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academics : Academic policies

Senior Project Guidelines

In order to assure that students are completing a significant project that reflects their ECET program, the following guidelines are herby adopted for future senior projects:

1. The ultimate goal of the project must be an electronic device to accomplish a specific task.  The device must have some identifiable aspect (form, fit or function) that is innovative.  This does not mean that the project must be something that has never been done before, but it does mean that some aspect of the project must be innovative as compared to standard uses/functions as taught in ECET.  I.e. the project needs to be more than a couple of lab exercises that have been combined
   
2. 50% of the electronic device must be designed (with some calculations or other research work whereby the student arrives at the chosen circuitry, packaging, etc.) by the student.  The 'design' portion may include (but not be exclusively) innovative use of packaging, circuit construction, software, power consumption/size minimization or the like and must include circuitry from at least two of the major disciplines: Analog, Digital, Micro, Power, Controls, and Communications.  Using circuitry straight out of an application note definitely does not fall into this category unless some significant modification to the circuitry is required or significant design work is required to adapt the application note circuitry to the project.  Students are expected to identify, as a part of the project proposal, the part(s) of their project which fall into the '50% design' category.
   
3. The balance of the system may include some pre-built modules.  This would include the use of 'evaluation' boards or circuitry built on circuit boards provided from elsewhere (making it nearly a kit) and commercial items such as wall wart power supplies, transducers, motors, RF transmitters and receivers etc.  
   
4. A student may propose a project that does not strictly meet these guidelines.  In this instance, the project must be approved in writing by a willing faculty advisor and the ECET 496 course coordinator.
   
5. Students need to be aware that their project and presentation will be judged in the following categories when it is finally presented to the faculty:
   • Design
   • Innovation
   • Technical Understanding
   • Presentation
   • Operation
   • Testing
   • Construction

   The scores from these categories will be a critical factor in determining whether or not your effort receives a passing grade.

6. The process adopted in ECET396 for obtaining approval of a satisfactory project proposal is:
   • Week 12 : Draft proposals outlining the project are submitted to the ECET396 instructor for preliminary approval to move onto step (ii).
   • Week 13 : Proposals are to be reviewed by at least 2 faculty who will provide input to critique the project and make suggestions for improvement and warnings of possible difficulties. Students will also request that faculty rate the project based upon the following letter grade scale and ask that faculty provide suggestions to raise the project to an A or B rating.

     A. Excellent : outstanding project
     B. Good : if carried out well
     C. Adequate : will require excellence in development and presentation
     D. Weak : marginal chance of success regardless
     F. Inadequate : will not result in a passing grade

     In using these ratings faculty are indicating their opinion as to the potential success of the project at Show and Tell.

   • Week 14 : A design review is conducted in each lab division with the following format:

     a. Students will each make a short (2-3mins) presentation describing their project proposal which will include:
        (1) A block diagram
        (2) A bullet list of features
        (3) A bullet list of concerns
        (4) A list of the items/features/activities that are in the 50% Design category
        (5) A bullet list of additions/suggestions that have been incorporated from discussions with faculty and why

     b. Students receive feedback from the floor, as appropriate, to finalize suggestions/requirements in order to define an acceptable project

     c. Project presentations that describe A/B rated projects will be approved during this session

     d. Projects that receive suggestions for additional features in order to meet the A/B standard will be approved only when a revised project proposal is submitted and accepted by the ECET 396 or ECET496 instructor

   • Week 15 : Students incorporate all technical suggestions necessary for approval into their project proposal report and submit to their ECET396 instructor for final grading.
     
7. ECET396 instructor forwards all project proposals and project proposal reports to ECET496 instructor.