Engaging Computer Science Students in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Projects

Masoud Naghedolfeizi; Sanjeev Arora; Ramana Gosukonda; Nabil A. Yousif

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Conference: 2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Vancouver, BC
Publication Date: June 26, 2011
Start Date: June 26, 2011
End Date: June 29, 2011
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Multidisciplinary Poster Session
Tagged Division: Multidisciplinary Engineering
Page Count: 9
Page Numbers: 22.570.1 - 22.570.9
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--17851
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/17851
Download Count: 454

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Paper Authors

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Masoud Naghedolfeizi Fort Valley State University

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Dr. Masoud Naghedolfeizi is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Fort Valley State University. His research interests include computer-based measurement and instrumentation systems, applied artificial networks, and engineering education.

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Sanjeev Arora Fort Valley State University

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Ramana Gosukonda Fort Valley State University

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Dr. Gosukonda is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Fort Valley State University. His research interests include Bioinformatics, Applications of Artificial Neural Networks in Biotechnology, and Pedagogical research in computer science curriculum for undergraduate students.

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Nabil A. Yousif Fort Valley State University

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Mr. Yousif is an Assistant Professor in the Mathematics and Computer Science Department, at Fort Valley State University. His interest includes System Business Application Software design and database design.

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Abstract

Engaging Computer Science Students in Electro-Mechanical Engineering ProjectsToday’s competitive job market demands college graduates to be able to function in a multi-disciplinary environment more than ever. In response to this demand, many colleges anduniversities have offered various courses or activities across curriculum. The faculty of computerscience program decided to conduct a pilot test of cross-disciplinary, engineering-based projectsthat require both computer skills and engineering knowledge in the capstone course. The primarylearning objectives were as follows: students apply programming concepts and softwareengineering skills learned in computer science classes to a new programming environment, gainhands-on experience in using industry-type data acquisition systems, and learn data collection,processing, and analysis techniques.Two projects with real-world applications and hands-on activities were designed with the help ofengineering and physics faculty. Both these projects included electrical and mechanical systemswith emphasis on measurement and instrumentation. The first project consisted of a dataacquisition software system development for condition monitoring of industrial machineries.The data acquisition system records both time and frequency domains of vibration signatures ofrotating machineries. It also records three temperature signatures. The entire softwaredevelopment was carried out in LabVIEW programming environment, which is industrialstandard software. The student who worked in this project gained programming skills inLabVIEW and basic knowledge of data acquisition systems (concepts such as Nyquist samplingrate, anti-aliasing filtering, pre-filtering, and signal to noise ratio).The second project was related to the application of a data acquisition instrument (LAbQuestfrom Vernier) designed for academics to record time domain vibration signatures of devices withrotating components (such as cooling fans, hard disks, CD/DVD ROMs within computingsystems such as desktop computers, servers, printers, and copying machines). The other studentwho worked in this project used the equipment at various computer labs on campus to recorddata and then to analyze the data utilizing, Excel Spreadsheet software. The analysis includedobtaining frequency domain signatures using fast Fourier transforms and power spectrum andauto/cross correlation calculations.In both projects, students conducted hands-on activities, gained new knowledge and skills, andunderstood the complexities inherent to cross-disciplinary projects better. The students wereespecially delighted that these projects provided them with additional skills to enhance theircareer opportunities in the job market. We are hoping to offer more of similar opportunities incoming years.

Citation
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Naghedolfeizi, M., & Arora, S., & Gosukonda, R., & Yousif, N. A. (2011, June), Engaging Computer Science Students in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Projects Paper presented at 2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Vancouver, BC. 10.18260/1-2--17851

TY  - CPAPER
AB  -    Engaging Computer Science Students in Electro-Mechanical Engineering                                ProjectsToday’s competitive job market demands college graduates to be able to function in a multi-disciplinary environment more than ever. In response to this demand, many colleges anduniversities have offered various courses or activities across curriculum. The faculty of computerscience program decided to conduct a pilot test of cross-disciplinary, engineering-based projectsthat require both computer skills and engineering knowledge in the capstone course. The primarylearning objectives were as follows: students apply programming concepts and softwareengineering skills learned in computer science classes to a new programming environment, gainhands-on experience in using industry-type data acquisition systems, and learn data collection,processing, and analysis techniques.Two projects with real-world applications and hands-on activities were designed with the help ofengineering and physics faculty. Both these projects included electrical and mechanical systemswith emphasis on measurement and instrumentation. The first project consisted of a dataacquisition software system development for condition monitoring of industrial machineries.The data acquisition system records both time and frequency domains of vibration signatures ofrotating machineries. It also records three temperature signatures. The entire softwaredevelopment was carried out in LabVIEW programming environment, which is industrialstandard software. The student who worked in this project gained programming skills inLabVIEW and basic knowledge of data acquisition systems (concepts such as Nyquist samplingrate, anti-aliasing filtering, pre-filtering, and signal to noise ratio).The second project was related to the application of a data acquisition instrument (LAbQuestfrom Vernier) designed for academics to record time domain vibration signatures of devices withrotating components (such as cooling fans, hard disks, CD/DVD ROMs within computingsystems such as desktop computers, servers, printers, and copying machines). The other studentwho worked in this project used the equipment at various computer labs on campus to recorddata and then to analyze the data utilizing, Excel Spreadsheet software. The analysis includedobtaining frequency domain signatures using fast Fourier transforms and power spectrum andauto/cross correlation calculations.In both projects, students conducted hands-on activities, gained new knowledge and skills, andunderstood the complexities inherent to cross-disciplinary projects better. The students wereespecially delighted that these projects provided them with additional skills to enhance theircareer opportunities in the job market. We are hoping to offer more of similar opportunities incoming years.
AU  - Masoud Naghedolfeizi
AU  - Sanjeev Arora
AU  - Ramana Gosukonda
AU  - Nabil A. Yousif
CY  - Vancouver, BC
DA  - 2011/06/26
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Engaging Computer Science Students in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Projects
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/17851
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--17851
ER  -