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Badri Roysam,
University of Houston
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Dear ECEDHA Members, Industry Partners, and Colleagues,
We are entering a "New Golden Age," and are on the verge of a "Cambrian Explosion" in computer architectures, in the words of Profs. John Hennessy (Stanford U.) and David Patterson (UC Berkeley). Interestingly, the topic of computing is inter-twined with the future of energy systems both big (e.g., data centers), and small (e.g., mobile and wearable systems). Especially interesting is the convergence of trends - next-generation energy systems and computing systems are both being shaped by a common set of considerations, especially energy efficiency, cyber security, and artificial intelligence (AI).
What do these developments mean for your ECE/EECS Department? We welcome your thoughts.
In this issue of the ECE Source, we are pleased to describe some of the emerging trends in computer engineering (below), and Texas A&M' ECE department's experience as it is working to reshape the manner in which students are educated in New Energy Systems. We are also delighted to spotlight the University of Arizona's ECE department, one of the hosts of the upcoming ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo in lovely Tucson, AZ. On a personal note, I have visited Tucson over many decades as I collaborated with my neuroscience colleagues there. I have particularly enjoyed my visits to this city, its nearby destinations, and especially the food. Hope to see you there!
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Experience with New Energy Systems Course and Curriculum at TAMU
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Miroslav Begovic,
Texas A&M University
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Kate Davis,
Texas A&M University
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Tom Overbye,
Texas A&M University
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Aydin Karsilayan,
Texas A&M University
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What do most people in the field consider to be core currculum topics for all electrical engineering students? While the answer may vary to an extent, this is a fundamental question to ask to begin the process of identifying and making the right curriculum decisions to benefit all students.
In Fall 2018 in Texas A&M's ECE department, we introduced a new fundamental electrical engineering course for the energyand power area. The history is interesting; the department previously had a course like this about 30 years ago. Over time, the department's energy and power are faculty gradually shifted toward more senior level courses, and the junior level course stopped being offered, as was the case at many US universities with solid power and energy research programs. The situation that prompted the change is that it was possible (and it often occurred) that students could graduate without knowing fundamentals of AC circuits, transformers, energy conversion, three-phase systems, or magnetic circuits. To address this, a new required course was developed and added to the course catalog, called ECEN 340: Electric Energy Conversion.
As we know, ABET focuses on outcomes, and it is largely up to the department to determine how to properly organize it courses and topics such that the outcomes are met for all of the department's students. Any curriculum changes require a careful self-assessment and reflection to ensure a net gain and to verify that there are no losses. Thus, the department conducted a Core Curriculum Review, after which it was decided to make a number of other changes concerning this course: (1) The curriculum was changed to add ECEN 340 as a mandatory course for electrical engineering students (7 mandatory courses, 6 electives chosen in a certain way to diversify the knowledge of the student while maintaining specialization in certain areas). (2) Adjustments are being made to prerequisites for senior level classes in the power area. (3) Power area courses will be modified to cut back on repeated material that was necessary before. Of course, topics will still be reviewed as necessary in the higher-level classes; the difference is that the students will have seen the topics before in a consistent way.
Finally, ECEN 340 was introduced into the Electrical Engineering (ELEN) curriculum to provide students fundamental material on power and energy systems. With this addition, students in ELEN major will be completing seven mandatory junior-level courses (previously six), followed by six ECEN elective courses (previously 7) covering a minimum of three areas among the seven groups in the department. Previously, students were expected to take three or four electives from one area (for depth), and take the remaining 3 or 4 electives from two or more areas (for breadth). With the addition of ECEN 340 into the curriculum, depth requirement remains the same, but the breadth will be achieved with 2 or 3 courses. Since the additional junior course will provide broader range of fundamentals, this change will be more effective providing the breadth, while preserving the depth in a chosen area. Thus, beginning in the Fall 2019 semester, ECEN 340 will be required for all electrical engineering students.
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Memorial for Dr. Billie Ball, an early leader in ECEDHA
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University of Wisconsin - Madison Makerspace Tour
Join Digi-Key Electronics for a private tour of the University of Wisconsin - Madison Makerspace from Lennon Rodgers, director of the Grainger Engineering Design Innovation Lab as he shares his vision of a makerspace for students, run by students.
Lennon worked with the students of UW to develop a space for them to collaborate ideas and develop creative projects. This makerspace gives students access to equipment and tools that may be unaffordable and costly to maintain. Students have the ability to explore, make, and learn using 3D printers, soldering stations, woodworking equipment and even an industrial laser cutter.
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Advance Academic Research with the NI Platform
Every day, researchers use the NI platform to push the boundaries of discovery. They are driven by the grand challenges humanity faces and the economic and technical trends that are revolutionizing wireless communications, transportation, and energy. The ideas, theories, and prototypes that start in academic research labs scale to ever more complex applications and eventually impact all our lives in the form of commercial technology.
As varied as their research focus areas might be, academics face similar challenges regardless of domain. The goal of NI has always been to help scientists and engineers spend their time on the novel and the innovative by providing a platform with the accuracy, repeatability, and scalability they need to validate and prototype research.
This handbook serves as a space for us to share insights and best practices from a global research community through showcases of novel research conducted using the NI platform.
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ECEDHA Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting Update
On December 1, Suresh Subramaniam of George Washington University hosted the Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting in Washington D.C.
Major discussions centered around challenges and opportunities in ECE education, funding, student retention, and senior capstone design presentations. Attendees also enjoyed a keynote talk from Dr. Kuh at NSF.
MAECEDHA attendees gather in D.C.
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Host University Spotlight: University of Arizona
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Tamal Bose,
University of Arizona
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Greetings from the University of Arizona! Welcome to the 2019 ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo and welcome to beautiful Tucson! We are excited to serve as one of the host universities for the conference.
Established in 1885, the University of Arizona is the state's land-grant university and a member of the Association of American Universities, a group of 62 leading public and private research universities. With campuses throughout Arizona, a presence in every county in the state, and a commitment to 100 percent student engagement, the UA produces graduates who are real-world ready. Recognized as a global leader for its research, the UA is advancing the frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships.
Generating more than $600 million in research expenditures, UA is ranked 22nd in research and development expenditures among US public universities and colleges. In areas such as astronomy, medicine, optics, entrepreneurship, and dance, UA is one of the best in the world. The University enrolls 44,831 students.
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Register Today for the
2019 ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo!
March 22-26, 2019 at the Hilton El Conquistador Tucson
Register today and take advantage of the early bird rate!
The ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECE
xpo is the largest gathering of ECE department heads from throughout the United States and Canada.
This year's program is hosted by Arizona State University, New Mexico State University, the University of Arizona, and the University of New Mexico. Join us
March 22-26, 2019 at the
Hilton El Conquistador Tucson in Tucson, AZ.
The 2019 Pr
ogram Committee has assembled a world-class educational program focusing on the most pressing issues facing academia and ECE today. This year's program features:
- A fantastic lineup of speakers from both academia and industry
- Specialized pre-conference workshops, including a brand new ERC Workshop
- Sessions focusing on the future of ECE - including Renewable Energy, AI, Cybersecurity, Multidisciplinary Design, Revolutionizing ECE Curricula, Robotics and Makerspaces
- Ample networking time to connect with old friends and new acquaintances
- The ECExpo, with more than 40 industry leaders on hand to show the latest technologies in the field
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ECE Insights
ECE Insights offer in-depth interviews with leading industry executives.
Featured ECE Insights:
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Bhavesh Mistry
Head of Marketing, Academic
National Instruments
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March 22, 2019
ABET Workshop
Presented at the ECEDHA Annual Conference
Hilton Tucson El Conquistador - Tucson, AZ |
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March 22, 2019
ERC Workshop
Presented at the ECEDHA Annual Conference
Hilton Tucson El Conquistador - Tucson, AZ |
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March 22-26, 2019
ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECE
xpo
Hilton Tucson El Conquistador - Tucson, AZ |
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On Demand Webinar
In partnership with Tailfin Marketing
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On Demand Webinar
Sponsored by Keysight Technologies
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On Demand Webinar
A Case Study on Connected Maintenance Reliability
Sponsored by Fluke Corporation
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On Demand Webinar
Rethinking Electronics Fundamentals
Sponsored by National Instruments
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Finalize Your 2018-2019 Membership Today!
- The opportunity to participate in the ECEDHA Annual Survey, a valuable tool in benchmarking your organization in lab and office space, faculty and department head salaries, research budgets, student retention, graduation rates, and much more.
- The opportunity to attend the 2019 ECEDHA Annual Conference and ECExpo
- Complimentary job posting service via the ECEDHA website
- Complimentary registration for ECEDHA's ECE Webinars
Looking for your membership packet?
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ECEDHA Member and Partner News
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International Workshop on Thin-Films for Electronics, Electro-Optics, Energy and Sensors (TFE3S)
Present your research to the global thin-film research community at the 3
rd international workshop on TFE3S. You'll join fellow experts and researchers from our organizing/sponsor institutions and many other top scholars from around the world.
The workshop is organized by the Center of Excellence for Thin-film Research and Surface Engineering (CETRASE), University of Dayton, in cooperation with the University of Iceland and The Pennsylvania State University.
Location: University of Iceland, Reykjavik
Dates: June 24-26, 2019
>> Read more
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Franklin Institute Awards: Call for Nominations in Neural Networks for Machine Learning
The Franklin Institute seeks nominations for the 2020 Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science.
Individuals are encouraged to submit nominations for those who have made significant contributions to the development of neural networks for machine learning-hardware or software systems designed as networks of artificial neurons that can be given raw data and trained to automatically discover abstract features that are relevant to detection, classification, or translation, resulting in desired outputs.
Deadline: May 31, 2019
Prize: $250,000 USD
>> Learn more
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National Renewable Energy Laboratory: ESIF Visiting Scholars User Call
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has recently announced its Visiting Scholars User Call. The Visiting Scholars User Call allows faculty and students to conduct research in state-of-the-art laboratories in the Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF). The ESIF contains a collection of interconnected laboratories that can accommodate megawatt-scale R&D at full power. By immersing visiting researchers into the ESIF ecosystem, the hope is that they will carry valuable insights and new capabilities back to their home institutions.
Applications for the ESIF Visiting Scholars User Call are accepted throughout the year. Meritorious applications will be granted on a rolling basis. More information and application requirements can be found at the link below.
>> Learn more |
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