Upcoming events

• New event schedule to be posted soon.

Past events

• Department Tea: Aaron D. Jaggard, Tuesday October 25, 2011 at 11:20.

  Title: Towards a Formal Model of Accountability

  Abstract: Preventive security is not always appropriate or possible, but it can be complemented by deterrence. Related to deterrence is the idea of "accountability," although this term is often used in ill-defined and conflicting ways. We focus on on accountability as a mechanism for ensuring security in information systems. Towards that end, we present a formal definition of accountability in information systems. Our definition is more general and potentially more widely applicable than the accountability notions that have previously appeared in the security literature. In particular, we treat in a unified manner scenarios in which accountability is enforced automatically and those in which enforcement must be mediated by an authority; similarly, our formalism includes scenarios in which the parties who are held accountable can remain anonymous and those in which they must be identified by the authorities to whom they are accountable. Essential elements of our formalism include event traces and utility functions and the use of these to define punishment and related notions. (Joint work with Joan Feigenbaum [Yale] and Rebecca Wright [DIMACS/Rutgers])

• Department Tea: Grad School / Fellowships, Tuesday October 18, 2011 at 11:20.

  You're invited to an information session / chat with department faculty about graduate programs and fellowships. Learn about various opportunities and the application process (including writing a personal statement, asking for letters, etc.), what programs are like and what they expect from you. This tea isn't just for seniors (although the information should be useful, as the earliest fellowship deadlines are coming up in a month) -- learning about these opportunities early in your career can help you decide whether this is an avenue to pursue and can help you better prepare if you're interested. Bring any and all questions, and hope to see you there!

• Fall Barbecue, Tuesday October 4, 2011 at 17:30.

  The fall department barbecue will be catered by Doug's Holy Smoke BBQ this year. Menu will include pulled pork, veggie burgers, garlic potatoes, coleslaw, and pies for dessert. Prizes will be awarded.

  This event is for DECLARED COSC CONCENTRATORS (majors and minors) only, and YOU MUST RSVP to attend. Please contact Char Jablonski by Friday, Sept 30 at 3pm to be included on the list.

• Department Tea: About Summer Internships, Tuesday October 4, 2011 at 11:20.

  A department chat to discuss aspects of summer internships, including:
  
  - What the interview process is like
  - Examples of different types of positions that our students have held
  - Differences among companies and teams, such as work environment, expectations, and responsibilities
  - Other general advice!

  Our featured student speakers include:
  - Dharmesh Bhatt (Microsoft)
  - Marius Dragus (Facebook)
  - Dan Pulitano (John Hancock)
  - Gaurav Ragtah (SlideShare)
  
  As always, refreshments will be served. Since there are a few speakers, lunchfare will be provided by Curtain Call. :-) Come and support your fellow classmates! We hope to see you there!

• Department Tea: Josh Zukoff '13, Tuesday September 27, 2011 at 11:20.

  Agent-Based Modeling of Crowd Behavior in an Evacuation Scenario
  Josh Zukoff '13

  Josh’s research involved the utilization of Agent Based Modeling (ABM) tools to simulate a quasi-realistic evacuation scenario in a built space. The space took the form of a stadium and the model attempted to take into account psychological aspects like group formation and social comparison to accurately represent crowd behavior. Crowd behavior in built spaces is of interest to a number of types of individual’s i.e. urban planners, emergency personnel. Similarly, agent based modeling can adapt itself to the simulation of a vast array of scenarios. Josh’s model was written to take advantage of flocking behavior to simulate grouping behavior. The model illustrates the ability for ABM to approximate crowd behavior using low level decision making processes and flocking behavior. Additionally, various aspects of communication among people can be shown to have an effect on evacuation time.

  Software is available from the Pointers page on the CS department Wiki: http://cs.colgate.edu/cswiki/Pointers
  
  Acknowledgment: This work was done while participating in the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at DIMACS, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, supported by various federal funding agencies including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Homeland Security.
  
  Note: Students who might be interested in summer research, especially at other institutions, are encouraged to attend to learn about this type of program.
  

• Department tea: A chat with the faculty, Tuesday September 20, 2011 at 11:30.

  Please join the COSC department faculty as they informally discuss things like:
  - Doing research in the department such as honors these or summer research
  - Faculty research areas of interest
  - Applying for grad schools or jobs
  - Fellowships and scholarships
  - Internshipts