January 23, 2026Hack Ramapo 2026: AI Integration Challenge

The RCNJ Computer Science Club and Sky Academy is excited to announce Hack Ramapo 2026 – an official Major League Hacking (MLH) event where innovation meets real-world impact.

Event Details
Date: Friday, February 28, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Theme: AI Integration in Everyday Life
Prize Pool: $1,000

The Challenge
Build a project that uses AI to improve everyday life. More specific guidelines will be announced at kickoff—come ready to innovate!

Team Formation
Teams consist of three students. Don’t have a team yet? No problem! Register as an individual and join others to form a group during the opening session.

Open to All
Students from outside Ramapo College are welcome to participate. Spread the word to friends at other schools!

Perks
MLH will be on-site providing swag, merch, and T-shirts for participants throughout the day.

Register Now
Spots are limited—register as soon as possible to secure your place.

Register Here
Bring your ideas, skills, and team spirit to Hack Ramapo 2026!

Categories: Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, News + Updates

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January 23, 2026Summer of AI 2026

Online • Asynchronous • 12 Transferable Credits

Master artificial intelligence, machine learning, and agentic systems in one intensive summer. Three 4-credit courses designed to take you from foundations to building autonomous AI agents—all online and asynchronous.

→ Register for Summer 2026

Session 1 (May 27 – June 30):

• Machine Learning

Session 2 (July 9 – August 11):

• Artificial Intelligence
• Agent Engineering

Take one, two, or all three courses!

CMPS 320: Machine Learning

Session 1 (May 27 – June 30) • 4 Credits

Build the mathematical and algorithmic foundation for modern AI. Implement regression, classification, and neural networks from scratch. Master the complete ML pipeline from data preprocessing to model evaluation and deployment.

Topics include: Linear & Logistic Regression, Decision Trees & Ensembles, Neural Networks & Backpropagation, Support Vector Machines, K-Means Clustering, Dimensionality Reduction (PCA), XGBoost & LightGBM, Deep Learning Foundations, Model Evaluation & Cross-Validation

CMPS 331: Artificial Intelligence

Session 2 (July 9 – August 11) • 4 Credits

Explore the core reasoning and representation techniques of AI. From search algorithms and game-playing to probabilistic reasoning and expert systems. Build intelligent systems that reason, plan, and make decisions under uncertainty.

Topics include: Search Algorithms (BFS, DFS, A*), Adversarial Search & Minimax, Alpha-Beta Pruning, Propositional & Predicate Logic, Bayesian Networks, Fuzzy Logic, Expert Systems, Planning & STRIPS, Knowledge Representation

CMPS 367: Agentic Software Architecture

Session 2 (July 9 – August 11) • 4 Credits

The cutting edge of AI engineering. Build autonomous AI agents that perceive, reason, and act. Master LLM integration, tool use, RAG systems, memory architectures, and multi-agent coordination. You’ll build a production-ready coding agent from scratch—then extend it with retrieval, memory, and skills systems.

Topics include: Transformer Architecture & LLMs, Agent Loop Design, Tool Use & Function Calling, Prompt Engineering & Context Engineering, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Memory Systems (Conversation, Episodic, Semantic), Multi-Agent Patterns, Model Context Protocol (MCP), LangChain & Framework Evaluation, Guardrails & AI Safety

Prerequisites

Ramapo Students: You should have completed CMPS 231 (Data Structures) or CMPS 240 (Programming II). These courses are designed for Computer Science, Data Science, and Cybersecurity majors.

Students from Other Institutions: If you have coursework in programming (Python, Java, C++, or similar), you’re likely prepared. Earn 12 transferable credits applicable to your CS or related major. Contact us with questions about your preparation.

Technical Requirements: Basic programming proficiency is required. Familiarity with Python is helpful but not required—you’ll gain extensive Python experience throughout the sequence. All courses are fully online and asynchronous.

Questions?

Wondering if this sequence is right for you? Curious about transferring credits or your preparation level? Reach out—we’re happy to help.

Scott Frees, Ph.D.
Convenor, Computer Science & Cybersecurity
Ramapo College of New Jersey
sfrees@ramapo.edu

→ Register for Summer 2026

Categories: Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Mathematics, News + Updates

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January 22, 2026Mathematics Career Panel with Secaucus High School students

On December 15th 2025 forty (40) mathematically tallented students from Secaucus High School visited Ramapo College to attend an event co-organized by Dr. Katarzyna Kowal, Associate Professor of Mathematics at RamapoCollege, who is also the advisor of Ramapo College Chapter of National Mathematics Honor Society, and by Mr. Jarred Semelmacher, who is a mathematics teacher at Secaucus High School and the advisor of the high school’s Mathematics Honor Society.

The event was titled “Secaucus High School Mathematics Honor Society meets Ramapo College Mathematics Honor Society”. The event included:

• Welcoming remarks by Dean of TAS, Dr. Benny Chan
• Brief interactive sample lecture in mathematics by Dr. Katarzyna Kowal to demonstrate to high school students what Mathematics lectures look like in college
• Presentation by Dr. Katarzyna regarding the benefits of majoring in mathematics at Ramapo College
• Presentation by Dr. Scott Frees, the director and founder of Masters Program in Applied Mathematics at Ramapo College, about the benefits of getting a Master’s Degree in this program
• Dicussion Panel with DMC students, DMC faculty, and industry experts as panelists

During Discussion Panel, the panelists were answering questions that Secaucus High School students had regarding: majoring in mathematics and related disciplines, graduate programs, undergraduate student research in mathematics, what makes Ramapo unique, careers in mathematics and related disciplines, opportunities that mathematics program brings, mathematics competitions.

The student panelists were mathematics majors, data science majors and computer science majors: Afrona Tozluku, Em Dickstein, Amir Sela, Abdurahim Sanginov, Justin Haskoor.

The faculty panelists were: Dr. Debbie Yuster, Dr. Scott Frees, Dr. Katarzyna Kowal (panel moderator).

The industry experts on the panel were:
Dr. Paul Centore and Mr. Paul Park (Wall Street expert).

Mr. Jarred Semelmacher is a recent Ramapo College graduate with Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, a certified mathematics high school teacher, and a former officer and an inductee of Ramapo College Chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society. He received a Masters of Special Education from Ramapo College and is now in the process of obtaining a Masters degree in Computer Science Education. Mr. Semelmacher is also an Adjunct Professor of Mathematics at Ramapo College of New Jersey.

The visiting students had their campus tour later that day, followed by lunch on camus. They were invited to attend the DMC Fair that will be held in April. They were inspired by their visit at Ramapo College.

Categories: Uncategorized

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