Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Montana State University

EE301:  Multidisciplinary Seminars

Fall Semester 2009
Section 1 (CRN 22021)

Coordinator:
    Prof. Robert C. Maher
    610 Cobleigh Hall, 994-7759, rob.maher@montana.edu

Course Description

MSU Catalog
This course offers students an opportunity to broaden their horizons in technical and non-technical fields outside their own discipline. Students attend a variety of seminars from departments across campus. The majority of these must be outside their home department with a maximum of four from any one department. To provide a writing/communications component, students will submit a memo report describing each seminar attended. Types of presentations that could be used to satisfy the requirements of this course include formal presentations on- or off-campus, research colloquia, thesis defenses, etc.

• There are no formal (scheduled) class meetings.
• You must attend at least 12 seminars or presentations during the semester.
• You don't necessarily have to attend one per week but it would be a good idea to do so.
• You may attend no more than four seminars from any one department or organization.
• You may attend no more than two performing arts presentations (music recitals, dances, plays, etc.)
• Seminars and presentations must be at least 50 minutes long and be informative in some sense.  The presentations need not be purely technical, but acceptable events cannot be parties, receptions, social club meetings, or other informal activities that are predominantly for recreation and entertainment.

  Typical on-campus presentations include:

  • Research colloquia
  • Thesis defense presentations
  • Invited speakers
  • Brown bag seminars

   

• You may attend pre-approved off-campus meetings and seminars. Pre-approval is granted for professional meetings, such as IEEE branch meetings and local government meetings (city and county commission, planning board, etc.). Political candidate forums organized by non-political organizations (such as League of Women Voters, etc.) may be acceptable but must be pre-approved. E-mail Dr. Maher to gain approval for presentations you would like to attend.

Report Requirements:

• A memo report is due no later than three school days following the presentation.  Please submit your report via email to Dr. Maher.
• The memo is to include at least the following information:

• Your name
• Presenter's name
• Date/Time/Location
• Title of presentation
• Type of talk or presentation
• A brief summary of the presentation in your own words (1-2 paragraphs)
• A description of your interest in the topic and what you learned from it

Grading:

Course final grades will be based on memo reports submitted. Any memos submitted later than three days after the presentation will NOT receive credit.