The Vanderbilt School of Engineering will introduce a class focused on smart phone technology next year in collaboration with and AT&T The course will be a modification of the current EECE 261 and 262 classes, allowing students to apply networking theory to iPhone applications.
It has only been one year since Apple began allowing third party developers to write software for the iPhone and Google released Android, its phone programming system. However, such curriculum transitions are necessary to compete with other top universities, such as Stanford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who have already established similar programs.
Research Assistant Professor of Computer Science Jules White, who expects the engaging format of the course to increase interest in the class, will teach the course.
“Ever since the dot-com age, we’ve seen a drop off in computer science courses,” White said. “We think these courses are crucial to make the subject interesting again.”
The department hopes to expand the course from its current enrollment of 11 students to about 20-30.
“The way you (increase popularity) is by bringing in the cooler stuff, so we decided to go with smart phones. That’s where the real money is at,” said junior Hamilton Turner, who is majoring in computer engineering.
The course can result in a big payoff for businesses as well.
“The companies are very excited about getting involved. We get a chance to use their devices and they get the opportunity to let a bunch of bright students develop applications for them,” said Professor of Computer Science Doug Schmidt.
According to Schmidt, Apple has already donated five iPhones for the class.
The expanding possibilities of smart phone technology will allow students to apply computer theory on an entirely new level. Phones are increasingly adopting many functions of the computer and more focus in being put on wireless technologies.
“We wanted the course to keep its strong focus on theory and also emphasize this brand new world of networking,” White said.
Although he is currently enrolled in the class, Turner will work with White to develop the new curriculum this summer.
According to Turner, the course would consist of about 10 programming projects, allowing students to grow familiar with applying the abstract theories to real world models. The course will also allow for plenty of experimentation.
“If you have a good idea and we like your concept, we’ll say ‘sure, do it!’” Turner said.
“As far as engineering is going, and this is from the students’ perspective, we don’t do early enough hands on,” Turner said.
The redesign of the computer engineering class could be a move toward a more application-based curriculum.
“Its students like Hamilton Turner and (junior) Ben Gotow who are really helping to push the curriculum to evolve,” Schmidt said. “It’s a great example of student initiative.”
Schmidt said such programs might also be a selling point for potential Vanderbilt students.
The EECE class will be a two-part course offered in the fall and spring semesters.
Listen to Prof. Doug Schmidt and Prof. Jules White discuss the class and it's objectives in a podcast here: Engineering faculty discuss smartphone class
