from Brembo – the global leader in brake production.
The Brembo Data and AI Hackathon aims to leverage the power of data-driven models to discover and create innovative methods for new brakes and improve data models for warranty claims that enhance performance.
At the heart of the hackathon lies a vast and diverse dataset provided by Brembo. This dataset encompasses a wealth of information on various car models, their braking systems, performance metrics, and real-world driving scenarios. With this data, hackers will be tasked with building innovative machine learning models to predict and optimize brake designs, or solve warranty database issues to improve Brembo’s current model.
Registration is Free! UCSC engineering students who possess relevant hacking and data analysis skills are encouraged to compete!
Follow this link to the Brembo website for registration and further details.
Great Minds in STEM Conference
Event Date and Time: 10/11/2023 8:00 amEvent Location: Pasadena Convention Center,300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
The Great Minds in Stem Conference in Pasadena presents a fantastic opportunity for young and aspiring engineers to meet with recruiters from companies looking for fresh talent.
There will be several opportunities to meet one-on-one with recruiters, and many students might even walk away with an offer letter!
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Career coaching, resume workshops, and keynote speakers for students entering the workforce.
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For students seeking to continue their higher education in STEM, a graduate school fair will be hosted to learn about the many opportunities they have in advancing their degrees!
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This conference posts a 35 year long pedigree, as well as a smaller size compared to other conferences, in which it may be more difficult get face time with recruiters.
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Competitive registration pricing, hotel rates, and raffles for free registration are available!
For more information on the event, visit the GMIS Conference website or email info@greatmindsinstem.org.
Cyber Security Competition: International Capture the Flag
Event Date and Time: 12/02/2023 10:00 amEvent Location: N/A
The Women in Computuer Science (WiCS) chapter at UC Santa Barbara, The NSF AI Institute, and Shellphish hacking group present the International Capture the Flag hacking competition!
- The Shellphish iCTF is a multi-site, multi-team, challenge-based hacking competition in which a number of teams compete independently against each other. Teams do not attack each other, but operate independently to solve a set of challenges. Each challenge has a flag that can only be obtained by solving the challenge.
- This educational compeition is open to teams composed of high-school and undergraduate students. There will be two separate competitions for the two student levels, but the challenges will be the same. Each team cannot be composed of more than 10 people (but an institution can have multiple, non-colluding teams) and must have an associated, institution-affiliated instructor.
- Teams must register by November 24!
- Please see the iCTF website for a more detailed rundown of the competition.
- Register here.
- Contact ictf@shellphish.net for any questions about the competition.
Follow the ACTION NSF AI Institute Discord
ATTN Biomedical Engineering Students: Pre-Hackathon Mixer Alert!
Event Date and Time: 10/17/2023 5:00 pmEvent Location: Jack Baskin Engineering, Engineering 2, Room 506
Join the QBI Pre-Hackathon Mixer and Turbocharge Your Hackathon Experience!
Hey Biomedical Engineers! Join members of the Quantitative Biosciences Institute as they host students of the "QB3" universities (UCSF, UCSC, and UCB) for an electrifying Pre-Hackathon Mixer at UC Santa Cruz! It's your chance to mingle, form teams, and showcase your project ideas.
- Network and find potential teammates.
- Share your project ideas for feedback and team formation.
- Tips for a winning presentation: Keep it concise, show your passion, use visuals, and embrace feedback.
- Kickstart your hackathon journey with connections and new ideas.
Don't miss out on this golden opportunity to kickstart your hackathon journey! QBI strongly recommends that you attend the mixer if you're serious about competing in the upcoming Hackathon in November.
Date: 10/17 Time: 5pm-7pm Location: BE-2 506.
RSVP to the Pre-Hackathon Mixer at their event page HERE.
What is the QBI Hackathon? Check out the QBI Website for details HERE.
RSVP to the QBI Hackathon main event HERE.
Distinguished Scholar Visit: Prof. Natalia Molina
Event Date and Time: 10/23/2023 4:00 pmEvent Location: University Center Alumni Room
UCSC and the Phi Betta Kappa Visiting Scholar Program welcome Professor Natalia Molina, a 2020 MacArthur Fellow and renowned author. Join us on Oct. 23 at 4:00 p.m. in the University Center Alumni Room for a discussion of her latest book, A Place at the Nayarit: How a Mexican Restaurant Nourished a Community, which delves into the lives of immigrant placemakers.
Register for the lecture on this Google Form.
This event, co-sponsored by The Humanities Institute and the Latin American and Latino Studies Department, offers a unique chance to engage with an American Studies and Ethnicity expert. Don't miss out on some valuable time with this renowned author and intellectual!
Diverse Voices: Ayanna Howard
Event Date and Time: 10/11/2023 5:00 pmEvent Location: Jack Baskin Engineering 2, Room 180
A Roboticist's Story: How AI and Diversity of Thought Drive Innovation
UCSC welcomes an innovative roboticist, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for equal representation in the sciences, Ayanna Howard – the Dean of The School of Engineering at Ohio State University. Ayanna will join us at the Baskin School of Engineering this Wednesday night (10/11) for a free talk at 5pm in room E2-180. Students who arrive early will get free pizza!
If you are interested in robotics, interested in advocacy for historically excluded groups in STEM, or considering an engineering path in general, then you will not want to miss this engagement. Ayanna is a hands-on roboticist, a brilliant theorist, and a savvy business woman who will share some highly specialized knowledge with our community of academics for free. This is a wonderful gift! Don't miss out on this golden opportunity to hear from a scholar at the bleeding edge of her field.
Register for the event on this Google Form.
The Baskin Engineering Diverse Voices Series is a series of free speaking engagements for the Baskin Engineering community. The series gives a platform to the voices and experiences of current STEM professionals and leaders who come from groups who have been historically excluded.
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.