A capstone design experience for electrical engineers

A senior-year sequence in design required of all electrical engineering students at the Milwaukee School of Engineering is described. Commencing in the fall quarter, students form groups of either three or four and formulate a problem having multiple possible solutions which must be approved by their instructor. They must then conduct a feasibility study and present their approach to solving the problem by the end of the fall quarter. During the winter quarter, they perform the paper design and analysis and begin prototyping. Spring quarter consists of prototyping, testing, modifying, retesting, and final documentation. All projects are displayed in a trade-show-type format during the day before spring commencement. Four senior classes have completed the nine-credit sequence to date