Conference Session

Innovations in ECE Education III

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brian Otis, University of Washington; Linda Whang, University of Washington

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

engineers who received instruction in informationaccess and use as undergraduates were able to identify more information resources available tothem and had a higher opinion of formal sources of information, such as libraries, than did Page 12.577.3respondents who did not receive library instruction as an undergraduate.12 More recently,Okudan and Osif studied the effect of including library instruction in the curriculum of anengineering design course at Penn State University and found that the “[a]ddition of a guidedresearch intervention to the engineering design teaching improves the design performance inengineering teams.”13In this study, we

Conference Session

Active Learning in ECE

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John W. Dyer, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Oklahoma; David Sandmann MSEE, University of Oklahoma; Chad Eric Davis P.E., University of Oklahoma

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

purposes3. Engineering students undergo a rigorous curriculum that develops thebasic theory of sensor and instrumentation technology, but are less exposed to theimplementation and application aspect. More recently, incorporating hands-on techniques intolecture classes has gained broad acceptance as a means to enhance retention of key concepts4,5.Although senior capstone classes for a given engineering discipline are geared towarddeveloping a student’s ability to synthesize theory into an engineering design, the methods ofinstrumentation and data acquisition often make project implementation less than satisfactory.Electrical Engineering programs generally require a course in Signals and Systems that coversthe theory of mathematically solving the

Conference Session

Pedagogy and Assessment in ECE

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gordon Skelton, Jackson State University; Wei Zheng, Jackson State University; HuiRu Shih, Jackson State University; Evelyn Leggette, Jackson State University; Tzusheng Pei, Jackson State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

could result in success at the undergraduate level.ConclusionsFrom this initial effort in the special topics course in computer engineering it is recognized thatadditional work must be directed toward the integration of self-reflection, self-regulated learningand problem solving technologies into all courses across the engineering curriculum. Inaddition, an effort will be made to reinforce many of the skills discussed in the freshmanuniversity success course which include time management, study techniques, critical thinking,note taking, textbook reading, and examination preparation. The importance of these topicsbecame apparent in the self-reporting by the students and in certain instances their lack of use orunderstanding of their self

Conference Session

Active and Cooperative Learning in ECE

Collection

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Marnie Wong, Arizona State University; Lindy Hamilton Mayled, Arizona State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

level engineering courses and designing and enhancing curriculum to increase engagement and student motivation. Her interests within engineering education include inno- vative teaching pedagogies for improved retention, specifically focused on women and underrepresented minorities.Dr. Lindy Hamilton Mayled, Arizona State University Lindy Hamilton Mayled is the Director of Instructional Effectiveness for the Fulton Schools of Engineer- ing at Arizona State University. She has a PhD in Psychology of Learning, Education, and Technology from Grand Canyon University. Her research and areas of interest are in improving educational outcomes for STEM students through the integration of active learning and technology-enabled

Conference Session

Assessment of Learning in ECE

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alexander Ganago, University of Michigan; Sudarshan Sivaramakrishnan, University of Michigan; Robert Matthew DeMonbrun, University of Michigan

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

extrinsic motivation is known as identified regulation. In this form, individuals begin to viewa task as personally important to their goals, but these goals might still be extrinsically motivated(i.e. I have to make a certain grade to boost my GPA because this is how future employers mightview my potential success). Finally, integrated regulation arises when projects or task come intoagreement with an individual’s values or needs. Although this form of extrinsic motivation mayappear to be intrinsic in nature, Ryan and Deci note that, “actions characterized by integrated Page 24.430.10motivation share many qualities with intrinsic motivation

Conference Session

Web-based Learning in ECE

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Manuel Castro, Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia; Gabriel Diaz, Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia; Eugenio Lopez-Aldea, NIEDAX; Nuria Oliva, Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia; Nevena Mileva, Plovdiv Universifty; Catalina Martinez-Mediano, Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia; Mihail Milev, Plovdiv Universifty; Slavka Tzanova, Sofia University; Edmundo Tovar, UPM; Martin Llamas, Universidad de Vigo

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

clearly possible for mobile learningproviders to provide mobile learning courseware to their students.What is mPSS?Our group has been involved in the design, development, evaluation and implementation of PSS(Performance Support Systems) in higher engineering and vocational education2, leading to thedevelopment of Internet-based Performance Support System with Educational Elements(IPSS_EE) 3, which exhibits all features of a Learning Content Management System. Page 15.892.2IPSS_EE is an integrated electronic environment, which is available via Internet. It is structuredto provide individualized online access to the full range of information

Conference Session

Laboratory Development in ECE II

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Dale N. Buechler, University of Wisconsin, Platteville; Phil J Sealy Jr., University of Wisconsin, Platteville; John R Goomey, University of Wisconsin, Platteville

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

recently web-based discussionforums have been added allowing students to more easily communicate with other students in thecourse.On-site lab offeringsLaboratories play a major role in our electrical engineering curriculum. All but one of our EEcourses (Electric and Magnetic Fields) have an integrated laboratory component. Faculty teachboth the lecture and the laboratory portions of the class (no teaching assistants). We feel thathands-on application of theory is a strong component of good learning. Most of our courseshave significant design projects. In our entry level courses, laboratory experiments are used toverify theoretical concepts and to teach the students how to use basic lab equipment. Facultytake an active role in the lab and are

Conference Session

Pedagogy and Assessment in ECE

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Wei Zhang, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

software development for general-purpose multicore based computers, whichcan be easily adopted by other institutions; 3) I will use authentic MTP problems, aprofessional development environment, and real dual-core processors (i.e. Intel Core 2quad-core) throughout this course to enhance students’ capability to solve “real-world”MTP problems; and 4) I will evaluate the effectiveness of PBL in enhancing students’learning outcome of multicore programming, and provide useful guidance for otherinstructors to enhance and apply PBL to multicore or other programming courses.2.2 Brief Review of PBL PBL is an instructional and learning method based on using problems as a startingpoint for acquisition and integration of new knowledge [14]. PBL

Conference Session

Laboratory Development in ECE I

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John M Robertson, Arizona State University, Polytechnic campus; Kathleen Meehan, Virginia Tech; Robert John Bowman, Rochester Institute of Technology (COE); Kenneth A Connor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Douglas A Mercer, Analog Devices Inc.

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

through hotlinks embeddedin the report templates that are posted on Scholar, the local course management program. Theseare brief lectures that highlight the theories that form the foundation of the experiments anddiscuss deviations from the ideal, flash and video tutorials on simulation and measurementtechniques and links to component datasheets. Hands-on activities using the electronic platformhave also been incorporated into courses on electromagnetic fields, signals and systems and fiberoptics.Three major initiatives have supported the lab activities: the refinement of an automated lab report grading program the development of an online laboratory course the integration of MATLAB more completely in our experiments.The last

Conference Session

Innovations in ECE Education

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

George Gibbon, University of The Witwatersrand; Ian Jandrell, University of the Witwatersrand

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

students are also studying engineering for reasons thatdo not include an interest in, or an aptitude for, engineering. Some of the reasons are theavailability of scholarships and bursaries to study engineering, parental pressure and futurefinancial security after obtaining an engineering degree.In 2004 the changes included extending the course over two semesters, adding a critical thinkingcomponent and changing the laboratory concepts. In 2005 formal tutorials were dropped andself-learning concept in the laboratories was extended. Developing a “global” learning approachby integrating the laboratory tasks with the lectures was introduced in 2007. In 2009 therequirement for the students to pass all topics in the course to pass the course, and not

Conference Session

Assessment & Accreditation in ECE

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Karla Steinbrugge Fant, Portland State University; Branimir Pejcinovic, Portland State University; Phillip Wong, Portland State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

department. In this role he has led department-wide changes in curriculum with emphasis on project- and lab-based instruction and learning. His research interests are in the areas of engineering education, semiconductor device characterization, design and simulation, signal integrity and THz sensors. He is a member of IEEE and ASEE.Mr. Phillip Wong, Portland State University Phillip Wong received an M.S. degree in electrical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 1990. Since then, he has been with Portland State University, Oregon, USA, where he is currently the ECE Lab Coordinator and an instructor. c American Society for Engineering Education, 2016 Exploring Proficiency Testing

Conference Session

Capstone Design Projects in ECE

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James K. Archibald, Brigham Young University; Doran K. Wilde, Brigham Young University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

thelaser tag project.Our experience suggests that projects using autonomous robots are well suited as culminatingdesign experiences in electrical and computer engineering because of the technical challenges ofcreating vision, control, and communication subsystems that meet desired performance metricsand that can be efficiently integrated into a working ensemble. To reduce the cost of adoptingprojects of this type and to encourage other schools to choose this approach, source code andhardware schematics required for the infrastructure of our project will be made available tointerested parties upon request. Furthermore, the creation of an international tournament ofsmall, vision-guided autonomous vehicles is proposed, patterned after high-profile

Conference Session

Innovations in ECE Education III

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Buket Barkana, University of Bridgeport; Navarun Gupta, University of Bridgeport; Lawrence Hmurcik, University of Bridgeport

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

be developed. Project-based learning is particularly pertinent in engineeringeducation as the majority of professional engineering work is conducted through group projects.Therefore, it is logical to integrate project-based learning into graduate engineering education,alongside traditional, classroom-style coursework.Project-based learning offers an engaging means of education for students in engineeringcourses. Traditional coursework consists of a large amount of engineering theory followed by aseries of assignments, papers or examinations in order to assess the students understanding of thetheoretical material. Project-based learning offers a medium through which students can applythis engineering knowledge in a real world project, in

Conference Session

Insights for Teaching ECE Courses

Collection

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Jie Sheng, University of Washington, Tacoma

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

, GPIO_PIN_0 | GPIO_PIN_1,ui8PinData); SysCtlDelay(2000000); if(ui8PinData==4) {ui8PinData=1;} else {ui8PinData=ui8PinData*2;} }}The purpose of these lab design is to expose students to different IDEs and different solutions to practicalscenarios, then push them find the commonness among these solutions, so that by the end of the quarter,they can quickly integrate the skills of (1) writing to registers directly; and (2) calling available TivaWarePeripheral driver functions, to finish their course project in groups.In the course project, each group was provided the following devices:  a temperature sensor  a real time clock  a 7-segment Display and  an LCDthey were expected  To use the ADC

Conference Session

Laboratory Development in ECE Education

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Zorica Nedic, University of South Australia; Andrew Nafalski, University of South Australia; Ozdemir Gol, University of South Australia; Jan Machotka, University of South Australia

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

devices, which integrate emerging active materials and non-conventional topologies. He has a strong interest in innovative approaches to engineering education and has published widely in this field. His teaching responsibilities have included courses in electrical machines, engineering design, renewable energy and virtual instrumentation. He has received national and international awards for excellence in research, teaching, engineering education and community service. He is the author and co-author of some 300 publications. He is currently an Associate Professor and discipline head of Electrical Engineering at the University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.Jan Machotka

Conference Session

New Trends in ECE Education

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Farzad Pourboghrat, Southern Illinois University; Narayanan Ramachandran, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; Aishwarya Vasu, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; Arjun Shekar Sadahalli, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; Prashanthi Banala, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; Giampiero Campa, MathWorks

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

approachModel-based design is a methodology used for designing embedded software. It is used toaddress the challenges associated with modeling, analysis, design, implementation, testing andoptimization of multi-domain motion control systems2,3,4. The approach is generallyimplemented using an integrated software environment that is interfaced with the external worldthrough data-acquisition systems. In this project, Matlab and Simulink are used for modeling andsimulation of multi-domain systems, including electrical, mechanical, and many others, as wellas for signal processing, parameter estimation, control design, optimization, and real-timeembedded programming. A typical embedded control application involves: modeling, parametertuning, system

Conference Session

Innovations in ECE Education II

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Khalid Al-Olimat, Ohio Northern University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

majoring in Electrical Engineering. The teaching tool is designed to optimizestudents’ performance through an instant observation of and among the parameters oftransformers, dc machines, ac machines and transmission line models. The information and datacollected from survey and questionnaires were analyzed and used for the evaluation of attitudestoward the use of this media based teaching tool. Students have responded favorably to andexpressed their satisfaction with the developed software tool.IntroductionIn recent years and due to the evolving technology and its attendant introduction of new materialinto the curriculum, most colleges face a demand to optimize their curriculum and increase thecontent of courses. This challenges educators to

Conference Session

Innovations in ECE Education II

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jan Machotka, University of South Australia; Zorica Nedic, University of South Australia; Andrew Nafalski, University of South Australia; Ozdemir Gol, University of South Australia

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

and non-conventional topologies. He has a strong© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 which integrate emerging active materials and non-conventional topologies. He has a strong interest in innovative approaches to engineering education and has published widely in this field. His teaching responsibilities have included courses in electrical machines, engineering design, renewable energy and virtual instrumentation. He has received national and international awards for excellence in research, teaching, engineering education and community service. He is the author and co-author of some 300 publications. He is currently an Associate Professor and discipline head of

Conference Session

Innovations in ECE Education II

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

S. Hossein Mousavinezhad, Western Michigan University; Liang Dong, Western Michigan University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

, wireless engineering and computer engineering seminar. He was co-PI for a DSP grant funded by the NSF. He has received other NSF and government grants in addition to equipment grants from Texas Instruments in support of his teaching/research activities in the DSP field. He is on NSF panel reviewing proposals and was on an NSF review panel in October 2002 recommending curriculum guidelines for Computer Engineering (A Volume of the Computing Curricula Series, 2006, ACM and IEEE).Liang Dong, Western Michigan University Dr. Liang Dong received the B.S. degree in applied physics with minor in computer engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China, in 1996, and

Conference Session

Innovations in ECE Education II

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Yakov Cherner, ATeL, LLC; Ahmed Khan, DeVry University; Amin Karim, DeVry University; Gary Mullett, Springfield Technical Community College

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

AC 2009-2163: SIMULATION-BASED VIRTUAL AND HYBRID LABORATORIESFOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS EDUCATIONYakov Cherner, ATeL, LLC YAKOV E. CHERNER, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of ATEL, LLC. He combines over 25 years of teaching experience with extensive experience in writing curricula and developing educational software and efficient instructional strategies. Dr. Cherner develops new concepts and simulation-based e-learning tools for STEM education that use real-world objects, processes and learning situations as the context for science, engineering and technology investigations. He also proposed and implemented the pioneering concept of integrated adjustable virtual laboratories and designed

Conference Session

Course Transformation in ECE

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Enrique José González-Carvajal, University of South Florida; Gokhan Mumcu, University of South Florida

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

Paper ID #255433D Visualization-assisted Electromagnetic Theory TeachingMr. Enrique Jos´e Gonz´alez-Carvajal, University of South Florida Enrique Gonz´alez was born in Valencia, Venezuela, in 1987. He received his B.Sc. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Carabobo, Naguanagua, VE, in 2012 and his M.Sc. in 2018 from the University of South Florida. He was an Instructor in the topics of Optical Communications and Guided Waves Systems Laboratory at his Alma Mater until the end of 2014, when he joined the University of South Florida. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. degree conducting research within the

Conference Session

SDR & Programming in ECE Education

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Patrick Cutno, Miami University; Chi-Hao Cheng, Miami University; Zhiqiang Wu, Wright State University; Bin Wang, Wright State University; Deng Cao, Central State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

the final project, he/she might choose cover only Lab 6 or Lab 7.Final ProjectStudents are expected to finish one regular lab exercise per week and work on a final project afterfinishing all regular lab exercises. Some regular lab exercises like Lab 6 or Lab 7 might be a two-week project. Students will apply the knowledge they acquired from regular lab projects to thefinal project. The final project meant to be an open-end project. Interested students might chooseto continue their final project after finishing this course and use it as a senior capstone project topicin their senior year. The undergraduate students participating in this curriculum project chose toinvestigate the co-existence of a FM radio station and a digital communication

Conference Session

SDR & Programming in ECE Education

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kurt VonEhr, Grand Valley State University; William Neuson, Grand Valley State University; Bruce E. Dunne, Grand Valley State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

Paper ID #16264Software Defined Radio: Choosing the Right System for Your Communica-tions CourseMr. Kurt VonEhr, Grand Valley State University Kurt VonEhr graduated from Grand Valley State University with a B.S.E.E. and minor in Computer En- gineering. He is currently attending Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan for a M.S. in Embedded Systems. Kurt’s engineering interests include: Embedded System Design, Digital Signal Processing, Communication Theory, Software Defined Radios, Sustainability and Alternative Energy.William Neuson, Grand Valley State University William Neuson is an undergraduate student at Grand

Conference Session

Assessment & Accreditation in ECE

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stephen M. Phillips, Arizona State University; Marco Saraniti, Arizona State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

, Arizona State University c American Society for Engineering Education, 2016 A Fully Online Accredited Undergraduate Electrical Engineering ProgramAbstract:We have implemented full online delivery of the undergraduate electrical engineering program ata large public university (Arizona State University). This paper describes the objectives for theprogram, its implementation and an assessment of student performance.The curriculum, admissions standards, accreditation and faculty delivering the program areidentical for face-to-face and online delivery. The program was initially conceived primarily toextend the access to our existing program to more underserved student populations. Ourenrolment statistics show that this

Conference Session

Innovations in ECE Education III

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cordelia Brown, Purdue University; David Meyer, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

“inverted” course formats werecreated for two core computer engineering classes: a sophomore-level Introduction to DigitalSystems Design course, and a junior-level Microprocessor System Design and Interfacing course.Both of these are 4-credit hour courses that include an integrated laboratory. In the experimental formats, the basic lecture content was delivered asynchronously viastreaming video, while collaborative solving of homework problems accompanied by a detailedwalkthrough of their solutions was done synchronously (i.e., during scheduled class periods) –which we refer to as directed problem solving (DPS). Traditional assigned (outside-of-class)written homework was replaced by collaborative problem solving by students working in smallteams

Conference Session

Course Transformation in ECE

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joshua David Edgcombe, Grand Valley State University; Bruce E. Dunne, Grand Valley State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

distances.The advantages of an SDR/GRC approach to offering communication laboratoryexperimentation is well described; however, the specific implementation details are less welldocumented. While conceptually not overly difficult, there are many non-trivial pitfalls andobstacles that must be overcome to actualize such communication experimentation, especiallyfor RF over-air communications. The intent of this paper is to address this knowledge gap andprovide clear implementation details for a turn-key laboratory in a first or second course inanalog and digital communications. To do so, a series of communications experiments aredescribed, including all processing at both the transmitter and the receiver (including timingconsiderations), the interface to

Conference Session

Electrical and Computer Division Technical Session 8

Collection

2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Liang Hong, Tennessee State University; Lee Keel, Tennessee State University; Charles David McCurry, Tennessee State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

complete the entire curriculum (expected in Spring 2023), the summative levelassessment can evaluate the overall effectiveness of the vertical integration of CPS/IoT. At thattime, through the analysis of the amount of CPS/IoT materials implemented in respectivecourses, number of students participated, grades, graduation rates, and specific aspects of projectactivities, how successful the CPS/IoT infusion could improve student learning and motivate thestudents to pursue advanced studies and careers in CPS/IoT areas will be revealed.Conclusions and future workThis paper presents an on-going effort that enhances undergraduate training in EE programthrough curriculum integration of CPS/IoT and improves the presentation of minorities in high-demand

Conference Session

ECE Division Poster Session

Collection

2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Adriyel Nieves, Pennsylvania State University; Julio Urbina, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Tim Kane, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Shengxi Huang, Pennsylvania State University; Diego Penaloza, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

requirements of the project.The student will be required to assemble their system and take measurements toprove their system works. Finally, the student will be required to analyze andinterpret the results from the experiment.IV. Future WorkTo further improve the overall success of the process, several topics will beaddressed in future work. This includes an integration with other courses, thedevelopment of low-cost solutions for the students to work on, and development ofnew material each year.The laboratory experiment has components that can be applied to various othercourses within the electrical engineering curriculum. Circuit design teaches thefundamentals of waveform design, filtering, and ADC design which can be used asportions of the radar

Conference Session

Flipped Electrical and Computer Engineering Classrooms 1

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kumar Yelamarthi, Central Michigan University; Eron E. Drake, Central Michigan University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

interest is in the areas of embedded systems, robotics, computer vision, integrated circuit optimization, and engineering education. Dr. Yelamarthi is a member of the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society and Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society and a senior member of IEEE.Dr. Eron E. Drake, Central Michigan University Eron Drake received her Ed.D. degree in Education education with an emphasis on curriculum and in- struction from Central Michigan University in 2009. She also holds an M.B.A. from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. She is currently the Assistant Director of the Faculty Center for Innovative Teaching at Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI, and has over eleven years of

Conference Session

Project-Based Learning in ECE Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Albert Liddicoat, California Polytechnic State University; Jianbiao Pan, California Polytechnic State University; James Harris, California Polytechnic State University; Lynne Slivovsky, California Polytechnic State University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

electronics manufacturing.Layering upon the above noted educational deficiencies in engineering curricula, programsgenerally do not present an integrated approach to engineering education that includes practicalapplication of theoretical knowledge. Students often master the course and laboratory workassociated with courses in the curriculum, but they do not gain a “systems” level engineeringexperience that requires them to synthesize what they have learned in their curriculum andextend their knowledge through independent learning that reaches outside their field of study.The need for “systems” level design and multidisciplinary experiences has been echoed by theCal Poly computer and electrical engineering Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) and