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.

Advising

Part of my time in the CS department is spent advising Computer Science majors.  I enjoy 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! My first camera body was a Nikon D80, and recently I added a D300, which is an absolutely AMAZING product. My good lenses (for anyone reading this who cares about lenses) are: Nikon 50mm f/1.4, Nikon 12-24mm f/4, Nikon 300mm f/4, and my favorite Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8. This hobby is getting very expensive!

Kayaking/Canoeing

In 2006 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. When the weather is nice, I try to take it out several times a week on the reservoir near my home. It's a great work-out and gives me a chance to be out enjoying nature!

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 usually do any serious rapids because I really don't know how to swim all that well...

Bike Riding

Bicycles have been a big part of my life ever since I was a little kid.  I suffered from a tendon problem that put me out of commision for a few years, but recently I was able to get back in the saddle and ride fairly aggressively. I enjoy riding on the hilly country roads near my home in Carroll County, MD. 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.

Motorcycles

Nothing gives you the sense of freedom and excitement that riding a motorcycle can. It is addictive! My first bike was a 2005 Suzuki SV-650. Recently I upgraded to a 2009 Suzuki Bandit 1250, which I ride as often as I can. 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 pretty mundane, but I also really enjoy writing games and strange simulations just for fun.  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. My most recent project (still under progress) is 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! :-)

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...

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 / Movies

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), streaming movies on Netflix, comedy shows, and educational shows about history, science, nature, places to visit, and other cultures. The high-definition Discovery Channel is awesome!