Industry Capstone Program

We typically accept approximately 15-20 projects annually, with more projects in the spring semester. This structure allows us to maintain high-quality experiences for both students and industry partners. 

Capstone projects are intentionally interdisciplinary. Student teams are composed of individuals from multiple engineering majors – including mechanical and manufacturing engineering, electronics and computer engineering, robotics and systems engineering – allowing us to take on a broad range of technical challenges.

We encourage partners to submit projects across areas such as mechanical design, manufacturing, automation, electronics, process improvement and logistics. 

Most projects are designed to be completed within a single semester, which aligns well with industry timelines.

For more complex challenges, projects can be structured as a two-semester sequence, with one team initiating the work and a second team continuing and completing the project. 

Projects should be submitted before the start of the semester, with a clearly defined scope, objectives, resource needs and timeline.

Early submission allows sufficient time for faculty review, team formation and project planning, ensuring a strong start and successful execution. 

Projects are reviewed based on:

• Clarity and feasibility of scope 
• Alignment with student learning objectives 
• Availability of appropriate student skill sets 
• Resource requirements and timeline 

We work collaboratively with partners to refine project ideas as needed before final selection.

The typical project investment is approximately $5,000, with additional costs for materials and/or travel.

This investment allows organizations to make meaningful progress on real challenges at a fraction of the cost typically associated with internal development or third-party consulting engagements. 

It may depend on the project scope and data collection requirements, but in most cases, a single primary point of contact is sufficient. We recommend that this individual have an engineering or technical background to ensure effective communication and guidance throughout the project. This individual helps:

• Provide project background and context 
• Answer questions during the semester 
• Review progress and provide feedback 

Time commitment varies slightly by project, but most partners can expect a structured and manageable level of engagement throughout the semester. Student teams typically meet with the company point of contact:

• Weekly during the early stages of the project to establish scope, gather information and align on direction 
• Approximately twice per month through the middle of the semester as work progresses.
• More frequently again toward the end as teams finalize deliverables and prepare for project completion 

Key touchpoints include major project milestones such as kickoff, concept review, initial proposal, design review and final delivery.

Overall, partners should anticipate a consistent but reasonable level of involvement, with engagement concentrated around key phases of the project.

Intellectual property terms are defined through a formal project agreement developed in coordination with the university’s sponsored programs office.

In general:

• Agreements are structured to protect both partner interests and student learning outcomes 
• Specific IP ownership and usage rights are clearly outlined upfront 
• Confidentiality provisions can be included as needed 

We work closely with partners to ensure terms are transparent, practical and aligned with project goals.

Projects are designed to produce practical, usable outcomes. At the conclusion of the project, partners typically receive:

• Final presentation and demonstration 
• Technical documentation and reports 
• Design files, data or prototypes (as applicable) 
• Recommendations for next steps