Every engineer and computer science senior at UT Dallas is require to complete a team-oriented capstone project (senior design course). This final project allows students to fully engage in the design process and put in practice their project-management and problem-solving skills. The course gives students hands-on design experience and prepares them for the work world.
UTDesign projects are proposed, sponsored and mentored by companies. Students not only get to work on real world problems, but also get to work in an environment similar to that of industry professionals.
Each UTDesign team typically consists of 4-6 senior students working an average of 10 hours a week for 2 semesters (15 hours per week in the summer. Computer Science offers a one-semester project.) The team has the advantage to be coached by two people: a corporate mentor, who acts as the technical point of contact for the company, and UT Dallas advisor.
During the length of the project, the team will:
- Determine the customer’s needs and find all the necessary specifications and requirements for the project.
- Research the project and work on preliminary designs.
- Write a proposal for the company and deliver a preliminary design presenation and report.
- Work on a final design, prototype, testing and validation.
- Prepare all project documentation for the company.
- Prepare a final oral presentation and poster presentation for the UTDesign Expo.
