Master of Engineering Thesis Project Program

1. Master of EngineeringThesis Project Program 6.191 Prototyping Research Results Charles G. Sodini, Howard E. Shrobe, Arthur C.M. Chen 6.191 Introduction

2. Motivation • Master of Engineering • To better prepare EECS students for the working environment – course work and a thesis project • 6.191 – a transition process • Help students to find a thesis project -- a capstone of MIT education • Help prepare graduates for their 1st job experience 6.191 Introduction

3. MEng Thesis - Time Frame • UROP/ RA / (6.192) • Familiarize with technology • Execute feasibility studies • Prepare final project plan • - System design, schedule • Arrange for financial support • Project Execution • Detail design • Coding/ build hardware • Test, demo • Thesis writing 6.191 • State-of-art research • Career interest • Project concept • Advisor Preliminary thesis proposal Thesis, Graduation Final thesis proposal Fall semester Senior Spring semester Senior Summer Graduate year 6.191 Introduction

4. 6.191 Path to MEng Thesis • Exposure to research opportunities at MIT • Lectures by EECS faculties on their research • Explore state-of-the-art research by teams • Determine students interests • Technical interests, future career opportunities • Define a focused idea • Understand the scope of the idea • Prepare a short presentation • Obtain informal research advisor’s approval • Write-up preliminary thesis proposal 6.191 Introduction

5. Personal Reflection • What are your favor courses, areas? • What am I going to do after MEng? • Ph.D., Professional schools, job, vacation? • Which MIT labs do I know, which ones I like to know better? • How am I going to work with others in a team environment? 6.191 Introduction

6. Some Observations • Getting a thesis project is research and akin to getting a job • Research for potential thesis projects is a similar process for almost all students • Industrial feedback: “lack” negotiation, team working, project management and communication skills 6.191 Introduction

7. Educational Components • Breath of Knowledge • Build prototypes based on state-of-art research • Exposure to a variety of MIT research programs – part of your “rolodex” for the future • Creativity • Develop innovative project ideas based on MIT research • Teamwork • Understand research within MIT community • Generate potential opportunities for thesis projects • Self awareness: work in team environment, define scoped project • Communications & Project Planning • Team and individual presentations • Preliminary thesis proposals 6.191 Introduction

8. Transition to Work • Problem set solving  Project synthesis • Understand opportunities presented by advanced research programs • Develop project ideas that can be completed within limited time • Obtain faculty advisor’s approval (time &$$) • Communicate your idea effectively • Present your capabilities credibly • Akin to a “job search” 6.191 Introduction

9. 6.191 Course Plan - Preliminary 6.191 Introduction

10. Some Past MEng Thesis Projects/Proposals • Web Browser/Linux application on PDA’s • Resource Manager in Intelligent Room • Reverse Engineering TIA chip for Atari • Extend “Alloy” for modeling web applications • Spoken Language System for Mandarin Chinese • Data acq./signal processing for DNA sequencer • Improve efficiency in organic LED’s • Using mobile devices for patient care • Database for W3 medical records • Sketch recognition system for workspace/ AIL 6.191 Introduction

11. Who are We • Prof. Charlie Sodini: MTL, research: mixed signal & communication systems, teaches: IC circuits & devices; co-founder: Small Camera Tech.; President, IEEE Solid State Circuits Society. • Dr. Howie Shrobe: Assoc. Dir., AI Lab., research in intelligent spaces (Proj. Oxygen), Director, DARPA Programs; Director, VLSI Design, Symbolics. Tech. Staff, Honeywell. • Dr. Art Chen: (MIT VIA), retired GE Executive: Director, Information Systems Lab, Corporate Liaison to CMU, Proj. Manager: CT scanner, GE Corporate R&D; SVP, CEO, start-ups, venture investor, Fellow, IEEE. 6.191 Introduction

12. Team Approach to Identify Opportunities • Form small teams (3-4 per team) • Understand research programs of various MIT research labs -- FASTER • Brainstorm on possible project opportunities -- MORE • Limited simulation of “real” work experience • How to form teams • Collect student data: name, interest, contact info, etc. • Assign students to teams • Assign roles among team members • MIT Collaboration Toolbox – a web-based tool 6.191 Introduction

13. Simulate Work Experience • Directed goals: • Understand research programs of labs • Generate possible project ideas • Coach and monitor team outputs • A framework for team action -- Collaboration Toolbox • Brainstorm project ideas • Review team outputs – presentations • Develop individual thesis project proposals • Specific project ideas • “Market” proposed project and student to specific advisor 6.191 Introduction

14. Information for Team Formation • Name, email address, phone number • EECS major, interested areas and courses • Research lab(s) of interest, technical area of interest for thesis project • Desire role in team, if any: leader, recorder, and time keeper • Friends/classmates whom you like to team with 6.191 Introduction

15. Laboratories of Interest • LCS: Systems, software/theory, InterfaceW3, CS & biology • AI: vision, robotics, language, etc. • RLE: electronics, optics, comm./signal process., speech • MTL: microelec., nanotechnology, display • Media Lab: application of computing to media, etc. • LIDS: systems, comm. (optical), control (multivariable) • LEES: electromagnetic & electronic (power) systems • Others: Material Sci., MechEng, Lab for Financial Eng. • Lincoln Lab: electronics, communications (defense) • Draper lab: navigation & control, space technology 6.191 Introduction

16. Homework • Define/understand your goal(s) for 6.191 as inputs to your team’s objective/ mission statement. 6.191 Introduction