The School of Engineering at GVSU is firmly rooted in producing highly capable engineers who can apply engineering design to produce outstanding designs. As part of this process students are continuously exposed to industrial problems through a co-op program and course projects done with industry.
Course Projects - Many courses include projects that are done for local companies. These projects are typically limited to 1 semester (3-4 months) and a single discipline. The project topics and deliverables can vary substantially based upon the course and project definitions. In many cases there are no project fees with the exception of sponsor purchased or provided materials.
Project Day Pictures - Dec., 4, 2008
Senior Projects - Senior projects are done for local companies starting in January and finishing in August. The typical outcomes of these projects are industrial quality i) new product designs, ii) test equipment, and iii) production equipment. These projects are carefully managed to provide a clearly defined set of deliverables. Sponsors are required to purchase all materials and make a donation to the school up to 25% of the material costs. These projects often include the generation of Intellectual Property and Trade Secrets.
DOER Center - The Design Optimization and Engineering Research center is able to take projects that want to take advantage of the faculty, staff, and students at the university, without the constraints of a course/senior project. These project goals and deliverables can include a wide spectrum of options including but not limited to product testing and design, process investigations/development, etc. Unlike course and senior project the DOER center will require labor and overhead fees for faculty and students.
Design and equipment Builders
Disher Design - New Product Design
Magnum Engineering - New Product and Equipment Design
JR Automation - Turnkey automation suppliers
Intellectual Property and Commercialization
West Michigan Science and Technology Initiative (WMSTI) - Helping to bring life sciences technology to market
Hugh Jack, Senior Project Coordinator