Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Physics II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert Ross, University of Detroit Mercy; Meghann Norah Murray, University of Detroit Mercy

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

reported a laboratory activity that incorporated various aspectsof nanotechnology. In the activity, undergraduate students produced working solar cells by spin-coating a conjugated polymer containing the fullerene C60 onto indium tin oxide (ITO) coatedglass slides and subsequently applying a metallic cathode.14 Undergraduate laboratory activitieson the dielectric and mechanical properties of polymers have been reported.15 In this paper wepresent another activity that we believe is suitable for physics and engineering students inundergraduate courses.16,17The paper is organized in the following manner. First, we present a brief outline of the physicsof OLEDs. Subsequently, we describe the organic synthesis procedures, the device depositionprocesses

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Radian Belu, Drexel University; Alexandru Belu, Case Western Research University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

methods of teaching in the lectureor the laboratory. We use a laboratory project-based approach, where the students arelearning by doing. The course is divided into two sections, lecture and laboratory session.During the laboratory session, the students work at mid-term and final projects, while thelecture the programming, numerical and computational techniques and methods arediscussed. The usefulness of this approach is evaluated by surveys conducted everysemester, and feedback from other educators is highly appreciated.I. IntroductionComputational physics is an independent way of doing physics, and an essential tool ofthe physics research. Numerical computations are essential to further understanding ofphysics problems, and computers and

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Phy

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Adrian Ieta, Murray State University; Arthur Pallone

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

member and a registered Professional Engineer of Ontario. He taught at the University of Western Ontario and is now Assistant Professor at Murray State University, Department of Engineering and Physics.Art Pallone, Murray State University Art Pallone holds a Ph.D in Applied Physics from the Colorado School of Mines (2000) in Golden, CO USA. He also holds an M.S. in Applied Physics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1995) and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan (1991). From 2000 to 2003, he held a Davies Fellows Postdoctoral Teaching and Research appointment cosponsored by the United States Military Academy and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory. He

Conference Session

Engineering Physics & Physics Division Technical Session 3

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Raul Armendariz, Queensborough Community College; Tak Cheung, Queensborough Community College, CUNY; Charles Neuman, Queensborough Community College, CUNY

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

physics course outcomes, general education outcomes, andABET course outcomes of engineering majors, technology majors, and health sciences majors at a community collegeDepartment of Physics, Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York Abstract Expected learning outcomes were assessed in physics laboratory courses designed for engineering majors, technology majors, and health sciences majors at the Queensborough Community College. The physics department’s learning outcomes contribute to the college's general education outcomes and ABET course outcomes. Students were given two exams including a written test on basic math and a laboratory practical exam

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching and Research in Physics or Engineering Physics III

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Adrian Ieta, Oswego State University College

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

Professor in the Department of Physics, State University of New York at Oswego. Ieta is a member of Professional Engineers of Ontario. Page 25.729.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2012IMPLEMENTATION OF AN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH COURSEA capstone course comes as the peak experience for students in higher education programs. Thechallenge may sometime extend to their advisors as well. We report our experience with teachinga senior research project course to Physics students at a teaching university using a recently setup Applied Electrostatics Laboratory. The design of the course allowed

Conference Session

Engineering Physics & Physics Division Poster Session

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Scott Kirkpatrick, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Richard W. Liptak, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Renat Letfullin, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

nanophotonics and nanomedicine, including discoveries of a plasmon explosion of nanoparticles, new dynamics modes in selective nanopho- totherapy, RF and X-ray optics of nanoparticles. A well-respected international researcher, Letfullin has authored 150 articles and conference proceedings, including 12 book chapters in 10 different books. His work has garnered many grants and awards includ- ing 4 patents in laser technology and optical engineering. He has led the development of several new research laboratories for research on biophotonics and nanomedicine, created innovative teaching tools including online video courses and webinars, and supervised numerous masters and doctoral students. For his achievements in optics

Conference Session

Engineering Physics & Physics Division Technical Session 2

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Harold T. Evensen, University of Wisconsin, Platteville

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

. Page 24.125.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2014 A versatile platform for programming and data acquisition: Excel and Visual Basic for ApplicationsWe have switched to a new software platform to for instrument interface and data collection inour upper-division Sensor Laboratory course. This was done after investigating several optionsand after several meetings with our industrial advisory board. This change was motivated by acampus-mandated change in operating system, plus expiring software licenses. We decided onthe Visual Basic for Applications platform (VBA), which resides in the Microsoft Office suite(in particular, MS Excel). This meets the recommendations of our

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Physics II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Baha Jassemnejad, University of Central Oklahoma; Wei Siang Pee, University of Central Oklahoma; Kevin Rada; Montell Jermaine Wright, University of Central Oklahoma, Robotics Research; Kaitlin Rose Foran, University of Central Oklahoma; Evan C. Lemley, University of Central Oklahoma

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

students to test their understanding of thecontrol the operation of a microwave oven. The content presented in the lectures. In the course ofinputs provided by the keyboard are used by the performing the activities, the students also acquiremicrocontroller to set the cooking time and power basic laboratory skills, such as use of a multimeter tolevel. This embedded microcontroller is considered a take voltage and resistance measurements, andpermanent part of the microwave, and its function soldering on a printed-circuit board. As the studentswill never be reprogrammed for any other purpose. acquire the necessary concepts and skills, they begin

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching and Research in Physics or Engineering Physics I

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Teresa L. Larkin, American University; Jessica Uscinski, American University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

laboratory work Scores on faculty-developed A, C, D • Data reviewed bi-annuallyand oral presentations in rubrics for paper andExperimental Physics presentation(Direct)6. Knowledge & Positive majority response A, B, C, D (depending on • Data reviewed semi-communication skills survey course) annually(Indirect)7. Conceptual assessment Students score above those A • Data collected each semestersurveys in 300-level and above reported at national level. a given course is offeredcourses (This

Conference Session

Engineering Physics & Physics Division Technical Session 4

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Hector A. Ochoa, Stephen F. Austin State University; Christopher J. Aul, Stephen F. Austin State University; Dan Bruton, Stephen F. Austin State University; Collin J. Timmons, Stephen F. Austin State University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

professorsin classroom and laboratory settings. So far, data has shown that most of the students that startedan STEM major, stayed on that major at least for the freshman year.Summer CampsThere is a wide variety of summer camps. Some of them are designed to recruit and promoteuniversities1-3. The majority of these summer camps focus on promoting programs to minoritygroups in order to spark some interest4-6. Other camps are designed to prepare students for futurecourses that they will take during the freshman year7-8. It needs to be clear that there is nothingwrong with these programs. They are great ideas that had boosted the participation of minoritygroups on STEM areas, had reduced attrition, and had increased success rate of enteringfreshmen

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching and Research in Physics or Engineering Physics III

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Baha Jassemnejad, University of Central Oklahoma; Wei Siang Pee, University of Central Oklahoma; Kevin Rada, University of Central Oklahoma; Devon Kelley Keith, University of Central Oklahoma; Dylan Bradley Miller; Evan C. Lemley, University of Central Oklahoma; Adam Dorety, University of Central Oklahoma

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

Engineering Group in the Summer Bridge 2011Program designed and built an underwater ROV (remotely-operated vehicle) to performunderwater exploration of, for example, local ponds and lakes. The duration for the project wasfour weeks in July and the first part of the Fall semester. The students were given instruction in thebasic electrical and mechanical principles associated with the project, and introduced to a set ofcomponents that would be available in the completion of the project, through a sequence learningactivities that included lectures and laboratory exercises. Students were also given instruction onthe engineering design process paradigm. The separate elements of the course were integrated asthe students designed, constructed, tested, and

Conference Session

Programmatic Issues in Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert Ross, University of Detroit, Mercy; Eswara Venugopal, University of Detroit, Mercy; Daniel Maggio, University of Detroit, Mercy; Meghann Mouyianis, University of Detroit, Mercy

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

replaced a traditional introductory collegemechanics laboratory curriculum, which was not inquiry-based and provided only limitedopportunities for students to construct their own knowledge by performing open-ended activities.Research into physics education provides insight for the design of innovative curricula andpedagogy. 3 The learning environments that are able to demonstrate the highest rates of studentachievement, as measured by standardized examinations, involve some form of what iscommonly called interactive engagement. Hake defines, ‘‘Interactive Engagement’’ (IE)methods as those designed at least in part to promote conceptual understanding throughinteractive engagement of students in heads-on (always) and hands-on (usually) activities

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Phy

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert Ross, University of Detroit Mercy; Jenna Ross, Utica Center for Mathematics Science and Technology

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

, persuasivespeaking, and physics. Our unique program targets incoming high school freshmen from adiverse urban population. For several years the physics course was based on a traditionalintroductory college mechanics laboratory curriculum. This curriculum was not inquiry-basedand provided only limited opportunities for students to construct their own knowledge byperforming open-ended activities.Scholarly research into the teaching and, more importantly, the learning of physics has providedvaluable guidance for the design of innovative curricula and pedagogy 1 . The pedagogicalstrategies that are able to demonstrate high rates of student achievement, as measured bystandardized examinations, involve some form of what is commonly called interactiveengagement

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Physics I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Patricia F. Mead, Norfolk State University; Ruth A. Streveler, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Lauren D. Thomas, Virginia Tech; Candace A. Cobb, Norfolk State University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

maintains an active laboratory group that develops laser systems for optical sensing and LIDAR applications. Dr. Mead has previously served as Senior Program Officer at the National Academy of Engineering and served as study director for the pivotal report, Engineering of 2020: Visions of Engineering in the New Century.Dr. Ruth A. Streveler, Purdue University, West Lafayette Ruth A. Streveler is an Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering Education at Purdue University. Before coming to Purdue she spent 12 years at Colorado School of Mines, where she was the founding Director of the Center for Engineering Education. Dr. Streveler earned a BA in Biology from Indi- ana University-Bloomington, MS in Zoology from the

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching and Research in Physics or Engineering Physics II

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Varun Kumar Karingula, Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis; Hazim A El-Mounayri, Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis; Tamer M. Wasfy, Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis; Hatem M Wasfy, Advanced Science and Automation Corp.; Jeanne Michele Peters, Advanced Science and Automation Corp.

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

Paper ID #7646Assessment of Virtual Physics Lab (VPL) in summer course for pre-collegepreparation.Mr. Varun Kumar Karingula, Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis Graduate student from Purdue school of engineering.Dr. Hazim A El-Mounayri, Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis Dr. El-Mounayri received his PhD in 1997 from McMaster University (in Canada) in Mechanical En- gineering, He is currently an associate professor of Mechanical Engineering, the co-director of the Ad- vanced Engineering and Manufacturing Laboratory (AEML) at IUPUI, and a senior scientist for manu- facturing applications at

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jennifer Franck, California Institute of Technology; Ted Yu, California Institute of Technology; Juan Pedro Ochoa-Ricoux, California Institute of Technology; James Maloney, California Institute of Technology; Angela Capece, California Institute of Technology; Luz Rivas, California Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

of Technology, where he studies the phenomenon of neutrino oscillations in the MINOS Experiment at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. He was a YESS physics instructor for 2007-2008, and is the curriculum coordinator for the 2009 program.James Maloney, California Institute of Technology James Maloney is Director of the Caltech Classroom Connection, a science and engineering outreach program at the California Institute of Technology that targets the local K-12 public school system. He received his M.S. in physics from Caltech for his work in the field of nano-scale mechanical resonators, and a B.S. in physics from the University of Florida. James was a YESS physics instructor in 2007 and

Conference Session

Engineering Physics & Physics Division Technical Session 3

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Yumin Zhang, Southeast Missouri State University; David K. Probst P.E., Southeast Missouri State University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

understanding of physical phenomena,and Aristotle’s ideas are well alive in students’ minds. Many physics concepts and laws arebased on well controlled experiment, such as in vacuum. On the other hand, Aristotelian theoryis derived from everyday life experience, so it is accepted naturally in the 18+ years of students’life experience. Therefore, when the physics concepts and theories are introduced, conflicts arisein students’ minds. The Aristotelian pre-concepts are often more powerful, so it takesconsiderable amount of effort to turn the table around. Lillian C. McDermott and the PhysicsEducation Group developed a set of laboratory-based modules that offer a step-by-stepintroduction to physics, and through an in-depth study of a few fundamental

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching and Research in Physics or Engineering Physics II

Collection

2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert A Ross, University of Detroit Mercy

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

factor in the curriculum of the circuits courses taught to all engineers.While the power factor is simply the cosine of the phase angle between the voltage and current, ithas practical application for circuits containing reactive loads. Working scientists and engineersare concerned about the power factor in a broad variety of contexts ranging fromelectromechanical systems, e.g. motors, to impedance matching networks in audio and broadcastsystems. The power company cares about a user’s power factor and sets rates accordingly.We have developed a simple demonstration of an alternating current circuit using electric lampsas a proxy for resistive loads. The demonstration can be adapted to a laboratory experiment ineither a second semester general

Conference Session

Programmatic Issues in Physics or Engineering Physics Programs

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anca Sala, Baker College; Raghu Echempati, Kettering University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

, taken by engineeringstudents in their Sophomore year. Each calculus-based General Physics course is a 4-credit, 5-contact hours course, out of which 3 hours per week are dedicated to lecture, and 2 hours perweek are dedicated to laboratory experiments. General Physics I is offered in Fall and coversMechanics, General Physics II is offered in Winter and covers Electricity and Magnetism, andGeneral Physics III is offered in Spring and covers Oscillations, Waves, Thermodynamics,Optics, and Modern Physics. Page 13.438.2The paper describes our methodology for assessing student achievement in the General PhysicsIII course, and the results we obtained

Conference Session

Physics Poster Session

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jennifer Rose Annoni, University of St. Thomas; Adam S. Green, University of St. Thomas; Marie Lopez del Puerto, University of Saint Thomas

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

(from smallest to largest) green, yellow, orange and red quantum dots.Temperature DependenceThe experiment as outlined in the Background section is described in the handout thataccompanies CENCO Physics’ quantum dots and is a standard experiment for Modern Physicslab that can be done in a short amount of time – one laboratory period or less. Temperature alsoimpacts the size of the band gap.6, 7 It was our goal to develop an undergraduate-level experimentwhere this parameter is explored in order to enhance our class discussion of material structureand properties.Experimental ProcedureMaterials: CENCO InP Quantum Dots 405 nm (near-UV) light source (included with CENCO Quantum Dots kit) OceanOptics USB650

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Physics II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jeffrey A. Jalkio, University of Saint Thomas

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

Introductory Physics Laboratory," The Physics Teacher 41, no.7 (2003): 394-401.2 Trevor S. Volkwyn et al., "Impact of a conventional introductory laboratory course on the understanding ofmeasurement," Phys.Rev.ST Phys.Educ.Res. 4, no. 1 (2008): 010108.3 Walter Bich, Maurice G. Cox, and Peter M. Harris, "Evolution of the 'Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty inMeasurement'," Metrologia 43, no. 4 (2006): S161-S166.4 R. Kacker, K. Sommer, and R. Kessel, "Evolution of modern approaches to express uncertainty in measurement,"Metrologia 44, no. 6 (2007): 513.5 BIPM et al., International Vocabulary of Metrology—Basic and general concepts and associated terms(VIM),Anonymous , 3rded. Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology, 2008)6 Raymond T. Birge

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Teresa Larkin, American University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

-level, algebra-based course within the Natural Sciencesportion of the General Education core. The development of higher-order critical thinking skillsis a key objective of the course. The course also includes a laboratory component. Studentscomplete 12 laboratory experiments over the course of one semester. Course topics typicallyinclude kinematics, Newton’s Laws, conservation of momentum and energy, rotational motion,and fluid mechanics. As such, numerous strategies, including the writing strategies to bedescribed, have been developed that center around the accommodation of students’ diverselearning styles [20 – 26]. Students that enroll in PMW most often do so to satisfy the university’s sciencerequirement for graduation. The students

Conference Session

Engineering Physics & Physics Division Technical Session 4

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Franz J. Rueckert, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

highest tower possibleusing only spaghetti, tape, and string. While still a useful tool for good design practices, thechallenge also underscores lessons on materials and equilibrium in an engaging, hands-onexercise. Similar investigations of bottle acoustics or eggshell architecture recast physics lecturesas design evaluations in a lively fashion, promoting student enthusiasm and interaction.The course also includes a weekly laboratory section. Akin to time spent in studio, this is used asan opportunity to refine techniques and understanding through extended exploration. Here,students have the time to attempt different strategies or investigate a model more thoroughly. Asa case in point, shortly after the Marshmallow Challenge in class, the lab

Conference Session

Engineering Physics Technical Session 3

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kanti Prasad, University of Massachusetts, Lowell

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

Paper ID #16191Innovations in Engineering Education through Integration of PhysicsDr. Kanti Prasad, University of Massachusetts, Lowell Dr. Kanti Prasad is a professor in the department of electrical and computer Engineering and is found- ing Director of Microelectronics/VLSI Technology Laboratories at the University Massachusetts Lowell. Professor Prasad initiated the Microelectronics/ VLSI program in 1984, and is teaching 16.469/16.502 VLSI Design and 16.470/504 VLSI Fabrication courses since its inception. From the spring of 1986 Pro- fessor Prasad developed 16.661 Local Area/Computer Networks, and since 1994 VHDL Based

Conference Session

Engineering Physics & Physics Division Technical Session 3

Collection

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kenneth M. Purcell, University of Southern Indiana

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

enrolled. Like the results from PHYS 205, during one semester no online system wasused. Timed in class problems worked in with partners made up most of the homework grade,although End of Chapter problems were assigned throughout the semester.Along with the use of online learning systems, many other variables are involved includingvariation in student population, textbooks, changes in my presentation of material in lecture, andchanges in the accompanying laboratory section make it impossible to suggest that onlinelearning systems alone affect student critical thinking skills and conceptual understanding ofphysics as measured by the cumulative final exam. Along with these other variables, the smallsample size make any significant conclusions about

Conference Session

Programmatic Issues in Engineering Physics

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jonathan Bougie, American University; Philip Johnson, American University; Nathan Harshman, American University; Teresa Larkin, American University; Michael Black, American University

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

: Page 12.1232.3 • Provide students with knowledge of physics. • Provide students with technical skills such as familiarity with modern laboratory equipment, technical writing, and computer programming. • Provide students with the experiences and skills necessary for them to do scientific work independently and within larger groups. • Provide students with the academic skills required to achieve success in later academic degree programs.The physics curriculum should have adequate options to prepare students for graduate work, butalso be flexible enough for students to get a solid foundation in physics. In addition, anopportunity to develop the skills required of a scientific thinker and researcher is vital to

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching Physics or Engineering Physics

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Warren Turner, Westfield State College; Glenn Ellis, Smith College

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

survey are shown in Table 3. Student responses to questions 1-4not only showed that they enjoyed the lab (77%), but also indicated that they found thelab to be an effective component in their learning process. 87% agreed that the labchanged the way they think about motion and forces and 84% reported a betterunderstanding of motion and forces after the laboratory. A smaller majority (58%) alsoagreed that they could transfer what they had learned to new situations. SA A N D SD 1. I enjoyed the elevator lab. 7 17 7 0 0 2. Because of the elevator lab, the way that I think 4 23 4 0 0 about motion and forces

Conference Session

Innovations in Teaching and Research in Physics or Engineering Physics III

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bert Pariser, Technical Career Institutes

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

AC 2012-4139: PHOTON MASSDr. Bert Pariser, Technical Career Institutes Bert Pariser is a faculty member in the Electronic Engineering Technology and the Computer Science Technology departments at Technical Career Institutes. His primary responsibility is developing curricu- lum and teaching methodology for physics, thermodynamics, electromagnetic field theory, computers, and databases. Pariser has prepared grant proposals to the National Science Foundation, which produced the funding for a Fiber Optics Laboratory. He served as Faculty Advisor to the IEEE and Tau Alpha Pi National Honor Society. Pariser was instrumental in merging Tau Alpha Pi National Honor Society into the ASEE. In addition, Pariser co-founded

Conference Session

Engineering Physics Technical Session 2

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James O'Brien, Wentworth Institute of Technology; Gergely Sirokman, Wentworth Institute of Technology; Franz J Rueckert, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

working to find new contexts in which to offer research experiences to non-science majors, including a new undergraduate research class conducted by physics andchemistry faculty. These courses are inherently interdisciplinary. Students in the engineering andcomputer science fields step into physics and chemistry labs to solve science problems, ofteninvoking their own relevant expertise. In this paper we start by discussing the common themesand outcomes of the course. We then discuss three particular projects that were conducted withengineering students and focus on how the undergraduate research experience enhanced theiralready rigorous engineering curriculum.KeywordsUndergraduate research, Physics Education, Laboratory Instruction

Conference Session

Engineering Physics Technical Session 3

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Greg S Mowry, University of St. Thomas; Camille M George, University of St. Thomas

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Engineering Physics & Physics

and Alterna- tives Laboratory. He is the recent recipient of a major $2.1M microgrid research project from the Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund. Dr. Mowry’s research interests vary widely. His current research is focused on reliable, robust, and economic microgrids, alternative energy systems, power electronics, graphene, and biofuels. Microgrids have a wide variety of commercial and humanitarian applications. Humanitarian microgrid projects require non-traditional design approaches since their operation requires minimal human intervention and maintenance. Furthermore, users typically become dependent on the reliable operation of these systems hence premature failures can have serious negative consequences.Dr