Inclusion of RFID in a BSEE Curriculum

This paper discusses the evolution of a course in RFID which is now a required part of the curriculum in Merrimack College's BSEE program.In 2004 the department identified RFID as an important emerging technology that would be timely to introduce at the undergraduate level.Initially, the department sponsored two seminar series with sessions taught by industry professionals, followed in 2007 with a full course in RFID.Advantages of RFID as a required course include using it to introduce systems engineering concepts and introducing economic concepts and business benefits through implementations such as found in Supply Chain and Warehouse Management (SCM/WHM).In addition, RFID is a natural place to introduce ethical as well as global engineering issues.The course includes selected RFID projects incorporating business student participation on multidisciplinary teams.As a result, the department has been able to tailor the course to specifically addresses ABET 1 outcomes 3 (d), 3 (f) and 3 (h).Early experience in multidisciplinary teamwork has been favorable, one example provided by a team that evaluated possible adoption of RFID by the college's library.The role of assessment in deciding to adopt this course, and the assessment of the course itself, are both discussed in this paper.The lecture component of this RFID course includes presentation of technical material such as antenna design and frequency of operation.The growth of RFID technology is presented across a broad spectrum of applications ranging from tracking of high-valued items in the pharmaceutical and health care sectors to the "Internet of Things."An undergraduate teaching lab has been developed in partnership with companies including TagSys, Alien, Symbol, Intermec, Radianse, and Zebra among others.