The Capstone Design experience is the final course in our program where ECE seniors utilize classroom knowledge to design and produce prototypes for real-world projects. Interdisciplinary teams of 4-6 students work on projects provided by industry, non-profit organizations, artists, faculty and staff.
First Semester
Weeks 1-2
In the first two weeks of the term, the students will select their teams based on interest and their personal expertise.
Weeks 3-5
The teams will then bid on two of the offered projects and present them to the instructor team. Projects are then assigned by the instructor team.
Weeks 6-10
Teams work with their sponsors to define the marketing and engineering requirements and other constraints. They also define their testing procedures.
Students start work individually on research to become an expert on a sub-topic of their project.
Weeks 11-15
Individual research reports are finished and then culminated in the Preliminary Design Report and Presentation. The first parts will be ordered and tested.
Week 16
On Senior Design Day, the students showcase the current status of their projects to the public.
Additional parts are ordered after the semester break.
(Finals week of the first semester)
(Winter break or summer break)
Second Semester
Weeks 1-5
Teams build and program parts of their projects. At the end of this time, they have their Critical Design Report and Presentation describing their final design solution. They also begin working on the project video.
Weeks 6-13
System integration and final testing. In week 13, the prototype is finished and the final presentation and final report are due.
Videos are almost complete.
Weeks 14-15
Showtime for the videos
Senior Design Day allows students to showcase their final prototypes to the public.