FAQ Summary
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science
http://ecs.utdallas.edu/students/utdesign/
1.
What is UTDesign?
1. Concept: Supplement existing ECS Senior Design program with projects
proposed/sponsored/mentored by local technology companies
2. Benefits: Students get exposure to real-world engineering problems; Sponsors get early exposure
to graduating ECS seniors (and potential solutions to problems of current interest)
3. Teams:
1. 3-5 students
2. 1 faculty adviser
3. 1 (or more) company mentor(s)
4. Duration:
1. 2 semesters (Fall/Spr. or Spr./Sum.) - EE, TE, CE, (ME)
2. 1 semester – CS
5. Start: Projects can begin in Fall or Spring semester
2.
What is the format?
1. Company submits a project proposal to UTD; Project proposals should be high level and not
contain any sensitive information
2. UTDesign coordinators approve projects
3. Students select their top 3 project choices during the first class meeting
4. UTDesign coordinators match students to projects
5. Students and company mentor(s) have a kickoff meeting
6. Kickoff meeting: Students are presented with the problem at the kickoff meeting. Objectives and
deliverables are discussed in detail with the students (and the faculty mentor) in detail at the
kickoff meeting
7. Students prepare a written document (project proposal) that includes:
8. Problem definition
9. Proposed solution approach
10. Project deliverables
11. Timeline for the solution
12. Budget
13. Students implement the solution
14. Students prepare a final written report
15. Students deliver a final project presentation to the sponsoring company
3.
What type of commitment is expected from a company mentor?
1. Company mentor: should be the technical point of contact for the student team
2. Minimal commitment: partecipate to the kickoff meeting, answer technical questions about the
project, read proposal, read final report, partecipate to the final student presentation
3. Suggested commitment: minimal commitment plus regular meetings with the student team
4.
What is the cost?
1. EE/TE/CE/ME projects (2 semester projects): $13k
2. CS/SE projects (1 semester projects): $8k
5.
When is payment due? Payment for projects starting in Fall ’11 is due on August 31 st 2011
6.
Can I have examples of past projects?
1. Projects are presented at Senior Design Day (after sponsoring company approves the public
presentation)
2. Senior design dates for Spring ’11 (EE: 04/29/11 and CS: 05/03/11)
7.
Is there a timeline for sponsoring a project for Fall ‘11?
1. Initial Discussions: Anytime
2. Proposal Submission Deadline: July 15th
3. Final Decision: August 1st
4. Team selection: before August 31
5. Payment for Fall ’11: August 31st 2011
6. Kickoff meeting at company site: before end of first week of September
8.
Who owns intellectual properties (IP)?
1. Students & faculty mentor sign one-way NDAs
2. Any incidental IP resulting fro the project belongs entirely to the sponsoring company
3. NOTE: If sponsoring company expects significant IP to result, project would be better posed as
sponsored joint research
9.
Who do I contact if I need additional information? Marco Tacca UTDesign coordinator
mtacca@utdallas.edu
972.883.6239