The URI integrated computer engineering design (ICED) curriculum: Progress report

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Date of Original Version

12-1-2000

Abstract

The University of Rhode Island started the ICED curriculum in the Fall of 1997. The key feature of ICED is a substantial 2-3 year long project tying together important but normally disjoint computer engineering concepts across the major. The students learn how to make critical hardware/software tradeoffs with long-term implications. Courses in processor design, compiler design and networks are required, and tied together through the major project. This keeps students motivated in novel ways: they enjoy discovering the implications of decisions made in one area, across all other areas over the span of years. This paper reports on the status and progress of ICED after two years of startup operation. Some custom hardware was required for the curriculum; these lab stations have now been built and are currently being tested. In our original NSF grant we noted the need for additional funds to build this hardware and otherwise equip more lab stations; we applied for and received these funds from the Champlin Foundations of Rhode Island in 1998/9. The students have received the new curriculum enthusiastically and have learned much. It has also been a learning experience for the faculty involved. We are immediately plowing what we learn back into the design of ICED and its core courses, in order to fully achieve and enhance our curricular goals. The paper includes descriptions and documentation of all of the above.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings

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