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EcoCAR 2 team members in front row (left to right): Mitchell Rieger, Alex Doss, and Zach Hayden. In back row (left to right): Michael Hinricher, Jacob Wilson, and Alex Cox.

EcoCAR 2 powers on to next phase of competition

After receiving the keys to a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu less than a year ago, students on the UT EcoCAR 2 team have completely redesigned it to make it more eco-friendly. Now, their hard work will be tested against other teams across North America in the second phase matchup.

The graduate and undergraduate students on the team are competing in a three-year collegiate engineering competition called EcoCAR 2, established by the US Department of Energy and General Motors. For more about UT's team, visit http://ecocar2.utk.edu.

A send-off media event for the vehicle will be at 9:00 a.m. Monday, April 29, on the top floor of the Eleventh Street Parking Garage, on the corner of 11th Street and Cumberland Avenue. Parking is available in the garage.
Read more >>

FACULTY NEWS

From left, Dr. Dayakar Penumadu visits with recent COE graduate Dr. Michelle Everett and her husband Chris Everett in Lund, Sweden, on April 20, 2013.

Penumadu presents invited lecture at ESS, visits recent COE alumnus

Dr. Dayakar Penumadu, the Fred Peebles Professor and head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, visited the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund, Sweden, earlier this week to present an invited lecture on the "Accomplishments and Future Needs for Energy Selective Neutron Imaging Considering Diffraction Contrast," at the Fifth NEUtron WAVElength Dependent Imaging Workshop (NEUWAVE-5) 2013. He was joined by his PhD student Robin Woracek.

While in Sweden, Penumadu met with Dr. Michelle Everett, a recent NSF IGERT trainee who completed her PhD studies in March in the Department Materials Science and Engineering at UT. Everett now works at the European Spallation Source as a Laboratory Manager. She will operate the on-site scientific laboratories and organize the development of support facilities at ESS for neutron science in parallel with those for neutron technologies.

Everett's PhD advisor at UT was Dr. Claudia Rawn and the principal investigator for the multi-disciplinary NSF IGERT grant is Dr. David Keffer. The project also received support from the Sustainable Energy Education and Research Center (SEERC). 

Dr. Zhili Zhang

Research by Zhang cited in Photonics Spectra

Research on standoff detection by Dr. Zhili Zhang, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering, and Fedor Rudakov, a research staff scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), was featured in the April 2013 edition of Photonics Spectra magazine. The article is titled "Advances in Standoff Detection Make the World Safer."

STUDENT NEWS

From right to left:
Eric Padro (BME), Scott McCullough (CBE), Diana Shelby (ME, SHPE President), Carlos Pinilla (Centro Hispano Director), and Carlos Gonzalez (MSE, SHPE VP).

SHPE volunteers at Centro Hispano

Members of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) UT Student Chapter volunteered to paint classrooms on Saturday, April 20, at the Centro Hispano (Hispanic Center), 2455 Sutherland Avenue in Knoxville. The volunteers, mostly engineering students, attended this activity as part of a community service mission.

The organization is committed to tailoring future leaders that, in addition to becoming outstanding engineers, are poised to make a positive difference in the community. At this center, English writing and speaking classes and GED preparation are provided. It also features a computer lab for participants to use free of charge. SHPE plans to develop a close partnership with this center.

The chapter is also planning to visit West High School and L&N Stem Academy in the fall of 2013 to give talks about different engineering tracks that can be achieved at UT. SHPE hopes to enhance interest and recruit minorities from local high schools for the College of Engineering at UT.

For more information, visit the SHPE Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UTKSHPE.

ANS Scholarship recipients

Undergraduate students in the Department of Nuclear Engineering (NE) were successful in receiving scholarships for 2013-2014 from the American Nuclear Society (ANS).

Eight NE students received scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.  Last year NE undergraduates received six ANS scholarships

This year's recipients are Mikah Rust, Cody Wiggins, Natalie McGirl, Hannah Hale, Alyxandria Wszolek, Victor Lollar, Seth Langford, and Peter Collins.

Pre-med application time for 2014 is approaching

Medical-school applicants for the fall of 2014 should set up their pre-professional file with the Arts & Sciences Advising Services office. The pre-professional file process is centrally located in Advising Services so that the process can be streamlined for students and their faculty.

The primary application is submitted directly to the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS). The AMCAS 2014 application opens on May 1, 2013. Students may begin entering data at that time. AMCAS will also begin accepting transcripts at that time.  The earliest that the AMCAS 2014 application may be submitted is June 4, 2013.

For more information, call 865-974-4481 to schedule a short meeting to learn more about the process. Read more about AMCAS application >>

EVENTS

Seminar speaker will discuss the role of materials in improving aero-propulsion

Dr. James C. Williams, at left, professor and Honda Chair Emeritus in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at The Ohio State University, will speak about "Progress in Aero-propulsion: The Role of Materials" in a seminar at 12:40 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, in Room 307 of the Science and Engineering Research Facility. The seminar is presented by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
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Virginia professor will present EECS seminar on control systems

Dr. Zongli Lin, at right, Charles L. Brown Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, will offer the seminar "Control Systems with Actuator Saturation: Anti-windup Mechanism and Its Activation" at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 3, in Room 435 of the Min H. Kao Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building. The seminar is presented by the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
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STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

Engineering undergraduate workers needed for June 2013

The Engineering Advising Office needs three engineering undergraduate student workers to help with orientation for freshmen using MyUTK for class registration during the month of June 2013.

Work hours are 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.  Qualifications include strong communication skills, friendly, helpful and good understanding of MyUTK.  Workers will earn $8 per hour.

If you are interested in working, please contact Angela Miller in the Engineering Advising Office at 865-974-4008 or [log in to unmask] by May 3 to be considered.

KLASS Center offers group workshops

The Korn Learning, Assessment, and Social Skills (KLASS) Center on the UT campus will offer social-skills improvement workshops/groups for college students with significant social-skill difficulties, especially those who might fall within the Autism Spectrum, such as Asperger's. The workshops/groups will consist of four to six students and will last six to eight weeks. There will be a small materials fee for the students due at the first meeting.

The KLASS Center office is located in Room 413 of the Claxton Education Complex at 1122 Volunteer Boulevard. For information, contact Brian Wilhoit, director of the center, at 865-974-6177 or by e-mail at [log in to unmask].

Tutors are needed for Educational Advancement Program

Part-time tutors are needed for the fall of 2013 for the Education Advancement Program (EAP). Tutors are paid $9 per hour for undergraduate tutors; $10 per hour for graduate tutors. Completion of an EAP tutor application and training is required. Those interested should contact Celeste Brooks at [log in to unmask] or 865-974-7900.

Requirements:

• Must be employable by the University of Tennessee
• Must be in good academic standing (a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred)
• Must have received at least a “B” average in the subject to be tutored
• Must have successfully passed twenty-four cumulative hours (a minimum of sophomore status is required)
• Graduate students must have departmental approval to be employed as a tutor
• *As a condition of employment, current and prospective EAP tutors must participate in a one-day training exercise, prior to the start of the fall or spring semester

Call for papers for CISPEE

The First International Conference of the Portuguese Society for Engineering Education (CISPEE) will take place in Porto, Portugal, on October 31 and November 1 with the theme "Education in Engineering: Challenges for Innovation." The deadlines for submission of full papers is June 2, 2013. Notification of acceptance will be sent on July 21, 2013.
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Project manager certification program offered in Altanta

The Project Management Certification Program will be offered July 16-19, 2013, in Atlanta, Georgia, on the Georgia State University campus. Project management professionals, business and technology professionals, students, and educators are invited to register at the Institute of Project Management America website here.

Stay up-to-date with Engineering Professional Practice information and events by clicking the “Like” button on the program’s Facebook page, following the program on Twitter, visiting its website at www.coop.utk.edu or calling 865-974-5323.

Students, please note: If you receive a co-op or internship offer, please contact Engineering Professional Practice for help with paperwork and any preparations you may need – [log in to unmask], 865-974-5323 or 310 Perkins Hall.

Featured co-op student: David D. Haworth

Our student this week is David D. Haworth, pictured at right. Haworth is a mechanical engineering major who accepted a co-op at John Deere Power Products in Greeneville, Tennessee. David describes the department he worked in and what his main responsibilities were.

"I worked in the engineering department," he said. "I was assigned projects by my supervisor. The project topics covered a wide range of plant operations. I mostly dealt with layouts and computer programs that gathered and analyzed data to help the manufacturing lines run more efficiently."

Haworth felt that the most valuable benefit received during his co-op assignment was experience dealing with manufacturing processes.

Students may read more about their peers' co-op experiences by logging into their Engineering Professional Practice profile via www.coop.utk.edu, clicking “Resource Library” (on the left margin) and selecting “Students at Work–In Their Own Words.” For information on engineering co-op and internships, contact [log in to unmask] or 865-974-5323.

What else can you do with your major? You can now receive your degree and a secondary education teaching license with VolsTeach. The VolsTeach program is available to Math and Science majors who wish to expand their career options by earning a secondary education teaching license. Given the current economy VolsTeach offers one degree with two career paths which will make you more competitive in the future job market.

VolsTeach provides:

• early and frequent field experiences
• personal guidance by Master Teachers and program advisors
• the opportunity to have paid exclusive internships during regular and summer terms
• a comfortable learning environment that will further enhance your professional skill set

This is your opportunity to be a part of the program. VolsTeach is open to freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are ready to start a journey that will give them a chance to connect with the community. Become a part of this exciting venture by signing up for the Fall Step 1 course now.
Click on the flyer at left for registration information.
For more information contact VolsTeach Coach, Jada Johnson at [log in to unmask] or visit the program's Facebook page, VolsTeach, for current events, and the program's website, http://volsteach.utk.edu.

Career Services News

On-Campus Interview: May 23, 2013
Parker Hannefin Corporation, Position Title: Design Engineer
Application Deadline: May 8, 2013
Apply Via Your HIRE-A-VOL account in MY UTK

Description:
Researches, analyzes, designs, and tests component parts, processes, or systems to develop new and/or improve core products. Develops and recommends solutions for technical project assignments using fundamental principles of mechanical, electrical, packaging, or other engineering disciplines.

Essential Functions:

1. Collaborating in a team environment develops assigned portions of design by analyzing specifications and performance requirements. Performs routine design and supports development of assigned products (e.g. new mechanical or electromechanical components, subsystems, and systems) by applying basic engineering principles and established analytical tools.
2. Investigates product development factors such as ease of manufacture, availability of materials and equipment, interchangeability, strength-weight efficiency, contractual specification requirements, cost-defining recommendations, and change proposals.
3. Completes defined technical tasks (e.g. modify product functional specifications, detailed drawings and schematics; define data elements and structure; analyze and interpret test reports). Develops reports and documentation in response to technical information requests.
4. Conducts routine analysis and/or tests to evaluate product designs, methods, materials or processes and completes required technical documentation by applying engineering principles and company standards, and generating reports, procedures, or change proposals as required.
5. Provides technical information for review with product engineering and design review teams. Consistently applies established engineering practices, standards, and documentation methods. Contributes to supporting documentation for procedures and technical reports.
6. Adopts lean product development and standard engineering development and techniques.
7. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing technical publications, and/or participating in professional associations.
8. Work assignments may include cross-functional or project team responsibilities. Contributes and supports other teams or individuals as needed.

Job Requirements:
Qualifications:
Bachelor degree (BS) (or Professional Engineer (PE) certificate) in an engineering or science technical discipline. Professional entry level position. May have limited prior industry experience or have worked with direction in student internship programs.

Fundamental knowledge of engineering domain principles, concepts, and techniques. General knowledge of industry products, customers, and related legal/regulatory requirements. Fundamental knowledge of and use of basic engineering design and analysis tools (e.g. computer-aided design programs). Learns and utilizes specialized engineering data bases; may require programming skills. Develops familiarity with products and customer specifications and standards applicable to assigned product line or system. Ability to communicate status of technical tasks and actions taken with clarity and precision. Ability to work with general direction and instruction regarding the scope of assignments; determines the priority and order of assignments; and applies judgment in selecting procedures and techniques. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals and reports. Ability to present findings and information in both formal meetings and informally within and across Parker teams.

US Citizenship or permanent resident status to live in the US is required.

Additional Comments:
The essential functions have been provided as examples of the type of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. The Company reserves the right to modify the work assignments and/or to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions. The job description is not intended to be an all inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. It is intended to describe the general nature of the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer (M/F/D/V)

EF 301 – Career Services for Engineers
Planning your class schedule for Fall 2013?  Don’t forget to register for EF 301 – Engineering Career Planning!
This class is offered each Spring and Fall semester and is taught 1:25-2:15 p.m. Mondays at Career Services, 100 Dunford Hall. This class is a perfect fit for all Juniors and Seniors and will equip students with the right tools to land that great job. Sophomores and Graduate Students may also register for the course as well. The class is offered on a 1-hour Satisfactory/No Credit basis and is taught by Career Services Consultant for the College of Engineering, April Gonzalez.  Expect visits from company representatives, tips and tricks from HR Recruiters, advice on resumes, cover letters, interviewing and salary negotiation and learn the ways you can stand out and get noticed at the job fairs. 

Here’s what students are saying about the class:

• “This is the most useful non-engineering class I have ever taken.  It gave me insider information about what employers are looking for during interviews and I have a resume that I feel great about!”
• “Well thought out and put together course. I feel much more confident about job searching.”
• “This class exceeded all my expectations – it really works!”

Don’t wait to sign up—space is limited and the class will fill up fast.

Attention: Seniors & Graduate Students Graduating in May 2013
Don’t forget to complete the Post-Graduation Survey.

Congratulations from all of us in the UT Career Services Office upon your upcoming graduation! It has been our pleasure to work with many of you, and we wish you the best in your life and new endeavors! In order to keep Career Services’ records up-to-date and provide the best service to you, please take a moment to fill out the Post-Graduation Survey via HIRE-A-VOL.

To complete the survey log in to your Hire-A-Vol student or alumni account:
*Log into MY UTK at http://www.utk.edu and search under Academic Links for the HIRE-A-VOL link
*Under Your Profile on the HIRE-A-VOL Homepage, click on View/Edit your Profile
*Click on Employment & Continued Education

On the survey page, please click on Add An Employment Reporting or View Details under Continued Education and fill out your placement information.** Please be aware that your data is confidential and will not be shared with other departments. This data is collected in an aggregate/anonymous manner and is used for purposes that include salary averages, geographic preference, benchmarking and reporting to ranking organization.

**If you have any difficulties accessing our survey, you may also e-mail your placement data to [log in to unmask]. Please include your name, e-mail address, employment status (Still seeking, Graduate School, Internship/Summer Job, Out of Job Market, Employed), Company or Grad School, Salary/Wage, Location of new job or Grad School.

For more information, contact April Gonzalez , Career Services Consultant, College of Engineering at [log in to unmask] or 865-974-5435.

Check out www.career.utk.edu for a list of all upcoming events.

The Office of Multicultural Student Life offers these academic services.

Vols Success Seminars: During the Spring semester, in collaboration with the Student Success Center and other campus departments, Vols Success Seminars will be offered to all UT students. This series of workshops is designed to equip all students with the knowledge and resources to be successful, inside and outside of the classroom at the UT. Students can register in advance for each workshop at multicultural.utk.edu or studentsuccess.utk.edu. View the Vols Success Seminars Spring 2013 calendar >>