Executive Summary MathWorks invites educational institutions to submit proposals for the creation of innovative lab curricula in biomedical engineering and robotics. These instructional labs should contain experimental hardware integrated with MathWorks software, or virtual labs that rely on simulation. This request for proposals (RFP) is only being issued to academic institutions that MathWorks has selected for active collaboration. Selected projects will receive a cash grant of up to $40,000, software, and technical guidance for creating or evolving a course or set of courses. Key Dates 1. 11/21/2011: Proposal submission deadline 2. 3/12/2012: Notification of award recipients Introduction and Goals MathWorks invites proposals from eligible educational institutions that are committed to using MATLAB, Simulink, and Model-Based Design to explore teaching and learning innovations at the undergraduate level. MathWorks targets grants for higher education institutions to support creation of new courses (or evolution of existing courses) that combine MathWorks technologies with proven teaching methods, such as active learning techniques and project-based learning, which have both been shown to improve and enhance education. This year s RFP specifically targets administrators and faculty in engineering and science who create undergraduate degree courses featuring hands-on laboratory experiences in the following areas: 1. Bioengineering/ Biomedical Engineering Labs Special consideration will be given to courses that emphasize modeling, simulation, and integration with hardware. Examples: Systems biology, bioinformatics, biomechanics, biomedical instrumentation, biomedical imaging, biomedical signal processing, quantitative physiology. 2. Robotics Special consideration will be given to courses that emphasize computer vision, robot plant modeling, simulation, connection with existing robotics platforms, and integration with hardware. For reference, see SimMechanics, Symbolic Math Toolbox, Simulink 3D Animation, Computer Vision Systems Toolbox, and Stateflow). Examples: Computer Vision, Navigation, Localization and Mapping, Motion Planning, Manipulation, Robot design, Autonomous robotics, Implementation on widely available robotics hardware, Interface to existing robotics platforms In 2012, MathWorks will select approximately 10 proposals to fund. This RFP is available to a select few fouryear accredited colleges and universities. Not all campuses that apply will be selected for funding. Institution eligibility, proposal review considerations, application instructions, and key due dates are listed below. Application forms must be submitted via e-mail in English no later than 5 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 21, 2011. Description of the Grant Award Each 2011 MathWorks education award for colleges and universities supports a campus team of faculty and students to develop uses of technology that enhance the targeted degree programs and courses. The grant can include several elements of support: The MathWorks, Inc Curriculum Development Fund Page 1 of 5
Dedicated MathWorks Technical Evangelist for guidance MathWorks Software for course development, including: o Any MathWorks software package o Necessary hardware connectivity tools MathWorks software for course delivery to match the above development configuration and allow access throughout a lab or classroom. Attendance at the MathWorks education conference in 2012, a gathering of all grant recipients. This is tentatively planned for Sunday, June 9 at the ASEE Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX. You may request funding to cover travel expenses for up to three people in your grant proposal. A cash grant of up to $40,000, which includes covered travel costs. This cash grant can be used for: Costs associated with faculty and/or students supporting the project (Faculty summer stipends are limited to $10,000 total per summer for all faculty.) Purchase of additional project materials, including hardware platforms Travel costs Overhead costs Eligibility Requirements This grant program is competitive. To be considered for a 2012 MathWorks education grant, college and university applicants must: Be an accredited public or private, four-year tertiary educational institution. Be an organization that is consistent with MathWorks nondiscrimination policies and practices. Institutions are not eligible if their primary mission is religious, sectarian, discriminatory, political, or if the organization discriminates on the basis of race, creed, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status. Propose innovations that enhance learning in at least one of the following degree programs: o Engineering o Computer science o Natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, physiology) Describe a project team that includes: o One or more faculty members who will use the technology for teaching o An expert advisor in teaching and learning sciences and/or instructional technology Gain approval of the project from a lead administrator (dean, rector, department head or equivalent) responsible for the degree program Meet the minimum infrastructure requirements to support the use of the technology: o Adequate infrastructure, such as electricity, buildings, and Internet access o Existing or planned high-speed wireless computing environment o IT resources that will be committed to support the use of the granted software Describe the development of a course that will be taught during the 2012-2013 academic year Review Criteria To receive an award, the provided application form must be filled to include all relevant information to meet the criteria below. No supplementary proposal is needed. Criteria to evaluate the proposals will include, but will not be limited to, the following: 1. Primary criteria Plans for innovation in hands-on laboratory courses in the area of: Or Bioengineering/ Biomedical Engineering Labs Special consideration will be given to courses that emphasize modeling, simulation, and integration with experimental hardware. Examples: Systems biology, bioinformatics, biomechanics, biomedical Instrumentation, biomedical imaging, biomedical signal processing, quantitative physiology. The MathWorks, Inc Curriculum Development Fund Page 2 of 5
Robotics Special consideration will be given to courses that emphasize computer vision, physical modeling, simulation, connection with existing robotics platforms, and integration with experimental hardware. For reference, see SimMechanics, Symbolic Toolbox, Simulink 3D Animation, Computer Vision Systems Toolbox, and Stateflow). Topics: Computer Vision, Navigation, Localization and Mapping, Motion Planning, Manipulation, Implementation on existing robotics hardware, Interface to existing robotics platforms. Working Example: Build a simulator and analogous platform connectivity for modeling and testing autonomous robots The investigator must demonstrate familiarity with MathWorks tools. In particular, project proposals must: o Focus on the development of a new class (or on modifications to an existing one) or collection of classes that successfully applies MathWorks tools o Clearly describe why this project is important by explaining the fundamental teaching and learning issues it addresses and by quantifying the number of students it affects o Describe how the awarded funds and MathWorks technology will be used to address the issues expressed in the why question above o Include specific plans for measuring the success of the project in terms of student learning outcomes, such as improved grades, increased enrollment and retention, improved performance on recognized tests, and increased quality of student projects in comparison with baseline data from the years prior to this project o Have specific plans for communicating project outcomes on campus and beyond, and credible plans for promotion, dissemination, and adoption of the curriculum by faculty at other institutions. o Demonstrate active learning techniques in lectures in conjunction with hands-on laboratory environments 2. Preference will be given to proposals and educational institutions that: Combine modeling and simulation with hands-on laboratory activity. Use industry-standard techniques for Model-Based Design Develop course materials using the publish feature of MATLAB Assess existing pedagogy in the subject area, introduce novel uses of MathWorks tools in that field, and describe the enhancements to learning afforded through implementation of our tools. Include specific plans for delivery of the course, including course objectives, rough outline/syllabus, and description of laboratory activities. Have a source of matching funds that will be applied to this project, should it be selected for funding. Include multi-department and/or multi-university collaborations, as with NSF CCLI/TUES Type 2 projects Plan to apply for NSF TUES Phase 1 funding, which requires a one-page summary of planned TUES application Develop new classes that contribute to or complete a full curriculum track using MathWorks products Serve significant numbers of underrepresented, low-income, or otherwise marginalized populations of students, such as women pursuing computer science Propose projects that increase the institution s capacity to offer project-based learning experiences for undergraduate students Enhance required courses rather than elective courses (to ensure broad impact). Identify compelling features of the proposed curriculum that will drive adoption at other institutions. Grant Recipient Commitment Innovation takes time and receiving a grant of this size is a significant commitment on the part of everyone involved. This grant of equipment and cash is awarded to the education institution. The equipment will become property of that organization, to be used by the principal investigator and team for implementation of the proposed project. By accepting the grant award, the organization, its directors, and staff members make the commitment to: Complete the proposed grant project The MathWorks, Inc Curriculum Development Fund Page 3 of 5
Assign one person on the team to be the primary point of contact for MathWorks and who will be responsible for communicating important grant-related information to the entire team Create a public Web page that describes the project, including: o Title o Abstract o Contacts o Project rationale (why project was chosen; what educational issues it addresses) o Implementation (changes in pedagogy; use of technology) o Impact (on teaching and learning) Make any lectures, homework assignments, or supporting materials developed for the course as part of this grant publicly available via either a Web page or through an open courseware repository. These may be password protected, with access provided by request. Use of the publish feature of MATLAB in creating materials is desired when appropriate. Provide MathWorks with private project update reports at major milestones defined in the proposal. Requested data will include: o The number of students impacted o The extent to which the project has impacted student learning (on a scale of 0 4), with a description of the evidence collected (open-ended text describing the outcomes measured). o The extent to which the project has impacted teaching (on a scale of 0 4), with a description of the evidence collected (open ended text describing the outcomes measured) o Unexpected outcomes and other comments o Summary statement from key administrators o Quotes from students and faculty o Suggestions for how MathWorks can enhance this grant initiative Participate in the MathWorks education conference in early 2012 or 2013, which includes an informal presentation Abide by the MathWorks Terms and Conditions accepted during the application process. Note that these will be provided for review by the appropriate grants office after selection for funding. Required Elements of your Proposal Proposals must provide answers, in English, to the questions posed in the application document. Application Process 1. Complete the MathWorks Academic Support Application document using the criteria from this document. The document should be no longer than 10 pages. 2. Submit an electronic copy of your proposal to your assigned Technical Evangelist (listed at the bottom of this document). 3. You will receive an e-mail confirming the receipt (but not completeness or content) of your proposal within 48 hours after the submission deadline. If you do not receive an e-mail confirmation, please contact your assigned Technical Evangelist to confirm that MathWorks received your proposal. Key Dates Proposal submissions start: Now. Proposal submissions deadline: November 21, 2011 at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Notification of recipients: MathWorks will make award announcements no later than March 12, 2012. Start of projects: Summer 2012 Informal presentation about projects at the MathWorks Conference at the ASEE annual conference in June 2012 2012-2013 academic year during which course is taught End-of-2013 academic year report on measure outcomes About MathWorks Since its founding in 1984, MathWorks has become the leading global provider of software for technical computing and Model-Based Design. Headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts, USA, MathWorks currently employs more than 2200 people worldwide. The MathWorks, Inc Curriculum Development Fund Page 4 of 5
The MATLAB and Simulink product families are fundamental computational tools at the world s educational institutions. Adopted by more than 5000 universities and colleges, MathWorks products accelerate the pace of learning, teaching, and research in engineering and science. MathWorks products also help prepare students for careers in industry, where the tools are widely used for research and development. For Further Information Please contact your Technical Evangelist, Todd Atkins directly with any questions. Todd Atkins Technical Evangelist MathWorks http://www.mathworks.com/academia/ e: tatkins@mathworks.com p: 508.647.4663 m: 617.230.8633 The MathWorks, Inc Curriculum Development Fund Page 5 of 5