Graduate/Undergraduate Teaming Of Ecet Students For Applied Research Via Senior Projects
- Conference
- Location
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Honolulu, Hawaii
- Publication Date
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June 24, 2007
- Start Date
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June 24, 2007
- End Date
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June 27, 2007
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Graduate Studies
- Page Count
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6
- Page Numbers
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12.791.1 - 12.791.6
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--2764
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/2764
- Download Count
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316
Paper Authors
Robert Adams Western Carolina University
ROBERT ADAMS is an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology in the Kimmel School of Construction Management, Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina University. His research interests include mathematical modeling of electrocardiographic applications, 3D modeling, and digital signal processing. Dr. Adams is a senior member of IEEE and a member of ASEE.
James Zhang Western Carolina University
JAMES Z. ZHANG is an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering in the Kimmel School of Construction Management, Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina University. Dr. Zhang's research interests include Communications Theory, Wireless Networks, Bandwidth Efficient Modulation Schemes, Signal Design and Information Coding, and Digital Signal Processing Techniques for Communications. Dr. Zhang is a senior member of IEEE and a member of ASEE.
Kenneth Burbank Western Carolina University
KEN BURBANK is an Associate Professor and Director of Electrical Engineering at Western Carolina University. Dr. Burbank is active with IEEE, SME, and TAC of ABET, and strives to bring practical engineering activities into the classroom. His current project is the development of a photonics program within the Electrical Engineering curriculum.
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
Graduate / Undergraduate Teaming of ECET Students for Applied Research via Senior Projects
Robert Adams, James Z. Zhang, Ken Burbank Kimmel School of Construction Management, Engineering and Technology Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723
Abstract
In this paper, a method for mentoring undergraduates for future graduate study is presented. We introduce a teaming approach whereby undergraduates are teamed with graduate students in joint projects. The teaming approach prepares undergraduate students for study and research in graduate school. The authors have implemented this approach for the past two years and have noticed positive results including increased graduate enrollment and an increased quality of graduate research. We highlight these results by presenting case studies in which we follow the progression of several students through undergraduate senior projects and graduate studies.
Introduction
In the past few years, the authors reported their efforts of enhancing students’ learning by utilizing a systems approach [1] - [4]. These methods focus on the functionality of system blocks to improve students’ understanding of system performance parameters. Positive results have been observed in strengthening students knowledge development on certain subjects.
The systems approach has been applied to the development of graduate/undergraduate teaming. In the Fall semester of 2004, we initiated a project in a senior design class in which two undergraduates developed an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) communications system. This effort resulted in a presentation at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research [5]. In the Fall semester of 2005, one of these students continued onto our Master of Science in Technology program. We teamed this student with an undergraduate senior. In the 2005-2006 academic year, this graduate/undergraduate team tested the UWB system under various conditions and provided an analysis of the testing results. The graduate student was able to train the undergraduate to the point where the undergraduate could take leadership of the project. This development of leadership skills was very important for this undergraduate. In the Fall semester of 2006, this second student entered graduate studies, and we teamed this student with a third senior to use the UWB system as a source of broadband energy in the study of
Submitted for publication in the Proceedings of the 2007 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition.
Adams, R., & Zhang, J., & Burbank, K. (2007, June), Graduate/Undergraduate Teaming Of Ecet Students For Applied Research Via Senior Projects Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--2764
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