VIP | VIPP 601

Catalogue description

In this course, graduate students engage in research with faculty on multi-disciplinary, team-based research projects that focus on one of two themes: (1) applied industry-focused research that follows the vertically intergrated program track (VIP) or (2) entrepreneurial-based research that aims at developing an idea to a prototype via a startup (Create-X). In both themes, students work with faculty and industry mentors on real projects with students from different majors. Participants develop research experience and team skills, while intergrating knowledge from previous courses and refining their professional skills.

Required or elective

Elective

Credits

VIPP 601 – 3 credits

About VIP and Create-X

A Vertically-Integrated Projects (VIP) Program operates in a research and development context. Graduate students that join VIP teams earn academic credit for their participation in design/discovery efforts that assist faculty with research and development issues in their areas of expertise. VIP teams are multidisciplinary, vertically-integrated (maintaining a mix of undergradate and graduate students), and long-term.

A Create-X projects Program aims at boosting the entrepreneurial confidence of a graduate student and providing him/her with the necessary skills to launch their own startup. Graduate students that join Create-X teams earn academic credit for assisting faculty with research and development issues related to developing an idea to a prototype leading to a possible startup launch.

The design of the VIP or Create-X special project:

Provides the time and context necessary for students to learn and practice different professional skills, make substantial contributions to a research project, and experience different roles on a multidisciplinary team.
Supports long-term interaction between the graduate and undergraduate students on the team.
Enables the completion of applied research projects or product development boosting faculty members' research programs.

Learning outcomes

Learn and practice professional skills
Make substantial contributions to a team project
Experience different roles on a large, multidisciplinary team
Investigate scientific questions as part of a well-organized research project
Present and defend research findings among peers
Interact and consult with entrepreneurs and experts in the field (Create-X)
Enhance their pitching skills in startups (Create-X)
Learn from the experience and advice of seasoned mentors

Project coordination

A VIP project will be coordinated by one lead faculty member (referred to as Project main Investigator (PI)), along with sub-projects Co project Investigators (Co-Is). Beyond project technical issues, the PI will be responsible for coordinating the logistics of each project and ensure smooth integration of the project components.

System overview

week	Activity/Event
Week 1	Introductions, overview of team’s work, discussion of semester goals
Week 2	Sub-team selections finalized, and sub-team meeting times finalized
Week 3	Verification of student participation in class.
Week 4	Workshop 1 on startups (Create-X)
Week 7	Turn in TLV notebooks at team meeting for mid-term grading
Week 8	Midterm presentations
Week 9	Workshop 2 on startups (Create-X)
Week 12	Web-based peer-evaluations released for students to complete. Late submissions will not be accepted
Week 14	Final presentations. Turn in TLV notebooks at team meeting for final

Student evaluation

The premise of VIP is teams working on projects. Much like a real-world team, individual members work on different aspects of the project. The grade is based on three areas. Students must demonstrate achievements in all three areas below.

Documentation and records (25%)

VIP Notebook
VIP Wiki/blog documentation
Code (via GT GitHub) if team is developing software

Personal accomplishments and contributions to the team’s goals (50%)

Quizzes, learning modules, essays, reports required by the advisor(s);
Engagement in project;
Pursuit of knowledge necessary for project;
Contributions to the technical progress of the team;

Teamwork and interaction (25%)

Peer Evaluations;
On-time attendance in meetings;
Coordinates activities with other team members;
Assists other team members;
Team presentation(s).

VIPP 601 equivalence across AUB

VIPP 601 is a course acting as a surrogate for graduate research for different programs across AUB. Table 1 lists the proposed courses across AUB to which VIPP 601 can act as a surrogate. Most programs have equivalent courses either listed as special topics, as design courses, or as tutorial courses.

Table 1 possible courses to which VIPP 601 can act as a surrogate. Tut. (Tutorial); Sp. T. (Special Topic), Pract. (Practicum), Proj. (Special Project) and Res. (Research)

Explore

Courses

VIPP 201

VIPP 202

VIPP 301

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