Statistical Learning 101: Regression vs. Classification

Dr. Ergun Simsek
Co-director, Computer Science and Information Technologies Department
Bahcesehir University, DC campus

11:30-12:30pm Wednesday, 5 September 2018,  ITE 325b, UMBC

In the last decade, statistical learning, which is the concept of using algorithms to identify patterns and/or make predictions based on input data sets, has received increased interest due to its potential to answer diverse questions in various industries such as finance, business, and health. In this talk, I will introduce the two most fundamental methods of statistical learning that are applicable to both data and computer science: regression and classification. Real world examples will be provided to highlight the differences and similarities between these two methods and place them into appropriate contexts.

Dr. Ergun Simsek earned his PhD from Duke University in 2006. He is the co-director of the Computer Science and Information Technologies Department at the Bahcesehir University’s newly established DC campus (BAU DC). He joined Bahcesehir University’s Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department and later was promoted to associate professor. Upon moving back to the United States, he spent six years at the George Washington University’s Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering before returning to BAU at their DC campus. Dr. Simsek’s private sector experience includes working for Schlumberger Doll Research (SDR) Center’s Math and Modeling Department as a post-doctoral research associate, where he helped develop new numerical techniques for various oil and gas industry applications. He continues researching how to solve emerging engineering problems through efficient and robust computational techniques.

Host: Dr. Richard Forno (*protected email*)

The post talk: Statistical Learning 101: Regression vs. Classification, 11:30 9/5 appeared first on Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.

Are you interested in working in the government for the summer or after you graduate? If so, the Career Center would like to tell you about a great opportunity for UMBC students!

Workforce Recruitment Program
The Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP), coordinated by the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the U.S. Department of Defense, is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private sector employers with highly motivated college students, graduate students, and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs.

Eligible students must:
- have a disability and be eligible under the Schedule A hiring authority
- be a United States citizen
- be enrolled in a degree program on a substantially full-time basis OR have graduated with a degree in April 2018 or more recently.

If you are interested in interviewing with a representative from WRP or learning more about the program, please contact: Caroline Bodnar, carolc@umbc.edu.

Please visit www.wrp.gov for more information regarding WRP and click on the student registration button to get started!  For more information watch this youtube video.

Registration opens 8/26/2019 and ends 10/11/2019.  For the 2020 WRP release, interviews will be held in the fall of 2019. The interview period for the 2019 cycle will take place between October 28, 2019 and November 19, 2019. 

We hope your fall semester is off to a great start!

Getting involved in research helps you network with faculty both on and off campus, strengthen your resume for graduate school, professional school, and employment, support your artistic vision, and helps you apply what they’ve learned in the classroom in a research setting. UMBC has several programs that support undergraduate research:

Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) features research, scholarship, and creative work carried out by UMBC undergraduates. Student work is shared through oral presentations, posters, artistic exhibits, performances, and film.

Undergraduate Research Awards (URA) provide up to $1,500 to undergraduate students to support their research or creative work with a UMBC faculty mentor on an original project. UMBC students of all years and disciplines are invited to apply.

UMBC Review (Journal of Undergraduate Research) Published annually, this peer-reviewed journal features academic papers written by UMBC undergraduates.

Travel Awards Students who are invited to present their work at a conference or festival may apply for funds to support their travel.

Research Opportunities Assistance with finding and applying to summer REUs and other research opportunities.

Prestigious Scholarships Support for students applying for prestigious scholarships such as Rhodes, Gates-Cambridge, Marshall, Truman, Goldwater, and others.

For more information, contact Dr. April Householder at aprilh@umbc.edu or visit:

ur.umbc.edu

Briana Yancy is a Geography and Environmental Science Major with a Psychology Minor who will graduate in May, 2019.

List any Scholars/Honors programs you are a part of: Meyerhoff Scholar 27 Cohort, URA Scholar 

Title of your research project: Nest Site Characteristics of the Bahama Oriole: Habitat Requirements of a Critically Endangered Species

What has been the most rewarding part? The most rewarding part is the outreach and effect on the community in the Bahamas this project has had. Every year we run into people who have our cards or have heard of us and want to help. They end up showing us nests or giving us valuable information about the birds and they always like to learn more about the project and how we are doing.