The Influence of Non Curricular Courses on Undergraduates’ Technical Professional Development

1 Renato Camargo Giacomini, Faculdade de Engenharia Industrial – Av.H.A.Castelo Branco, 3972 – S.B.Campo-CEP: 09850-901, [email protected] 2 Alessandro La Neve, Faculdade de Engenharia Industrial – Av.H.A.Castelo Branco, 3972 – S.B.Campo-CEP: 09850-901 – S.P., [email protected] Abstract  New-technology extracurricular courses were offered to electronic engineering undergraduates. This experience permitted to verify how the students integrated them the with regular ones, and it also allowed evaluating the role of extra-curricular activities in preparing students for their future in industry. A conceptual 40-hour Hardware Description Language course, supported by the well-known semiconductors company Altera, was offered and 1/3 of the students enrolled. . As a result there was a change in the project methodology of electronic undergraduates, in designing programmable digital hardware, and a considerable increase in this kind of projects. It was noticed that extra-curricular technological courses can stimulate students to study and they open new perspectives in their professional activities. Students could perceive an opportunity for distinction among their colleagues and felt attracted by the possibility of effective industrial applications. Courses were successful also because of the industrial appeal, contributing with a more professional character, rather than an academic one. Index Terms  VHDL courses, digital systems, finalcourse projects.