As such, students may decide to develop depth in a certain area or to develop breadth in several areas. Some students choose to pursue an independent research project under faculty direction. The senior year also includes a course in manufacturing processes designed to address the state's large manufacturing base and a two-semester sequence in engineering design. The first design course emphasizes design considerations and methods required to solve open-ended problems, as well as written and oral communication of the design solution. The final design course is a capstone course that requires integration of knowledge gained in preceding analysis and design courses.
Regional industries present current problems to be solved by student teams.
Both written and oral presentations of progress and final results are evaluated by faculty juries. A senior seminar course serves to reinforce in the students' minds professional ethics, societal responsibility, and problems and opportunities likely to be encountered in professional practice. In addition to this comprehensive coverage of scientific and engineering topics, the importance of education in English, humanities, literature and social sciences is addressed by courses totaling 21 credit hours. Courses satisfying 15 of these credit hours are selected by the students with assistance of their advisor to meet College requirements regarding breadth and depth and to meet University general education requirements. Students may also use free electives to expand their interests in a wide variety of non-technical areas.