Senior Capstone: A Cross Disciplinary, Student Centered Approach

Recently, the Engineering & Design department at Eastern Washington University examined and revised its Senior Capstone curriculum. The new curriculum enables the department’s multiple disciplines to effectively collaborate in a problem-based, student-centered learning environment. The Engineering & Design department offers eight undergraduate degrees. The diverse degrees include Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Construction Technology, Design Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, Electronics Technology, and Electrical Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design. The class and coursework are divided into two sections: production and promotion. This division of disciplines and tasks closely resembles industry practice. The production group models itself after a “manufacturing company” that designs and produces a marketable product and the promotion group takes on the roll of an “advertising agency” that promotes the product. This authentic experience gives students the opportunity to participate in the partnership of production and promotion, while gaining insight into their particular role in the relationship. Thus far, after three quarters of the new Capstone curriculum, student work, comments, and course evaluations reflect that the collaborative, problem-based class provides a unique learning experience for the students. In addition, it is evident that the revised curriculum fosters the successful interaction of multiple disciplines resulting in new levels of synergy, creativity, and productivity. In the revised Capstone, disciplines join together to blend expertise and create an experience that is more comprehensive than any could provide alone.