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Events for March 20, 2012
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CENG Seminar
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 @ 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: John Sartori, PhD Candidate, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Talk Title: Stochastic Computing: Embracing Errors in Architecture and Design of Processors and Applications
Abstract: All of computing today relies on an abstraction where software expects hardware to behave flawlessly for all inputs, under all conditions. While this abstraction worked well historically, due to the relatively small magnitude of variations in hardware and environment, computing will increasingly be done with devices and circuits that are inherently stochastic because of how small they are, or whose behavior is stochastic due to manufacturing and environmental uncertainties. For such emerging circuits and devices, the cost of guaranteeing correctness will be prohibitive, and we will need to fundamentally rethink the correctness contract between hardware and software. Such rethinking becomes particularly compelling considering that a significant amount of energy is wasted in guaranteeing reliability even for applications that are inherently error tolerant.
The primary goal of my research has been to revisit the correctness contract between hardware and software to enable extremely energy-efficient computing. Instead of computing machines where hardware variations are always hidden from the software behind conservative design specifications, my research advocates computing machines (stochastic processors) where (a) these variations are opportunistically exposed to the highest layers of software in the form of hardware errors, and (b) software and hardware are optimized to maximize energy savings while delivering acceptable outputs, in spite of errors. In this talk, I will describe architecture and physical design-based approaches to build and optimize stochastic processors. I will also discuss our ongoing work on building applications for such processors. As a proof of concept, I will discuss an example prototype system based on commodity hardware that exploits application-level error tolerance to maximize system efficiency. Finally, I will outline some other promising approaches to energy-efficient computing for emerging applications.
Biography: John Sartori received a B.S. degree in electrical engineering, computer science, and mathematics from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks and a M.S. degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He is currently finishing a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering at UIUC. His research interests include stochastic computing, energy-efficient computing, and system architectures for emerging workloads. John's research has been recognized by a best paper award [CASES 2011] and a best paper award nomination [HPCA 2012] and has been the subject of several keynote talks and invited plenary lectures. His work has been chosen to be the cover feature for popular media sources such as BBC News and HPCWire, and has also been covered extensively by scientific press outlets such as the IEEE Spectrum and the Engineering and Technology Magazine. When not doing research, John enjoys outdoor activities in the balmy Champaign weather, playing music, and studying and discussing philosophy.
Host: Prof. Bhaskar Krishnamachari
Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Estela Lopez
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FE Review Session: Chemistry
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 @ 03:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity
Professor Parr from the USC Chemistry Department will lead a review session on the topics covered in the Chemistry section of the FE/EIT Exam.
Location: Grace Ford Salvatori Hall Of Letters, Arts & Sciences (GFS) - 229
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Tau Beta Pi
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Epstein Institute Seminar Series / ISE 651 Seminar
Tue, Mar 20, 2012 @ 03:30 PM - 04:50 PM
Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Cerry M. Klein, Lapierre Professor of Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Talk Title: "Current and Future Research Directions in Industrial and Systems Engineering"
Series: Epstein Institute Seminar Series
Abstract: As the problems societies face become increasingly complex and intertwined, the importance of engineering increases. However, engineering will only be able to address these problems if it develops a better contextual understanding of the problems and interactions. Industrial and Systems Engineering with its traditional focus on socio-economic and technical problems is well positioned to help address the problems. This presentation will review some current and emerging areas of research as well as address the impact and need for understanding policy. As part of the presentation it is hoped that a robust discussion of the role of engineering in dealing with societyâs most complex problems and policies will ensue.
Biography: Cerry Klein is in the Provostâs Office at the University of Missouri, leading an initiative on Sustainable Energy in the Mizzou Advantage Program. He is also a Lapierre Professor of Engineering, past chair of the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering at the University of Missouri, and past Program Director for the Service Enterprise Systems program and the Manufacturing Enterprise Systems program at the National Science Foundation. Dr. Kleinâs research areas include energy systems and logistics, health care, entrepreneurship, nonlinear and linear integer programming, dynamic programming, network optimization, multi-criteria and multi-attribute decision making, and scheduling. Dr. Klein has also been involved in educational research involving freshman retention and the vertical integration of material, the development of K-12 teacherâs expertise in science and mathematics, and the development of introducing entrepreneurship across the engineering curriculum. He has received as a PI or Co-PI funding from several industrial and government institutions including the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, The Kauffman Foundation, Department of Education, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Boeing, Union Electric, Missouri Department of Transportation, and Unilever. He has also worked as a consultant for several companies.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, School of Industrial Engineering, Purdue University, Dec. 1983.
M.S. in Mathematics, Department of Mathematics, Purdue University, 1980.
B.S. Ed. in Mathematics, Northwest Missouri State University (highest honors), 1977.
EXPERIENCE
Provostâs Office, Mizzou Advantage â Sustainable Energy â September 2010 â present
Program Director, Service Enterprise Systems program and the Manufacturing Enterprise Systems program at the National Science Foundation, November 2007 to 2010
Lapierre Professor, Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, September 2007 - present.
Chair, Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, September 2000 to October 2007.
Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, September 1992 to 2000 and 2001- October 2007
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, University of Missouri, September 1989-1992, and 2000- October 2007
AWARD Highlights
Named Fellow of the Institute of Industrial Engineersâ June 2010
Senior Faculty Research Award for Excellence in Research, College of Engineering, University of Missouri, 1999
Office of Naval Research Young Investigator, 1988 1991
UMC Outstanding Industrial Engineering Professor, voted by graduating seniors (26 times)
Outstanding Engineering Faculty Teaching Award, College of Engineering (twice)
Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award, Society of Automotive Engineers, 1989
William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence, University of Missouri â (Highest Teaching award given by the University)
Host: Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
More Information: Seminar-Klein.doc
Location: Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center (GER) - Room 309
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Georgia Lum
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Six Sigma Green Belt for Process ImprovementTue, Mar 20, 2012 @ 09:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Executive Education
University Calendar
Course Overview
Learn how to integrate principles of business, statistics and engineering to achieve tangible results. Master the use of Six Sigma to quantify the critical quality issues in your company. Once the issues have been quantified, statistics can be applied to provide probabilities of success and failure. Six Sigma methods increase productivity and enhance quality. As a Six Sigma green belt, you will be equipped to support and champion a Six Sigma implementation in your organization. To earn the Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate, you will be required to pass the Institute of Industrial Engineer's green belt exam (administered on the final day of the course).
During this course you will have the opportunity to apply what you have learned to an actual issue you face in your organization. Prior seminar participants have reported significant savings from implementing their projects.
A financial services organization saw $128,000 in cost savings per quarter when they reduced transaction processing rework
A state agency reduced project cost over-runs by 28 percent
A transportation company saved more than $875,000 per year in turnover costs by improving the employee communications process
Reduced errors in a painting operation led to increased first pass acceptance and more than $197,000 in annual savings
A Web developer increased annual profits by 10 percent by cutting cycle time
A wave solder operation saw defects reduced by half and costs reduced by $60,000 per year
Course Topics
Basic statistics
Case studies
Cost analysis
DMAIC
Financial implications
Process capability
Root cause analysis
Six Sigma green belt exam
Six Sigma process and objective
Statistical process control
Benefits
Upon completion of this course, you will walk away with the following skills:
Design and develop Six Sigma projects
Determine process capability
Employ the DMAIC process
Perform basic statistical analysis on process measurements
Prepare root cause analysis
Support and champion Six Sigma implementation in your organization
Understand the Six Sigma philosophy
Program Fees
On-Campus Participants: $1,345
Includes continental breakfasts, lunch and all course materials. The fee does not include hotel accommodations or transportation.
Online Participant with Live Session Interactivity: $1,100
Includes attendee access codes for live call-in or chat capabilities during class sessions. Also includes all course and lecture materials available for live stream or download.
Reduced Pricing:
Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE): Reduced pricing is available for members of IIE. Please contact professional@mapp.usc.edu for further information.
Trojan Family: USC alumni, current students, faculty, and staff receive 10% reduced pricing on registration.
Boeing: Boeing employees receive 20% off registration fees (please use Boeing email address when registering).
Location
Three course delivery options are available for participants, on-campus, online with interactivity, and online with archive access:
On-Campus Course is held in state-of-the-art facilities on the University of Southern California campus, located in downtown Los Angeles. Participants attending on-campus will have the option to commute to the course or stay at one of the many hotels located in the area. For travel information, please visit our Travel section.
Overview of on-campus option:
The ability to interact with faculty and peers in-person.
Access to hard copy course materials.
Ability to logon and view archived course information - up to 7 days after the course has been offered. This includes course documents and streaming video of the lectures.
If there is a conflict during any on-campus course dates, you can elect to be an online/interactive student.
Parking, refreshments and lunch are provided for on-campus participants â unless otherwise specified.
Online (Interactivity) Course delivery is completely online and real-time, enabling interaction with the instructor and fellow participants. Participants have the flexibility of completing the course from a distance utilizing USC's Distance Education Network technology. Students are required to be online for the entirety of each day's session.
Overview of online (interactive):
Virtually participate in the course live â with the ability to either ask questions or chat questions to the entire class.
WebEx technologies provide the option to call into the class and view the entire lecture/materials on your computer, or to participate on your computer without having to utilize a phone line.
Ability to logon and view archived course information up to 7 days after the course has been offered. This includes course documents and streaming video of the lectures.
Continuing Education Units
CEUs: 2.1 (CEUs provided by request only)
USC Viterbi School of Engineering Certificate of Participation is awarded to all participants upon successful completion of course.
Audiences: Registered Attendees
Contact: Viterbi Professional Programs
