The fundamental elements of the design process are the establishment of objectives and criteria, synthesis, construction, testing and evaluation and should include a variety of realistic constraints, such as economic factors, safety, and reliability, aesthetics, ethics and social impact. In this regard, the College has in place, a series of required courses with engineering design content which are integrated throughout the curriculum in each engineering department. Engineering design continues in the junior year with the required course ENGR 320 Introduction to Design where upper division students are once again introduced to the design process in a much more rigorous and comprehensive manner, building upon concepts introduced at the freshman and sophomore levels. Specialization in each department begins in the junior year with departmental design courses. Departmental specific design courses are listed in each department curriculum.
Further specialization takes place in the senior year.
The design sequence is completed with a two-semester discipline specific capstone design course. An integral part of the design experience is the introduction of ethical, economic, social and safety factors required to make a design successful. These concepts are introduced during the freshman year, reinforced during the junior year and integrated into design projects in the junior level and senior level design courses. At each level, a formal written report and a formal oral report is required to communicate the design. This page is last updated on October 25, 2000.