Introduction to Microservices Architecture

Vladimir Korolev
10:30am 10:00-11:00am, Monday, March 21, 2016 ITE 346

Microservices is a new style of software architecture that relies on separately deployed loosely coupled components. Advantages of this architectural style are faster development cycles, better system resilience, smoother and easier scalability, and less friction with continuous deployment. In his talk Vlad Korolev will give overview of the architecture. Will show the way how to get started. And share personal experiences and gotchas encountered on several microservices based projects.

I am trying to start a chapter for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics here at UMBC. This is a professional society for students looking to get into the aeronautic and aerospace industry. The chapter will look to establish a professional network in the aerospace industry, provide student resume building opportunities, and starting in 2016-2017, pursue competitions such as Design Build Fly as well as other various individual and group design competitions available through the AIAA. 

We have a facebook group: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/185212475179159/

Please share the group with anyone you might think is interested. The sooner we can get an involved student group, the sooner we can get to the fun stuff of exploring the aerospace industry! 

Chris Swan, a professor of geography and environmental systems, appeared on The Marc Steiner Show on March 3 to discuss the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES), a major research initiative to understand long-term environmental changes in the Baltimore region.

Swan’s work related to the BES focuses on plants and understanding urban biodiversity, with a particular emphasis on the vacant lots found across Baltimore and many other U.S. cities. 

As part of the study, “we are asking questions about how species assemble,” explains Swan. “Can we manipulate the types of plant species that we see to confer certain ecosystem services or to improve environmental quality?”

He notes the importance of understanding these issues before developers come in and start building on the vacant land, to ensure the land is used responsibly as a resource.

The BES is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and focuses on the social, economic, and ecological changes that have taken place in the Baltimore region between 1650 and 2050.

Listen to the complete Marc Steiner Show podcast “Sound Bites: Baltimore Ecosystem Study.”

Image: Baltimore’s skyline. Photo by Sneakerdog, CC BY 2.0.

A new UMBC scholars program is inviting students from all majors to work together on pressing challenges facing society, from sustainability to health and security issues.

UMBC’s Grand Challenge Scholars Program (GCSP), based on the National Academy of Engineering’s (NAE) Grand Challenges for Engineering, is now accepting applications for its first cohort. Beginning in fall 2016, these students will begin collaborating to develop solutions to major global challenges through coursework, research, service, and study abroad. Participants will each create their own unique approach to the program guided by their interests and including personal reflection on their experiences and growth as scholars.

Marie desJardins, associate dean in the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT), professor of computer science, and director of the GCSP, describes the program as “a great match with so many things that UMBC and UMBC students are already doing—applied, project-based learning; service learning; entrepreneurial explorations; global involvement; and undergraduate research.”

Amelia Hallworth ‘17, biological sciences, is interested in the GCSP because of the interdisciplinary focus of the program. “Connections between different fields of study will emerge in unusual places, so I think it is important to share problems with people outside of your field,” she says.

While part of a national Grand Challenges initiative, UMBC’s program is unique in its outreach to students from all disciplines, including those beyond engineering fields. This very intentional interdisciplinary approach recognizes that effective, real-world solutions are developed collaboratively across fields of expertise, and that students benefit significantly from early opportunities to solve problems through teamwork.

Students who are accepted into the program will participate in seminars that explore the Grand Challenges outlined by the NAE, and will work to fulfill requirements in research, interdisciplinarity, entrepreneurship, global learning, and service. They will have the opportunity to develop their own pathway to complete those requirements based on the Grand Challenge topic they choose. The 14 core challenges include goals like making solar energy more economical, reverse-engineering the human brain, and restoring and improving urban infrastructure.

The program will combine existing UMBC course offerings, research opportunities, and co-curricular activities in ways that enable students to focus on understanding and impacting issues they care about with partners who have different approaches and ideas.

Nicholay Topin ‘18, computer science and electrical engineering (CSEE), is particularly interested in the program’s emphasis on interdisciplinary learning. “Many STEM fields are using computer science techniques to further their research, so becoming involved with a program that emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches seems logical,” he says.

Like some other scholars programs at UMBC, GCSP will also offer an affiliates program open to current UMBC students and students who intend to transfer to UMBC. Affiliates will be invited to attend events throughout the year to learn more about the GCSP and application process.

“The idea is to build on what students are already doing, and to give that activity more focus and direction,” explains desJardins. “We will provide a supportive, collaborative community and acknowledge student co-curricular activity with a formal recognition at graduation, honoring students’ hard work and commitment to addressing our world’s biggest challenges.”

Image: Marie desJardins and Anne Spence talk with students. Photo by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

Robert L. Caret, Chancellor of the University System of Maryland, has appointed UMBC alumnus J. Thomas Sadowski as the system’s vice chancellor for economic development. Sadowski ’89, political science and public administration and policy, is a member of UMBC’s Public Policy Advisory Board and is currently the president and CEO of the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore (EAGB). He will join the USM team on May 2, 2016.

“The vice chancellor for economic development is a new position that was created to build on USM’s success as a major driver of the state’s economic development and to enable the system to focus its expertise, programs, and resources even more sharply and strategically on the state’s economic development priorities,” said Chancellor Caret in a statement.

As a member of UMBC’s Public Policy Board, Sadowski has helped make meaningful connections between public policy initiatives at UMBC and policymaking in the state and region. Last fall, he was a panelist at the School of Public Policy Forum on Urban Sustainability in Baltimore and emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing pressing social and economic challenges.

“For over twenty-five years, Tom has been a staunch advocate for workforce and business development, and we are thrilled that he will be utilizing his talents to support our institutions and the economy,” says UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski. “It is important to have someone with Tom’s expertise in this position as universities work to meet workforce needs. Tom understands the critical role of universities as assets to the State. We are proud of him, and we look forward to working with him in his new position.”

See the University of Maryland System website for the official press release and additional details. Media coverage of the announcement can be found below.

Tom Sadowski tapped for economic development role at University System of Maryland (Baltimore Business Journal) 
Tom Sadowski’s car will be his headquarters at the University System of Maryland (Baltimore Business Journal) 
Sadowski to join USM, focus on economic development (The Daily Record)   
J. Thomas Sadowski appointed vice chancellor for economic development (USM News) 

Image: Tom Sadowski ’89. Photo by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.