The Vertically-Integrated Projects (VIP) Program
Contents:
The Vertically-Integrated Projects (VIP) Program is an undergraduate
education program that
operates in a research and development context. Undergraduate students
that join VIP teams
earn academic credit for their participation in design/discovery efforts that
assist faculty and graduate
students with research and development issues in their areas of
technical expertise. The teams
are: multidisciplinary - drawing students from all disciplines on
campus; vertically-integrated
- maintaining a mix of sophomores through PhD students each semester;
and long-term
- each undergraduate student may participate in a project for up to
three years and each
graduate student may participate for the duration of their graduate
career. The continuity,
technical depth, and disciplinary breadth of these teams are intended
to:
- Provide the time and context necessary for students to learn and
practice many different
professional skills, make substantial technical contributions to the
project, and experience
many different roles on a large design/discovery team.
- Support long-term interaction between the graduate and
undergraduate students on the team.
The graduate students mentor the undergraduates as they work on the
design projects
embedded in the graduate students' research.
- Enable the completion of large-scale design/discovery projects that
are of significant benefit to faculty
members' research programs.
- REGISTRATION FOR VIP FOR FALL 2013 HAS BEGUN. To join a VIP for the first time or to return to your team,
you must apply for a permit.
- The I-Natural VIP team made a presentation about their project at the
Georgia Capitol as part of "Engineer's Day" activties.
To read a description of the event and see some photos please visit the
I-Natural team's wiki pages.
(Note: gatech login credentials required.)
- Mid-semester evaluations have been completed. If you are concerned about your
performance, please contact your adviser.
Teams are listed by name, with the registration section code and individual
team meeting time listed in ( ) after the team name.
Additionally, a common VIP meeting is held Friday 3:00-4:30;
the Friday lecture for Fall 2013 will be in Klaus 1456.
Returning students with a time-conflict should discuss that
conflict with the team's faculty advisor.
- Collaborative
Workforce Team (VP1, Wed. 3:00-4:30): Design and test multimedia systems,
web-based applications, and human-computer interfaces to support the
distributed design and research teams that are the future of the global
engineering workforce.
- eDemocracy
Team (VP2, Tues. 1:30-3:00): Design and create applications, processes,
systems and policies for increasing and improving citizen participation in democracy.
- eStadium
Team (VP3, Thurs. 3:00-4:30): Design and deploy smartphone apps/games, websites, wireless
networks, and sensor networks to gather and deliver game and venue information to football fans in the stadium on gameday.
- Intelligent
Tutoring System Team (VP4, Thurs. 1:30-3:00): Design, test and use systems to enhance
student learning in Tech courses by applying techniques that include
video and data mining, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and
human-computer interfaces.
- Computational
Structural Biology Team (VP6, Tues. 9:30-11:00):
Develop software and web-based tutorials to facilitate the
understanding of basic principles of macromolecular simulations and
their application to research problems in structural biology.
- eCampus
Team (VP7, Thurs. 3:00-4:30): Design, develop, and deploy mobile wireless applications for
the use of
visitors, students, faculty, staff and administrtaors on the Georgia
Tech ATL campus.
- Intelligent
Transportation System (VP8, Tues. 10:00-11:30): Analyze the performance and energy
efficiency of existing transportation scheduling algorithms, and then
design and implement better ones, for the Tech Trolley and other
systems at and around Georgia Tech.
- I-Natural (VPA, Tues. 1:00-3:00):
Design, build, and test interfaces that enable humans to
naturally interact with robots (whether physical or virtual) in
performing activities of daily living.
- USLI Rocket Team (VPB, Thurs. 9:30-11:00):
Design, build and launch a reusable rocket with a scientific or engineering payload to one mile above ground level.
- Brain
Beats Team (VPC, Tues. 8:00-9:30) To understand the neural basis
underlying the human ability (or lack thereof) to keep "rhythmic time,"
i.e., a constant cadence.
- GTRI Robotics Team (VPD, Thurs. 1:30-3:00):
Development of critical technologies and prototype robotic/unmanned systems.
- Aquabots: Maritime Robotics (VPE, Thurs, 1:30-3:00):
Aquabots will explore new research in maritime robotics including navigation of
underwater and surface vehicles, mapping and exploration underwater,
and other challenging maritime robotic technologies.
- Open Academic Enviroments Team (VPF, Thurs. 1:30-3:00, Clough 469):
Traditional Learning Management Systems like T-Square at Georgia Tech have become part of the problem rather than part of the solution, and we'll aim to move beyond them.
- RoboBoats Team (VPG, Wed. 1:30-3:00):
To develop robotic boats as sensing platforms for environmental monitoring tasks
such as oil spill survey and cleaning, and recovery of metal objects
in the sediments. Develop autonomy solutions for maritime mobile sensing networks.
- Physics MOOC Team (VPH, Tues. 11:00-12:30):
To develop course materials and software for teaching hands-on, inquiry-based introductory physics in a Massive Online Open Course (MOOC). We will use a novel combination of open-source software, calibrated peer review, and interactive online lectures to create a complete physics course, labs and all, available to anyone with a smartphone and an internet connection.
- BioBots Team (VPJ, Tues. 3:00-4:30):
To create autonomous microrobots that can traverse biological barriers within the body by mimicking microorganisms.
- Wikilaughs Team (VPK, Wed. 1:30-3:00):
Creation and analysis of a repository of humor collected via crowdsourcing and social network integration.
- Undergraduates: Please go to the VIP
Sign-up
Web
page to apply to join a VIP team.
- Grad Students: To join a VIP team, please contact that team's faculty adviser(s).
- Faculty: To start your own VIP team, please contact Ed Coyle.
The VIP program supports large, multidisciplinary teams that work on joint research and education projects.
Students from the following disciplines have participated in VIP so far: AE, BIO, BME, CEE, ChE,
CS, CM, ECE, ISyE, ME, Phys, and Public Policy. The current set of VIP courses and the policies established
for how they contribute to a student's degree are:
- For all students in the CoE and the CoC: The VIP courses are currently ECE 2811, 381X, 481X.
The first digit indicates the level: 2 = sophomore; 3 = junior; 4 = senior.
The last digit indicates the number of credits: X = 1 or 2. Each school in CoE and CoC whose faculty and students
participate in VIP determines how VIP credits count toward their students' degrees. In general, VIP credits will
at least count as free elective credits; see below for further information.
- For ECE Students:
- VIP Independent of Senior Design: If a student takes six or more credits of VIP,
three can count as ECE elective credits and three can count as approved elective credits.
- VIP Incorporating Senior Design: Students may use their VIP participation towards
Senior Design II (ECE 4012 or ECE 4007) if: (a) their VIP project is suitable
for an EE or CmpE culminating design project, (b) they have previously registered
for the same VIP team in 3 successive semesters (semesters off for co-op allowed)
prior to taking Senior Design II; (c) during those semesters they take VIP for at
least 1 – 2 – 2 credits; (d) the last two credits are taken in their senior year;
and (e) they satisfy all other senior design requirements, including completion of
Senior Design I (e.g., ECE 4001 or 4011).
Then, in the 4th semester, students may register for Senior Design II instead
of VIP (ECE 481x). Specifically, VIP students register for the ECE 4012 VIP
(or ECE 4007 VIP) lecture section and the senior design project section
corresponding to their VIP team, ECE 4012 VPx (or ECE 4007 VPx).
- More Information: Please contact the ECE Undergraduate Affairs
Office for questions and also to obtain the proper paperwork and receive a permit.
Contact Prof. Ed Coyle, Dr. Randy Abler, or your VIP adviser to determine
if your VIP project is appropriate for ECE senior design.
- For ISyE Students: Up to 3 credits can be used as engineering or free
elective credit. After earning those 3 credits, another 4 can count as
Senior Design, subject to several constraints (see below), or as free
elective credit. Beyond those 7 credits, any additional VIP credits can be
used only as free elective credits. To use VIP credit for Senior Design, a
student should register for VIP in 4 successive semesters, for at least 1
- 2 - 2 - 2 credits in those semesters, with the last 4 credits being in
their senior year. At the end of the second semester, the student should
submit a proposal to ISyE's Senior Design coordinator for approval,
describing how the VIP project will fulfill the basic requirements of
Senior Design. If approved for Senior Design credit, the student will need
to submit interim and final reports and presentations to the Senior Design
coordinator at the end of the third and fourth semesters. The Senior
Design coordinator will assign the student's grade in consultation with
the student's VIP adviser. Please check with the ISyE undergrad office if
you have questions or need further information.
- For CoC Students:
- Starting with the Summer 2011 term and ending with the Summer 2013 term:
VIP can count for Senior Capstone Credit (CS 4911) when:
(a) There are at least three credit hours in the same VIP project;
(b) At least two of those credit hours are ECE-481X VIP; and,
(c) All three VIP credits used for capstone credit are at the ECE-381X/481X level.
Additional VIP credits taken beyond those meeting the criteria above
can count as free electives. NOTE: VIP credits acquired via CS-designated
VIP courses during or before Spring 2011 may also count toward capstone
credit -- for details, please check with the CoC Undergraduate Office.
- Starting Fall of 2013: The CoC will be implementing a new approach to a
design project course. The approach requires CS students to take a
two-semester “project” class that will be taken in conjunction with a
two-semester LMC class that will replace both CS 4911 and LCC 3403 requirements.
There are currently three options for this project class: a CS project class,
a CS research class, or a VIP project. To choose the VIP option, students will
sign up for a 1- or 2-hour VIP class and a 2-hour LMC class the first semester
and, for the second semester, sign up for a 1- or 2-hour VIP class and a
1-hour LMC class. The VIP credits must be at the junior (38xx) or senior
(48xx) level and must all be from the same project section. The total number
of VIP credits must be 3 or 4; 4 is preferred because you will both learn
more from and contribute more to the project. The VIP projects will also
be used as projects for the LMC class to provide a more realistic context.
For details, please check with the CoC Undergraduate Office.
- For CoS Students: VIP courses have recently been created in Biology and Physics.
Please check with the undergraduate advising office in your
discipline to determine how participation in these VIP courses
will count toward your degree.
- For Students in Other Disciplines: Please check with the undergraduate advising office in your
discipline to determine how participation in VIP will count toward your degree.
- A Note on Registration for VIP: If you have a time conflict with the Friday, 3:00-4:30 VIP
lecture, a time-conflict permit can usually be issued for you. If you are returning to a VIP team
and have a time conflict with your team's meeting time, a time-confict permit can be created
for you. If you are a new VIP student and the meeting time of the team you want to join
conflicts with another course, then you must either choose another VIP team
or wait until the next semester.
The National Science Foundation, EHR Directorate, Division of Undergradaute Education
The Carter Center
Georgia Tech Global Fund for Innovation and Research in Education (FIRE)
The TI:GER Program at Georgia Tech
The Colleges of Engineering, Computing, Science, and Architecture at Georgia Tech
Texas Instruments
Cisco Systems, Inc
National Instruments
GaTech OIT/RNOC
VIP at Georgia Tech is an effort of the Arbutus Center
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA. Started in 2002.
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA. Started in 2008.
Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, USA. Started in 2009.
University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. Started in 2011.
National Ilan University, Ilan, Taiwan. Started in 2011.
N. Viljoen,
“Managing for the Triple Bottom Line in Project-Based Learning,"
42nd International Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering,
Cape Town, South Africa, July 16-18, 2012.
J. Melkers, A. Kiopa, R.T. Abler, E.J. Coyle, J.M. Ernst, J.V. Krogmeier, and A. Johnson,
“The Social Web of Engineering Education: Knowledge Exchange in Integrated Project Teams,"
Proceedings of the 2012 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition,
San Antonio, TX, June 10-13, 2012.
R. Abler, E.J. Coyle, A. Kiopa, and J. Melkers,
“Team-based Software/System Development in a Vertically-Integrated, Project-Based Course,"
Proceedings of the 41'st Annual ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference,
Rapid City, SD, Oct. 12-15, 2011.
M. Baxter, B. Byun, E.J. Coyle, T. Dang, T. Dwyer, I. Kim, C.-H. Lee, R. Llewallyn, and N. Sephus,
“On Project-Based Learning through the Vertically-Integrated Projects Program,"
Proceedings of the 41'st Annual ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference,
Rapid City, SD, Oct. 12-15, 2011.
R. Abler, J.V. Krogmeier, A. Ault, J. Melkers, T. Clegg, and E.J.
Coyle, “Enabling and Evaluating Collaboration of Distributed Teams with
High Definition Collaboration Systems,” Proceedings of the 2010 ASEE
Annual Conference and Exposition, Louisville, KY, June 20-23, 2010.
E.J. Coyle, J.P. Allebach, and J. Garton Krueger, “The
Vertically-Integrated Projects (VIP) Program in ECE at Purdue: Fully
Integrating Undergraduate Education and Graduate Research,” Proceedings
of the 2006 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Chicago, IL, June
18-21, 2006.