University of Miami
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
www.miami.edu/ece
EEN 415 & 418 / Fall 2007
Senior Design Project I
PHILOSOPHY
The senior project has in recent years taken on increased importance in the undergraduate
curriculum. Industry requires engineers who can design and innovate. It is no longer
sufficient to be competent in analyzing problems; engineers are called on to propose and
implement design solutions to problems and opportunities created by the marketplace.
This demand makes the EEN415/416 EEN418/419, courses unique in the undergraduate
program, since it does not follow the usual protocol of lectures, homework, exams, etc.
Instead the burden of the course is placed on the student, for topic selection,
supervisor selection, and conduct of the work. This requires a considerable shift in
attitude of the student and draws on talents not extensively exercised by classroom
courses.
The most important thing to keep in mind regarding senior project is that it should be fun!
You have to want to do it, enjoy doing it, and be proud you did it. Should this cease to be
the case, you should seek help to get back on track, or in special cases, terminate the
project and start over. There is nothing worse than pursuing a project which is going
nowhere; you will come to hate it, do a poor job, and feel bad about yourself.
The next important matter is the selection of a project supervisor. This should be
someone whom you respect, who is accessible, and who has a genuine interest in you and
your project.
It is not an overstatement to point out that the senior project carries more weight than just
another course. The final report, as well as recognition, awards (The Tzay Y. Young
Award) and recommendations has had an impact on employment opportunities, graduate
school selection, and field of study.
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POLICY / ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1.
Senior design projects are accomplished by a team of three (or two if justified) students.
It is strongly urged that you pick a “three-person” project as you will have someone with
whom you can discuss problems. If the project is of sufficient complexity, three student
projects will be approved. Large projects such as solar car, or projects involving
competition, may support more than one team and be interdisciplinary.
2.
Selection of projects should be carried out in consultation with faculty members in the
ECN department. Projects involving faculty members outside ECN, and even outside UM
are allowable if approved. Projects outside the ECN department are acceptable, but must
be approved by both departments with a supervisor from each.
3.
The Student’s Proposal Form and Agreement (form on this web) must be completed and
turned in by Friday, October 12, 2007.
4.
Starting on Friday, November 2 each team will present a 15 minute formal
“PowerPoint” progress / design reports. You are asked to invite your advisor for this
presentation. Exact times – TBA.
In this presentation you must include the project scope, customer needs, project
specifications, project block diagram, detailed block diagram, partial/complete design,
time line (Gantt Chart), estimated cost of parts, safety issues and alternative ways.
5.
Attendance at weekly meetings (both in class and with your advisor) is required. – Part of
the grade.
6.
A lab book (bound, with internal graph paper sheets) must be maintained for both
hardware and software projects. All relevant information is to be recorded in the book;
each page must be dated and signed. This data includes circuit diagrams, designs, data,
graphs, calculations, references, research results, flow charts, and communications, both
phone and written. The lab book is to be signed and dated by your supervisor prior to
each review presentation and submitted for grading at the presentation. Additional
information will be provided.
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7.
A financial proposal or budget must be submitted as part of your final report.
8.
A letter grade for EEN 415/418 will be assigned, based on the quality of the project
proposal, reports, project review presentations, class discussions, lab book, and the
technical progress of the project. The written reports are an important component of the
grade. As well as all other assignments during the semester
9.
EEN 416/419 will continue where EEN 415/418 ends. The format is the same. Final
project presentations are tentatively planned for the reading days of the semester.
10.
You may NOT take EEN 415/418 and EEN416/419 in the same semester.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTES FOR EEN 416/419
The ECN Department approved that the final project is due for formal
presentation on the last Friday of the semester or during the Reading Days.
(Scheduled in advance, about 30 minuets long and open to all. EEN 415/8
students are required to be present).
At least 3 days prior to that date you are required to give a copy of the report to
the reviewers. It may include two faculty members from the ECN Department and
an external reviewer from the industry. See attached cover page and all other
formalities.
You are also required to email the course coordinator a short abstract of your
project, names of team members, advisor name and a “picture” of your project.
For a software project, include some graphical representation of the project. The
above will be part of a small booklet that will include the above information for
all the projects presented.
If the project is not completed by the date due, the student will present the project
at the end of the following semester. According to department policy, if the
project is not finished by the end of the 2nd semester, the grade will be changed to
F. The student will have to register for the class again.
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Grading
a. EEN 415/418:
Class attendance (mandatory)
Patent style notebook
Topic/Project presentations
Additional Assignments
Total
20%
20%
40%
20%
100%
b. EEN 416/419 – TBA
Patent Style Notebook
Every student must have a patent-style notebook. The purpose of this requirement
is to minimize the possibility of fraud. There cannot be a possibility to alter any
section or page after it have been recorded.
The notebook must:
 Be bound. No spiral, no loose leaf or any other format in which pages can be
added or removed. The Bookstore carries a Laboratory Notebook - 5X5 Quad
Ruled (Roaring Spring, Model #77110 -unfortunately the pages are not
numbered) that can be used for the class. It is recommended to get one with
numbered pages.
 Must have page numbers. (On page 1 include your personal data, page 2 start
a table of content and only on page 3 start your entries) – You may hand write
page numbers if necessary.
 Date each entry.
 Must use ink (black or blue). Do not erase or white out any wrong entry – just
cross it out. Any blank space must be X’ed.
 If needed to include computer print outs, diagrams etc. you must glue the
pages inside the notebook. Tape or stapling is not permitted.
 Most important, have this notebook signed (witnessed) and dated at least once
a week by a person familiar with the topic.
Project Display Board
 As part of the final presentation for EEN416/419, each team must have a
display board. More details in EEN 416/419.
Have a great time!
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