Education

Education Objectives
Courses at Boston University
Seminars and Workshops
Student Research and Projects
Research Experience for Undergraduates
K-12 Pathways

Education Objectives

The Smart Lighting Center at Boston University (SLC/BU) seeks to generate systematic improvements in engineering curricula, pedagogy and learning styles to prepare an interdisciplinary community of students for successful competition in the global economy. Students will explore interdisciplinary problem-based learning experiences that connect fundamental engineering knowledge, best practices in design, product development and entrepreneurship, and contemporary engineering tools.  A systems approach to framing and solving problems will be developed in both basic research and applications in smart lighting, integrating sound technical fundamentals, business considerations, understanding of social and environmental impacts, and the needs of a technical workforce prepared to make difficult systems-level tradeoffs. 

SLC/BU offers students:
• Exceptional research based on strong fundamental science
• Engagement with industry, National Labs, domestic and international universities, K-14 schools and museums
• Encouragement for a more diverse student body and workforce

Through innovative education programs:
• “Science You Can See” - Builds on suitability of light for visual experience
• “Learn by Teaching” - Builds on principle that teaching educates educators
• “Beyond Research” - Spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, IP, VC.
• New undergraduate and graduate courses
• Summer programs, internships, exchanges, Chautauqua, REU, and RET

Serving communities including:
• University students and faculty
• Practitioners in industry
• K-12 students and teachers
• General public with global reach

In close partnerships with:
• Outreach partner universities
• Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) and museums
• New York State Department of Education
• International partner universities
• Industry and government labs

For more information, contact Education Outreach Coordinator Michael Ruane.

Courses at Boston University

This list includes undergraduate, graduate 500-level, and advanced graduate courses that would interest students involved with Smart Lighting.  

ENG EC 415 Communication Systems Prereq:(ENGEC401) equivalent *Signal analysis and transmission: amplitude modulation, angle modulation, pulse-amplitude and pulse-code modulation; amplitude shift-keying, frequency shift-keying, phase-shift keying. Case studies of practical communication systems. Includes lab. 4 cr, either sem. 4 cr. either sem.

ENG EC 441 Introduction to Computer Networking Prereq:(ENGEC381 & ENGEC401) *Computer networks, focusing on the Internet. Application protocols (Web, E-mail), basics of socket programming, major Internet protocols (TCP and IP), fundamental aspects of routing and reliable data transfer over networks, medium access protocols, wired and wireless Local Area Networks (LANs) technologies. Hands-on laboratory modules on client-server programming, Internet experiments, and protocol implementation. Includes lab. 4 cr, either sem. 4 cr. either sem.

ENG EC 515 Digital Communication Prereq:(ENGEC415 & ENGEC381) Channel characterization; signal design; optimal receivers; coherent and noncoherent digital signaling; intersymbol interference; baseband shaping; equalization, synchronization, and detection; multicarrier modulations, and spread shaping spectrum techniques. 4 cr. either sem.

ENG EC 520 Digital Image Processing and Communication Prereq:(ENGEC381 OR ENGEC416) or equivalent Review of signals and systems in multiple dimensions. Sampling of still images. Quantization of image intensities. Human visual system. Image color spaces. Image models and transformations. Image enhancement and restoration. Image analysis. Image compression fundamentals. Image compression standards (JPEG, JPEG-2000). Homework will include MATLAB assignments. 4 cr. 1st sem.

ENG EC 541 Computer Communication Networks Prereq:(ENGEC441) Basic delay and blocking models for computer communications: M/M/1 queue; Jackson networks and loss networks; analysis of MAC protocols; flow control for data traffic; TCP and active queueing mechanisms for congestion control; traffic shaping and network calculus; packet switch architectures and scheduling algorithms; routing algorithms; flow assignment and fairness. 4 cr. either sem.

ENG EC 544 Networking the Physical World Prereq:(ENGEC312 OR ENGEC450) ENG EC 441 is desirable, C programming experience required. Considers the evolution of embedded network sensing systems with the introduction of wireless network connectivity. Key themes are computing optimized for resource constrained (cost, energy, memory and storage space) applications and sensing interfaces to connect to the physical world. Studies current technology for networked embedded network sensors including protocol standards. A laboratory component of the course introduces students to the unique characteristics of distributed sensor motes including programming, reliable communication, sensing modalities, calibration, and application development. Experience with the C language is required. Same as ENGME544. Students may not receive credit for both. 4 cr. either sem.

ENG EC 560 Introduction to Photonics Prereq:(CASPY313) Introduction to ray optics, wave optics, Fourier optics, absorption, dispersion. Polarization, anisotropic media, and crystal optics. Guided-wave and fiber optics. Laboratory experiments: interference; diffraction and spatial filtering; polarizers, retarders, and liquid-crystal displays; fiber-optic communication links. 4 cr. either sem.

ENG EC 574 Physics of Semiconductor Materials Prereq:(CASPY313 OR ENGEC410) or equivalent This course teaches the relevant notions of quantum mechanics and solid state physics necessary to understand the operation and the design of modern semiconductor devices. Specifically, this course focuses on the engineering aspects of solid state physics that are important to study the electrical and optical properties of semiconductor materials and devices. Particular emphasis is placed on the analysis of the electronic structure of semiconductor bulk systems and low-dimensional structures, the study of the carrier transport properties and the calculation of the optical response that are relevant to the design and optimization of electronics and photonics semiconductor devices. The students will learn to apply the quantum mechanical formalism to the solution of basic engineering device problems (quantum wells, wires, and dots, 2D electron gas) and to perform numerical calculation on more complex systems (band structure calculation of bulk and low dimensional systems). 4 cr. 1st sem.

ENG EC 591 Photonics Lab I Prereq:(CASPY313) or equivalent Coreq:(ENGEC560) Introduction to optical measurements. Laser safety issues. Laboratory experiments: introduction to lasers and optical alignment; interference; diffraction and Fourier optics; polarization components; fiber optics; optical communications; beam optics; longitudinal laser modes. Optical simulation software tools. 2 cr. On Demand

ENG EC 715 Wireless Communications Prereq:(ENGEC515) Design and analysis of robust wireless communication systems. Radio-channel modeling: propagation, path loss, multipath, and fading. Cellular system design. Coding, diversity, and equalization. Multi-antenna channels, Multicarrier modulations, Spread-spectrum and CDMA techniques. Multiuser scheduling. Case studies. Multiple-access, mobility, and networking issues. 4 cr. either sem.

ENG EC 741 Randomized Network Algorithms Prereq: Graduate course in probability (EK500/EC505/EC541, etc.) Probabilistic techniques and paradigms in the design and evaluation of network algorithms. Review of basic concepts in probability, graph theory, and algorithms. Tail inequalities and Chernoff bounds. Ball and bins and random graph models. Markov chains and random walks. The probabilistic method. Monte Carlo methods. Introduction to martingales, networking applications: distributed content storage and look-up in P2P networks, IP traceback, fountain codes, universal hash functions, packet routing. 4 cr. On Demand

ENG EC 744 Mobile Ad Hoc Networking and Computing Prereq:(ENGEC541) Mobile routers, wireless interconnectivity, and an unpredictably changing topology characterize a Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET). Covers MANET-specific topics related to resource discovery, handoff, MAC-layer, security, routing, mobility and location management, self-organization, caching, and practical implementations. 4 cr. 2nd sem.

ENG EC 749 Interconnection Networks for Multicomputers Prereq:(ENGEC513 & ENGEC534 & ENGEC541) Interconnection network topologies. Static and dynamic networks. Routing in multicomputer networks. Network flow control. Deadlocks in routing. Multicast and broadcast. Fault-tolerance and reliability of interconnection networks. Modules for realization (nodes and routers). Performance metrics for different topologies. 4 cr. On Demand

ENG EC 760 Advanced Topics in Photonics This is an advanced special topics course in photonics; topics will vary from year to year. It will be offered in the spring term when there is no other 700-level course in the photonics area. Students who take the course on two different topics would be able to receive credit for it twice. Some of these offerings may become a permanent part of the curriculum in the future. 4 cr. either sem.

ENG EC 764 Optical Measurement Prereq:(ENGEC560) Detailed discussion of basic principles of major optical effects such as interference, diffraction, and polarization. Analysis of practical applications of interferometry, ellipsometry, photometry, and laser spectroscopy in modern optical measurement such as characterization of industrial processes, environmental control, communication, and laboratory research. 4 cr. On Demand

ENG EC 771 Physics of Compound Semiconductor Devices Prereq:(ENGEC574 OR ENGEC575 OR CASPY543) Physics of present-day compound devices, and emerging devices based on quantum mechanical phenomena. MESFETs, Transferred Electron Devices, avalanche diodes, photodetectors, and light emitters. Quantum mechanical devices based on low dimensionality confinement through the formation of heterojunctions, quantum wells, and superlattices. High electron mobility transistors, resonant tunneling diodes, quantum detectors, and lasers. Materials growth and characterization are integral to the course. 4 cr. either sem.

ENG EC 774 Semiconductor Quantum Structures and Photonic Devices Prereq:(ENGEC574) or equivalent Optical properties of semiconductors: interband optical transitions; excitons. Low-dimensional structures: quantum wells, superlattices, quantum wires, quantum dots, and their optical properties; intersubband transitions. Lasers: double-heterojunction, quantum-well, quantum-dot, and quantum-cascade lasers; high-speed laser dynamics. Electro-optical properties of bulk and low-dimensional semiconductors; electroabsorption modulators. Detectors: photoconductors and photodiodes; quantum-well infrared photodetectors. 4 cr. On Demand

ENG EC 777 Nanostructure Optics Prereq:(ENGEC560 & ENGEC574) Discussion of the fundamental physical aspects and device applications of optical fields confined and generated in nanoscale environments. Review of classical electrodynamics and angular spectrum representation of optical fields, classical and quantum models for light-matter interaction, light emission from semiconductor quantum dots and wires, surface-plasmon polaritons and sub-wavelength light transport/localization in metal nanostructures, slot waveguide structures, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and SERS-based sensors, light scattering in complex photonic structures such as: metal-dielectric photonic crystals, fractal structrures, random lasers. 4 cr. On Demand

ENG EK 280 Technology and Society *Examination of technology as a fundamental element of and driving force in our culture. Balanced understanding of the promises, consequences, and dilemmas brought about by specific technologies. Opportunity to improve critical thinking abilities and to broaden perspectives and sense of responsibility of new professionals as they become involved in decisions related to technology. ENG EK 280 (for engineering students) meets with CAS SO 277 (for non-engineering students) and fulfills 4 credit hours of social science elective as a sociology course. The course cannot be used as a core elective. 4 cr. 2nd sem.

ENG ME 535 Green Manufacturing Prereq: Senior/graduate standing; CASCH101 or CASCH131; CASMA226; ENGME304 orENGEK424; ENGME465 or ENGME529; or consent of instructor. Provides a systems view of the manufacturing process that aims to efficiently use energy, water, and raw materials to minimize air and water pollution and generation of waste per unit of the manufactured product. Specifically, the course will discuss methods to maximize yield and minimize waste effluents in processes, ways to devise treatment strategies for handling manufacturing wastes, innovative ways to decrease energy consumption in manufacturing, by-product use and product recycling, and policies that encourage green manufacturing. Meets with ENGMS535. Students may not receive credit for both. (Formerly ENGMN535) 4 cr. either sem.

ENG ME 755 Communication Networks Control Prereq:(ENGME714) or consent of instructor. Systems and control perspective into communication networks research. Fundamental systems issues in networking. Survey of a variety of techniques that have recently been used to address networking issues, including queueing theory, optimization, large deviations, Markov decision theory, stochastic approximation, and game theory. Topics will vary from year to year, depending on recent developments in the field. Illustrative topics include: network services and layered architectures, performance analysis in networks, traffic management and congestion control, traffic modeling, admission control, flow control and TCP/IP, routing, network economics and pricing. Meets with ENGSE755. Students may not receive credit for both. (Formerly ENGMN755) 4 cr. 2nd sem.

K-12 Pathways

SLC/BU will offer a mix of pathways for student learning, with entry points for students from the K-12 to post-doctoral levels. An outreach component will bring the lessons of SLC/BU to the K-12 community through established ties with the Boston Public Schools, Newton Public Schools, Arlington Public Schools, New England community colleges, professional associations, and others. SLC/BU faculty and students will use the familiar experiences we all have with lighting to motivate and inform younger students about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), to prepare students pursuing technician-level careers at technical high schools and community colleges, and to educate the public about Smart Lighting.