Bringing Student Projects Into the Classroom By Marlys Amundson Last summer, UCLA's electrical engineering department offered an independent study course taught by electrical engineering professor Ken Yang that focused on student projects sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE). "I wanted to expand the opportunities available for students to conduct independent, project-oriented activities," notes Yang. "As advisor to the UCLA chapter of IEEE, I was aware of their projects and the work they put into them each year." The students submitted proposals with timelines, goals, and budgets that were reviewed by Yang and department chairman Yayha Rahmat-Samii. During the eight-week course, the students worked on LaserTag and NatCar projects, both of which continued into the fall and winter quarters. "He asks a lot of his students, but the course provided us with very valuable experience," notes Gigi Lau, president of IEEE and one of the students in the class. "We were given advice and assistance by Professor Yang and other faculty in the department, and we learned that a critical part of any project is knowing when you need to consult with an expert." LaserTag is a role-playing combat system in which players are equipped with infrared guns and score points by shooting each other. (Despite the name there are no lasers in LaserTag.) Lau explains that the UCLA LaserTag system "uses infrared wavelength sensors and a microcontroller to track user data such as infrared pulses, player health, and ammunition. Hits by opposing teams are recorded by sensors embedded in hats worn by the participants." The objective of the NatCar competition - sponsored by National Semiconductor - is to build an autonomous electronic racecar that can follow a track quickly and accurately. This requires the effective use of an RC car chassis, with a DC motor and servo. A microcontroller with onboard sensors analyzes and correctly controls the speed and direction of the car. Although the team put together a very competitive car, "they blew out its motor drive circuits minutes before competition was scheduled to begin," says Yang. In addition to the LaserTag and NatCar projects, Dr. Mike Briggs - advisor to the UCLA chapter of IEEE and Student Activities Chair of the Coastal Los Angeles Section - encouraged student interest in the MicroMouse project. IEEE teams worked on four micromice projects prior to the spring competition, but no one successfully transversed the maze. "We were able to bring in a lot of younger undergraduates on the MicroMouse project who worked on design and construction," says Lau. "Next year's teams are going to be even better prepared for the competition." The students who worked on the NatCar and LaserTag projects presented their work at the 2002 Electrical Engineering Research Review last October. "Traditionally, only graduate students are asked to present their work at the Review," says Lau, "so it meant a lot to us that we were given the opportunity to showcase our work as undergraduates." "The students [in the UCLA chapter of IEEE] built up momentum in the projects, and increased the number of students who were involved with the projects," says Yang. "They are a motivated, wonderful group of students and the independent study course gave them another opportunity to shine outside of class." The electrical engineering department is developing additional programs to encourage undergraduate research. Eventually, Yang hopes to formalize the IEEE research projects as a course. "It's important for our students to have both the educational and research aspects in their coursework," adds Yang. "Their independent interests are not always reflected directly in their GPA, but they do make a difference in their education." The students received support from the Science and Engineering Library for both the LaserTag and NatCar projects. They also received funding from the electrical engineering department, the UCLA Engineering Alumni Association, and the national chapter of IEEE. For more on IEEE activities at UCLA, please visit http://www.ee.ucla.edu/~ieee/home.htm.