University of Nevada, Reno

Departments of Electrical Engineering

and

Mechanical Engineering

 

EE491/MECH452

A Special Inter-Disciplinary Class for Senior

Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Students

on Innovation and Entrepreneurship

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNIVERSITY

OF NEVADA

                                                                             Reno

 

 

 

 

 

LEMELSON CENTER FOR

INVENTION, INNOVATION

AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT/260

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO

TELEPHONE: (775) 784-6927

FAX: (775) 784-6627


University of Nevada, Reno

Departments of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

Reno, NV 89557-0153

 

 

 

 

EE491/MECH452

 

 

 

A Special Inter-Disciplinary Class for Senior

Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Students

on Innovation and Entrepreneurship

 

 

 

Spring Semester 2000

 

 

 

 

Professors:

J.A. Kleppe, Ph.D., P.E.

SEM Room: 332A

784-6927

784-6944

kleppe@ee.unr.edu

E.L. Wang, Ph.D.

PE Room: 119

784-6931

784-6094

elwang@unr.edu

 

Graduate Assistant:

Jim Saxton, BSME

 

Principal Research and Design Engineer:

 

Dana McPherson

SEM Room: 351

784-6919

 

 

Senior Development Engineer:

 

Mike Lemich

PE Room: 10

784-6795


EE 491 - ENGINEERING DESIGN/ANALYSIS

MECH 452 - DESIGN SYNTHESIS

SPRING SEMESTER 2000

 

 

1999-2000 CATALOG DATA

 

EE 491                ENGINEERING DESIGN/ANALYSIS (4+0) 4 CREDITS

                                Innovation, entrepreneurship and design of products.  Proposal writing and design and fabrication procedures used by industry.  Prerequisites: EE 321, 336, 490.  For electrical engineering majors only.  (MAJOR CAPSTONE COURSE) ABET DESIGN CREDITS = 4

 

MECH 452                Creation and optimization systems using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) facilities.  Economic aspects are included.  Prerequisite:  MECH 351.  (Major capstone course)

 

TEXTBOOKS:

(1)                STOLZE, W.J. (1999), "STARTUP: AN ENTREPRENEUR'S GUIDE TO LAUNCHING AND MANAGING A NEW BUSINESS", CAREER PRESS, 1999, 5th EDITION, ISBN 1-56414-2423

 

(2)                STOLZE, W.J. (1997), "STARTUP FINANCING: AN ENTREPRENEUR'S GUIDE TO FINANCING A NEW OR GROWING BUSINESS", CAREER PRESS, 1997 ISBN 1-56414-271x

 

REFERENCES:

(1)                BANDROWSKI, J.F. (1990), "CORPORATE IMAGINATION PLUS - FIVE STEPS TO TRANSLATING INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES INTO ACTION", THE FREE PRESS - A DIV OF MACMILLAN PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK.  ISBN 0-02-901501-4

 

(2)                BIGGS, D. (1995) "DEFINING, DESIGNING AND LAUNCHING MARKET AIMED PRODUCTS", DOGWOOD PUBLISHING CO., MARIETTA, GA, ISBN 0-9621118-8-0

 

(3)                MacVICAR, D. and D. THRONE (1992)  "MANAGING HIGH-TECH START-UPS", BUTTERWORTH-HEINEMANN, BOSTON ISBN 0-7506-9247-2

 

SUMMARY

                This is a very demanding class. The students are separated into companies with no more than six persons in each group.  The companies can earn a maximum of 10,000 points allocated as follows:

               

               

Week

Task

Max. Points

1,2,3,4,5

Prepare written proposal and present to class

2,000

6,7,8,9,10

Order materials, breadboard system, consider design problems and packaging of final product, progress reports 1,2.

3,000

11,12

Breadboard complete, prepare final engineering drawings for finished product.

2,000

13,14

Complete project, prepare final report, or IEEE paper.

1,000

15

Present completed project to faculty and invited guests

2,000

 

Total

10,000

 


EE 491 - ENGINEERING DESIGN/ANALYSIS

MECH 452 - DESIGN SYNTHESIS

SPRING SEMESTER 2000

 

 

NOTE: 11-12 FRIDAY ARE TO BE USED BY STUDENTS TO WORK ON THEIR PROJECTS

 

Points

Week

Date

Time

Activity

 

1

1/19

11

First class introduction by Dr. Kleppe

 

 

1/21

1-5

Lecture on writing proposals and how to order parts.

 

2

1/24

11

Special Film

 

 

1/26

11

Special Film

 

 

1/28

1-5

Lecture on financial statements and fiscal reporting requirements for a company, Mr. Larry Mace, Grant Thornton.

 

3

1/31

11

Job Search and Employment Strategies - Pru S. Jones - UNR Career Development Center

2000

 

2/02

11

Job Search and Employment Strategies - Pru S. Jones - UNR Career Development Center

 

 

2/04

1-5

The innovation process and the development of new products - Kleppe

 

4

2/07

11

"Managing High Tech Start-Ups" - Darwin Throne, author and small business entrepreneur.

 

 

2/09

11

Written proposals due, present oral (Two classrooms)

 

 

2/11

1-5

Written proposals due, present oral

 

5

2/14

11

"Money, Banking, and Venture Capital", Mr. Richard Deglman, Senior Vice President, Pioneer Citizens Bank.

 

 

2/16

11

NO CLASS - Work on projects

 

 

2/18

1-5

Special lecture by an experienced entrepreneur, some case histories, Darren McBride - Sierra Computers, Inc.

 


University of Nevada, Reno

Electrical Engineering Department

EE 491/ MECH 452  - Project Schedule of Events

SPRING SEMESTER 2000

 

 

 

Points

Week

Date

Time

Activity

 

6

2/21

11

NO CLASS - PRESIDENT'S DAY

 

 

2/23

11

Mr. Rich Minetto - Energy Source, LLC "Engineering Ethics."

 

 

2/25

1-5

Submit Progress Report #1 and make oral presentations

3000

7

2/28

11

Mr. Steve Schneiderman, Senior VP, Miller Freeman Inc., "Guerrilla Marketing For Entreprenuers".

 

 

3/01

11

Lecture by Mr. David Mallery, Hewlett Packard, on the design and development of products for local area networks and what it is like to work for a large company

 

 

3/03

1-5

Lecture on product liability - Mr. Ross Hill

 

8

3/06

11

Mr. Don Costar - Inventing

 

 

3/08

11

Mr. Bryan Leipper - How to Start and Run a Consulting Business

 

 

3/10

1-5

Lecture on Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks. - Mr. Warren Kujawa, San Francisco

 

9

3/13

11

"Technology and Business Development" - Mr. Jim Kubinec - Acuitive Inc.

 

 

3/15

11

Lecture on Starting a Business using venture capital Mr. Bob Wang, Chairman, R2 Technology

 

 

3/17

1-5

Submit written Progress Report #2 and make oral presentations.   Last day to order parts. NO EXTENSIONS ARE ALLOWED.

 

10

 

 

SPRING BREAK 3/20/2000 - 3/24/2000


 

University of Nevada, Reno

Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Departments

EE 491/ MECH 452  - Project Schedule of Events

SPRING SEMESTER 2000

 

 

Points

Week

Date

Time

Activity

 

11

3/27

11

Experiences with Starting and Managing a High Technology Company - Mr. Tom Potter, Reno Agriculture and Electronic Inc.

 

 

3/29

11

NO CLASS - Work on projects

2000

 

3/31

1-5

Lecture by Dr. Paul MacCready - Chairman of AeroVironment, Inc., United States Inventor of the Year and recipient of many other awards

 

12

4/03

11

Product Design for Safety and Product Liability - Mr. Larry Morgan, Black & Decker Company

 

 

4/05

11


NO CLASS - Work on projects

 

 

4/07

1-5

Lecture by Mr. Dave Biggs on the methodology of product development

 

13

4/10

11

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)  Program, past, present and future - Kleppe

 

 

4/12

1 - 5

NO CLASS - Work on projects

1000

 

4/14

 

Lecture on translating innovation strategies into action - Mr. Jim Bandrowski - Author of "Corporate Imagination - Plus"

 

14

4/17

11

What to expect when you graduate - Mr. Mark Looney, UNR Grad.

 

 

4/19

11

NO CLASS - Work on projects

 

 

4/21

1-5

Submit final written report, oral presentations

 

15

4/24

11

NO CLASS - Work on projects

2000

 

4/26

11

NO CLASS - Work on projects

 

 

4/28

11

Oral presentation of completed projects to faculty and invited guests

 


University of Nevada, Reno

 

 

EE491 / MECH 452

Proposal Evaluation Sheet

 

Company Name:                                                              Maximum                             Actual

Date:                                                                                 Points                             Points

 

 

Format: The proposal should be neat, well organized and easy to read. 100 _________ 

Technical Background and Significance of the Problem or Opportunity: Make a clear statement of the significance of the specific technical problem or opportunity addressed.  This section also should provide a thorough discussion of the technical background of the stated problem or opportunity.  It is in this discussion that management determines the extent of the proposers knowledge in this area. 100 _________

 

Objectives: Briefly outline (a) the specific objectives of project, (b) technical approach the to be used in solving the problem or developing the product and (c) the anticipated results of the project. 100 _________

 

Research or Product/Process Development Plan: This is the principal part of the proposal.  The research plan should include in narrative form a (1) technical discussion of the problem or opportunity and (2) discussion of how this research or R&D will achieve major benefits in terms of significant research results, improved products or processes, or in solving important technical problems which could substantially reduce costs or improve performance.  Where possible, the methods and task to be performed should be outlined in logical sequence and explained in detail.  Do not assume the reviewer will fill in the gaps in your logic. 100 _________

 

Be candid and state where problems exist and additional work may be needed to prove your idea or innovative approach.  Incremental improvements are not the objective of the EE 491/MECH 452 program.  High-risk innovations are.  Factual rather than promotional information is requested.

 

Related Research or Product Development: Describe significant, recently completed or current research, product development or success that (a) you have achieved in the field and (b) others have achieved that is directly related to the proposed effort.  Describe how this relates to the proposed effort and why your effort is different.  You must demonstrate a knowledge of state-of-the-art R&D in your project area.  The proposer should include a current bibliography of directly relevant technical literature that has been reviewed. 100 _________

 

Key Personnel: Identify key personnel and describe directly related education and experience. 100 _________

 

Facilities: Describe the relevant instrumentation and facilities available or required to complete the research or product development. 100 _________

 

Budget: Include a budget that estimates the R&D costs and provides some market projections for expected revenues from the product development effort. 100   

 

Oral Presentation: Should be no more than 10 minutes, well organized and use visual aids where needed. 200    

                                Totals:                                                    1,000                                                                                          

 

                                Final Points Awarded:                                                                               

 


 

Comments by Management:

 

1) Proposal is:                                 Accepted

                                Rejected

 

2)      Reasons for action

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________          ______________________________

Dr. John Kleppe                                                               Dr. Eric Wang

 


TEAM MEMBER EVALUATION FORM

 

COURSE                                :_______________________

 

SEMESTER                                :_______________________

 

TEAM#                                :_______________________

 

PROJECT                                :_______________________

 

YOUR NAME                                :_______________________

 

1.       The efforts of any one member of your group are to be compared to the average effort put forth by all of the members of the group.  This average is a score of 100.  If everyone is equal, everyone gets 100.

 

2.       Write the names of your group members INCLUDING YOURSELF in alphabetical order by last name:

A.                                                              E.                                        

B.                                                              F.                                        

C.                                                              G.                                       

D.                                       

 

3 -     For each statement below, determine the score which each group member, including yourself, should receive and enter the appropriate number in the blank provided.  Scores usually range between 80 and 120 (80 = 80% of the group average, 120 = 120% of the group average, etc.) but may be higher than 120 or lower than 80. (Note: for each statement, the scores must average 100 going across each row.  To insure this please check to see that the total of the scores for each row is equal to the number of people scored multiplied by 100.)

 

 

ITEM

ELEMENT

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

Row

Total

1

Was on time for group meetings and stayed for the duration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

Coordinated his/her schedule with the group so meetings were easy to plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

Contributed to development of the group's plan work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

Met task deadlines that were set by the group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

Contributed useful ideas to the group's work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

Analyzed and critiqued other group members ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

Helped the group stay organized and progress toward its goals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

Contributed positively to group camaraderie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

Made significant contributions to the group's written report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

Made significant contribution in preparing or delivering the group's presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total score for each person: Add down the column.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average score for each person: Divide the total score by 10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


University of Nevada, Reno

EE 491 / MECH 452

Personnel Evaluation Form

 

This form is to be used by each EE 491 / MECH 452 company president to evaluate personnel within his/her company.

 

 

 

Company Name:                                                                  

 

Evaluator:                                                                             

 

Date:                                      

 

 

 

General Evaluation Concerning:

 

                                                                                               

First                   Middle                                     Last

 

 

 

Note:      If you are not knowledgeable about a trait(s) - leave blank

 

Rating of General Attributes:

Excels

Good

Average

Fair

Poor

Ability to Express Self

 

 

 

 

 

Judgment

 

 

 

 

 

Cooperation

 

 

 

 

 

Creativity

 

 

 

 

 

Initiative

 

 

 

 

 

Reliability

 

 

 

 

 

Enthusiasm

 

 

 

 

 

Technical Ability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have read this evaluation and:

 

                [    ]                AGREE

               

                [    ]                DO NOT AGREE

 

 

 

Signature of person being evaluated:                                                                                               Date:                     

(Must be signed to be valid.)


EE 491/MECH 452 BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION

 

 

Company Name: ___________________________________________

 

All participating employees need to be listed below.  Their name, title, phone number, and signature must be included for consideration.

 

NAME:                                 ____________________________

TITLE:                                ____________________________

PHONE NUMBER:                                ____________________________

EMAIL:                                ____________________________

SIGNATURE:                                ____________________________

 

NAME:                                 ____________________________

TITLE:                                ____________________________

PHONE NUMBER:                                ____________________________

EMAIL:                                ____________________________

SIGNATURE:                                ____________________________

 

NAME:                                 ____________________________

TITLE:                                ____________________________

PHONE NUMBER:                                ____________________________

EMAIL:                                ____________________________

SIGNATURE:                                ____________________________

 

NAME:                                 ____________________________

TITLE:                                ____________________________

PHONE NUMBER:                                ____________________________

EMAIL:                                ____________________________

SIGNATURE:                                ____________________________

 

NAME:                                 ____________________________

TITLE:                                ____________________________

PHONE NUMBER:                                ____________________________

EMAIL:                                ____________________________

SIGNATURE:                                ____________________________

 

NAME:                                 ____________________________

TITLE:                                ____________________________

PHONE NUMBER:                                ____________________________

EMAIL:                                ____________________________

SIGNATURE:                                ____________________________

 


EE 491/MECH 452  

 

Company Name: ___________________________________________

 

President: _________________________________________________

 

 

Project preferences: list first 5 choices by number in order of preference or write in your own idea.

 

  1. __________________________________

 

  1. __________________________________

 

  1. __________________________________
  2. __________________________________
  3. __________________________________