Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Strategic Plan

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1 Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Strategic Plan By The Professoriate of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department February 28, 2013 Modified March 21, 2013 This document is based on the ECE professoriate reflection and self-evaluation, on the assessment of our undergraduate programs in electrical engineering and computer engineering by our accreditation agency, ABET, on the review of our department and undergraduate programs by the Dean of CEPS, on the review of the graduate program by the Dean of the Graduate School, and by the ECE-Industrial Advisory Board and the ECE-Student Advisory Board. 1

2 Vision Create new knowledge. To be recognized internationally for education and research in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Specifically, the department will be recognized as an institution: 1. Whose graduates are creators of new knowledge; 2. Whose graduates have entrepreneurial spirit; 3. That produces new knowledge in research areas on A, B, C, D, E (I think should be specific, if taking out the number). To realize this vision, the Department shall foster: A faculty committed to its students educational success; The enhancement of breadth and depth of its undergraduate education; Graduate programs that prepare students to conduct research and solve complex engineering problems; Innovation and creativity of students, staff and faculty; Internationally recognized research programs with strong support from professional constituencies; Demonstrable leadership, service, and outreach in advancing engineering professionalism to meet society s needs; Educational and research partnerships with agencies, universities, and industries; Highly successful alumni who contribute to the profession in the global society. Mission The Mission of the Department is to cultivate and advance knowledge in Electrical and Computer Engineering. The mission involves: Teaching courses in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and related fields, at the Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral levels; Advancing knowledge through research and scholarship; Serving the State and Nation by making the Department s intellectual resources available to industry and government agencies. The undergraduate EE and CE programs shall provide a firm foundation in electrical and computer engineering theory and practice, with a mix of laboratory and design experiences. The graduate ECE program shall lead to the degrees of Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and the Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering. The undergraduate and graduate programs shall foster creative thinking, entrepreneurship, the understanding and practice of the scientific method, teamwork and project management skills. Graduates from our programs will be instilled with our values of reason, equal opportunity, and global perspective. Research and scholarship are core components of the Department s mission and they directly impact undergraduate and graduate education. By 2020 the department will 2

3 strive to become internationally known for research in 4-5 areas. Specifically, the department will strive to accomplish the following goals in the realm of research: 1. A graduate program with at least 50 students, with at least 20 at the PhD level. 2. $2.5 million in annual research expenditures. 3. Fifty peer-reviewed publications per year with at least 20 journal publications. 4. Average h-score for faculty of 15. Values Reason. Our department s culture will promote raising question, vigorously discussing proposed explanations, and reaching conclusions based on data. Equal opportunity. The department will provide equal opportunity to all people. Global perspective. The department will promote international exchange and cooperation efforts by faculty, staff and students. 3

4 Department Strengths State of the Department as of 2013 Metrics for determining Departmental Strengths include a history of long-term collaborative research, positive feedback from stakeholders, unique faculty knowledge base, and attainment of successful continuous improvement strategies. Core Strengths in Signal Processing, Embedded Systems Engineering, Integrated Circuit Design, Mobile Computing, and Applied Electromagnetics Faculty Directly involved with Hands-on Laboratory Experiences Knowledge Base and Leadership in Online Learning Programs at the MS and PhD Levels with Opportunities for Research Funding Active Industrial and Student Advisory Boards Departmental Challenges Research Productivity and Collaborative Effort Diversity of the Active Research Portfolio Undersubscribed EE and CE Undergraduate Programs Undersubscribed Graduate Program Visibility to Industry and the Public Diversity in Program Students and Faculty Departmental Opportunities 1. Flexible Electronics 2. Pervasive Computing and Communications 3. Large-Scale Heterogeneous Integration Systems 4. Biomedical Engineering 5. Faculty members nearing retirement age 6. Navitas Program 7. Articulation Agreements 8. Power Systems and Alternative Energy Departmental Threats Lack of Young Faculty Lack of Faculty gender diversity Lack of Faculty in Computer Engineering Strategic Objectives Expand Inter-/Multi-disciplinary Educational Opportunities to Increase Undergraduate and Graduate Enrollment Increase External Funding by Establishing Inter-/Multi-disciplinary Research Teams Improve Industrial Collaboration and Entrepreneurship 4

5 Expand Articulation Agreements and Promote On-Line Education to Increase Student Enrollment Make more faculty time available for research through the increased use of academic technology, such as the flipped classroom. Using approaches that deliver content online will not only shift faculty workload, but will also make courses accessible to people in industry. 5

Action Plan Preface Expanding our educational mission into Power Systems and Alternative Energy, Pervasive Computing and Communication, and/or Biomedical Engineering will respond to the complex

6 Action Plan Preface Expanding our educational mission into Power Systems and Alternative Energy, Pervasive Computing and Communication, and/or Biomedical Engineering will respond to the complex demands of society for humanitarian and economic progress by leveraging the strength of our expertise and our facilities. Furthermore, these educational thrust have been known to be areas of interest for female students. It is our intent to build on the existing faculty in each area with new faculty lines and affiliations and collaboration with other departments on campus. Presently, the ECE Department has four-full professors (all in their 60s), fourassociate professors, and two-assistant professors (of which one is a female) and a Senior Lecturer. Beyond expansion of these exciting inter-/multi-disciplinary educational and research programs through new faculty and affiliate faculty, the Department will develop articulation agreements with two and four institutions to expand its undergraduate pool in numbers and diversity. The ECE professoriate offers three education and research program enhancements that we feel would meet the needs of state and country and upon successful implementation increase external research funding, increase student numbers in both electrical engineering and computer engineering, draw more females into our programs, and improve our relationships with our industrial partners. The articulation agreements and on-line courses will foster improvement in our student numbers. Expand Faculty Positions in Pervasive Computing and Communications We have entered the third era of modern computing. This era is defined by computing devices that are embedded in everyday objects and become part of everyday activities. These devices are also connected to other devices or networks in an effort to gather or share information. Pervasive computing and communications is a multidisciplinary field of study that explores the design and implementation of such embedded, networked computing devices. The field is young but it is developing fast and appears to have unstoppable momentum. Presently, three UNH ECE faculty are involved in research and teaching on topics in pervasive computing and communications. Professor Tom Miller works on embedded system design and application development and on human-computer interaction for mobile devices. Associate Professor Andrew Kun works on human-computer interaction design for mobile devices and desktop multi-touch interfaces. Assistant Nicholas Kirsch works on wireless communications systems that enable networks for mobile devices. Professors Miller and Kun have been successful in attracting funding for work that focuses on application development and human-computer 6

7 interaction for pervasive computing and utilizes networking technologies. Professor Kirsch has secured funding for work on physical layer communications to increase connectivity in widely varying conditions. Professors Miller, Kun and Kirsch feel that there is potential for jointly conducting grant-funded research that would explore pervasive computing and communications systems more thoroughly than their individual efforts currently allow. However, this potential would be significantly strengthened by the addition of two new members to the ECE faculty or possibly: one in embedded systems and one in networking (see figure). Embedded systems position: One new faculty member would focus on embedding computing devices, sensors and actuators into our environment. The embedded systems would enable applications and human-computer interactions of interest to Professors Miller and Kun, and would allow Professor Kirsch to explore interactions between different networking technologies and embedded technologies. The faculty member would bring expertise in a number of areas such as: Embedded computing devices, Embedded sensors, and sensor networks, Embedded actuators, Energy harvesting and power management for embedded systems, FPGA-based design, RFID. Networking position: A second faculty member would focus on issues related to computer networks. This networking expert would tie in Professor Kirsch s work on the physical layer to the application layer research of Professors Miller and Kun. A simplistic view of pervasive computing is for the devices to view network connections as always present. Similarly, a naïve physical layer view of networking traffic is that there is constant demand. The second faculty member would explore actual service demands and connectivity in real-world pervasive computing systems. This topic is critical to pervasive computing and communications because mobile devices are resource-limited. The faculty member would bring expertise in areas such as: Mobile ad-hoc networking, Cognitive networking, Stochastic wireless networks, Optimization of quality of service (QoS) in networks. The two proposed faculty positions would significantly advance the UNH ECE department s teaching mission. Importantly, both new hires could teach EE and CE courses from the department s current undergraduate curricula. The embedded systems faculty member would provide support for courses such as ECE 543, 548, 562, 583, 649, 711, 715, 775, 781. The networking faculty member would provide support for courses such as ECE 543, 562, 633, 634, 647, 734, 757. In addition to supporting courses already in the curricula, the two new hires would be able to expand our course offering in meaningful ways. The embedded systems faculty member would build on existing courses in electronics, signal processing and networking to create a number of courses on sensor design and sensor networks. For the networking 7

8 faculty member, an excellent opportunity exists in adding new courses to help students explore the various aspects of computer networking. Currently the department only offers one networking course, however, our constituents such as BAE and the IOL would benefit from more depth and breadth in this offering. Furthermore, a faculty member in computer networking can draw upon the resources of the IOL to create more immersive experiences in undergraduate and graduate courses. The UNH ECE Department aspires to become a leader among its peer institutions in making meaningful and lasting progress in responding to the needs and concerns of minorities and women. Therefore, we will actively recruit members of underrepresented groups to apply for the two proposed positions. In addition to using contacts through SWE and the ECE Department Heads Association, Professors Miller, Kun and Kirsch will actively recruit minority candidates at upcoming conferences, including Ubicomp (premier conference in pervasive computing), AutomotiveUI (premier conference on invehicle human-computer interaction), and Interactive Tabletops & Surfaces (premier conference in surface technologies; these are a prominent building block of many pervasive computing systems). Even though the two positions in Pervasive Computing and Communications are requested for ECE, the team would be enhanced with a faculty member from computer science, especially a faculty member specializing in software engineering. Expand Faculty Positions in Power Systems and Alternative Energy According to experts, the power engineering field is about to undergo a major punch that will shake it up more than at any other point in its history: "Green" energy technologies such as the smart grid, solar, wind, battery storage and other areas are about to totally transform the business of energy generation, transmission and distribution. But at the same time, many if not the majority of the people currently working in power engineering are rapidly approaching retirement age and may soon leave the profession. Meanwhile, not nearly enough new engineers are entering the power engineering profession to meet the anticipated demand that will be seen in the next five to ten years. And furthermore, power electronics will play a critical role in transforming the current electric grid into the next-generation grid. Existing silicon-based PE devices enable electric grid functionalities such as fault-current limiting and converter devices. However, silicon (Si)-based semiconductor technology cannot handle the power levels and switching frequencies required by next generation utility applications hundreds of kilovolts (kv) blocking voltages at tens of kilohertz (khz). These pending shifts will present numerous challenges, but may also create just as many opportunities for those willing to embrace them. The ECE Department has conceptually designed a three-course certificate program specifically, Reconfigurable Electric Power Systems, Power Systems Analysis, and Power Electronics, for consideration by our energy-related industrial/commercial associates. Professor Carter has been teaching the Reconfigurable Electric Power 8

9 Systems for the past five years as an approved professional elective in the electrical and computer engineering degree programs and Professor Drake is able to teach the Power Systems course while the Power Electronics course would be shared by Professors Carter and Drake. However, this potential certificate program and professional elective courses for both electrical and computer engineering students and professionals outside of the campus would be significantly strengthened by the addition of at least one faculty member to the ECE faculty. The new faculty member would focus on high power electronics that would service not only the electric power industry but also any company requiring power electronics in their product such as Osram-Sylvania. This team of Carter, Drake, and new faculty member would also support the UNH Manufacturing Center with respect to power efficiency and manufacturing support. Another opportunity created from the establishment of the certificate program is the use of the Shoals Marine Facility as a laboratory and furthermore, to be used as a closed system test-bed for energy development and usage from multiple independent sources such as wind and solar power, tide and wave driven power from dams and buoys, and the such. Also, Professor Drake is close to retirement age and when and if he retires, we may still maintain the certificate program with the new hire. Expand Faculty Positions in Biomedical Engineering Biomedical engineers analyze and design solutions to problems in biology and medicine, with the goal of improving the quality and effectiveness of patient care. Biomedical engineers work in manufacturing, universities, hospitals, research facilities of companies and educational and medical institutions, teaching, and government regulatory agencies. The median annual wage of biomedical engineers was $81,540 in May 2010 (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010). Employment of biomedical engineers is expected to grow by 62 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand will be strong because an aging population is likely to need more medical care and because of increased public awareness of biomedical engineering advances and their benefits. Presently, three UNH ECE faculty are involved in research and teaching on topics in biomedical engineering. Professor Drake and LaCourse work on instrumentation to detect diseases and provide therapeutic modalities for the injured, diseased and people with congenital challenges. Specifically, Professor LaCourse is working presently with nursing faculty to develop simulation training devices for student nursing programs, equipment communication in the surgical ward, and instrumented dance shoes to determine the onset of injuries in ballet dancers. Dr. Wayne Smith is interested in noninvasive non-contacting electrodes for electroencephalographic recordings. Also, Professor Messner is a specialist in imaging and Professor Yu is interested in reliable integrated circuits for medical applications. Professors Drake, LaCourse, Messner, Smith, and Yu feel that there is potential for jointly conducting grant-funded research that would explore biomedical instrumentation for the detecting of disease and providing modalities for cure more thoroughly than their individual efforts currently allow. However, this potential would be significantly 9

10 strengthened by the addition of two new members to the faculty or possibly: one in neurophysiology from COLSA and one in biological control systems in CEPS ECE. This research and educational team would augment and/or expand the existing Biological Engineering Program in Chemical Engineering as well. In biomedical engineering, anecdotal evidence suggests that the field is inherently appealing to women, especially in comparison to the more traditional disciplines such as mechanical and electrical engineering. Women are more connected to the biological and medical sciences, which have greater gender equity than engineering sciences. The unique challenges to gender equity in biomedical engineering are the flip side of these advantages. First, the inherent appeal of biomedical engineering to women can foster complacency about diversification and lack of attention to the real problems of attrition and, sometimes, discrimination. Second, as a younger discipline, we have fewer senior women role models. Third, the interdisciplinary nature of the discipline contributes to the leaky pipeline since at all levels BS, MS and PhD highly trained women may be recruited into medicine and the biological sciences where they perceive the intellectual challenges to be similar but the barriers to their success, such as isolation, less daunting American Society for Engineering Education, 2010). It is our intent to develop a Biomedical Engineering Program. The program would require faculty participation from COLSA and CHHS. Expand Positions in Flexible Electronics Flexible electronics, an emerging area of research that has tentacles reaching into alternative energies, sensors, bio-sensors, electronics for space flight, device integration, health care monitoring systems, precision manufacturing, etc. Flexible electronics as a research area has been identified as a priority by several national and international science organizations including NSF. Presently, five faculty members are interested in flexible electronics, Professor LaCourse for biomedical applications, Professor Carter and Kirsch for microelectronics, Professor Yu for integrating flexible devices with traditional CMOS devices on a single chip, and Professor Drake for optoelectronics. Recently, there has been an interest in establishing a flexible electronics program and center within CEPS. Also, Professor Drake is close to retirement age and when and if he retires, we will need a replacement in microelectronics and optoelectronics. Furthermore, this position would support the expanded position in Biomedical Engineering as well. Promote the recruitment, retention and professional success of women and underrepresented groups We will work towards making the ECE Department an organization in which men and women are represented equally, and where minorities are represented in numbers that are proportional to their share of the population of New England. The department will maintain an advisory board to seek the advice and support of stakeholders in these efforts. By increasing the number of woman and minority faculty, our department will be a more welcoming environment for a broader pool of students. This pool of students will also help our department reach the other goals and increase the number of STEM 10

11 graduates. Our efforts will cover all aspects of running the department, from student recruitment, to faculty hiring. In faculty hiring the department will: 1. Expand the number of female faculty to 3 by 2016, and to half of faculty by Expand the number of minority faculty to 3 by Articulation Agreements To boost our undergraduate enrollment, the ECE Department continues to maintain a two plus two-and-one-half semesters articulation agreement with the New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI) and from that agreement we gain between 5-10 students per year. Due to our success with the NHTI, the ECE Department is venturing to develop articulation agreements with the following institutions. Hellenic American University Nashua Community College University of Novi Sad On-Line Courses To boost our undergraduate and especially the graduate program enrollment, the ECE Department intends to offer courses on-line to be more flexible on pedagogy and to reach a larger audience be it pre-college, college, and professional. This effort would significantly advance the UNH ECE department s teaching mission. Strategically, it makes sense to target sub-programs (certificate programs) for on-line delivery first, and by adding other programs later on, the ECE Department may get the entire graduate program on line. The first sub-program to develop relates to Communications and Electromagnetics where we have faculty teaching in that area who have interest and experience in online learning (Chamberlin, Kirsch, and Kun). The courses we have in mind for development are Electromagnetics and Antennas Wireless Communication, Digital Signal Processing. These courses can be packaged as a Microwave Communication Certificate Program, and we have reason to believe that there will be interest in it from local industry based upon comments from our Industrial Advisory Board. Placing the above courses into a quality on-line format will take effort and investment, and our proposal is that the college fund faculty to convert courses in the targeted areas. Based upon Professor Chamberlin s own experience in online learning, he estimates one month of faculty effort to develop an existing course for online delivery. These courses and certificate programs will be promoted via eunh Online Learning, IEEE Spectrum, local industries, and other Universities. The return on investment will be realized by a greater number of students, greater faculty productivity and a greater selection of courses in our program. 11

Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. Five-Year Strategic Plan: Improving Lives. Transforming Louisiana. Changing the World.

Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Five-Year Strategic Plan: 2010-2015 Improving Lives. Transforming Louisiana. Changing the World. Engineering is intertwined with our very own way of life.