Fawzi's Interests

Teaching

I feel very fortunate to have found a career that I truly enjoy!  I've been teaching for the Computer Science department at UMCP since Fall 2001.  Prior to that I taught for the Mathematics Department for 9 years.  Teaching at UMCP has been very rewarding for me -- I cherish the positive feedback that I receive from my students in the form of course evaluations, thoughtful notes, and teaching awards.

Courses I have taught at UMCP include:  CMSC 106, CMSC 114, CMSC 131, CMSC 132, CMSC 250, CMSC 351, MATH 001, MATH 002, MATH 110, MATH 111, MATH 113, MATH 140, MATH 141, MATH 210, MATH 220, MATH 221.

Advising

Part of my time in the CS department is spent advising Computer Science majors.  I get a kick out of talking with students about how things are going and what they're planning to do in the future. If you are a student at UMCP and you happen to be interested in both Math and Computer Science, please seek me out for advising! Even though I teach Computer Science, my academic background is actually in mathematics and for four years I was the "Advising Coordinator" in the Math department.

Photography

I just started doing "real" photography and I absolutely love it! I bought a Nikon D80, which is a very good digital SLR for a beginner and I am very happy with it. My good lenses (for anyone reading this who cares about lenses) are: Nikon 50mm f/1.4, Nikon 12-24mm f/4, and Nikon 300mm f/4. I also have my eye on the 17-55mm f/2.8 and the new 105mm f/2.8 VR for macro photography. This hobby is getting very expensive! If you want to see some of my photos, look here.

Kayaking/Canoeing

Last year I purchased my very first kayak:  it's a QCC Q600X.  The hull is made of kevlar on the outside and carbon fiber on the inside.  It's considered a "fast touring" boat. It tracks really well, but can still handle some decent waves. I try to take it out several times a week, usually on the Rocky Gorge Reservoir in Laurel. It's a great work-out and gives me a chance to be surrounded by nature and serenity. (Serenity now!)

I started canoeing back in 1995.  Now that I have the kayak, I don't go canoeing all that often, but every once in a while I enjoy (gentle) runs in many nearby creeks and rivers.  I don't like rapids beyond class 2 because I really don't know how to swim very well!

Motorcycles

Nothing gives you the sense of freedom and excitement that riding a motorcycle can. It is addictive! My bike is a 2005 Suzuki SV-650, which I ride as often as I can. The SV-650 is not really a "sport bike", it's not really a "touring bike", it's not really a "cruiser" -- so what is it? It's a very light-weight and good-handling bike with plenty of power, but without the crouched-over seating position of a true sport bike. People always ask whether or not this is a good bike for a beginner. It was my first bike, and I recommend this bike for a beginner IF you are someone who is relatively coordinated and a fast learner. If you are a less confident beginner, then you might want to start with something a little less "twitchy". If you are thinking about getting into motorcycle riding, please take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course at your local community college or motor vehicle administration.  In the MSF course you will learn a ton of useful techniques and information that will help you to ride confidently and safely-- plus it is the most streamlined way to get your license.  (I had never ridden a motorcycle before, but after just 4 days of the MSF course, I had a valid class M license in my hands.) 

Software Projects

I always have something cooking...  Most of my professional projects have been fairly mundane (scheduling software and creative ways to index and retrieve large sets of data), but I also really enjoy writing games and strange simulations.  I am the author of a pretty good football score predictor; a blackjack strategy evaluator; and the only utility available that accurately rates player skills in Quake III Arena.  Most of the projects I have written over the years have been in C or C++, but lately I'm finding Java to be my language of choice. Lately I've been working on an "intelligent" Texas Hold-em playing game that will help me to refine my strategy when playing with human players.

Math

Yes, I'm serious -- Math is one of my hobbies.  I really enjoy solving (and writing) mathematical puzzles, and thinking about problems that interest me.  In graduate school I mostly studied "Model Theory", which is a branch of Mathematical Logic.  I like all kinds of math, but I am usually drawn more to problems in "discrete math" rather than subjects like calculus or differential equations. Lately I've been thinking about "cake cutting"; if that doesn't sound like math to you, drop by my office and ask me about it! :-)

Bike Riding

Bicycles have been a big part of my life ever since I was a little kid.  Sadly, I have developed a tendon problem in my right ankle that has kept me off the bike over the past couple of years. In the past, my cycling territory has been the back roads of Maryland and Virginia.  I don't race, but when I'm in shape, I'm pretty fast!  My bike is a 55cm Litespeed Tuscany with Shimano Ultegra parts.  It's made out of titanium, which I prefer because it is lightweight and strong, but forgiving when you go over harsh bumps in the road.

Trading Stocks

I enjoy gambling, but hate the idea of losing money to a big casino. So... I started trading stocks. It's all the fun of gambling, but the odds are on your side! Even beginners usually make money trading stocks, and if you know what you are doing, you can grow money exponentially!

Computer Games

Help!  I can't stop playing Civilization IV!   On X-Box I really like Project Gotham Racing II.  I know, I know -- "What a dork!"

Books on Tape

Well, usually they're on CDs.  On days when I drive (rather than ride my motorcycle) I enjoy listening to books.  I don't read for pleasure very often, but I do listen to a lot of books this way!  My favorite book to date:  The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. 

TV

I don't understand people who eschew television -- it's extraordinarily entertaining, and can be very educational!  I love to watch sports in high definition (Redskins, Orioles, Maryland basketball, Caps hockey), comedy shows (Seinfeld, Simpsons, Two and a Half Men, Arrested Development), and educational shows about history, science, nature, places to visit, and other cultures. The high-definition Discovery Channel is awesome!