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Capstone Design

Where Engineering Theory Meets the Real World

Students learn best by doing, and the capstone program is the perfect place for young engineers to begin solving real-world problems.

Past semesters have included projects in agribusiness, healthcare, game hunting, recreation, rocketry, education, structural engineering, alternative energy, business systems, transportation, and entertainment.

Capstone Design Program Details

Program

Capstone is a two-semester culminating activity that brings students’ foundational and theoretical learning together in a hands-on, problem-solving effort. Student teams work with sponsoring companies to design and build projects that meet the sponsors’ needs. This real-world experience teaches communication, interdisciplinary teamwork, specifications, and design.

Key Concepts

  • Identify and define a problem
  • Design solutions within the parameters presented by the sponsor
  • Test their ideas and make appropriate modifications to meet client needs

Capstone Design Showcase

Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design students proudly share their accomplishments with a display of their work. Previous semesters have showcased projects in agribusiness, refrigeration, manufacturing, entertainment, robotics, electric vehicles, heavy equipment, production efficiency, and education.

Visit our recent Fall showcase page

Sponsorship

Why Sponsor a Project?

We rely on our industry partners to be a part of the learning process! Bring us your vision or problem and allow our engineers to explore the possibilities and present a solution.

How to Sponsor a Project

For information on how to sponsor a capstone project, contact our program coordinators at MBEcapstone@boisestate.edu.

Volunteer

Our students benefit from the real-world experience of industry professionals. If you have an interest in mentoring a team, helping us recruit new project sponsors, or even act as an occasional consultant, WE WANT YOU!

Contacts

Fall/Spring Program

Sarah Haight
Fall/Spring project coordinator
(208) 426-1050
Office: RUCH 234
sarahhaight@boisestate.edu

Spring/Fall Program

Aaron Smith
Spring/Fall project coordinator
(208) 426-2360
Office: MEC 403D
aaronsmith9@boisestate.edu

Capstone Design Teams

Sponsor Approved

I wanted to thank you for allowing me to participate in the BSU Capstone Project program this year.  I worked closely with the team … and have been impressed with these students.  Over my career I have hired and worked with dozens of engineering seniors, and I can say without a doubt that these are some of the best and brightest I have experienced.

Their work on the Porvair design this year was very professional, detailed, and they delivered well beyond my expectations.  The final working model displays genuine effort, thought and ingenuity which developed over the course of the project.

You should be proud of this team, as they have exemplified what I would anticipate coming from the BSU Engineering College.

Jerry Young, General Manager
Engineering Manager, Microelectronics
Porvair-Boise