2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
College of Engineering and Information Technology
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Dean’s Welcome Message
Welcome to the College of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County! I’m delighted to work every day with faculty, staff, and students who are committed to educational excellence, innovative research, and working together to address today’s biggest challenges.
The first cohort of UMBC’s new National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenge Scholars Program began in fall 2016. We encourage students from all UMBC colleges, departments, and majors to apply to the program, which is designed to prepare students with essential experiences and skills to solve some of the most pressing issues of the 21st century. Participants take seminars that build their foundation in the program, develop a portfolio to document their journey exploring particular issues of interest, and participate in qualifying experiences in research, interdisciplinary study, entrepreneurship, global experience, and service learning. We’re excited about the program and we think you will be too!
Our groundbreaking research continues to grow, with focus areas in security, health, energy, and the environment. Faculty in the College have received distinguished awards including a multi-million dollar Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contract to develop technology to manufacture pharmaceuticals, such as insulin, and make them more accessible in combat zones. Several faculty from across departments in the College have received awards from the CAREER program at the National Science Foundation (NSF), most recently to study how surgeons in the operating room can collaborate with remote surgeons using gesture-based tools. Across the engineering and IT spectrum, we are developing new partnerships to maximize the impact of our work. UMBC recently announced a collaboration with IBM to create the Accelerated Cognitive Cybersecurity Lab (ACCL), which launched in fall 2016 with multi-year support from IBM. The lab advances the cybersecurity field and enables UMBC students to work with IBM scientists, training IBM’s Watson computer system in new areas.
The College is also working to boost engineering and computing education in local K-12 schools through several initiatives, including a $1.6 million partnership with the Northrop Grumman Foundation and Baltimore City Public Schools; an ongoing partnership with Baltimore County Public Schools to develop and implement the innovative INSPIRES curriculum, which exposes high school students to engineering through existing science courses; the CS Matters in Maryland project, which is developing curricula, training teachers, and building a statewide coalition to expand K-12 access to computing education; and the Maryland host of Project Lead the Way, a national organization supporting middle and high schools as they offer students the opportunity to explore engineering.
Our students continue to excel. Most recently, three students from the College, all studying chemical engineering, were named Barry Goldwater Scholars for the 2016-2017 academic year. This highly competitive and prestigious scholarship aims to help the U.S. produce highly qualified professionals in science, math, and engineering. The three recipients completed research in various labs on campus and with external collaborators.
With all of the exciting work happening in the College, we hope you will check back regularly to learn about projects and partnerships that are on the horizon. Welcome to UMBC!
Dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology
Departments
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