Collection

2005 GSW

Authors

John D. Fernandez

Session F2A1 A Survey of the Impact of Community-Based Computer Science Education on Undergraduate Students John D. Fernandez Computing and Mathematical Sciences Department Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi ABSTRACTThe engagement of computer science students in community activities is a challenge in all institutions ofhigher learning. This paper describes a paradigm for civic engagement through community-basedlearning used successfully by the author. With the

Collection

2005 GSW

Authors

Carole Goodson

Session F2A1 A Survey of the Impact of Community-Based Computer Science Education on Undergraduate Students John D. Fernandez Computing and Mathematical Sciences Department Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi ABSTRACTThe engagement of computer science students in community activities is a challenge in all institutions ofhigher learning. This paper describes a paradigm for civic engagement through community-basedlearning used successfully by the author. With the

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2005 GSW

Authors

M. M. Darwish; M. H. Akram; B. L. Green

Session T1A1 PALM-Peer Assisted Learning Methodology M. H. Akram, M. M. Darwish, and B. L. Green Engineering Technology Department Texas Tech University AbstractEnrollments in engineering programs have not been keeping pace with expected jobgrowth in industry. Administrators have been trying hard to increase enrollments, improvethe retention rate of entering freshmen; and improve the percentage of engineeringstudents completing an engineering program in a predetermined period. The attrition rateof students in engineering programs

Collection

2005 GSW

Authors

M. M. Darwish; M. H. Akram; B. Green

asrevolutionary technological, economic and other challenges and opportunities such asnew developments in Information Technology (IT), are continuing to strongly influencethe content of engineering practice, which in turn, influences the engineering education ofthe future.In this paper we briefly review paradigm shifting from traditional lecture base delivery tostudent based active learning methods and describe implementation of the active learningmethod paired with technological delivery. Media includes television, video, digitalcameras and computers, world –wide web couple of Engineering Technology classes. BackgroundEngineering Technology differs from engineering education by teaching applied scienceand

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2005 GSW

Authors

Daniel J. Burroughs

, too much vendor-specific training, and not enough depth in specific areas. IntroductionIn 2003, the University of Central Florida began the development of an undergraduateprogram in computer security. This bachelor’s degree program will be offered through Proceedings of the 2005 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Annual Conference Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Educationthe department of Engineering Technology in the College of Engineering and ComputerScience. The Engineering Technology department is a leader in the use of the FEEDS(Florida Engineering Education Delivery System) distance learning

Collection

2005 GSW

Authors

Aiman S. Kuzmar, City of Corpus Christi, TX

Session F2A3 Learning by Teaching: an Alternative Teaching Approach in Engineering Education Aiman S. Kuzmar Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus Uniontown, Pennsylvania AbstractAn alternative teaching approach was carried out in the Engineering Mechanics-Statics class,which is a second year undergraduate engineering course, at Penn State Fayette, The EberlyCampus. The new approach deviated from the universally followed format of continuouslecturing by the instructor and

Collection

2005 GSW

Authors

Amir Karimi

Session T3B2 Lessons Learned in the Assessment of Course and Program Outcomes Process Amir Karimi College of Engineering The University of Texas at San Antonio AbstractThe University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) completed a successful ABET reaccredidationof its engineering programs in Fall 2004. The three programs in the College of Engineeringspent a great deal of time and effort in the last few years to prepare for the reaccredidation visit.Each undergraduate

Collection

2005 GSW

Authors

Chandrika Rao; Carol L. Binkerd

leaders to design relevant course requirements and assignments.Since this course is only taught once in a school calendar, it remains to be seen if asystematic working relationship with industry will result. Future papers will discuss theresults of assessing the implementation of these recommendations. References 1. Bruner, J.S., 1960, The process of Education, Vintage books, New York. 2. Shuell, T.J., 1986, “Cognitive conceptions of learning”, Review of Educational Research, Vol. 56(4), pp 411-436. 3. Urban-Lurain, Mark, 2001, “Teaching FITness for Conceptual Understanding: A Computer Science Course for Non-Computer Science Majors”, AERA, Session 33.48, April13, 2001. 4

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2005 GSW

Authors

Thomas J. Krueger; Ted Aanstoos; Ronald E. Barr

), andoutcome 7 (gain of 0.71). This suggests that the students believe that the course contributedmost to these following outcomes: Outcome 3 - Ability to design mechanical components, systems and processes, Outcome 5 - Ability to use modern computer tools in mechanical engineering, and Outcome 7 - Ability to work in teams and apply interpersonal skills in engineering contexts.This is a gratifying result since the unifying theme of the course was centered around the teamproject, which had a design component, a strong computer applications component, and anengrossing climate of team work throughout the semester.The results of the learning factors survey further amplified the above observation. The learningfactors with the three largest course

Collection

2005 GSW

Authors

Kevin M. Nickels

mainprogrammable hardware used for the course. Design entry using graphical components is done inthe beginning of the course, with the majority of the projects utilizing VHDL (Very High SpeedHardware Hardware Description Language). Projects relate directly to the course material, andinclude a VGA (Video Graphics Array - video game, a 10-instruction simple computer, and a line-following robot. The course ends with case studies of contemporary digital designs. In this paper,the topics added and dropped are described, along with potential and actual repercussions onstudent learning. Background and Context of CourseTrinity University is a small private liberal arts and sciences University in San Antonio Texas.The Engineering Science

Collection

2005 GSW

Authors

James J. Dooley; Bernard L. Newman

. Configuration of DCS systems can be performedby point-and-click methods, and can easily be changed. Operations workstationsare standard personal computers. Graphical displays can be constructed fromtemplates and use event-driven programming.From an educational standpoint, the control system can be used for control ofchemical engineering experiments, for teaching of automatic control, andspecifically to learn about configuration of distributed control systems.The control systems include a number of built-in capabilities, which are notreadily available from hard-wired control systems, and older distributed controlsystems. Feed forward, ratio, cascade, and neural network control can be used.Automated process reaction curve methods can be used to tune

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2005 GSW

Authors

Jose Amieva; Apolinar Zapata

Discipline Boundaries to Improve Mathematics Education, National Science Foundation. 3. Governor Rick Perry’s Math Initiative (2001). 4. Calculus, Concepts, Computers, and Cooperative Learning, The Purdue Calculus Reform Project. 5. Greenberg, William (1999) “Mathematical Analysis in Engineering: Reform of Calculus in the United States, Virginia Tech. Dept of Mathematics. Circuit Maker®, is a registered trademark of Protel International Limited, 5252 N. Edgewood Dr. Suite 175, Provo, Utah 84604 USAJOSE AMIEVAMSEE Jose Amieva currently serves as an Assistant Master Technical Instructor, at the University of Texasat Brownsville, Electronic Engineering Technology Dept. He is, at this time chair of the

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2005 GSW

Authors

Mary Mary; Emee Ermel

incomputer-enhanced learning supported the simulation approach. Roger Schank is a leadingresearcher in the fields of artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and the design of virtuallearning environments. Schank advocates computer-based simulations because they “can vastlybroaden the range of things students can learn by doing.”1 According to Schank, computer-basedsimulations can create realistic conditions for learning at little risk to either the organization orthe individual.2 Clark Aldrich, one of today’s leading proponents using simulations for learning,describes other advantages. “A single simulation can teach someone in a variety of ways all atonce, and for this reason the medium is actually much closer to how people often learn from real

Collection

2005 GSW

Authors

Tariq A. Khraishi

grade. Overall, such meetings were very important to force students tobrainstorm about their projects and made the project experience more successful for both thestudents and the teachers. In addition, students were told from the very beginning that a part oftheir project grade would hinge on a report due on the same day as the project presentations day.The report had to be detailed in explaining the students’ findings and anything they learned fromthe project. The report was also supposed to include any challenges the students faced inexecuting their assigned tasks. On the due date, each group gave a computer presentation of theirproject (typically involving Microsoft PowerPoint), and the floor was open to questions from theaudience

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2005 GSW

Authors

Kambiz Farahmand; Kai Jin

collaboration between the Industrial,Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Science Engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The curriculum provided two integrated portions (Industrial & ElectricalEngineering) based on design, testing, and manufacturing with respect to the knowledgebase and application requirements of the Maquiladora Engineers.As part of curriculum development, the administration and faculty met with theMaquiladora plant managers and leaders several times over a span of several months.The primary objective was to assess the technical, educational, and administrativesupport required to keep up with the forecasted growth of the twin plants and to establisha long term goal based on the future of manufacturing in the area. This

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2005 GSW

Authors

Wendy Wagster; Robert A. McLauchlan; Ranjeet Agarwal; Christa Ramon; Brett Keener

that they were involved. Neural NetworksNeural Networks (NN) are massively parallel, distributed processing systems that cancontinuously improve their performance via dynamic learning. NN have more recentlybegun to emerge as an entirely new approach for the modeling of adaptive, distributed, andmostly nonlinear systems. NN are suited for applications involving complex systems.When applied correctly, a neural or adaptive system can outperform other methods7.Neural computers have opened the door to many applications that are difficult forconventional computers to carry out. An artificial NN model emulates a biological NNbased on the human brain. The NN resembles the human brain in two ways. It

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2005 GSW

Authors

Tim Coppinger; Hesham Shaalan

experiments utilizing arobot and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. The robot was designed to emulate anindustrial robot. The open structure of the robot arm allows students to observe and learn aboutits internal mechanisms. The robot is a vertical articulated robot, with five revolute joints. With agripper attached, the robot has six degrees of freedom. This design permits the end effector to bepositioned and oriented arbitrarily within a large workspace. This paper describes theManufacturing Automation course as well as the use of the robot to teach the course. IntroductionRobots are different from any industrial machine, and the potential of the robot as an agent ofchange in manufacturing has not

Collection

2005 GSW

Authors

Robert A. McLauchlan; Ranjeet Agarwala; Laura Lopez; Kenneth Nix; Guadalupe Fernandez; Chad Jurica

processing systems that cancontinuously improve their performance via dynamic learning. NN have more recentlybegun to emerge as an entirely new approach for the modeling of adaptive, distributed, andmostly nonlinear systems. NN are suited for applications involving complex systems.When applied correctly, a neural or adaptive system can outperform other methods4.Neural computers have opened the door to many applications that are difficult forconventional computers to carry out. An artificial NN model emulates a biological NNbased on the human brain. The NN resembles the human brain in two ways. It acquiresknowledge through learning. This knowledge is stored within inter-neuron connectionstrengths known as synaptic weights. The biological NN is

Collection

2005 GSW

Authors

Vanessa Svihla; Ronald Barr; Marcus Pandy; Anthony Petrosino

biomechanicslearning modules developed as part of the VaNTH educational coalition. The pedagogicalframework for these modules is based on the widely publicized book “How People Learn”(HPL). The HPL teaching framework presents the learning material as a series of challenges thatare posed through a “Legacy Cycle.” The VANTH biomechanics modules were presented in anundergraduate Mechanical Engineering course, titled “Biomechanics of Human Movement,” inFall 2004. The class (N=18) was divided into six, three-member teams. All challenges wereperformed by the teams as computer homework assignments using a CD that was supplied by theinstructor. Pre-tests, post-tests, and affect rankings were administered for each module. Thestudents were also surveyed on the learning

Collection

2005 GSW

Authors

Pradeep Bhattacharya; Nikhil Modi; Fred Lacy

Session T3C3 Virtual Silicon Environment for Enhanced Visualization of the Silicon Crystal Structure Nikhil Modi, Fred Lacy, Pradeep Bhattacharya Department of Electrical Engineering Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge AbstractMany computers possess excellent graphic rendering capabilities, high speed projectionof digital data, and hardware and software that allows physical interaction of users whileviewing such data at comparably scaled sizes. Thus, these machines have precipitated achange in the philosophy of teaching

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2005 GSW

Authors

Dr. Saleh M. Sbenaty; Chad Lloyd

Educationphones, PDAs, home networked computers and other devices connected to the Internet sothe user can access and operate home equipment from a distance. Teletext systems,particularly MINITEL, often use Internet Appliances. Advantages include reduced cost,reduced complexity in hardware and smaller software footprints when compared to a fullcomputer that is dedicated to performing the same task.The DS80C400 has the capability of running programs written in two differentlanguages. Natively, the microcontroller can run 8051-compatible assembly languageprograms. The second language, Java, is available due to the Java runtime embeddedinto the microcontroller. This Java runtime is used for transferring assembled programsto the microcontroller

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2005 GSW

Authors

S. Ozcelik; M. A. Faruqi; M. A. Abudiab

analyses. An ELA for ethicseducation is presented. This approach should lead to more effective teaching of ethics inour programs. IntroductionMost programs for teaching ethics are based on behavioral approaches1,2. Students arenormally presented with a case study and a code of ethics, and are told that specificactions violate specific sections of a code. Very frequently, the results of the case studyare included, so the students are not given the freedom to participate in the decisionprocess. A prepared case study leads to the laboratory procedure, and the conclusionsstated as part of the case study corresponds to the results that the students must get ontheir laboratory computation sheets. Such case studies

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2005 GSW

Authors

Luciana R. Barroso; Jim Morgan

and are designed to emphasize interpretation of numerical results rather than purenumerical computations. As such, they serve to improve learning outcomes through criticalthinking and evaluation. To accomplish this goal and emphasize good written communicationskills, a detailed written report and discussion is part of the submission requirement and countsas a third of the project grade. As the problems posed are more realistic than standard homeworkassignments, the structures to be analyzed are more complex and computer software applicationsare used to solve the numerical component of the projects. The course content was modified toinclude how to convert a physical system (structure and corresponding loads) into the mostadequate mathematical

Collection

2005 GSW

Authors

Ray Bachnak; Mike Englert

tolittle information or none at all, you must look for inexpensive yet accurate and simpleways to send usable data. In the past, data logging equipment recorded readings onpaper, which then required the data to be entered into a computer or other device to beanalyzed. This problem is solved by the use of data loggers and acquisition units that arecapable of sending data wirelessly. These units allow a sensor to be installed andconnected to the data logger. The data can then be sent wirelessly through a modem toanother wireless modem connected to a personal computer where the data can beanalyzed. Data is recorded in a pre-set time manner: seconds, minutes, hours, or in somecases even days, or in a real-time manner for watch monitoring. This type of

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2005 GSW

Authors

Scott Starks; Sally Blake; Eric MacDonald

Session T4D1 An Overview of Space-Oriented Activities for Texas PreFreshman Engineering Program Participants in the El Paso Area Scott Starks, Eric MacDonald Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Texas at El Paso Sally Blake Departments of Teacher Education and Physics University of Texas at El Paso AbstractProviding pre-college students with activities to enhance their understanding

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2005 GSW

Authors

G. Beate Zimmer; eremy S. Flores; Alexey L. Sadovski

Computation, Vol. 1, pp. 412–423. 8. Ng, G. S., Wahab, A. and Shi, D., 2003, “Entropy Learning and Relevance Criteria for Neural Network Pruning”, International Journal of Neural Systems, Vol. 13, No. 5, pp. 291–305. Biographical InformationG. BEATE ZIMMER is a Visiting Associate Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Computing andMathematical Sciences, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412. Herresearch interests are Mathematical Modeling, in particular neural networks, as well as applications of NonstandardAnalysis to Functional Analysis.PHILIPPE E. TISSOT is an Assistant Professor of Physics and Physical Science in the Department of Physical

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2005 GSW

Authors

Jim Farison

thistype and outlines the solution that the author has developed that proved successful in that specificsituation. It is provided with the expectation that the solution may also be applicable to otherinstructors in other places with different subjects, but with similar circumstances.Baylor University is a private university, located in Waco, Texas. Baylor offers accredited B.S.degree programs in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, andEngineering, and is currently graduating about 45 students per year, primarily from and aboutequally divided between ECE and ME, plus a couple of Engineering majors each year. Lastsummer, Baylor also initiated a graduate program, with traditional research-oriented M.S. programsin Biomedical

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2005 GSW

Authors

Rita Caso; Kristi J. Shryock; Jo Howze; Jeffrey Froyd; Arun R. Srinivasa

. Palmer, D.R., Learning and Study Strategies Inventory, (LASSI) 1st Edition, Clearwater, FL: H & H Publishing, 1987.16. Starfield, A.M., K. A. Smith., and A.L. Bleloch, A.L., How to Model It: Problem Solving for the Computer Age. Edina, MN: Burgess, 1994. Biographical InformationJO HOWZEJo Howze is Associate Dean for Engineering Academic Programs and Ford Professor of Electrical Engineering atTexas A&M University. He is Principal Investigator for the NSF STEPS program and is responsible for the FordMotor Company sponsored effort to enhance “Design Across the Curriculum.” His interests include distributedenergy systems, control systems and engineering education, particularly

Collection

2005 GSW

Authors

H. Randolph Holt

Session F1B2 An Intelligent Breadboard for Electronics Experiments H. Randolph Holt Department of Technology Northern Kentucky University Abstract This paper develops the functional specification and preliminary design for a system that can enhance “hands-on” learning in electrical and electronic programs with the inclusion of a microcontroller-based system and software. When implemented, it can be used for a wide assortment of classes such as circuit analysis, analog electronics, digital electronics

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2005 GSW

Authors

Clay Naito

Session F2D4 Freshman Level Design – Bridge Building Project Clay Naito Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Lehigh University AbstractTo provide a stimulating introduction on the concepts of Structural Engineering to freshmenstudents, a hands-on laboratory based course on bridge design and construction was developed.The course provides an overview of strength of materials, structural analysis, computer aideddesign, and construction over a six week period. Material testing laboratory