The CSEE Department will hold a "town hall" meeting for undergraduate COmputer Science (CMSC) majors, minors and other interested students in ITE 456 from 12:00 to 2:00 on Thursday, April 18.

This is an opportunity to interact with your department chair, Professor Gary Carter, the CMSC undergraduate program director Professor Marc Olano and other faculty members. During the meeting you will hear about recent developments in the department and CMSC program, and have opportunities to express opinions, raise issues, make suggestions, ask questions and discuss how to make the CMSC program better. There will also be pizza and drinks.

If you plan on attending, please send an email message to so we can be sure to order enough food. If you have any questions or topics that you would like to raise in advance, send them to . We look forward to a lively and useful event where the communication flows both ways.

PhD Dissertation Defense

Independent Vector Analysis:
Theory, Algorithms, and Applications

Matthew Anderson

1:45pm Wednesday, 17 April 2013, ITE 325B

The field of blind source separation (BSS) is a well studied discipline within the signal processing community due to its applicability to a variety of problems when the data observation model is poorly known or difficult to model. For example, in the study of the human brain with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a neuroimaging sensor, BSS algorithms are able to provide medical researchers and practitioners with a decomposition of a three-dimensional ‘movie’ of the brain that is amenable to analysis. BSS algorithms achieve this decomposition with only a few justifiable assumptions; this is contrary to methods based on the general linear model, which require prespecified models of the expected or desired response to achieve analysis of fMRI data.

Most BSS algorithms consider just a single dataset, but it also desirable to have methods that can analyze multiple subjects or data collections in fMRI jointly, so as to provide insights beyond that achieved with individual analysis of single datasets. Several frameworks for using BSS on multiple datasets jointly have been proposed. The subject of this dissertation is the study of one of these frameworks, which has been termed independent vector analysis (IVA). IVA is a recent extension of the classical independent component analysis (ICA) model to BSS of multiple datasets and it has been the subject of significant research interest. In this dissertation, we provide a formulation of IVA that accounts for sources which possess properties such as a) following Gaussian or non-Gaussian distributions; b) samples are independently and identically distributed (iid) or are dependent; and c) having either linear or nonlinear dependence of sources between datasets. The proposed IVA formulation utilizes the likelihood to define the objective function. This formulation admits to theoretical analysis. In particular, we provide the identification conditions, i.e., we determine when the sources can be ‘blindly’ recovered by IVA, and give a lower bound on the source separation performance.

Several algorithms exist for achieving IVA. We provide several new approaches to developing IVA algorithms and apply these approaches using a Gaussian distribution source model and a more general Kotz distribution model. The former, in addition to leading to efficient IVA algorithms, serves as the distribution model that directly connects canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and ICA.  

Committee: Dr. Tulay Adali (Chair), Dr. Joel Morris, Dr. Aninyda Roy, Dr. Ronald Phlypo, and Dr. Mike Novey

Submit poster and talk abstracts by Monday, April 8.

The UMBC Computer Science and Electrical Engineering department will hold its annual day-long research review from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Friday April 12, 2013 in University Center Ballroom.  Faculty, research staff and students will present their latest research results in talks, posters and demonstrations. Refreshments and a free buffet lunch are provided.   The public is welcome. 

Dissertation Defense

Digital Forensics for
Infrastructure-as-a-Service Cloud Computing

Josiah Dykstra

10:00am Tuesday, 16 April 2013, ITE 325b

We identify important issues in the application of digital forensics to Infrastructure-as-a-Service cloud computing and develop new practical forensic tools and techniques to facilitate forensic exams of the cloud. When investigating suspected cases involving cloud computing, forensic examiners have been poorly equipped to deal with the technical and legal challenges. Because data in the cloud are remote, distributed, and elastic, these challenges include understanding the cloud environment, acquiring and analyzing data remotely, and applying the law to a new domain. Today digital forensics for cloud computing is challenging at best, but can be performed in a manner consistent with federal law using the tools and techniques we developed.

The first problem is understanding how and why criminal and civil actions in and against cloud computing are unique and difficult to prosecute. We analyze a digital forensic investigation of crime in the cloud, and present two hypothetical case studies that illustrate the unique challenges of acquisition, chain of custody, trust, and forensic integrity. Understanding these issues introduces legal challenges which are also important for federal, state, and local law enforcement who will soon be called upon to conduct cloud investigations.

The second problem is the lack of practical technical tools to conduct cloud forensics. We examine the capabilities for forensics today, evaluate the use of existing tools including EnCase and FTK, and discuss why these tools are incapable of trustworthy cloud acquisition. We design consumer-driven forensic capabilities for OpenStack, including new features for acquiring trustworthy firewall logs, API logs, and disk images.

The third problem is a deficit of legal instruments for seizing cloud-based electronically-stored information. We analyze the application of existing policies and laws to the new domain of cloud computing by analyzing case law and legal opinions about digital evidence discovery, and suggest modifications that would enhance cloud the prosecution of cloud-based crimes. We offer guidance about how to author a search warrant for cloud data, and what pertinent data to request.

This dissertation enhances our understanding of technical, trust, and legal issues needed to investigate cloud-based crimes and offers new tools and techniques to facilitate such investigations.

Committee: Dr. Alan T. Sherman (Chair), Dr. Charles Nicholas, Dr. Richard Forno, Dr. Simson Garfinkel (Naval Postgraduate School), Mr. Donald Flynn, JD (Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center)

The elections for both the IEEE Undergraduate Student Branch and IEEE Graduate Student Branch Executive Boards have been scheduled for Friday, April 19th, 4.00pm to 5.00pm, room TBA. This is our regular meeting time. Below you will find more information on the election process, including the procedure to run for an Officer position.

IEEE Undergraduate Student Branch Officer positions include the following.

• Chair: Will be responsible for leading the IEEE Undergraduate Student Branch overall. S/he will also be responsible for representing the IEEE USB in General Body meetings and Executive Board meetings, and delegating responsibilities for various task. Events and activities must be approved by the Chair before sent to committees and funds must be approved before being forwarded to the Treasurer.
• Vice-Chair: Will be responsible for assisting the Chair in leading the IEEE USB and helping to run the branch smoothly. If the Chair is not present, the VP will take upon her/his responsibilities.
• Secretary: Will be responsible for taking minutes at meetings, keeping track of undergraduate student attendance and reporting the activities to the branch. S/he will be the point person for external relationships.
• Treasurer: Will manage the accounts and funds for the IEEE USB. S/he’ll be responsible for attending the SGA treasurer training session, and working with the Executive Board to generate a budget plan.
• Member At Large: Will support the other executive board members by facilitating their responsibilities as well as managing member recruitment/retention, managing fundraising activities in cooperation with the Treasurer and developing and managing projects.

IEEE Graduate Student Branch Officer positions include the following.

• Chair: Will be responsible for leading the IEEE Graduate Student Branch overall. S/he will also be responsible for representing the GSO in the GSA Senate meetings and external events. Funds must be approved by the Chair before being forwarded to the Treasurer.
• Vice-Chair: Will be responsible for assisting the Chair in leading the IEEE GSB and helping her/him to run the branch smoothly.
• General Secretary: Will be responsible for reporting the activities to the IEEE SB GSA. S/he will be the point person for external relationships.
• Treasurer: Will manage the accounts and funds for the IEEE GSB. S/he’ll be responsible for the annual budget report along with the payments.

To run for one of the above positions you must be a grad/undergrad student in good academic status, be subscribed to our mailing list, and send me () a small description (no more than 100 words) about you and why should other members vote for you, no later than next Thursday, April 11th, by 12.00pm (noon). You can only run for one position.

These descriptions will be compiled and sent out to the entire mailing list no later than the following Friday, April 12th. Each candidate will be given two minutes during that Friday's meeting to make a brief speech.

The election process will be supervised by our advisor, Dr. Choa.

IMPORTANT

• if you win, you MUST be an official IEEE member or become one within a week after the election date.
• to vote, you must present your UMBC ID and the email that you used to subscribe to our mailing list.

Please come and vote on the 19th to ensure that your voice is heard, and consider running for one of the positions. If you have any concerns or questions about the election process, please let Jorge Teixeira () know ASAP.

On behalf of the UMBC IEEE GSB and UMBC IEEE USB Executive Boards,

UMBC IEEE Student Branch, Chair
Jorge Teixeira

Here is UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski's talk at the 2013 TED conference. He is, as usual, very inspirational. We are truly lucky to have him leading our university.

"If a student has a sense of self, it’s amazing how their dreams and values can make all the difference in the world."

Look for his mention of computer science and women in IT near the end.

CE21-Maryland is a planning project with the goal of increasing high school computer science expertise and statewide support in Maryland for computing education. It will host a Summit for Computing Education at UMBC on Friday, May 17, 2013 for teachers, administrators, legislators, industry leaders, and others who have an interest in expanding computer science in high school or middle school. Space is limited to 150 people. There is no charge for participating in the summit, but registration is required and closes on Friday, April 26, 2013.

At the 2013 summit, attendees will:

• Learn more about computer science high school education across the state of Maryland
• Network with others with an interest in computer science education
• Exchange strategies with other education professionals
• Plan with others to help expand student interest and to increase the number and diversity of students studying computer science in Maryland

For more information, please contact .

In August, UMBC will also host four day CS4HS workshop sponsored by Google for Maryland high school and middle school computer science teachers.

CSEE Professor Anthony Johnson has been appointed by the National Research Council to the National Academies’ Committee on Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Sciences. The CAMOS committee’s goals include providing active stewardship of the agenda laid out in the National Academies study Controlling the Quantum World and interacting with and advising U.S. federal agencies on science and technology issues involving the atomic, molecular, and optical sciences.

Dr. Johnson is the director of UMBC’s Center for Advanced Studies in Photonics Research. His research is in the area of ultrafast optics and optoelectronics- the ultrafast photophysics and nonlinear optical properties of bulk, nanoclustered, and quantum well semiconductor structures, untrashort pulse propagation in fibers and high-speed lightwave systems.

This weekend, CSEE Professor Alan Sherman will watch as the UMBC chess team he directs plays in the Final Four of College Chess. The UMBC team will battle against teams from Webster University, the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the four best of the 44 teams that competed in the 2012 Pan American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship. In fact, it was a four-way tie for first place.

Professor Sherman has served as the faculty advisor to the chess team since 1991 and helped build UMBC's reputation as the collegiate powerhouse of chess. UMBC has played in the President's Cup (the official name) every year since it was established in 2001 and has won six out of the twelve matches. Although Sherman's team is one of the best in the Americas, he acknowledged in an article in today's Washington Post that Webster is the odds on favorite to win this weekend.

"Anything can happen because it’s a competition," said Alan Sherman, UMBC’s chess director. "But I’m predicting Webster will be the clear winner."

The games start at 10:00am on Saturday at Booz Allen Hamilton in Rockville MD with the last match beginning at 9:00am on Sunday. Anyone can follow moves live on the Internet at Moroni.com.

Google announced awards for the 2013 Computer Science for High School (CS4HS) program and UMBC was again among the sites selected. The program is an initiative sponsored by Google to promote Computer Science and Computational Thinking in high school and middle school curricula. UMBC Professor Marie desJardins put together successful CS4HS workshops in 2011 and 2012 that were attended by 35 Maryland high school and middle school computer science teachers and administrators in each year.

The 2013 CS4HS Workshop will be held from 4-7 August 2013 on the UMBC campus. Dormatory accommodations and all meals will be provided, as well as a $50 stipend for each teacher who attends the entire workshop. The workshop will feature a mix of panels and presentations on a wide range of scheduled topics.  It will give both highly experienced and less experienced teachers an unparalleled opportunity to meet other Maryland CS teachers and to share ideas and innovations. Space is limited to 25 participants and registration is required by 4 July 2013.

The first workshop in 2011 led to the formation of the Maryland chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association and was the seed for the NSF-funded "CE21-Maryland" initiative that will culminate in a statewide Maryland Summit for Computing Education for educators and others interested in CS education on 17 May 2013.