Development of a Mobile App to Characterize the Time Dynamics of Undergraduate Engineers

The objective of this project is to develop a mobile app that students can use to reliably track the time they spend on various activities (e.g., class attendance, homework, student club). The team will work to develop an app for both Android and iOS devices, allowing students to track their time daily. Additionally, the app will allow students to record short notes about the tracked activities and provide daily and weekly reports on individual time use.

Research has shown the detrimental effects of the culture of stress within engineering on student health and well-being. Students face significant tension about how they invest their time. Many find it challenging to succeed in a rigorous curriculum but also receive signals from institutions and employers to “get involved” outside of the classroom. Yet little is known about how students balance demands on their time. To bring understanding to this issue, we need data.

The project is expected to last three months (May – August). The location is flexible. In-person work is the ideal mode of interaction, but because this is a software engineering project, remote and/or hybrid interaction is acceptable. The project will involve small group collaboration with a team comprised of two undergraduate students and one graduate student. 

NOTE: All interested students must complete this application.  

Project outcomes can be described in terms of deliverables and learning outcomes.

The student team is expected to deliver:
1. A functioning mobile application
2. A project repository with documentation that makes future development possible
3. A demonstration of the application at the end of the project period
4. A poster presentation at UB's 2025 Celebration of Academic Excellence
5. A poster presentation at the 2025 ASEE St Lawrence Section annual conference (funding for travel will be provided)

Students who participate in this project will learn to:
1. manage a technical project from inception to completion,
2. demonstrate their technical skills in programming and app development:
> select a suitable tech stack that will secure the long-term maintainability of the app,
> design the look and feel of the app,
> program the different components necessary for its reliable functioning,
> create appropriate documentation of their development process for transferability and continued support and development,
3. coordinate effort and collaborate effectively with various stakeholders,
4. communicate their process and outcomes professionally both verbally and in writing

Students will work with Dr. Matilde Sánchez-Peña and Dr. Andrew Olewnik from the Department of Engineering Education. They are the principal investigators for this research who will be able to provide the theoretical framing that inform the requirements and functionality of the app.

Professor Alan Hunt from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering will act as a project mentor. Professor Hunt spent many years as a software developer and manager in industry. He currently oversees software project courses for CSE graduate students and oversees the software development experiential learning program for CSE undergrads.

A graduate student from CSE will serve as a project manager/lead developer. Their role will be to provide additional mentorship to the students and will also be an active contributor to app development

Students are expected to complete two preparation activities:

1) Reflection 1: Who are you? How did you get here?

2) Reflection 2: Professional competencies inventory 

computer science, software engineering, software development, software, mobile app, Department of Engineering Education