UA College of Engineering Awarded NSF Grant for Internet-Accessible Laboratory Development
The University of Alabama College of Engineering has been awarded a National Science Foundation grant for a research project involving the development of a new Internet-based laboratory that provides instructional material on embedded systems.
Embedded systems are found in many common electronic devices, including consumer electronics (cell phones, digital cameras, personal digital assistants, etc.), computer network equipment, home appliances, office automation, business automation, automobiles, industrial automation, medical equipment, and military applications. By some estimates, embedded systems represent 95-98 percent of the total market share for computing equipment.
The grant, which totals nearly $200,000 for two years, provides a unique environment for students to access expensive, sophisticated equipment either remotely or in a hands-on laboratory setting. The new lab enhances the degree programs of students majoring in computer engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. Enabling students to receive high-tech experience on such equipment better prepares them for the work force.
"The research project was developed through multiple efforts to design a modern computer engineering curriculum focusing on embedded systems," explains Dr. Jeff Jackson, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and project director.
"This laboratory and associated embedded systems curriculum focus makes the electrical and computer engineering program at The University of Alabama both regionally unique and attractive to incoming students," Jackson says. "We hope to attract the brightest students to this program and produce highly qualified engineers for industry and academia."
Jackson works with Drs. Kenneth Ricks and William Stapleton, both assistant professors of electrical and computer engineering, on this project.
In 1837, UA became the first university in the state to offer engineering classes and was one of the first five in the nation to do so. Today, the College of Engineering—with about 1,900 students and more than 90 faculty—is one of the three oldest, continuously operating engineering programs in the country and has been fully accredited since accreditation standards were implemented in the 1930s.
KeyFacts
The University of Alabama had five students named to the USA Today All-USA College Academic Team for 2003—the most awards of any school in the nation. Harvard and Johns Hopkins each had three recipients of the award, and UA had more than Dartmouth and Yale combined. UA's Sarah Adair, a microbiology major from Hartselle, was named to the first team. UA's Kana Ellis, Allison Kellogg, Gabriel Walvatne, and Laura Medders were also among the honorees. USA Today selects the All-USA Academic Team from students throughout the country. They are recognized for grades, awards, leadership roles, and ability to use their academic skills outside the classroom.
The University of Alabama is ranked among the nation's top 50 public universities by U.S. News & World Report.
The University of Alabama's graduates include 15 Rhodes Scholars, 15 Goldwater Scholars, and nine Truman Scholars. Our most recent Rhodes Scholar is Bradley Tuggle, an English major who received the award in 2001.
The University of Alabama's chapter of the prestigious liberal arts honor society Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest of the three chapters in the state.
Approximately 66 percent of UA's undergraduates receive some type of financial aid.
UA ranks as one of the top public universities in enrollment of National Merit, National Achievement, and National Hispanic Scholars. More than 300 of these students are currently enrolled at Alabama.
For over a decade, The University of Alabama has been one of the top public flagship universities in the Southeast in enrollment of African-American students. In fall 2003, African-Americans comprised 10 percent of enrolled freshmen, 14 percent of total undergraduate enrollment, and 13 percent of the student body overall.
Across our beautiful 1,000-acre campus, several buildings dating back to the founding of the university are still in use today—alongside other historic structures and recent construction housing state-of-the-art technology. We offer excellent facilities for study and research, including campus-wide computer labs, multimedia classrooms, and online libraries.
More than 33 percent of the university's entering freshmen and 21 percent of all undergraduates received merit scholarships for the academic year 2002-03.
The University of Alabama debate team holds 14 national championships—two more than our football team!
UA offers 220 degree programs.
Founded in 1831, The University of Alabama was the state's first university.
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