Cluster 1 - Computers in Everyday Life
* This cluster is First Choice only.
Instructors:
Curt Schurgers, Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UCSD
Leo Porter, Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, UCSD
Prerequisite:
Algebra II or Integrated Math II (students without prior programming experience are especially encouraged to apply)
(The focus of this cluster is students with little or no prior programming experience)
Description:
These days computers are everywhere, from our coffee makers and thermostats to our cell phones and televisions. They make our cars safer and more efficient; they perform advanced image processing in intelligent devices; and they fuel the Internet of Things. There are billions of these "embedded computers" all around us that control devices, analyze signals and collect data as we go about our daily lives.
This course will focus on the basics of embedded computing, making it accessible even to students who have no prior programming experience. It provides an introduction to computation through lectures, guest speakers, and hands-on projects. It starts by teaching the fundamentals of programming where students use a puzzle-like programming language called AppInventor to create mobile phone applications, and then moves into more advanced programming languages in a progression of projects. The cluster concludes with a final project where students form small teams and create a project of their choosing.
Cluster 2 - Engineering Design and Control of Kinetic Sculptures
Instructors:
Raymond De Callafon, Professor, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, UCSD
Veronica Eliasson, Associate Professor, Department of Structural Engineering, UCSD
Prerequisite:
Algebra I and 8th-grade general science or equivalent
Recommended:
Algebra II or Integrated Math II, Trigonometry, Physics
Description:
Mechanical Engineering and Computer Control are brought together in many modern products that have moving parts, ranging from a heave automobile to a light weight robotic vacuum cleaner. In this cluster, students will analyze, design and build Kinetic (Moving) Sculptures operated under Automatic Control. Mechanical Engineering methods will be used to design kinetic sculptures using state of the art facilities at the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) department. The facilities include the MAE Design Studio, LASERcamm and 3D Printers for rapid prototyping along with advanced computer laboratories for creating computer drawings, running dynamic simulations and programming a microcontroller to control Kinetic Sculptures. Examples of kinetic sculptures built by the students include a clock mechanism designed with Inventor and AutoCAD and manufactured by the LASERcamm and a 3D printer. Other Kinetic Sculptures designed by students are based on a reconfigurable lightweight mechanical structure in which balls move along ramps, bounce on trampolines and fall in baskets. The students will learn how to use a modern micro-processor controller to measure and analyze timing and mechanical behavior of their sculptures, integrating engineering design and control principles throughout the curriculum of this cluster. Examples of prior year projects can be seen here.
Cluster 3 - Understanding Climate Change through the Chemistry of the Atmosphere and the Oceans
Instructors:
Robert Pomeroy, Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCSD
Marijana Vukovic, Staff Research Associate, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCSD
George C. Anderson, Staff Research Associate, Scripps Institute of Oceanography
Prerequisite:
High school Chemistry
High school Biology
Successfully completing the COSMOS Swimming Ability Certification form (for possible ocean activities; certification form not required until student is accepted into the cluster). The following swimming abilities are required:
200 yards continuous swim, any stroke
5 minutes of continuous treading of water
Description:
This cluster is for students interested in understanding the science behind the global climate change debate. Cluster 3 students will be able to bring clarity to a discussion of climate change when engaged in a discussion with a climate change skeptic. The focus of this program is in three areas:
The basic physics of the lower atmosphere (troposphere). This will be done by linking hands on demonstrations to the impacts of CO2 and aerosols on the atmosphere.
Understanding the interactions between the ocean and atmosphere are key to climate change. The relevant chemistry of the ocean will be demonstrated through laboratory determinations and of several key physical and chemical characteristics of seawater.
Weekly seminars from world experts in climate change science and policy will highlight the scientific, economic and ethical issues associated with climate change focusing on how human activity influences the environment.
Cluster 4 - When Disaster Strikes: Earthquake Engineering
Instructors:
Lelli Van Den Einde, Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Structural Engineering, UCSD
Jacqui Le, Project Engineer, KPFF San Diego
Prerequisite:
Two years of Algebra or Integrated Math I & II (with Trigonometry component)
Description:
We’re familiar with buildings. We’re in them all the time - our homes, our schools, offices, etc. But do you know what yours is made of? Is it wood, concrete, steel? Do you know how it will behave in an earthquake? What is its weakest link? What might crack, or which column might shift? In cluster 4, we build small scale structures and put them on a shake table to simulate earthquakes. We want to know if they’ll survive. If not, why not? We'll observe how it fails, and discuss various methods of how to improve the design of our new and existing houses so they will be able to survive the next earthquake. We will also do a number of hands on laboratories to further your understanding of building materials, earthquake science, and project planning. There will also be site visits to large-scale experimental research facilities at UCSD and real buildings constructed with new and technologies. You'll be introduced to earthquake science and immersed in the design and problem solving process of structural engineering. See last year's Cluster 4 video.
Cluster 5 - Photonics: Light-based Technologies in Everyday Life
Instructors:
Charles Tu, Distinguished Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UCSD
Saharnaz Baghdadchi, Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UCSD
Peter Ilinykh, Development Engineer, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UCSD
Prerequisite:
1 year of Physics preferred
Description:
We seldom realize how much our everyday life uses photonics, or light-based technologies, such as in cell phone display, traffic light, DVD player, solar cells, microscopes, endoscopes, optical fiber transmission, etc. The progress of photonics is rapid, similar to Moore’s Law for electronics. One recent aspect of this progress is the integration of photonics with electronics to produce high-speed Silicon photonics integrated circuits. Other advances in photonics includes the integration of artificial intelligence with computational optics and the development of optically assisted diagnostics or therapeutic medical devices. While the economic driver for the 20th century was electronics, the economic driver for the 21st century is photonics.
In this Cluster, we shall study the generation, manipulation, transmission, detection, and applications of light. Students will first conduct experiments with LED, laser, prism, lens, and spectrometers to study wave properties of light, such as polarization, diffraction, and interference, and also particle properties of light, such as photoelectric effect/solar cell. They will then work on “workshop” projects, including plastic lens, solar cells, etc. Afterward, they will work on final projects of their choice as a team, and present the results to the Cluster and their families before the closing ceremony.
Cluster 6 - Biodiesel from Renewable Sources
Instructors:
Robert S. Pomeroy, Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCSD
Dr. Joe Watson, Former Vice Chancellor, UCSD
Prerequisite:
Introductory high school chemistry – Basic knowledge of ionic and covalent bonding, electronegativity and intermolecular forces of attraction.
Description:
This course will introduce students to renewable biofuels. This is a laboratory intensive experience where the students will extract and purify oil (lipids) from biomass, convert the oil into Fatty Acid Methyl Esters, FAMEs, also known as biodiesel, wash and purify the biodiesel, and then analyze the quality of the finished product. They will use advanced instrumentation such as FTIR, GCMS, Chromatography, and Bomb Calorimetry to determine the quality of their fuel.
Sustainable energy engages scientists, entrepreneurs and consumers searching for a renewable form of energy that will also not place the Earth's ecosystem at greater risk. Biofuels can be generated from biomass. This biomass can range from terrestrial, agricultural, forestry and municipal wastes, energy crops like soybeans, rapeseed, switchgrass and algae. Biodiesel has gained attention in recent years as a renewable fuel source due to its reduced greenhouse gas and particulate emissions, and it can be produced within 10 states in the US. For projects students will create higher value materials from plant lipids to produce renewable and sustainable bioplastics which economically serve as a bridge to large scale biofuels production.
Cluster 7 - Synthetic Biology
* This cluster is First Choice only.
Instructors:
Mauricio de Oliveira, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, UCSD
Carlos Vera, Lecturer, Department of Bioengineering, UCSD
Prerequisite:
One year of high school biology.
Description:
Synthetic biology is an emerging engineering field that aims to produce novel organisms in scalable and reliable ways to do something useful for humankind; for example, treat diseases, sense toxic compounds, produce new fuels or valuable materials.
After thousands of years of genetic manipulation by selective breeding, genetic engineering has finally developed techniques to read and modify the genetic code. Synthetic biology enriches genetic engineering by applying the basic engineering principles (design, build, test) to modular systems built from simple Lego-like standardized biological parts obtained from an open source catalog. Taking advantage of the increased capabilities to "write" and "read" genetic code, it is now possible to assembly large DNA sequences in minimal amount of time. These coding sequences can be incorporated into plasmid vectors and introduced into the cells to re-program the DNA original instructions. This new genetic code will produce new proteins that may modify the structure and/or function of the cell. In that sense, synthetic biology develops software that builds its own hardware! One of the newest techniques of synthetic biology, CRISPR-Cas9, is revolutionizing biomedical sciences by allowing the editing of genetic information in living complex organisms. This revolution has created myriad ethical dilemmas that will also be analyzed in the course.
In this hands-on lab oriented course, we will introduce the basic concepts and techniques of synthetic biology, apply engineering principles to design, build and test modified organisms, and develop mathematical models that quantitatively describe their behavior. The students will learn basic recombinant engineering techniques to clone specific DNA sequences in plasmid vectors, how to transform E.coli bacteria and S. cerevisiae yeast with plasmid vectors to produce fluorescent and bioluminescent proteins, purify recombinant proteins, produce proteins in cell-free systems, test a basic CRISPR-Cas9 system, and predict the behavior of modified organisms using predictive mathematical models. Students will also build electronic circuits to model the biological circuits. The course ends with students developing their own projects using their newly learned lab and engineering skills.
Cluster 8 - Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
* This cluster is First Choice only.
Instructors:
Robert Sah, Professor, Department of Bioengineering & Orthopedic Surgery, UCSD
Roberto Gaetani, Research Scientist, Department of Bioengineering, UCSD
Prerequisite:
Students must have completed Algebra II or Integrated Math II and one year of high school biology.
Description:
Tissue Engineering (TE) and Regenerative Medicine (RM) both seek to harness the power of biology and chemistry with the precision of engineering to restore, maintain, or improve tissue functions. TE seeks to do so through the application of engineering and life sciences to develop biological substitutes, whereas RM targets therapies to induce regeneration of cells, tissues, and organs. TE-RM are exciting and interdisciplinary fields involving engineers, biologists, chemists, material scientists, and doctors. TE-RM are increasingly providing alternative treatments for medical conditions where traditional treatments such as drugs, medical devices, or transplants face limitations. TE-RM products are rapidly evolving from culture-expanded cells to repair damaged knees and engineered skin to treat wounds and burns, to potent molecules and materials to induce regeneration, laboratory tissue for drug screening, cells to reconstitute damaged tissue, modified cells to combat cancer, and pre-formed replacement tissue.
Cluster 8 activities mostly involve hands-on laboratories, introduced by lectures and discussions, and with field trips to local TE-RM companies. During the first two weeks, students will be introduced to the foundations of TE-RM, using modern tools and techniques. During the last two weeks, after brainstorming about important questions and possible research approaches, students will undertake a guided research project in teams; student research teams will explore novel scientific hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, analyze results, and create and deliver presentations in paper, oral, and poster formats. At the conclusion of the cluster, students will be empowered with the basic techniques of TE-RM, and appreciate the opportunities and challenges for using TE-RM to improve human health.
Cluster 9 - Music and Technology
Instructors:
Mauricio de Oliveira, Adjunct Associate Professor, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department, UCSD
Shlomo Dubnov, Professor, Computer Music, UCSD
Prerequisite:
Basic computer programming experience recommended, but not required.
Description:
You do not have to be a musician to have fun and learn how science and engineering can be used to transform sounds and to perform and even compose music. With Cluster 9 you will learn about sound, music and technology as we explore the many ways in which technology is used to synthesize and analyze sounds and create music. Please keep in mind that Cluster 9 is first and foremost a science camp, not a music camp. As in any other COSMOS cluster, our primary goal is to have you explore and learn about science, engineering and technology. But unlike any other COSMOS cluster, you will do it while learning about sound and music. In Cluster 9 you will learn and experiment with basic physical principles that are used to make musical instruments, how they affect the perception of sound and what makes music beautiful. You will build simple electronic circuits that can transform audio signals, such as amplifiers, filters and effect generators and will learn how to program computers to analyze, modify, create music and even improvise. During the program students team up in small groups to develop a technical and/or creative project to be presented at the end of the program.
Cluster 10 - Robot Inventors
* This cluster is First Choice only.
Instructors:
Curt Schurgers, Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UCSD
Nick Gravish, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, UCSD
Prerequisite:
Algebra II or Integrated Math II
Programming experience is expected
Description:
TARS, R2D2, WALL-E, .... these robots have captured all of our imaginations, but reality isn't really that far off. Researchers around the world have made humanoid robots to study how children learn, created robotic animals to carry supplies in war zones, and built highly advanced surgical robots that act like snakes. Robotics is a highly diverse field, bringing together skills of mechanical design, electronics, artificial intelligence, programming, mechatronics, and even social sciences. This cluster will introduce the students to this exciting field and will focus on teaching students how to conceptualize, design, and build a custom robot. They will learn about the mechanical design of building their own robots (CAD, basic machining), the sensors through which robots interact with the world, and the programming that gives them their autonomy. It is required that students have a basic background in programming (any language, such as Java, C, Python, C++, JavaScript, etc ...). The emphasis for this cluster is towards students with no prior exposure to robotics. The cluster consists of a set of projects, leading to a final design challenge. Lectures, guest speakers and field trips will complete the learning experience. Please note that unfortunately international students will not be able to go on the field trip, as there is a citizenship restriction imposed by the company we are visiting.
Cluster 11 - Introduction to Autonomous Vehicles
Instructors:
Alex Phan, Postdoc, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Lecturer, Electrical and Computer Engineering, UCSD
Jack Silberman Ph.D., Lecturer Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, UCSD
Prerequisite:
Open to students finishing their sophomore or junior year prior to the summer, with preference given to juniors. Desirable skills (nice to have but not required): basic computer programming experience (Python and/or C/C++), hands-on engineering class where fast prototyping was taught (e.g., 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, woodwork, electronics), physics and/or advanced math class. Please mention these skills in your application.
Description:
In this Cluster we incorporate engineering theory and good practice in the development of scale autonomous cars that must perform on a simulated city track. The Cluster consists of lectures and incrementally more challenging projects: electrical and mechanical design and documentation, install and testing of the artificial neural network framework to enable deep leaning, building the scale autonomous car, 5 autonomous laps at the indoor track, 5 autonomous laps at the outdoor track, and propose and implement a new robotics autonomous behave. Here are a few links that will give students an idea of what to expect from this exciting new Cluster!
2019 Cluster 11 Newsletter
News Article: Undergraduate Engineers Get Hands-On Experience with Autonomous Vehicles
Video: Students Get Hands-on Experience with Autonomous Vehicles
Video: Introduction to Autonomous Vehicles
* These clusters are First Choice only.