Homework Assignment for ECE and CS Graduate Seminar 2008
20 ECES 701-001
For this assignment you will research a topic by finding information in the library and its online resources, and write a SHORT paper (less than one page) on your topic. References cited in the text of the paper must be included in a list of references at the end. Be careful to avoid plagiarism, and cite properly, as covered by Professor Mantei. This assignment is due at the start of the seminar October 13, 2008. Satisfactory completion of the assignment is required for seminar credit.
You will need the UC Library Catalog to complete the assignment. Access the catalog from
- five PC workstations in the Engineering Library (Baldwin 8th floor), or
- sixteen stations in the Information Commons next to the Library, or
- ALL the Engineering PC and Unix labs, or
- your own computer.
- Select a specific topic related to your anticipated research area. For a list of suggested areas from which to choose a topic, see the bottom of this assignment page. You may select another topic relevant to your program. Make your topic as specific as possible, for example by limiting to a particular material or application. "Biosensors" is too broad a topic. Narrow it to a particular sensor, a particular purpose, a particular type, etc. You should explore the literature first to help decide what specific area you will focus on.
- Begin your paper with an introductory paragraph describing your topic, including the key terms for the specific aspect or application you are researching.
- Search for information on the topic you just described in the following sources. Keep track of which source your information came from. Each source you use will be cited in your list of references.
Each reference should be unique.
- Find one book. Use the Library Catalog . You may also use e-book collections listed on the Engineering Library website under Books Online. Identify and read pages of the book relevant to your topic. In your list of references, provide a complete reference for the book according to the prescribed format.
- Find one reference book . Use the Reference Guides on the Engineering Library website. Refer to the section of the guides called HANDBOOKS and ENCYCLOPEDIAS. Find the book in the Reference area, or online. When citing the reference book in your bibliography, indicate the specific pages of the book containing relevant information (some e-books don't provide paging).
- Find one journal article using ONE of the following comprehensive indexes. Read the article.
- Find one journal article using INSPEC . Limit the record type to journal papers. Use the "Find It!" feature. Read the article.
- Find one journal article using ONE of the following specialized databases.
- Find an article citing an author or article you have already found using Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI). Click on Web of Science and then Cited Reference Search. If finding a cited author or article is not possible, find an article written by the author of an article you have already found. Use the Find It! button to locate the article. Read the article.
- Search the web for an article on your topic.
- Use Google Scholar Advanced Scholar Search. Select the
subject area Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics and find articles where your words occur in the title of the article. OR
- Use Scirus Advanced Search. You may limit to Computer Science or Engineering, Energy and Technology.
- Based on the information you have read in the seven assigned sources, add a few paragraphs to follow your introductory paragraph (Step 2 above). Use your own words. DO NOT cut and paste information from the abstracts or articles you found. Improper citing of quoted or paraphrased material constitutes plagiarism .
- Conclude the paper with a List of References in an IEEE format. Each source uses its own format; do NOT simply copy the format or attach printouts.
- Each reference cited in your paper should be identified by a number in brackets [ ] corresponding to its number in the list of references.
- References should be numbered in the order they appear in your paper. However for my benefit, preface each reference with the source by which you found the reference, as exemplified below:
- Library catalog (book):
- Reference book from guide (include specific pages as part of the reference):
- Article from Compendex, Scopus, or Academic Search Complete (identify which):
- Article from INSPEC :
- Article from IEEExplore, SPIE Digital Library, or ACM Digital Library (identify which):
- Article from Science Citation Index Expanded (state the name of the cited author after the reference):
- Citation from Google Scholar or Scirus:
Make sure your paper has your name.
Suggested areas from which to choose a topic:
Applied Systems
Intelligent systems
Communication systems
Digital imaging systems
Data processing systems
Computer Science and Engineering
VLSI
Design automation
Computer communication
Compilers
Wireless communication
Artificial intelligence
Advanced analysis of algorithms
Graphics, web-based architecture
Web servers
Materials and Devices
Silicon/germanium alloy for electronic devices
Medical applications
Pressure sensors in modern society
Urbium doping for lasing and silicon dioxide
Heat sinking for electronic power devices
Phase Change Materials and Optical Recording (DVDs)
Silicate Glasses and Optical fibers
IR transmitting Optical Materials and fibers
Nano-materials, science and technology
Semiconductor light generation
Lab-on-a-chip
Bio-sensors
Photonic bandgap devices
Plasma assisted submicron etching
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