by Perry Parendo

Each summer, the activity around campus changes its pattern. Much is the case with the Senior Design class though in this case it becomes busy. How can a class that is not being offered in the summer be "busy"? This is the time when we meet with companies and discuss potential student projects for the following year. Companies will write a proposal and then, if it is accepted, it is pitched to the students the first week of Fall Semester. Student interest dictates the projects selected at this point. Finally the student work begins and marches forward until the Spring Design Show in May.

This fall we are executing 12 projects. Each team has a faculty advisor (acting as a consultant) and a course coordinator (acting like a director of engineering (which is the author) looking at schedule, budget and requirement compliance plus resource allocation). The class meets three times a week and the group meets with faculty and the companies on a regular basis. In the fall, we provide weekly lectures on topics of general interest to the teams.

After this phase is complete, the coordinator has periodic overview meetings. Design review presentations are performed by the student teams twice a semester and are provided to an audience of faculty and company sponsors.

Our goal is to emulate real life experiences. Feedback indicates it is a good experience for both students and companies. While the company benefits with the work performed, they also gain a set of fresh ideas, a connection with the school, and a pool of talent for potential hire.


For such a great situation, could you not keep yourself busy in the summer making all of this happen?