Conference Session

Electrical & Computer Engineering Poster Session

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Fabio Urbani; Juan Iglesias

of commercial analysis packages are currently available, they are ratherexpensive, and the source code is not available. The latter prevents students from understandingthe logic behind the simulation.In this paper we describe an ongoing project being developed at the University of Texas atBrownsville (UTB) that intends to overcome these limitations by implementing, based on aconsolidated frequency domain technique, a novel electromagnetic structure simulator using apre-existent 94-node Beowulf machine.The merit and innovation of this project is how it integrates disperse tools and techniques into asingle coherent framework that can be utilized with minimal effort and high confidence by thecommunity interested in the research, teaching

Conference Session

Emerging Trends in Engineering Education

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Edward Hensel; Elizabeth DeBartolo

Grad Math II 5 Grad Elective #1 Grad Elective #2 Grad Elective #3When BS/MS students successfully complete the entire program, they leave RIT with valuableindependent research experience, a thesis project completed, and possibly a publication withtheir name on it. They graduate in the same time as the rest of their entering freshman class,with no additional college loans to pay off in exchange for their advanced degree. Otherinstitutions have active undergraduate research programs, where students participate in semester-long or year-long research projects individually or as part of a team1,2. The general opinion isthat the students involved gain valuable experience and learn important new skills, whether ornot the

Conference Session

Teaching Design

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Richard Bannerot

theresults are presented in the paper. Both studies produced similar conclusions.Evaluation of Team Produced Artifacts in an Innovative Design EnvironmentAn experiment was conducted in fall 2002 in the sophomore design class in theDepartment of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Houston to assess the skillsof young engineering students in evaluating the artifacts that resulted from the majorclass project for the semester. The 41 students self-selected into 13 teams. All teams hadfour members except for one three-member team. These artifacts resulted from a two-month long, team project: design, build and test. This project was the major componentof the course grade (50%). The “value” (or quality) of the artifact itself represented 20%of the

Conference Session

TC2K and Assessment

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Kenneth Reid; Elaine Cooney

assessment options have advantages and disadvantages, so that the “ideal”methods to measure any one objective should offer the best balance between the program needs,validity, and affordability (in time, effort, and money). She goes on to say that it is “crucial touse multi-method/multi-source approach to maximize validity and reduce bias of any oneapproach.” Of the many assessment methods Rogers recommends, the two methods that areused in this project are behavioral observations and performance appraisals. The crux of thematter is to take the behavioral observations or performance appraisals and get hard data that canbe recorded and tracked.Rubrics can be used to translate observations to objective data. A rubric is a scaled set of criteriathat

Conference Session

Computers in Education Poster Session

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Mahmoud Quweider

approach allows students, who are enrolled in the senior projectcourse, to simulate a digital logic project of their choosing and implement it both in softwareand hardware. The approach was found to be enriching and very effective in enforcingconcepts taught in the class as well as in drawing the students’ attention to issues of cost andreal world implementation by using a hardware-based kit for the projects realization;additionally, students where asked to run a component and cost analysis of their projects aswell. The success of the approach will be departmentalized for students who wish to conducttheir research in the digital logic design area.IntroductionThe University of Texas at Brownsville is a minority based university with almost 85

Conference Session

ETD Poster Session

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

George Westrom

scientists to ensure that students will beentering the “Engineering pipeline” for future generations. The lack of motivating experienceand hands-on projects in the early K-12 grades in the American public school system turnsstudents away from careers in engineering. The paper presents a national award winning, after-school program where students 4th grade through high school become engineers and scientists,by building robots, bridges, boats, cars, airplanes, towers and scores of other hands-on projects.The Future Scientists and Engineers of America (FSEA) curriculum consists of over 50 hands-onprojects. Engineers, companies, universities and communities, team with teachers and schools tomotivate and excite students with hands-on science, mathematics

Conference Session

Engineering/Education Collaborators

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Norma Velasquez-Bryant; Gokhan Pekhan; Ahmad Itani; Pamela Cantrell

2004-3130 Nevada Teachers Integrating Engineering into Science Pamela Cantrell, Norma Velasquez-Bryant, Gokhan Pekcan, Ahmad Itani University of Nevada, RenoIntroductionThe Teachers Integrating Engineering into Science (TIES) Program is a collaborative projectamong faculty from the College of Education and the College of Engineering at the University ofNevada, Reno and teachers and administrators from four Nevada school districts. The TIESpartnership presents opportunities for both university professors and middle school scienceteachers to work collaboratively for the development and implementation of best practices inscience and mathematics education. This paper describes our project

Conference Session

Innovative Ideas for Energy Labs

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Paul Duesing; David McDonald

is being created with grants from industry and the National ScienceFoundation. The development has included extensive student participation. The paper discussesthe project background and educational need for this laboratory. The paper also discusses thelaboratory development process along with information on unique instructional equipment thathas been designed in the areas of machine control and energy conversion.IntroductionThere is a national need for engineering graduates who are prepared to enter the energy-relatedindustries. This is especially important with increased dependency upon sophisticated computer-based systems, deregulation and the resulting “rolling blackouts” in recent years, and thepossibility of major blackouts. National

Conference Session

Design in Freshman Year

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Philip Parker; Max Anderson

of civil engineering projects. For example, students in ageotechnical engineering course can obtain soil characteristics data from the program and usethat information to design a building foundation. In a structural engineering class following this,students design the structure that will be supported by this foundation.Our adaptation of the Sooner City concept was to take the design across the curriculum conceptand apply it to the first-semester introductory engineering course. Rather than an entire city,freshmen would complete five design projects centered on a park on campus.The goals of the project are: GOAL 1: Stimulate interest in engineering among freshmen; GOAL 2: Ensure that freshmen find the revised course “fun” yet challenging

Conference Session

Minorities in Research

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Michel Reece; Carl White

in engineering. Currently, minorities have the lowest percentageof graduates who receive advanced degrees in engineering. By embedding advancedtechnical training during a student’s freshmen and sophomore years of an undergraduatecurriculum, students are not only motivated, but also have the skill sets needed toparticipate in research. After training, the student applies technical skills learned to anadvanced research project provided by collaborative relationships with industry, theuniversity, or faculty members. The integration of research and training increases thestudent’s confidence to compete academically among fellow peers, improves graduateretention, and improves a student’s academic performance. Because of the demands ofthese added

Conference Session

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Philip Parker; Max Anderson

variety of civil engineering projects. For example, students in ageotechnical engineering course can obtain soil characteristics data from the program and usethat information to design a building foundation. In a structural engineering class following this,students design the structure that will be supported by this foundation.Our adaptation of the Sooner City concept was to take the design across the curriculum conceptand apply it to the first-semester introductory engineering course. Rather than an entire city,freshmen would complete five design projects centered on a park on campus.The goals of the project are: GOAL 1: Stimulate interest in engineering among freshmen; GOAL 2: Ensure that freshmen find the revised course “fun” yet

Conference Session

Teaching Innovations in Architectural Engineering

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Don Bury; Bruce Mutter

forms. Classdiscussions, conferencing, forums and real-time project reviews will utilize current “chat-room”technology and newly emerging conference software applications. Testing opportunities will bedevised through models similarly employed by Sylvan Learning Centers and NCARB, allowingonline vignettes and projects. The research will determine the extent and volume that portfoliomaterials will be allowed to be used as submissions for program requirements.The research will analyze the hardware needs required the institution for the delivery of theprogram and by students taking the individual courses. Cost analysis will include the cost ofdelivery of the program, individual courses, and impacts on faculty resources. Research willexamine

Conference Session

Curriculum Development in MFG ET

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Jacob Chen; Joseph Chen

U.S., and particularly in the Midwest.As part of a three-year Advanced Technical Education (ATE) project granted by theNational Science Foundation (NSF), this project focuses on improving the way that theaforementioned topics are taught in community college manufacturing educationprograms. It also focuses on increasing the pool of qualified applicants to these programs.Four flexible course modules and instructor-training materials were developed forintegration into a wide range of existing curricula. These modules integrate design formanufacturability (DFM), teamwork skills (including communication skills) andparametric solid modeling (PSM) content to improve the efficiency and effectiveness ofinstruction in these areas.The modules were

Conference Session

Electrical & Computer Engineering Poster Session

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Richard Johnson

Session 1532 “Smart Pallet” Design using Optoelectronics and Programmable Microcontrollers Richard T Johnson Ball State University Muncie, IndianaIntroduction:The project goal was to design and implement a cost effective and autonomous product transportdevice capable of functioning in an automated assembly line manufacturing environment. Allthe information necessary for the automated assembly of a finished product accompanies theproduct through the manufacturing process. Specific assembly

Conference Session

ABET Criterion 4 and Liberal Education

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Gary Gabriele

is given equal consideration with the issues of how our society haschanged as a result of the introduction of this form of communication.After these short exercises, the major project is undertaken, typically involving the design ofprototypes for a real community project. An example from one semester was the design ofstructures to aid farmers in the display and marketing of their products at the local farmers’market. The purpose of this project was to develop an expandable, collapsible, portable systemof display, shelter, attachment, layout, etc. that could display, carry, or protect the farmer’sproduce, fliers, etc. and could be secured to the site (walls, ground, cars, bodies, etc.). Here,through exercises in observation, students studied

Conference Session

Minorities in Research

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Gbekeloluwa Oguntimein

technological advances to achieve nationalobjectives. Analyses have shown that there may be a significant shortage in the entry-level science and engineering labor pool, and that scientific and technical fields could besignificantly affected. Demographic data show a future with proportionately fewer youngpeople and a work force comprised of growing numbers of minorities and theeconomically disadvantaged. These groups, which the economy must increasingly rely,have been historically underrepresented in science, engineering and related fields. Theadded dimension of a projected shortage of qualified science and mathematics instructorsat the pre-college and undergraduate levels could have serious consequences for thenation’s scientific and technological

Conference Session

Opportunities in Environmental Engineering Curriculum

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Michael Butkus

perceived by students as reinforcing rather than redundant. Examplesof such experiences include field trips, hands-on laboratory exercises, modeling, technicaldesigns, experimental designs, independent laboratory research projects, and research papers.This paper links the U.S. Military Academy Environmental Engineering curriculum, ABEToutcomes a-k, and ABET Environmental Engineering Program Criteria to selected noteworthyexperiences. Assessment results are presented, which attempt to evaluate the effectiveness ofsignificant experiences. The drawbacks associated with omission of several desired experiencesfrom the curriculum are also addressed.Introduction Besides providing a discipline-specific undergraduate education, the United

Conference Session

Curriculum Development in Computer Engineering Technology

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Dwight Egbert; Dave Williams

likelihood of theirsuccess in a conventional programming class in a future semester. Equally significant, the coursemaintains student participation in the technical curriculum and will therefore be likely toimprove student retention. Other students seeking Matlab instruction, additional problem-solvingdevelopment, or an introduction to elementary game programming are also invited to enroll. Thecourse has also been accepted as a technical elective for non-engineering majors but is notapplicable toward the college’s Engineering Technology or Engineering Science degrees.The structure, curriculum, and class project used in the initial offering of the course are presentedin this paper. The real centerpiece of the course was a collaborative class project

Conference Session

Graduate Education in ET

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Warren Koontz

unripe MTS had to complete a series of “Bell SystemTechnology” courses before he or she was considered ready to work effectively ontelecommunications projects. That is, Bell Labs used its own resources to fill what it perceived tobe a gap in the engineering curricula.Bell Labs was in a unique position to offer telecommunications education to its employees. Itwas part of a regulated monopoly and faced no significant competition. All of this changedaround the time of the break-up of the Bell System in 1984. Bell Labs, which was now part ofthe new AT&T Corporation, became one of many telecommunications companies competing forpeople who could become productive quickly without elaborate company-provided training.Thus the advent of competition in

Conference Session

Entrepreneurism in BME

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Peter Mente; Marian McCord; Elizabeth Loboa; Susan Blanchard

in a major team project that allows them to put some of the theory they learn intopractice. For their project, students are split into teams of 3 or 4 individuals. After beingintroduced to the major principles associated with the mechanobiology of mesenchymal tissuedifferentiation, the students are asked to perform research to determine the optimal tensile strain,duration of strain, and other factors to best promote the differentiation of mesenchymal stemcells down an osteogenic (bone forming) pathway. They provide a preliminary report in theform of an “Introduction” for a major peer-reviewed journal article that provides a thoroughbackground and analysis of why they chose the mechanical loading protocol they did. They thendiscuss their team

Conference Session

Electrical & Computer Engineering Poster Session

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Asad Azemi

computer-programming course for engineers is usually taught using the C++programming language. This work describes our current effort to introduce a pilot project,which can be used in an evaluation process by those departments that would like to substituteMatlab for C++. Those who would like to continue the current practice, but are looking for morechallenging problems/projects involving Matlab can also use the project outcome. The project,at this time, is not calling for elimination of C++, but merely a reversal of our on-going practiceat Penn State; namely, twelve weeks of Matlab and two weeks of C++. A discussion of theadvantages and disadvantages of conducting a computer-programming course in this format areincluded.I. IntroductionComputer

Conference Session

Portable/Embedded Computing II

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Cameron Wright; Michael Morrow; Thad Welch

Abstract In recent years, more and more students have been designing and implementing small sys- tems using real-time DSP hardware. Given the decreasing cost and the increasing capability of DSP starter kits (DSKs) and evaluation modules (EVMs), these projects are being used by greater numbers of educators as a valuable pedagogical tool. Currently, the ability to easily control a number of electrical loads totaling several hundred watts using DSKs or EVMs does not readily exist. Yet DSP control of significant electrical loads can add depth and interest to many student projects. This paper will discuss the design, construction, and use of a very compact, dual-tone multiple-frequency (DTMF) based decoder and power

Conference Session

Topics in Mechanical ET

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Michael Lobaugh

machining practices book (Kibbe)3 and a lab manual created at Penn state.The lab manual specifically detailed the student’s assignment(s) within each module. Withineach module, the students were required to read the appropriate textbook material (Degarmo andKibbe) pertaining to the module they were assigned, complete the homework assignments, andfamiliarize themselves with the components for each machine. The lab instructor would thendemonstrate the proper operation of the machines to each group of 3 students. Each module wasperformed by a group of 3 students during which they would each manufacture small pre-designed projects as a demonstration of their understanding of each process. This class wasnever intended to train students to be proficient

Conference Session

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Robi Polikar; Maria Tahamont; Ravi Ramachandran; Linda Head

two specific objectives: (1) to provide ECE students with fundamental and contempo-rary BME knowledge for future career and graduate study opportunities; and (2) to improve stu-dents’ interest in and comprehension of ECE concepts by acquainting them with engineering so-lutions to real world problems in medicine. These objectives are achieved by integrating a set ofexperiments – designed to demonstrate a wide spectrum of BME concepts – into core ECEcourses, along with a new elective providing a comprehensive BME overview. Expected outcome of this project is a learning paradigm, serving as a model for integratingnovel content into core engineering curriculum. If proven successful, the full development of thisapproach can serve as a building

Conference Session

Recruiting/Retention Lower Division

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Malika Moutawakkil; Lisa Hunter; J.D., Christine Andrews; Leslie Wilkins

students a basis for further work in STEM fields at some later date, therebyexpanding student options rather than closing them off.4Other recommendations for reform of the undergraduate STEM curriculum focus oninvestigative learning, technology, laboratory experience, and collaborative work. Programs thathave provided students an opportunity to engage in hands-on, real-world projects have beensuccessful in increasing female enrollment and retention.1 Establishing the relevance and socialvalue of these fields is another effective retention strategy. Smith College, Rensselaer Page 9.294.4 Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for

Conference Session

Manufacturing Laboratory Experience

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Can Saygin

learning within the scope of integrated manufacturing concept and theirlaboratory requirements are discussed. A sample project is described in order to highlight theoverall approach.IntroductionThe rapid growth of information technologies that has provided public access to a vast assemblyof educational resources and learning opportunities has transformed the capacity of highereducation to deliver educational and training programs to learners of different age groups. Page 9.56.1Increased enrollment of adult learners who demand an education using these new information “Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education

Conference Session

International Engineering Education II

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Eck Doerry

partner university. An important side benefit in this age of dwindlingeducational resources is that students will have access to the full array of specialized electivetopics, laboratory equipment and practical experiences available at any partner university.From a practical perspective, the Global Engineering College (GEC) model consists of four keyelements that interact in complementary fashion to provide a wide range of internationalexperience and training opportunities: Curriculum Internationalization. International perspectives can be integrated into existing engineering course curricula by replacing generic, context-free assignments and projects with “scenario-based” challenges, in which the same pedagogic exercises are situated

Conference Session

Innovative Classroom Techniques

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

James Newell

-endedresearch and design projects through the Junior/Senior Engineering Clinic. The Learning Combination Inventory (LCI) is a survey instrument developed byJohnston and Dainton. The theoretical basis for the LCI is the Interactive LearningModel, which posits that learning processes occur through four distinct learning patterns:sequential, precise, technical, and confluent. The LCI was used to profile the learningstyle of each student in the Rowan Chemical Engineering department. During the fall2003 semester, teams of students reviewed their LCI profiles with faculty, wrote teamcharters and used biweekly written status reports to reflect on their progress throughoutthe semester. These activities were intended to further each student’s awareness ofhis

Conference Session

Computer Literacy Among Minority Students

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Marilyn Smith

go through school, and giving GIT the largest optional Proceedings of the 2004 American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition. Copyright ©2004 by the American Society of Engineering Education.engineering Co-op program in the United States. One issue of interest to the CSEMS program isto make students aware of these opportunities early and to provide experienced guidance on howand when to pursue given opportunities.Project TeamThe CSEMS project at GIT is known as “Financial Aid for Success in Technology” (FAST). TheCSEMS program specified that very little of the project funds were to go into administrativecosts. Realizing this, a simple project management structure was set up, with team

Conference Session

Emerging Trends in Engineering Education

Collection

2004 Annual Conference

Authors

Elisa Linsky; Gunter Georgi

selected aspects of the history, philosophy, methodology, tools,and contemporary topics in engineering. Basic engineering experimentation anddata analysis. Team design project. Analysis and presentation of engineering data anddesigns.The course is composed of a weekly three hour lab, a two hour recitation and a one hour lecture.The teaching team for each section (there are usually between 13 and 15 sections each semesterwith 16-18 students per section) is composed of an instructor, who manages the recitation eachweek and is responsible for the semester-long design project, a writing consultant, who attendsthe second hour of recitation and delivers a 10-minute mini-lesson and then circulates among thestudents as they work on their independent