USC - Viterbi School of Engineering

Nov
17

Robot Babies: A Presentation by Star Trek Writer Melinda Snodgrass
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 @ 02:00 AM - 03:00 PM
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Workshops & Infosessions

This talk is designed to raise several questions.

The first is to examine the purpose of the robot in fiction both in prose and on film. Ro-bots are used to fill this niche because the allow for an analysis of human problems and concerns through the eyes of The Other. Aliens can also fill this role. Ultimately we use the robot as a way to explore issues that confront humans. What does it mean to be human? What is morality? Do we have souls or just intellect?

In fiction we often treat the robot as a blank slate or even as a child learning the ways of the world. Which leads to the second question -- Why build an AI? Is this driven by our human need to create? A night of unprotected sex can accomplish that. Why build a machine? I would like to involve the audience in this part of the discussion.

If we do achieve true sentience with a machine what will be the relationship between us and our creation? Will we love them or fear them? They will be a life form that canât experience the world through the senses. Will human problems and concerns be of any interest to these AIs? Will they police themselves or will we have to build in constraints a la Asimovâs Three Laws?

Finally I will look at how I create dramatic stories regarding robots/AIâs, and also how the stories have changed as our world has become ever more wired. You notice there arenât very many stories about power hungry computers taking over the world any longer because weâve all faced the Blue Screen of Death. We live and work with computers every day, and we know they are fundamentally stupid.

So, if we build an AI do we make it smart enough and give it enough free will to be venal?

Melinda Snodgrass has written numerous science fiction novels, and helps edit and writes for the WILD CARD anthologies. In 1988 she accepted a job on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and began her Hollywood career. Her most recent Hollywood position was as Consulting Producer on the N.B.C. show PROFILER. She is presently at work on the second book of an Urban Fantasy series -- BOX OFFICE POISON about a blood sucking vampire law firm. The first in the series THIS CASE IS GONNA KILL ME will be out from Tor books in July. She has two movie scripts and two television pilots currently under consideration.
Location: John Stauffer Science Lecture Hall (SLH) - 100
Audiences: Open, but please email tambe@usc.edu to reserve seat

Contact: Eric Mankin
Nov
17

Damage Assessment for System Safety (DASS)
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 @ 08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Aviation Safety and Security Program
University Calendar

Sophisticated mathematical models and methods have been developed to estimate the level of impact of a hazardous condition. This course is intended to provide an overall understanding of these methods to help managers and system safety analysis reviewers understand the analysis conducted and results obtained by the experts in the field.
Location: Aviation Safety & Security Campus
Audiences: Aviation Professionals

Contact: Harrison Wolf
Nov
17

Six Sigma Black Belt
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 @ 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Executive Education
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars

This course teaches you the advanced problem-solving skills you'll need in order to measure a process, analyze the results, develop process improvements and quantify the resulting savings. Project assignments between sessions require you to apply what you've learned. This course is presented in the classroom in three five-day sessions over a three-month period and in 10 weeks online.Learn the advanced problem-solving skills you need to implement the principles, practices and techniques of Six Sigma to maximize performance and cost reductions in your organization. During this three-week practitioner course, you will learn how to measure a process, analyze the results, develop process improvements and quantify the resulting savings. You will be required to complete a project demonstrating mastery of appropriate analytical methods and pass an examination to earn IIE's Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate.This practitioner course for Six Sigma implementation provides extensive coverage of the Six Sigma process as well as intensive exposure to the key analytical tools associated with Six Sigma, including project management, team skills, cost analysis, FMEA, basic statistics, inferential statistics, sampling, goodness of fit testing, regression and correlation analysis, reliability, design of experiments, statistical process control, measurement systems analysis and simulation. Computer applications are emphasized.NOTE: Participants must bring a laptop computer running Microsoft Office® to the seminar.
Location: USC campus or Online
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Viterbi Professional Programs
Nov
17

Air Quality: What can be done with all that Ambient Data?
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars

Talk Title: Air Quality: What can be done witth all that Ambient Data?

Abstract: A fundamental element of air quality management is the ambient measurement of air quality. With the advent of contemporary instrumentation and the capability for fast electronic recording and archiving, a very large, long term data base now exists for much of the United States. These data can be used for a variety of purposes to inform decision makers. Perhaps the simplest application is the documentation of air quality trends. Much more insightful is the use of the data to extend knowledge about source-receptor relationships, and for using observationally-based models to interpret physical and chemical processes that can advance management practices. Some examples of âinnovativeâ analyses using ambient data show the potential for new information about air pollution and its usefulness in creating pollution reduction schemes.

Host: Dr. Ronald Henry

Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 209
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Evangeline Reyes
Nov
17

AME Department Seminar
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 @ 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars

Speaker: Jean-Marc Chomaz, Laboratoire d'Hydrodynamique (LadHyX), CNRS-Ecole Polytechnique

Talk Title: The Convective Modoki: The Linear and Nonlinear Dynamics of Real Flows

Abstract: Novel and versatile numerical tolls are used to compute the stability of complex real flows as recirculation bubble, impinging jets, 2D or 3D wakes. Receptivity to perturbation, to blowing and suction, to base flow modification and nonlinear coupling between modes may be accessed by formulating the adjoint problem. Computation of the adjoint global mode show that both the lift-up mechanism associated to the transport of the base flow by the perturbation and the convective nonnormality associated to the transport of the perturbation by the base flow explain the properties of the flow. In particular, a compact wave maker region may be rigorously defined where control will be efficient and nonlinear interaction take place. Application to the nonlinear dynamics of the wake of a disk and of vortex induced vibration will be discussed.

More Info: Dr. G. Spedding
Location: John Stauffer Science Lecture Hall (SLH) - 100
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: April Mundy

Event Link: Dr. G. Spedding
Nov
17

EWH and TBP ESU Tester Build
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 @ 05:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity

Engineering World Health (EWH) is having the second build session of the semester next week! We will be partnering with Tau Beta Pi to build more ESU testers for hospitals in the developing world.

There will be FREE FOOD and music! See you there!
Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE) - 240
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Kristen Sharer
Nov
17

ASBME Research Series: Dr. Alice Parker, Engineering the Brain
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 @ 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity

This Wednesday, Dr. Alice Parker, a dynamic Professor of Electrical Engineering will be speaking about the use of electrical engineering to applications in the brain. In her lab, she is currently designing CMOS and carbon nanotube neural nanocircuits, and investigating the timetable for a possible synthetic cortex. Dr. Parker has performed high-level synthesis research since 1975, and was one of the earliest such researchers in her field.

If you would like to attend and hear what professors do outside the classroom, please fill out the following form: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGxjVE5fTldnSnAtNlJiMXFUU1NMNXc6MQ

This event is open to all students, and as usual, dinner will be served! See you there for an engaging night!
Location: Ronald Tutor Campus Center (TCC) - 227
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Associated Students of Biomedical Engineering
Nov
17

AIChE Speaker Series: Rob Cobas
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 @ 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity

ome join us at 6pm in GFS 101 to find out how you can become a part of the planning team for the CHE Holiday Party, AIChE's upcoming outreach programs, an AIChE IM soccer team, Spring's Senior Banquet, and much more. You can then stay for the speaker series below:

Ron Cobas is currently a Project Manager at Southern California Edison (SCE) managing the company's Chemical Products Efficiency Program and the Refinery Energy Efficiency Program. Come out to hear him talk about the various ways SCE is helping promote energy efficiency across both industrial and residential areas.

PIZZA AND DRINKS WILL BE PROVIDED!
Location: Grace Ford Salvatori Hall Of Letters, Arts & Sciences (GFS) - 101
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: USC American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Nov
17

ASCE Fred Flintstone Bowling Night
Wed, Nov 17, 2010 @ 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Viterbi School of Engineering Student Organizations
Student Activity

Yabba dabba doo!!

ASCE will be hosting a bowling night Nov 17 at Shatto 39 Lanes!!

We will be carpooling to the lanes from KAP at 7pm. And the first 12 people to come to the event will receive a free shoe rental and one game of bowling from ASCE!!

To RSVP for bowling, shoot an email to us at: uscasce@usc.edu

Also if you are willing to drive people to this event please say so in the email.

Thanks,
And I hope to see you all there.
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - Infront
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: American Society of Civil Engineers

Events Calendar

Select a calendar:

Filter November Events by Event Type:

Events for November 17, 2010