Winter Quarter 2014

David L. Jaffe, MS and Professor Drew Nelson Tuesdays & Thursdays   4:15pm - 5:30pm Thornton Center - Classroom 110

Frequently Asked Questions by Students

1. How do I sign up for this course?
   This three-unit course is available in Axess under ENGR110. If you need to take an upper-level course or are a graduate student, sign up for ENGR210. For students whose schedule does not permit working on a team-based project, one-unit options (with or without a letter grade) are offered.

2. What year should I take the course?
   The course is open to any undergraduate or graduate student from any academic discipline. There are no prerequisites. However students who desire to work on a team-project that involves fabricating a device should consider waiting until their junior or senior year after they have taken a course that requires using the Product Realization Lab.

3. What is the structure of the course?
   The course consists of twice-weekly seminars or facility tours and a team-based assistive technology design project. Lectures start promptly at 4:15pm. Students work in teams and interact with users, project partners, and coaches to identify needs and potential design concepts, fabricate and test a functional assistive technology device, and report the results of their efforts.

4. Can I work on a project if I can’t take ME113 in the Spring Quarter?
   Yes. While the teaching team encourages student teams working on ENGR110/210 projects to continue their efforts into the Spring Quarter in ME113, or CS194, or as independent study, different schedules and situations can be accommodated.

5. What are the enrollment options for the course?

   • Three-unit option for undergraduates - enroll in ENGR110 to participate in a team-based project. This option can be taken for a letter grade or Credit / No Credit. (Projects can be continued in the Spring Quarter in ME113 or CS194.) This option is recommended for juniors and seniors.

   • Three-unit option for graduate students - enroll in ENGR210 to participate in a team-based project. This option can be taken for a letter grade or Credit / No Credit. (Projects can be continued in the Spring Quarter as independent study.)

   • One-unit option for Credit / No Credit - enroll in lecture-only ENGR110/210. This option serves both undergraduate and graduate students whose schedule does not permit working on a team project.

   • One-unit option for a Letter Grade - enroll in the lecture-only ENGR110/210 option in the Winter Quarter either research an assistive technology topic, pursue a "paper design" of an assistive technology device that benefits an individual with a disability or an older adult, or create a work of art. This option serves both undergraduate and graduate students whose schedule does not permit working on a team project, but require a letter grade.

6. Can I take the course for one-unit now, and work on a team project next year?
   Yes, sign up for ENGR110/210 this year and work on a team project next year as independent study (with the approval of your faculty advisor).

7. I am at the limit of the number of units I can take this quarter. Can I enroll for 1 or 2 units and work on a team project?
   Yes, but you are expected to complete all the 3-unit course requirements.

8. What opportunities are there for working on an assistive technology project over the summer?
   Undergraduates in Mechanical Engineering can work on an assistive technology project as a part of the Stanford's Summer Undergraduate Research Institute program.

9. Can you help me with an assistive technology project that is unrelated to the course?
   Yes, I would be pleased to be a resource.

See the course syllabus for more information.