Vertically Integrated Projects

VIP

The Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program is a long-term research and development initiative started at the Georgia Institute of Technology with the purpose of extending the academic research and design process beyond the typical semester and/or year-long course.  By allowing for student participation for up to three years, students have time and context to learn and practice professional skills, and develop core competencies in their desired fields of expertise.  The VIP program cultivates a strong academic environment, where faculty and graduate students mentor student teams, with experienced students moving into leadership and mentorship roles as others graduate.

In May 2015, representatives from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa joined the VIP consortium, alongside 16 other institutions.  The RIP lab oversees the following VIP programs:

For information on other VIP teams at the University of Hawaiʻi, visit the University of Hawaiʻi Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program homepage.

Program Manager/Instructor/Lab Director

A Zachary Trimble
Email: atrimble@hawaii.edu
Phone: +1 (808) 956-7597
Office: Holmes Hall 304

Expectations

  • Safety
    • Work practices and attitude (including lab cleanliness)
  • Professionalism
    • Complete tasks on time
    • Commitment to the operational success of the project
    • Follow protocol and directions
    • Provide a meaningful contribution
    • Responsiveness
    • Attendance and punctuality
    • Multi-year commitment
    • Happy smiley face – rising tide lifts all boats
  • Time (Expected average weekly commitment 3 times the credit hours)
    • 1 Credits: 3 hours per week (ENGR 196)
    • 2 Credits: 6 hour per week (ENGR 296, ENGR 396, ENGR 496)
    • 3 Credits: 9 hours per week (EE 496, ME 213, ME 482)
    • 4 Credits: 12 hours per week (ME 481)
  • Team Meetings
    • Program manager, team captains, and subsystems leads are responsible for organizing the official weekly meeting time that best accommodates all team member each new semester
  • Documentation
    • Design notebook/journal
    • Website
      • Contribute to website/wiki
    • Formal Reports
      • Several formal reports that depend on the semester (Fall vs Spring) and the course you are registered for (e.g. EE 496 has a poster session and video, ME 213 has report requirements, etc.)
      • You are expected to contribute to other reports as necessary. (e.g. if an EE 496 or ME 481 student needs some background content.)
    • Final “Instruction Manual”
      • Teach the next generation why you did what you did and how to use or apply your contribution.
    • Oral Presentations
      • Several oral presentations (from formal to design reviews)

Credit

  • Freshman
    • ENGR 196
      • Mostly just a resume builder, doesn’t replace any degree requirements that I am aware of.
  • Sophomore
    • ENGR 296
      • Direct replacement for EE 296
      • Combination of ENGR 296 and ENGR 396 over 3 semesters can count as a TE for ME students. (Cannot be taken simultaneously with ME 213 if you are also doing your ME 213 project with the VIP team.)
      • Other majors – I’m not sure, but willing to work with you
    • ME 213
      • Must take the official ME 213 course, but can do your project for the course with this project
      • Need at least 2-3 students
  • Junior
    • ENGR 396
      • Direct replacement for EE 396, Generally requires two different semesters.
      • Combination of ENGR 296 and ENGR 396 over 3 semesters can count as a TE for ME students. (Cannot be taken simultaneously with ME 213 or ME 481/482 if you are also doing your projects in those courses with the VIP team.)
      • Other majors – I’m not sure, but willing to work with you
  • Senior
    • ME 481/ME482
      • Take my section of ME 481/482 and work on the VIP project as your senior design project
    • EE 496
      • Generally you need two different semesters of credit
  • Graduate
    • ENGR 496
      • Working on getting this accepted as an ME TE.

General VIP Syllabus

To apply:

Application Form