By Samantha Amaro | ReporterPart of being a college student means reading long textbooks and researching complicated topics. Bioinformatics, a major created at Baylor 20 years ago in the School of Engineering and Computer Science, uses technology to analyze even larger amounts of data like human genetic codes. This field is a combination of chemistry, biochemistry, biology, statistics and mathematics. Bioinformatics professionals also create new methods and software tools for understanding biological data. Dr. Erich Baker, professor of bioinformatics in the School of Engineering and Computer Science, leads Baylor’s program. While his first job after earning his undergraduate degree was…
Author: Samantha Amaro
By Samantha Amaro | ReporterTragedy is easily remembered, but happy events are sometimes pushed to the side. The shocking, more brutal occasions tend to leave scars while the joyous moments are easily passed over. No one has time to remember how sweet some flowers can smell, but always remember the smell of smoke and burnt food. The first thing that comes to mind are disasters. Disasters are easily remembered, perhaps to protect the world from repeating mistakes. There are exhibitions in Las Vegas on the Titanic, displays on people that were lost and even pieces of the ship. There are…
By Samantha Amaro | ReporterPlans for smart houses in the future are slowly becoming more and more plausible. A house that does all the manual labor for the occupants, where dinner is ready on the kitchen table and all the amenities in a house are included in these plans. Thanks to Baylor University’s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and deep learning research, a future with smart houses is getting closer.Listed among the research opportunities in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering is deep learning. This research is helping Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop into what is presented in…
By Samantha Amaro | ReporterIt’s a general theory for those on the outskirts of the art world looking in — artists harness their pain and suffering in life in order to create beauty. This raises the question — does misfortune translate into an artist’s work? Is suffering necessary for the artistic genius? This is not the first time these questions have been proposed, as they are often disputed and debated in the art world.Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Caravaggio — each of these names echo in history, and each of them have undergone some painful experiences that seem to translate…
By Samantha Amaro | ReporterThe human brain is infinitely complex. The brain has over 60 billion nerves that are constantly reacting to one another and controls the entire body. Thoughts and ideas are held in the minds of people, making human beings self-aware and knowledgeable. Teaching something that is not alive human tasks is a reality in the world of computer science, according to Hamerly.The School of Engineering and Computer Science offers several research programs, including the Competitive Learning Infrastructure Initiative, bioinformatics and machine learning. This field of computer science supplies computer systems with the capability to ‘learn’ data without…
By Samantha Amaro | ReporterBaylor University is a nationally-ranked research institution, but there is more to this school than a research-based curriculum. The School of Engineering and Computer Science not only makes certain that its computer science students are prepared to go into the workforce and deal with data analysis, code and computers, but it also offers a specialization for students who want to learn how to create video games.Dr. Matthew Fendt, a computer science lecturer, is a faculty member from the game development specialization. His specialization includes games research and artificial intelligence.Fendt has been interested in video games since…
By Samantha Amaro | ReporterPicture this: two friends are talking with bowed heads in low tones when a third person walks up and asks what they’re discussing. Is this third hypothetical person being nosy? Is that necessarily a negative thing?Social constructs dictate that private matters are not to be dug into without an invitation by the person involved or another bystander. Whether the person the rumor is based on freely fills you in on what happened or even the people gossiping about the event informs you of what happened –– this is not a moot point. Asking outright what a…
By Samantha Amaro | ReporterThere are constantly studies being published that using computers is detrimental to a person’s health due to the amount of time spent in front of a screen, but are these effects something to really worry about? The Department of Computer Science at Baylor has several ongoing research projects within its department. One project is called Human-Computer Interaction Research, which is conducted based on interactions that occur between humans and computers.Dr. Michael Poor is the faculty member in charge of the research group. Poor, a computer science assistant professor, specializes in human-computer interaction and has been with…
By Samantha Amaro | ReporterBaylor’s School of Engineering and Computer Science does more than work on machines and buildings. Some work to rebuild parts of the human body. A branch of the mechanical engineering program is the Biomedical Experimentation, Design and Simulation, where they are taking leaps the field of orthopedics and rehabilitation issues and research.The research lab is located at the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative and is loaded with six to seven active, ongoing projects. Proof of this research is shown upon opening the door, where a row of running shoes that belong to a graduate student’s project…
By Samantha Amaro | ReporterSleep is a blessing that can be overshadowed in the face of other things. Want to go out for a late bite? Let’s go. Want to drink some coffee and work on homework? Why not? How about studying last minute for an exam that we’ve had two weeks to prepare for? Of course!Doctors and parents are always warning students to be sure to sleep enough when they go off to college. The constant reminders to keep a regular sleeping schedule from wise adults are irritating and repetitive to the point that a person finds they can’t…
By Samantha Amaro | Staff WriterResearch opportunities can be found in many places at Baylor University. To help support an environment rich with curious students and faculty, there is now a special program for students studying the sciences. The Center for Astrophysics, Space Physics and Engineering Research or CASPER, is conducting various types of ongoing research and is currently working to connect student and faculty researchers through weekly seminars, which will be held to introduce students to new and groundbreaking research. CASPER was created by Doctor Truell Hyde, Director of CASPER, the Vice Provost of Research and a professor of…
By Samantha Amaro | ReporterStudents go on missions trips for a variety of reasons, for some the goal of helping communities around the world is enough motivation. Engineers with a Mission is a Baylor organization of students that use their chosen fields of study to make the world a better place for the less fortunate, making a difference all over the world.Engineering students work with communities in Kenya, Rwanda and Haiti in addition to projects located here in Waco and around Texas. Projects range from solar powered chicken coops, to windmill water pumps, to solar power and ceramic water filtration…
By Samantha Amaro | ReporterA new mentorship program is being implemented this month for the School of Engineering and Computer Science that will help students reach out to professionals and form relationships to help guide them through their journey of higher education. The sense of community so ingrained in Baylor’s learning environment has now expanded to include a program that connects skilled professionals in and around the Baylor community to students in the School of Engineering and Computer Science. This program can be beneficial to the students who wish to form relationships or seek advice from those with years and…