Special Project I - 525.801

Special Project I and II are intended to foster in-depth technical exploration and the development of professional research and communication skills. Each course offers students the opportunity to engage in an individually tailored, faculty-supervised project on a topic relevant to electrical and computer engineering. Students will identify a topic of interest and work closely with an ECE faculty advisor to define the scope and objectives of the project. A key objective of Special Project I and II is the production of a tangible deliverable in the form of a research paper or technical presentation. Students must prepare a formal paper that conforms to the formatting and submission guidelines of a peer-reviewed technical conference or journal relevant to the field of electrical and computer engineering. The paper must meet the technical rigor and quality standards expected of such venues. Submission to an actual conference or journal is encouraged but not required.Projects may involve original research, a novel application or design, or a detailed literature survey with critical analysis and synthesis elements. In all cases, the final submission must demonstrate clear technical contributions and sound engineering practices. The independent study advisor will assess whether the work satisfies the academic and scholarly expectations of the course.Students may take Special Project I, or both Special Project I and II toward the M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Students must complete at least half of their degree program before registering for this course. A completed independent study proposal form, detailing the scope of work and deliverables, must be approved by the student’s advisor and the ECE program chair prior to enrollment.Students should rely on knowledge gained from previous EP ECE coursework to inform and support their independent study.