Capstone Design Program

Collaborate. Mentor. Innovate.

Each year, all senior students in the Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering complete a yearlong Capstone Design course, working in teams of 5–7 to solve open-ended, real-world engineering problems. These industry-sponsored projects are guided by both faculty and a company engineer, culminating in detailed reports, presentations, and functional prototypes showcased at our Capstone Design Showcase.

How It Works

  • Students select from sponsor-submitted projects and are matched based on skills and interests.
  • Each team is supported by a faculty advisor and a company technical mentor, who provides 1 hour/week of mentoring during the first month, then 30 minutes/week thereafter.
  • Teams follow a structured process: problem definition, research, design proposals, prototyping, testing, and final reporting.

Sponsor Involvement Includes:

  • Weekly or bi-weekly team meetings (remote or in-person)
  • Funding and materials support
  • Technical guidance and feedback throughout the year
  • Final presentation participation at the Capstone Showcase

Company Benefits

  • Build early connections with talented engineering students
  • Strengthen campus visibility and brand awareness
  • Gain fresh perspectives and insights on engineering challenges
  • Receive a working prototype (note: turnkey solutions or IP outcomes are not guaranteed)

Intellectual Property & NDAs

  • IP Assignment: Sponsors may request students sign over project IP rights.
  • Nondisclosure: Projects involve public presentations; confidential content should be scoped accordingly.
  • Sponsor Agreement: Formal commitment required; terms are standardized and non-negotiable.
Download Standard IP Agreement