Jesse Goldstein, Electrical Engineering, class of 2016.

When he was considering where to major in engineering, electrical engineering graduate Jesse Goldstein already was familiar with Temple University. His older sister Marnie, a 2013 English degree graduate, and his older brother Cody, a 2015 business degree graduate, are now both alumni. But there was something more.

"During my visitation day, I was impressed with the backgrounds of the faculty I met," says the provost scholar, Honors Program participant and dean's list student. "They also really seemed interested in students, which is something I didn't find at other schools."

In Goldstein's case, that first impression proved true. After taking several courses with Associate Professor Chang-Hee Won, since April 2015 Goldstein has worked in Won's Control, Sensor, Network, and Perception Laboratory as an undergraduate student research assistant. Working closely with undergraduate students, he has utilized CAD hardware design and MATLAB image processing to test the development of Won's novel tactile image system for tumor detection.

"There's really nothing like it currently available," he says, "and I've been interested in how the physics involved—the properties of imaging and light—can be applied in such a simple and practical device to determine whether or not something in the human body could be potentially harmful."

Continuing that research in Won's laboratory is one reason Goldstein, who envisions a career in research and development, opted for Temple's accelerated 4+1 dual BS/MS degree program. By taking graduate level courses his junior and senior years, Goldstein will be able earn his MS in electrical engineering in just one more year, in December 2017.

"It's a terrific way to earn your master's degree while saving time and money," says Goldstein.

This past summer he also had another interesting assignment. As a paid undergraduate intern with the Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program in Philadelphia, he worked on developing a solar-powered rotary saw.

"My experience with the Temple College of Engineering has been really good," concludes Goldstein. "I've learned a lot in four years and they don't just teach you theory. There's a lot of emphasis on professional development and teamwork."