EPICS
Service Learning in Action
Our Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) course is required for both our major programs. In this course, which we offer every semester, teams of students, led by students, work on software projects for charity and nonprofit organizations. These projects typically span multiple semesters, and many of our students choose to take EPICS for more than one semester. Our alumni praise the EPICS program for the team-building and communications skills it develops. We all find deep satisfaction when the work we do helps make the world a better place.
The EPICS program is always looking for students of any major/minor that are interested in getting real world and service learning experiences. The projects in this program are resume builders and look good on job applications. In EPICS students will be taking part in community projects with real customers to gain experience.
Requirements
- Second Semester First-Year Student or higher status
- All majors/minors applicable
- Some basic computer programming background is encouraged, but NOT necessary (e.g. CS 142, 248, High school programming, work/internship experience, or even self-taught)
The Three Phases of EPICS
- Each week consists of one instructional and laboratory component.
- Instructional class = group meetings, advisor meeting, progress report, scheduling trips and inviting speakers.
- Laboratory class = group meeting, gather data/info, implement and test the product.
- Phase One of EPICS: the Beginning
- Day one the teams are established depending on the projects students are interested in.
- Member roles are assigned (e.g. programmer, recorder, leader, etc.)
- Semester plan is established and a time line is created
- Gathering information
- Phase Two of EPICS: the Middle
- Large amount of time spent with
- Creating the product
- Conduct product quality assurance
- Testing of Product
- Finalize the product
- Phase Three of EPICS: the Finale
- Product is complete
- Project artifacts and dossier are turned in
- Artifacts = progress reports, responsibility forms, project documentation, etc.
- Project artifacts and dossier are turned in
- Final Presentation
- Open to the public; possible future community partners are invited
- Peer and customer evaluation
How to Register
- Sign up on my.butler.edu or talk with one of the EPICS advisors
- Epics courses are CS 283, CS 383, and CS 483
The Butler EPICS Program is always looking to work with community leaders. The program allows a company to get some extra free help with their computer applications, network management, program design, etc. while providing Butler students with real life experience.
The Butler Students work hard with their customers and sponsors weekly to get the results desired. The EPICS Program is a team project which is made up of sponsors and students working together.
Our Current Affiliates
- Butler University
- WFYI
Example of our Team Effort:
- The Butler WFYI Team is working with WFYI on updating their website.
- The Butler WFYI Team and WFYI have a meeting and discuss what type of elements they should include on the website.
- A week later the Butler WFYI Team makes a few website updates and asks for feedback and what else would make the site easier to navigate through, more visual appealing, etc.
For more information about what EPICS is about
Contact Professor Panos Linos at epics@butler.edu for more information or if you would like to work with our EPICS team.