Independent Reading and Research in Applied Engineering
Instructors: Pat Eagan and Paul Ross
1 credit
Course Purpose
This summer course provides an opportunity for independent reading and research in a field of your choice under the guidance of a UW faculty member. MEPP students use this opportunity to explore an engineering problem or issue that relates to their professional interests. Often, new tools, concepts or strategies learned during the first year of MEPP spark interest in exploring further applications of ideas.
This independent study course is an excellent opportunity for focused, personalized reading and research. You will determine your Independent Reading and Research in Applied Engineering (IRRAE) topic in the spring and will be matched with a UW faculty reviewer/coach. Preparing a first draft of your IRRAE project proposal is the final assignment of the Communicating Technical Information course. Then, during the IRRAE summer course, you will use a variety of in-depth research techniques with the staff of the UW's Kurt Wendt Engineering Library.
For IRRAE, you will complete four main project steps: a project proposal with a research plan, a literature review, a project draft, and a final document. During the summer, three conferences via the Web will cover project definition and scope, research updates and preliminary project results. You will also be encouraged to work informally in small group review teams within your cohort.
Finally, throughout the process, you will receive advice and feedback from the course instructors and from your faculty reviewer/coach. Your research will result in a short graduate level paper (a report or proposal) plus a technical presentation during the year-two summer residency in Madison when you will share your work with others in the MEPP program.
