Department of Electrical Engineering
Chair: Professor Shih-Fu Chang, 1312 Mudd, 212-854-3105
• visualization for genomics
• digital signal processing of biomolecular sequences
Opportunities for senior students who are willing to commit at least 10 hours per week for either academic credit or wages. Students from all engineering departments are welcomed.
Qualifications include a minimum GPA of 3.5, expertise in MATLAB, and CS course work in data structures. Summer projects are available.
Contact: Professor Dimitris Anastassiou, , 719 CEPSR,
212-854-3113
• bit-parallel wavelength division multiplexed optical data links
• optical packet routing control
Research projects in the Lightwave Systems and Networks Laboratory involve the design and construction of fiber-optic modules, high-speed optical data testing, and application-specific electronic circuitry packaged to interface with the photonic devices. Participating students will learn all aspects of experimental work in fiber optics as well as system-level design aimed toward the application of photonic packet switching to high-performance computing. Participating students are normally in their junior or senior year. For a minimum commitment of 10 hours a week, students can receive academic credit.
Contact: Professor Keren Bergman, , 911 CEPSR, 212-854-2280
• speech analysis, modification, and recognition
• modeling sound understanding in listeners
Signal modeling/analysis and application development projects are available in the Laboratory for Recognition and Organization of Speech and Audio (http://labrosa.ee. columbia.edu). There are opportunities for individual studies as well as participation in ongoing research projects. A signals and systems background (e.g., ELEN E3801) and basic programming skills (e.g., Matlab) are required. Projects are normally for academic credit and require a commitment of 8–10 hours per week.
Contact: Professor Dan Ellis, , 718 CEPSR
chip-to-chip data communication, on-chip signaling, and digital systems
• all-digital solutions for synchronization and clocking
• high-speed circuits for optical interfaces
• power induction and communication for low-cost silicon processing
• design methodologies for future CMOS technologies
Research projects include modeling and circuit design for integrated systems, noise analysis, layout, or software development. Opportunities include projects for credit during the school year and paid summer positions. Prerequisite: ELEN E4312: Analog electronic circuits or E4321: Digital VLSI circuits.
Contact: Professor Azita Emami, , 1025 CEPSR, 212-854-8196
• design of high speed analog or RF integrated circuits in advanced CMOS technologies
• experimental characterization of devices
• VLSI for analog computation, analog or RF signal processing, and wireless or optical communications
• development of design and simulation software (CAD tools) for design productivity improvement
There are several opportunities to set up projects that involve the design and implementation of novel hardware ideas. Students can also participate in ongoing research, including integrated circuit design, circuit simulation, construction of breadboard models of novel circuit concepts, and/or experimental verification of fabricated circuits. Qualifications include a minimum 3.5 GPA and course work in electronics and circuits; familiarity with VLSI CAD tools is a requirement for some projects. For a commitment of 10 hours a week, students can receive academic credit. Summer projects are available.
Contact: Professor Peter Kinget, , 818 CEPSR, 212-854-0309: http://www.cisl.columbia.edu/kinget_group/prospective.html
• analog/digital system interface design, construction, and testing
• laboratory course project development
Research generally involves design, fabrication, packaging, or characterization projects using organic thin film optoelectronic devices. Fabrication is typically performed in the clean room and the group’s facilities under the supervision of a graduate student mentor. Opportunities include projects for credit during the school year, work-study, and paid summer positions.
Contact: Professor Ioannis (John) Kymissis, , 1301 Mudd, 212-854-4023
• spike processing and computation in the cortex
• modeling of the olfactory system of the fruit fly or mouse
Programming projects involving the development of models of brain circuits and subsystems. Academic credit and continuation over the summer possible. Weekly commitment is 10 hours. Prerequisites: BMEB E4011 and excellent knowledge of Matlab.
Contact: Professor Aurel A. Lazar, , 819 CEPSR, 212-854-1747
• semiconductor lasers and optoelectronic devices
• computer-aided design of optoelectronic circuits
• electronic instrumentation and design and testing
• ultrafast lasers and their use
Analysis, software design, laser testing, and assembly activities, for either academic credit or remuneration through work study. Students should anticipate a weekly commitment of 8–10 hours during the academic year and 20–30 hours during the summer. Qualifications include a GPA of 3.5; knowledge of C or C++ is required for programming projects.
Contact: Professor Richard Osgood, , 1322 Mudd, 212-854-4462
• network security and fault detection
• communication protocol design, analysis, implementation, and testing
Research projects involve design and analysis of novel communication network architectures and mechanisms to ensure the networks operate as they are supposed to. Projects that involve mathematical modeling are available for students with exceptional aptitude in algorithms and/or probability. Software design projects are also available: prerequisite knowledge of C, C++, and/or Java required. During the school year, 5–10 hours of work expected per week, 20–40 during summers. Positions for academic credit and paid positions are available. Coursework in algorithms, probability a must. A network-oriented course (COMS W4119 or ELEN E4710) also preferred.
Contact: Dan Rubenstein, , 816 CEPSR, 212-854-0050
• studies of anomalous particle and thermal transport in plasmas
Opportunities in design and construction of diagnostic hardware and software, maintenance of lab equipment, plus mechanical and electrical assembly and computational analysis. The minimum time commitment is 8 hours per week, either as a work-study employee or for academic credit. Knowledge of Fortran or C is required.
Contact: Professor Amiya K. Sen, , 909 CEPSR, 212-854-3124
• low-power mixed-signal integrated circuit design for clocking, communications,
and computation; circuits for power management and conversion
• VLSI for digital signal processing
• circuit design in advanced CMOS technologies, such as double-gate MOS
• computer-aided design for next-generation CMOS
Research projects could include circuit and layout design of integrated circuits, measurement of fabricated hardware, or software development (C++). Opportunities include projects for credit during the school year and paid summer positions. Prerequisite: ELEN E4321 (VLSI circuits). Recommended: One 4000-level analog circuit design course, such as ELEN E4303 or ELEN E4304.
Contact: Professor Ken Shepard, , 1019 CEPSR, 212-854-2529
• mobile and vehicular networking
• design, implementation, and evaluation of networking algorithms
Research projects involve design, analysis, and implementation of protocols for wireless and mobile networks. The protocols will support efficient distributed operation in a mobile environment over an unreliable wireless channel. Requirements: course work in algorithms, good programming skills, and preferably a networking-oriented course (e.g., CSEE W4119 or ELEN E4720). For a commitment of 10 hours a week, students can receive academic credit. Summer projects are also available.
Contact: Professor Gil Zussman, , 811 CEPSR, 212-854-8670