Edward H. Currie

A model of entrepreneurship education for computer science and computer engineering students

Creativity and innovativeness are among the most essential attributes of engineering graduates and also of successful entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship, or the process of starting a new venture, is one of the main roads to new technological innovations. This paper presents two novel models of entrepreneurship education integrated in computer science and computer engineering curricula and geared towards computing students with entrepreneurial intentions. To expose all computing students to entrepreneurial ideas and to spark their entrepreneurial spirit, we also developed several entrepreneurship add-on modules for existing CS and CE disciplines. All these programs have been developed and implemented at Hofstra University, with modules implemented also at Qatar University. Preliminary evaluation results are presented and discussed.

Developing the next generation of entrepreneurs

It is clear that much of the worlds technological innovation originates from the domain of the startup, an arena in which the United States has historically played a major role. However, while business and other schools have traditionally offered courses in entrepreneurship, only about one third of all new businesses ever reach profitability and less than half of all new startups survive more than five years. Much of the attrition of small businesses is a result of poor preparation of the founders and the failure of academia to treat entrepreneurship as something more than a purely academic subject. A new program at Hofstra University focuses on a fresh approach to preparing Computer Science and Engineering students in entrepreneurship by providing a curriculum specifically designed to meet the myriad challenges encountered by entrepreneurs in the “real” world.

Patents and intellectual property in entrepreneurship education in computing at Hofstra University

Entrepreneurship is an integral part of the computing education at Hofstra University and consists of: (i) two optional, specialization-type programs as part of undergraduate degrees that target students with strong entrepreneurial interests, and (ii) open seminars and enrichment modules, exposing all majors to entrepreneurial ideas and activities while attempting to spark their creativity and drive for innovation. To educate students and help them understand the purpose, procedures, cost and legal implications of patenting and intellectual property issues and to give them first-hand experience in these subjects, we have included “patents and intellectual property” as one of the facets of the new programs and activities. In this paper, we present the implementation details and we summarize the experiences and practices and draw conclusions. Adoption of modules at Qatar University illustrates the generality and transferability of the approach.

Analog and Digital Filters

This chapter provides an overview of the subject of analog and digital filters describing the basic types, their primary characteristics, some key design criteria, practical considerations in component selection, and modern design tools. Although the subject of filters is quite broad and widely discussed in the literature, fortunately for designers much of the work required to design filters for modern applications has been greatly facilitated by advances in hardware and software.

Programmable Data Communication Blocks

This chapter presents a design methodology for implementing performance-optimized communication subsystems for embedded applications. Serial communication modules based on the SPI and UART standards are detailed, and their implementation using PSoC’s programmable digital block is explained.

An Overview of Mixed-Signal, Embedded System Design

This chapter is intended to serve as an introduction to embedded mixed-signal systems and discusses:

Hardware and Software Subsystems of Mixed-Signal Architectures

This chapter focuses on the main hardware and software subsystems for sensing, processing and control, data communication, and actuation in embedded applications. The PSoC architecture is used to illustrate the subsystems.

Switched-Capacitor Blocks

This chapter 1 presents an introduction to switched capacitor (SC) circuits, and PSoC’s programmable SC blocks.

Continuous-Time, Analog Building Blocks

This chapter 1 presents a discussion of basic concepts of continuous-time analog circuits, including circuit operation and performance characterization in the presence of nonidealities. Also discussed are the uses of PSoC’s programmable, continuous-time, reconfigurable analog blocks as application-specific analog circuits.

Future Directions in Mixed-Signal Design Automation

The goal of embedded system design is to develop customized hardware and software for an embedded application, so that the functional, cost, and performance needs of the application are met.This chapter introduces some of the current challenges related to design automation for analog and mixed-signal systems, as advanced topics. The topics include high-level specification of analog and mixed-signal systems, a simulation method for fast performance estimation and high-level synthesis of analog subsystems.