UB - University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

Undergraduate Research

We encourage our undergraduate students to participate in research with our faculty. This can be associated with the UB Center for Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities. Moreover, within the department we provide a course, EE499 Independent Student, that will count as a senior technical elective that will enable undergraduate students to work with faculty and receive credit for that course. The details of that course, and the procedure is listed below.

EE499 Independent Study

Approval* is required to use EE 499 as a Senior Technical Elective. To be approved, you must complete all of the items on this checklist, including the EE 499 REQUEST FORM. Print and fill out the form. If your advisor approves your plan, return the forms to Deanie Hedrick, 322F Bonner Hall. She will forward the forms and statement to the Director of Undergraduate Studies for final approval.

• Write a memo to your advisor. The memo must be word processed (including spell checked). Such memos are typically one to three pages long. Include the following items:
• If you seek laboratory credit, you the student must be in control of the experiments. The laboratory experience must be comparable in depth and extent to the experience in EE 353. Mere observation and data taking for experiments performed by others will not suffice.
• If you seek design credit for EE 499, you must include:

1. a description of what you are to design. Who sets the specifications? How much do you know of the specifications now?
2. a description of how the design will be graded. Will grade be based on physical test, design report, design review, or other?

• For any use of EE 499 as a Senior Technical Elective, describe the following items. If they do not apply, just state N/A. Address each item by number.

1. library research required, if any.
2. experimental facilities. Are equipment and supplies in place, or to be available when the work is done? What special experimental skills are necessary, if any?
3. analytical work expected to be performed. Indicate your qualifications to do the analysis.
4. numerical analysis, if any, expected to be performed. Indicate your qualifications to do the computation.
5. time budget (must be supplied). Plan to include at least 40 hours of professional activity per semester credit hour registered for.

Discuss your memo with the faculty member supervising your independent study. Have the faculty member show his or her approval, by signature.

Submit the planning memo to your advisor during the advisement period before the semester in which you plan to register for EE 499.

If your advisor approves your plan, return the forms to Deanie Hedrick, 332F Bonner Hall. She will forward the forms and statement to the Director of Undergraduate Studies for final approval.

*APPROVAL MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE LAST ADD DATE.