University of Alabama Electrical & Computer Engineering Electrical and Computer Engineering Capstone Design Experience at The University of Alabama: Challenges, Improvements and Future Directions Jeff Jackson Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Alabama

The University of Alabama Electrical & Computer Engineering 2 of 11 Outline Introduction Introduction ABET program educational objectives ABET program educational objectives Transitioning to a two semester design course sequence Transitioning to a two semester design course sequence Curriculum changes to accommodate design course changes Curriculum changes to accommodate design course changes Handling co-op and out-of-phase students Handling co-op and out-of-phase students Funding and corporate involvement Funding and corporate involvement ECE Advisory Committee role in capstone design ECE Advisory Committee role in capstone design Current and future design project examples Current and future design project examples Questions Questions

The University of Alabama Electrical & Computer Engineering 3 of 11 ABET Program Outcomes Assessed in Capstone Design B. Design & conduct experiments, analyze & interpret data B. Design & conduct experiments, analyze & interpret data C. Design a system, component, or process to meet needs C. Design a system, component, or process to meet needs D. Function on multi-disciplinary teams D. Function on multi-disciplinary teams E. Identify, formulate, solve engineering problems E. Identify, formulate, solve engineering problems F. Professional and ethical responsibility F. Professional and ethical responsibility G. Communicate effectively G. Communicate effectively H. Broad education necessary for global and societal context H. Broad education necessary for global and societal context I. Need, and an ability to engage in life-long learning I. Need, and an ability to engage in life-long learning J. Knowledge of contemporary issues J. Knowledge of contemporary issues

The University of Alabama Electrical & Computer Engineering 4 of 11 Current Status One semester design course One semester design course –One course administrator and one technical advisor per design team Heavy burden Heavy burden –Typical preliminary and critical design reviews “merged” into a single, mid-term, design review –Fragmentation of design process with “soft” skills coverage –Far removed from previous ethics, society and other “soft” skills coverage in the curriculum Hard to incorporate meaningful “soft” components, at least early in the design process Hard to incorporate meaningful “soft” components, at least early in the design process –Largely a time constraint

The University of Alabama Electrical & Computer Engineering 5 of 11 Transitioning to a Two Semester Capstone Design Sequence Making the transition seamless? Making the transition seamless? –Must teach at lest one additional iteration of single course design, in parallel with two course design sequence Course administrator’s role in second course may be minimal Course administrator’s role in second course may be minimal –Second level manager role –Coordination necessary to reduce probability of conflicting advise Two semester design Two semester design –More accurate industrial flow  Preliminary and critical design reviews  Incorporate more design review before design is fixed Breakpoint between courses will be at the preliminary design review (or later) Breakpoint between courses will be at the preliminary design review (or later) –Still under consideration

The University of Alabama Electrical & Computer Engineering 6 of 11 Handling Co-op and Out-of- phase Students Each capstone design course will be taught each term Each capstone design course will be taught each term –Increases faculty load Co-op students will be allowed to participate Co-op students will be allowed to participate –Remotely –Option to join a new design group for second course experience –+/- in both cases

The University of Alabama Electrical & Computer Engineering 7 of 11 Curriculum Changes to Accommodate Capstone Design Based, in part, on student input Based, in part, on student input Part of full curriculum emphasis on “hands on” design Part of full curriculum emphasis on “hands on” design First capstone design course will be co-requisite with an ECE senior lecture/lab combination First capstone design course will be co-requisite with an ECE senior lecture/lab combination Second capstone design course will have first capstone design course and ECE senior lecture/lab combination as prerequisites Second capstone design course will have first capstone design course and ECE senior lecture/lab combination as prerequisites IE203 – Engineering Economics will be deleted from ECE curriculum IE203 – Engineering Economics will be deleted from ECE curriculum –Engineering Economics coverage will now be in the first of the two capstone design courses

The University of Alabama Electrical & Computer Engineering 8 of 11 Funding and Corporate Involvement Funding for capstone design teams is currently set at $500 per three student design team Funding for capstone design teams is currently set at $500 per three student design team –Larger teams generally have a larger budget  Larger teams also introduce more test and integration issues –Department funded from engineering student equipment fee –Paid for by corporate donations  Some corporate sponsors are heavily involved in projects –Project definition, participation in design reviews and other presentations –Primary motivation: Students to hire after graduation  Corporate sponsors also have recruiting and/or IEEE events scheduled New capstone design lab paid for by corporate donation from Bellsouth New capstone design lab paid for by corporate donation from Bellsouth

The University of Alabama Electrical & Computer Engineering 9 of 11 ECE Advisory Committee Involvement ECE Advisory Committee meetings are scheduled to coincide with final capstone design presentations ECE Advisory Committee meetings are scheduled to coincide with final capstone design presentations –Provides one external source of design evaluation –Provides one additional opportunity for students to meet with potential employers –Students have a chance to represent department  A good motivator for students and faculty alike

The University of Alabama Electrical & Computer Engineering 10 of 11 Current Design Project Examples

The University of Alabama Electrical & Computer Engineering 11 of 11 Questions?