We’ll be discussing the new projects ACM is working on.

Game Development Project for the VA Hospital

The VA hospital needs to have their psychology games to be remade in Java or C#. For those of you with CECS 174 or further completed, this will be the perfect chance to practical experience with the fundamentals of game programming.

Physical Therapy Project for the VA Hospital

Attention Computer Scientists and Computer Engineers: The VA hospital need to make hardware and software to measure patient’s balance. Let us know if you’re interested at this week’s meeting.

More Imagine Cup Projects

The web design, digital media, and IT challenges have just opened up for the Imagine Cup. Find out more about them at Wednesday’s meeting.

The BYOP Pumpkin Carving Contest

We’re hosting a pumpkin carving contest and giving away prizes Thursday the 29th.

3 dollars to enter competition ($5 suggested)

Just bring your pumpkin and have it hollowed out, once you are here then we can begin the Carving. Stencils are allowed, just bring a pumpkin carving kit. Or if you do not want to use a stencil cut out just design your own!!

Be creative!

Prizes to Win

copy of windows 7
viva pinata
copy of expression studio 3

Begins at 4pm in front of the ACM office (Eng 3 110)

ACM Facebook Group

For those of you that didn’t know, we have our own facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=93882227445

Join us today!

For those of you unaware, Wordpress is a very powerful, open source blogging engine which we use to drive this website.

This is one of the first steps I am taking towards improving our web presence. Coming soon, a new design.

Visit Wordpress’s website for more info!

“Computer Software Engineer – Interested in math and computers? Embrace the nerd within while you learn to design, develop, test, and evaluate computer software and systems.”

Read more

Read more here.

Read more here.

Yes, the Tech Skills Shortage Is Real
InformationWeek (01/12/08) Luftman, Jerry; Kempaiah, Rajkumar; Bullen, Christine

There is a profound shortage of IT-skilled professionals in the United States, and this situation is only going to worsen as massive numbers of IT pros retire over the next 15 years, writes Stevens Institute of Technology professor Jerry Luftman. The demand for experienced IT pros between the ages of 35 and 45 will surge by 25 percent over the next 30 years, while supply will decline by 15 percent, predicts McKinsey. A survey of top IT management sponsored by the Society for Information Management learned that there is a still a strong need among employers for IT professionals with both technical and business-related skills, with respondents worried about the scarcity of such talent. Research indicates definite expansion in the market for IT-skilled individuals, with the growth centered both globally and domestically in IT organizations within client companies that purchase IT products and sourcing services, and in IT service providers. The National Center for Education found that there have been dramatic declines in graduate science degrees awarded in the United States and undergraduate computer science enrollments, and children are deciding not to pursue IT careers because of a lack of communication or encouragement from teachers, counselors, and parents. Many Asian and European nations are more successful than the United States in educating and training their upcoming workforce in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills that the marketplace demands, and Luftman argues that “universities in the United States should continue to augment these [STEM] skills along with the skills being demanded by employers–such as business, industry, communications–to ensure that these candidates are prepared for the challenges and opportunities that await them.” He says the key U.S. stakeholders–private industry, educational systems, and government agencies–must cooperate on the revitalization of the IT candidate pipeline in order to guarantee the continuance of U.S. global economic leadership.

Click Here to View Full Article

Computer Science Education: Where Are the Software Engineers of Tomorrow?
January 2008″It is our view that Computer Science (CS) education is neglecting basic skills, in particular in the areas of programming and formal methods. We consider that the general adoption of Java as a first programming language is in part responsible for this decline. We examine briefly the set of programming skills that should be part of every software professional’s repertoire.”

Read more here.

Read rest of the story here.

“Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner passenger jet may have a serious security vulnerability in its onboard computer networks that could allow passengers to access the plane’s control systems, according to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.”

Read more here.

“Senator Chris Dodd won a temporary victory today after his threats of a filibuster forced Democratic leadership to push back consideration of a measure that would grant immunity to telecom companies that were complicit in warrantless surveillance.

The measure was part of a greater bill to reorganize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Earlier on Monday, the Senate, agreed to address a bill that would have overhauled FISA, authorized the monitoring of people outside the United States, given secret courts the power to approve aspects of surveillance, and granted telecom companies retroactive immunity for past cooperation.”

Read more at the source: here.