Western Carolina University

As part of the Kimmel School's focus on project-based learning, students are required to participate in a two-semester senior capstone project. You will work on a challenge proposed by a project sponsor who has been invited by the Center for Rapid Product Realization, an EDA-designated university center, to submit "real-world" problems that are open-ended, complex, require innovation and self-directed learning and are of sufficient scope to require a team approach.

These are not just sample problems with back-of-the book, predictable answers but challenges that give you the opportunity to apply the engineering fundamentals you are studying and to learn even more with a hands-on experience.

 Working with your course instructor, faculty mentor and mentor selected by the project sponsor, you and your team will use a multidisciplinary approach – including electrical engineering, electrical and computer engineering technology and engineering technology. To simulate a real work environment, you will use a stage/gate process, progressing from a project proposal to a minimum of three conceptual designs; continuing to a preliminary design review, a critical design review, and fabrication and testing of a prototype or proof of concept; and finishing with a wrap-up of documentation, test results and modifications, if needed, to result any issues revealed through testing. A mentor selected by the project sponsor will be available to discuss your progress and review the results you have achieved at the end of the year.

You will gain valuable experience by working on a "real" project; analyzing and solving engineering problems; learning teamwork and presentation skills; setting goals, specifying deliverables and meeting deadlines; testing and modifying your work; and achieving measurable results. That proof that you can actually use what you are learning will give you a distinct advantage as you launch your career or apply for graduate school.

Learn More

For further information, please visit the Kimmel School.