Undergraduate Research: Challenges, Rewards, and Lessons Learned ASEE SE Conference Louisville, KY, 2 April 2007 Robert J. Barsanti Jr. Associate Professor Electrical and Computer Engineering

Overview Introduction & Background Research Project Descriptions Methodology of the Research Experience Lessons Learned Future Plans

Introduction Two EE research projects Multiple Students each project Less than 1 year each Background Military Teaching college in Charleston, SC 2000 cadets, 2000 evening students Two Engineering Departments, Civil, and EE 125 EE students

Research Project Descriptions Project 1 Non-Linear Filtering Goal: Develop New Signal Filtering Technique Tasks: 1. Generate test signals 2. Code classical filtering techniques 3. Develop new filtering technique Effort: 3 students, summer 2005 to spring 2006 Result: Conference paper at SSST 2006

Research Project Descriptions Project 2 Detection of Digital Communication Signals Goal: Develop wavelet detection method(s) Tasks: 1. Generate test signals 2. Code classical detection techniques 3. Develop new detection technique Effort: 2 students, summer 2006 to spring 2007 Result: Conference paper at SSST 2007

Methodology Attracting Students Student Qualifications Team Concept Tutoring Progress Reports

Typical Timeline MonthTaskStudent Hours (per student) Professor Hours NovemberWrite and submit funding proposal016 JanuaryBegin student recruiting04 FebruaryContinue student recruiting04 MarchSelect students04 AprilStart weekly meetings and tutoring88 MayWeekly meetings and tutoring88 JuneAccomplish mini-task204 JulyStart research simulations204 AugustContinue research204 SeptemberNarrow goals and focus efforts208 OctoberObtain and evaluate results204 NovemberWrite draft technical paper164 DecemberWrite final paper and submit416 Total13688

Lessons Learned Project Selection Time Management Writing the Paper

Future Plans Funded for External Funding Special topics course