Course Overview

The Capstone Design Program is a two-semester course sequence that gives the Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering senior students the opportunity to apply their knowledge to a real-world engineering challenge, resulting in a functioning prototype. Through this intensive project, students engage in the full design process—from understanding client needs to delivering a tested and evaluated solution.

Course Objectives

Students will:

  • Solve complex, practical engineering problems
  • Gain experience managing long-term projects
  • Apply the full engineering design process
  • Improve technical communication (written and oral)
  • Reflect on ethical and environmental impacts of engineering solutions

Course Sequence

  • EE 364D (Fall): Problem definition, design planning, and preliminary system design
  • EE 464 (Spring): Prototype development, testing, refinement, and final demonstration

Team Support Structure

Faculty Mentors

  • Attend weekly team meetings
  • Provide guidance, technical feedback, and resource support
  • Evaluate student contributions and attend key presentations

Technical TAs

  • Advise during lab hours and attend team meetings
  • Assess team performance and progress
  • Clarify course rules and policies (but do not solve technical problems)

Writing TAs

  • Deliver workshops and provide feedback on writing assignments
  • Meet for report consultations and help with oral presentations
  • Advise on organization, formatting, and communication effectiveness

(Note: Writing TAs do not proofread or rewrite content.)

Structured Milestones

Teams follow a clear schedule of deliverables and checkpoints throughout the year, including reports, presentations, and a final showcase. This structure ensures progress and fosters strong communication and time management skills.

Contact our faculty capstone course instructors to start a conversation about your project ideas.

Fall 2025                   
Leonard “Frank” Register            
Professor                    
register@austin.utexas.edu            

Spring 2026
Saad Saleh
Professor of Practice
saad.saleh@austin.utexas.edu