494: Cumulative Reflection

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I am a senior in Electrical Engineering at Iowa State graduating in May 2019. Iowa State University
(ISU) is a great school that offers numerous opportunities and gives its students the tools they need to be
successful. The materials and equipment at my disposal during my undergraduate years at ISU have allowed me
to strengthen my knowledge. During the past two years at Iowa State University, as an Electrical Engineering
student, I had the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics such as circuits, signal processing, control
systems, and embedded systems. All the major classes offered in the Electrical Engineering program come with
the advantage of practicing the course materials in the computer lab. Furthermore, engineering professors
always include a major project toward the end of the semester. These projects have allowed me to practice and
develop several skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and leadership skills.

I was able to demonstrate my critical thinking skills in my electronics circuit classes as we were exposed
to countless applications and did several demonstrations using Matlab, Simulink, and C++. For instance, I took
EE 475 in my senior year. At the end of the semester, we submitted the final project. The goal of the final
project was to convert the DC supply voltage into a lower DC output voltage level. I determined the stability of
a close-loop control system using the Routh-Hurwitz Criteria, and, using the Root Locus technique, I analyzed
the closed loop stability and performance of control systems based on open-loop transfer functions. Using
Matlab tools, I was able to obtain the transfer function of a system using either block diagram algebra or signal
graphs. I also derived the function and analyzed the disturbance properties. I found the FC (crossover
frequencies), the PM (phase margin), the Gm (Gain marginal) and some other parameters. I designed the
controller, checked out the bode plot, and after all that, I demoed the transient code using Matlab. After I
checked the steady state tracking error and put the information into Simulink, I was able to demo and analyze
the way it behaves according to the parameters that we were given. The class allowed me to understand how
high speed systems work, and also I learned critical thinking skills through a variety of tools.

I also have to do many projects to simulate electrical power transmission networks in steady-state
conditions and over timescales to analyze, design, and run simulation on electric system models. I took EE 456
(power system 1), which was an interesting class that talked about power transmission lines, transformers,
synchronous machine modeling, network analysis, power system representation, and power load flow. At the
end of the semester, we solved a case of power flow analysis using PSS/E (a software tool used by power
system engineers). This was challenging because I never had to solve a problem like that before. To be able to
solve the case, we had to figure out some information that was valuable such as: the voltages, currents, and the
real and reactive power flows in a system under given load conditions. The goal of power flow studies is to plan
ahead and prepare for system normal minus one (N-1) contingencies. The challenge that I faced was that there
was a missing load that I was supposed to add, because the system could not balance Also, I could not balance
voltage output of the circuit to maxi 1.06 per unit instead of 1 per unit. After all the calculations were done, I
uploaded them into the program, but I could not demo the program, because there was a window that said “the
PSS/E has stopped working”. After spending several hours using the lecture notes and textbooks, I figured out
what was going on.

One aspect I really love about Iowa State University is the fact that it has many student organizations
that students can be part of to expand leadership skills. I participate in programs that have helped me to develop
my leadership skills outside the classroom. For example, I was a member of NSBE (National Society of Black
Engineering), which has the mission to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel
academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. In this organization, we have
conversations about how to be successful and be lifelong learners. We also talk about how to help the
community grow. I am also working on a project called “gun capacitor” for my senior design class under the
supervision of Dr Mani Mina, one of the great professors at Iowa State University. Through the project, I am
applying my skills from different classes I took to real life problems. The goal of the project is to use the
knowledge from EE 303 (Power Energy), EE 456 (Power System 1), EE 311 (Electromagnetic Fields and
Waves), and EE 475 (Control Systems) with a capacitor. I also had to apply Electromagnetism to propel a
projectile because of the magnetic field created inside the rail gun. To be able to do that, there are a lot of
calculations that are involved: we needed to define the right current that will control the projectile through the
rail gun, the force, and the velocity. I am working on the theory of operation and safety concerns, because we
need to ensure that we have the right dimensions to avoid any catastrophic incident as we are working to ensure
that the level of current and velocity can be controlled.

Iowa State University gives me knowledge through the undergraduate electrical engineering curriculum.
We had many opportunities to have hands-on experiences from the labs, which allowed me to understand
different concepts that were discussed in class. Having to take general education classes made me a well-
rounded engineer as it exposed me to the knowledge outside of the Electrical Engineering field. I believe I am
well prepared to pursue a career as an electrical engineer. Also, I volunteer for World Relief (Illinois), an
organization that assists vulnerable individuals as they integrate into their new lives in the United States. In
addition to my academic experiences, my personal background has impacted me positively. I lived in Africa and
in Italy, and I would like to use my life experiences to assist people around the world. I would like to give back
to society like society gave to me.