| U.S. News & World Report Ranking | Homecoming Events | CS Honors |
| Masters Thesis Defenses | Become an Instigator | Updates |
| Scholarship Opportunity | ITC BBQ for CS Students | Jobs |
COEN Scores Again in the U.S. News & World Report Ranking of Engineering Programs
Boise State’s College of Engineering was again ranked among the best undergraduate engineering programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report in its 2012 “America’s Best Colleges” issue, released this fall.
Boise State shares the No. 15 ranking among public institutions and is tied for No. 37 ranking among all undergraduate engineering programs with the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth. The rankings are based solely on a survey of engineering deans and senior faculty at all accredited programs, conducted during the spring of 2011.
Boise State improved on its 2011 rankings when it was tied for 16th among public schools and tied for 42nd overall. The peer assessment went up from 2.9 to 3.1 on a 5.0 scale.
Boise State celebrates Homecoming, October 17 – 22, 2011
See list of events at http://homecoming.boisestate.edu/
- 16th October, Sunday, “Mad About Madeleine” Piano Party
- 17th October, Monday, Toilet Bowl-Co-Rec Flag Football Tournament
- 18th October, Tuesday, Homecoming Concert
- 19th October, Wednesday, Golden Grad Reunion
- 20th October, Thursday, ASBSU Reunion, Bronco Primetime, SPB presents: Meet Andy Dick and watch Division III: Football’s Finest
- 21st October, Friday, Presidential Alumni Gala, Soccer Match, ASBSU Time Capsule, SPB presents: Bronco Blitz, FAN Club PEP Rally
- 22nd October, Saturday, Bronco Bash, Homecoming Football Game (Boise State vs. Air Force), Homecoming Parade, Intercollegiate Knight’s Homecoming Reunion Tailgate and Annual Meeting and Elections, Homecoming Pancake Breakfast, Volleyball Match
- 23nd October, Sunday, Soccer Match
- 17-22nd October, Week-long events, Campus Decorating Contests , Verizon Wireless and the HopeLine Cell Phone Drive
For More Information Call
Boise State Alumni Association 208.426.1698
Student Union & Activities 208.426.4636 (INFO)
Computer Science Student Earns National Honor
Carla Barrero, CS, has been selected as an Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment Scholar. Barrero, a computer science student working with advisor Alark Joshi, is one of 40 XSEDE Scholars selected in a nationwide competition. As a scholar, she will attend the organization’s annual supercomputing conference in Seattle in November and participate in at least four activities with other scholars, such as technical training and content-based mentoring webinars, as well as learn about research internships and career opportunities. Barrero plans to continue her education to get master’s and doctoral degrees.
Masters Students Presenting Thesis Defenses Next Week
The following Masters students are presenting their thesis defenses next week. We encourage you to come hear their presentations, ask questions, and support their efforts.
Tommy Smith, Mechanical Engineering
October 17 – 1:40-2:30 pm – MEC 114
Committee: James Ferguson, Donald Plumlee, Inanc Senocak
Improved Heat Transfer Coefficient Data for Gas Turbine Cooling Channels Using Inverse Methods
Determination of heat transfer in channel flow is important in many fields, such as cooling channels in gas turbine engine blades. Validation of gas turbine engine design is an essential step in their development process. Accurate knowledge of blade channel heat transfer allows for reduction of thermal stresses, increasing blade life and energy efficiency. Use of thermochromic liquid crystals (TLCs) in determining heat transfer coefficients h is common. Direct measurement of bulk flow temperature T¥ is difficult, with computation requiring detailed upstream information.
The goal of this study was to develop a technique using inverse methods to estimate h and T¥ simultaneously using experimental transient TLC surface temperature data. To test this, a flat plate was immersed in a wind tunnel and the plate surface was coated with TLCs and recorded with a digital camera. The plate was subjected to a sudden heating of the air flow, and the TLC response was recorded. Analytical models were developed that related surface temperature to time, h, and T¥, in which the profile of T¥ in time took a variety of formulations, which were then used with inverse methods to estimate h and T¥.
The inverse method was tested with models and data of increasing complexity. Simpler two parameter models worked well estimating parameter values within accepted ranges. More complex models produced high error solutions, possibly due to too many parameters and limits on data collected. It was concluded that the method works but will require additional constraints for increased accuracy.
Hope Bateman, Mechanical Engineering
October 19 – 1:40-2:30 pm – MEC 114
Committee: Don Plumlee, John Gardner, Joseph Guarino, Stephen Tennyson
Linear Electromagnetic Energy Scavenging Device Fabricated in Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics
For a soldier deployed in a remote location on the earth or a recreational hiker in the wilderness or a wild land firefighter battling a destructive wildfire, access to a power source is problematic. Local and regional communication systems, navigation, lights, imaging: all of these require a power source. For short time periods, batteries may be sufficient but with extended time periods the weight of the batteries and cost of replacement becomes a problem. Energy scavenging devices could fill this need and be used as a secondary power source when solar or batteries are not available.
A linear electromagnetic generator is designed and prototyped for use in a frame backpack configuration. A base excitation model is developed to predict the available energy from the movement of a person walking while wearing backpack. The energy scavenging device takes the ambient movement of the person and converts it to usable energy. An analytic model of the mechanical and magnetic systems is developed to determine and optimize for the design parameters of the electromagnetic generator. The induction coils for the electro-magnetic generator are fabricated in Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics (LTCC), taking advantage of the material system to produce a small high density package of coils. Testing shows the expected characteristics of an electromagnetic generator.
Become an Instigator (Instigator: leader, mastermind, troublemaker)
From Dr. Callahan, Associate Dean for the College of Engineering
This semester, I’m taking Math 170, Calculus 1. The last time I took this class was about 30 years ago. The professor I’m taking it with has been graciously allowing me to attend and ask pesky questions.
Today I raised my hand and asked, “What are your feelings about study groups?” He sighed (at yet another question from me), and answered: “They’re good.” “Why?” I asked, being a troublemaker now. A small grin from him; he knew why I was asking, and humored me. I summarize his lengthy reply: students in study groups do better than those who aren’t.
Now…I already knew this. My job as Associate Dean is to help student stay in the engineering and computer science majors, and being part of a study groups is one of the top ways to help yourself be successful.
It’s the end of the second week of classes, and in addition to relearning calculus, I’ve been observing the students in class. Here is what I’ve noticed. Most of them don’t talk. They don’t say “Hi” to each other, even though they’ve generally been sitting in the same spot for 8 days of classes now. I haven’t seen anyone exchange phone numbers. Everyone seems very serious. I’ve tried sitting in a few spots in class, to see if I’m just too far away to hear any small conversations – I’m not. No-one’s talking. Calculus sure is serious stuff.
Because in this year of 2011, I have much more personal confidence than I did when I first took calculus, I have turned the area of class where I eventually settled into a zone where we know each other’s names. I did this by asking one person’s name each day, and writing it down. I also introduced myself, saying that I was taking calculus for fun, and explained why. The next day, I said hello to them. Knowing a couple of names, I then introduced one to another; and walked from class back to the engineering building with Charles one day. I collected three of my fellow student’s cell phone numbers this week. And then yesterday, two of this group wound up studying together last night. Success! Today, I added one more person’s name to our group, by having him exchange his number with Charles. He’s an economics major but I decided it’s okay.
So now you know why I asked my math professor about study groups. I wanted my fellow students to know that it’s a good idea, and that it’s not cheating to study together. I hope that having it actively encouraged by the professor will help students in my class to reach out to each other. If not, I’m going to have to start sitting in another corner of the class and get another group launched.
Imagine if just one in four of our college of engineering students were instigators. All the classes they take would be transformed! It would affect thousands of students. Envision the impact that would have on everyone’s academic success. Not to mention the friendships that would form.
I invite you to become an instigator with a couple of students you sit near. Say hello to them and get their names and cell numbers. Next week sometime – text them and tell them you’re going to be studying in the engineering building on the 2nd floor (you might need to find a less crowded space, though). Have it be the night before the weekly homework is due. Even if no-one comes, at least you’ll be studying!
COEN Faculty/Student Updates
MBE student, Derek Wade, spent his summer pursuing a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) internship, one of eight students chosen to participate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The program focused on high performance parallel computing with interdisciplinary collaboration.
Wade, a double major in mechanical engineering and applied math, said that during the three unit course on high performance parallel computing, the students were able to visit the National Security Agency (NSA) and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and tour their high performance computing centers which showed the importance of this field on a much larger scale.
The students wrote programs in C using MPI, Matlab, and the statistical package R. Using a client-consultant type of setting, each team of four students was presented with eight possible client projects. Each team then chose a client, Wade’s team chose the U.S. Census Bureau, and developed a project proposal based on what the client was looking for. Other clients included NSA, Oakridge National Lab, and others. Students worked for four more weeks on the project and presented the results at an annual undergraduate research conference at UMBC. The results were also presented to the client in the form of a technical report. This involved an extensive use of LaTex which presented another learning opportunity for many of us. More program details can be found at http://www.umbc.edu/hpcreu/ and a summary of our project, specifically, can be found at http://www.umbc.edu/hpcreu/2011/projects/team1.html. The technical report is available upon request.
Wade is now working as an undergraduate researcher with Inanc Senocak, MBE, to continue his research on parallel scientific computing. Senocak said that Wade was chosen for the NSF-sponsored summer program because he had taken C++ programming as part of his MBE curriculum.
Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. Scholarship Opportunity
Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. has established a scholarship program to assist architecture and structural engineering students at participating colleges and universities in various communities in the United States. The Structural Engineering/Architecture Student Scholarship Program offers scholarships to support education and encourage the design and building of safer structures in our communities.
Eligibility: Applicants to the Structural Engineering/Architecture Student Scholarship Program must be enrolled as juniors (60 semester hours or equivalent) or seniors in a full-time undergraduate course of study in architecture or structural engineering at specified colleges. Click here to view eligible schools
Awards: Up to fifty-five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded for the 2011-2012 academic year. Awards are not renewable, but students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements. Awards are for undergraduate study only.
Application (attached): Interested students must complete the application and mail it along with a current, complete transcript of grades to Scholarship Management Services postmarked no later than November 1, 2011. Grade reports are not acceptable. Online transcripts must display student name, school name, grade and credit hours earned for each course, and term in which each course was taken. Applicants will receive acknowledgment of receipt of their application. If an acknowledgment card is not received within three weeks, applicants may call Scholarship Management Services to verify that the application has been received.
Applicants are responsible for gathering and submitting all necessary information. Applications are evaluated on the information supplied; therefore, answer all questions as completely as possible. Incomplete applications will not be evaluated. All information received is considered confidential and is reviewed only by Scholarship Management Services.
Selection of Recipients: Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience, a statement of educational and career goals, and an outside appraisal. Financial need as calculated by Scholarship Management Services must be demonstrated for the student to receive an award. Instructions for completing the Financial Data section of the application are included.
Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship Management Services. In no instance does any officer or employee of Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. play a part in the selection. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.
Applicants will be notified by mid-December. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. Students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.
Questions regarding the scholarship program should be addressed to: Structural Engineering/Architecture Student Scholarship Program, Scholarship Management Services, One Scholarship Way, Saint Peter, MN 56082. Phone: (507) 931-1682.
For more information: http://www.strongtie.com/scholarships/index.html?source=topnav
Idaho Technology Council BBQ for CS students
ITC (Idaho Technology Council) is hosting a special event for CS students on 19th Oct at 5:30pm at Keynetics (a software company right next to campus). All levels CS students are invited but freshmen and sophomores are especially welcome. It is an excellent chance to see an interesting local software company and get a sense what a software engineer does. Besides, there is going to be a free BBQ at the event!
You do have to sign up for the event as the capacity is 40 students. Use the following link to sign up and get more details.
http://jdmullin.wufoo.com/forms/itc-cs-extras-october-19th-530pm/
Jobs
BRONCO JOBS – find details on the following jobs at http://career.boisestate.edu
Structural Engineering position at CH2M Hill in Boise http://www.careers.ch2m.com/worldwide/en/jobs-in/s/united-states/id/boise/Structural-Engineer-jobid41262BR_5215
HVAC Engineer Needed
Here’s a great chance to learn about all aspects of the HVAC field, including engineering and sales! An outstanding company is looking for a highly motivated young engineer to work with a licensed engineer and sales people. This is a great opportunity to grow your knowledge of HVAC and Controls, while gaining valuable experience towards your PE license! Please contact Darwin Roy at (208) 377-9755 if you are interested.
Resources: These are just a few of the many opportunities available to Boise State students.
A great resource for employers in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, and Nationwide. (Developed by the MSE department) https://sites.google.com/a/boisestate.edu/mse_connections/contacts
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) – http://www.acec.org/
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Idaho - http://acecofidaho.org/
Government Jobs – www.makingthedifference.org
One Stop Shopping for NASA-supported internships, fellowships and scholarships: http://intern.nasa.gov/
Idaho National Laboratory (summer and academic year), http://www.inl.gov/education/internships.shtml
Eligible: Freshman through graduate students, Application: now open, deadline January
U.S. Department of Energy, Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (summer & academic year)
http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/SciEd/ERULF/about.html (Boise State has priority for this program)
Eligible: High school graduating senior through college senior
Application: Opens Oct. 5
U.S. Department of Energy and NSF, Faculty and Student Teams Program (summer)
(Boise State has priority for this program) Must form team of one faculty and two or three students
http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/scied/fast/about.html
Eligible: Freshman through senior
Application: Opens Oct. 5
http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/default.shtml
Bettis Summer Intern Program
http://bettislab.com/internprogram.html
Apply: from October 1 through October 21
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL)http://www.knollslab.com/interns.html
Apply by Nov 30th
Eligible: undergrads (completed sophomore year), or graduate students in engineering, science, or business. All candidates must be a U.S. citizen
Questions: interns@bettis.gov
Office of Naval Research – Naval Research Enterprise Intern Program – NREIP (summer)
https://nreip.asee.org/
Eligible: Juniors, seniors, graduate students
Application: Opens Oct. 15; Closes Jan. 11
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Opportunities
On-Campus at Boise State: INBRE http://inbre.uidaho.edu/student_programs/
or Google “INBRE Summer Research” to find sites at other states!
NIH Website: https://www.training.nih.gov/programs
National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (mostly summer)
Hundreds of NSF sponsored internships all over the country
http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.cfm
Eligible: Freshman through senior,
Application: Deadlines vary — see Web site
Pathways to Science
For Undergraduates: Paid Summer Undergrad Research Placements: Over 400 programs – REU and Other Summer Research Opportunities for Undergrads
http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/Summerresearch.asp
- For Financial Support in Graduate School Opportunities: Bridges, GK-12, IGERT and NSF Grad Research Fellowship programs provide generous stipend and tuition support for students through the National Science Foundation: http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/Grad.asp
- For Postdoc opportunities: http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/Postdocs_portal.asp
Case Western, Undergraduate Research – For students interested in polymer research http://polymers.case.edu/highlights/undergrad_summer.htm – February 1 deadline
Cornell, Undergraduate Research – including LSAMP Summer Research www.engineering.cornell.edu/lsamp
Cornell Center for Materials Research Programs
http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/education/reu/
American Society for Engineering Education – Fellowship Programs
http://www.asee.org/fellowship-programs
The National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Program for Graduates http://ndseg.asee.org/
The National Science Foundation East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes (NSF-EAPSI) Program http://www.nsfsi.org/
Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Defense Scholarship for Service Program (for Graduate and Undergraduates) http://smart.asee.org/
ME alumni, Chris Pollow, who now works at Idaho Power as an Energy Efficiency Engineer, talks with students at the Idaho Power Information Session held September 29th.