Introduction

Senior projects programs are an important part of all engineering curricula. Whether you are continuing on with post-graduate studies, beginning a career as an entry-level engineer, or working in a non-engineering field, as a graduate of an accredited engineering program, you will need to possess and demonstrate the following attributes:

  • Results Driven
  • Technically Competent
  • Engineering Judgement
  • Creative and Innovative
  • Communicate Effectively
  • Team Player and Performer
  • Business Oriented
  • Responsible Engineering
  • Ethical and Professional
  • Engaged in Professional Development
  • Client Oriented Quality Improvement

Senior design projects provide an environment that enables students to learn and to put into practice most of the attributes listed above.

Objectives

To provide students with the attributes listed above, senior design projects have the following objectives:

    1. To involve students in the conception, planning, and execution of a real-world design challenge.
    2. To provide an integration of information, ideas, and concepts learned from previous courses into a comprehensive design effort.
    3. To foster teamwork and coordination of the efforts of all team members toward a common goal.
    4. To provide a transition from the academic world to the professional world.

Senior Design Project Emphases

Program objectives are achieved by emphasizing teamwork, the integration of analytical and design skills, and engineering communication:

Teamwork

    • Unified commitment to a goal
    • Problem solving dynamics
    • Adaptability/flexibility to changes
    • Collaboration and conflict resolution
    • Trust and Respect
    • Ethical Agreement

Integration of Analytical and Design Skills

    • Science
    • Research
    • Engineering fundamentals
    • Connect to courses
    • Design principles
    • Design application

Engineering Communication

    • Project planning
    • Documentation
    • Configuration management
    • Presentations

Senior Design Project Types

Within MAE there are 4 main types of projects. As described in the chart below, the source and inspiration for the project can be quite different. Nonetheless, each project while emphasize teamwork, the integration of analytical and design skills, and engineering communication.

Faculty supervision and approval is required for all senior projects.

The rest of this handbook provides information aimed at helping student be successful in meeting class, sponsor, and advisor requirements for their project and, more importantly, gain the attributes that will bring success and fulfillment in all their future endeavors.