The senior design program has a number of resources available to teams in order to make progress on the projects. Each resource has a process by which it may be granted and utilized; this is intended to give students experience in what it may take to acquire such resources in their future careers.
Students & employees may find more detail and request options in the Senior Design Hub.
There will be a set of surveys administered through the program to make early estimates of the capital and resource needs of the teams. This allows the program administration to properly prepare the available resources. If demand is low, teams that need the resources may be able to use more of them, but, if demand is high, teams will need to prepare to budget accordingly.
This budget is an amount of money that is set aside and reserved for that team. By doing this, the team is able to know what funds they have to work with which will inform decisions they make within the project.
The Center for Engineering, Design, and Entrepreneurship (CEDE) has an amount of money that is made available each year for senior project budgets. This amount may fluctuate from year to year. Budgets are requested by specific dates listed in the calendar, and the request will require the students to provide certain information about what they intend to do with the funds and the justification for choosing such a route.
Other funds may also be available through different grants, clubs, and sponsors depending on the project.
Once budgets are granted (regardless of source), students are responsible for bookkeeping to insure they do not run out of funds and can provide a summary in their final report.
This process is intended to provide experience for future real-world endeavors such as requesting project budgets in a firm/company, soliciting investments, or requesting grants in research. Almost all organizations must use budgets to plan, track, and optimize the use of their funds. Developing the skills around requesting, utilizing, and bookkeeping budgets is a critical skill for all professionals.
Senior design teams interested in leveraging the budget process should review this resource page: Budget Request
In order to purchase parts and services for projects, teams will place requests through the organization supplying the budget for the project.
CEDE has a process for executing purchases that is intended to replicate what is found in industry purchase requests. Student teams are expected to submit clear requests with justification and sufficient detail to be executed by a buyer/purchaser. Mechanisms exist within this process for purchase orders, p-card executions, pre-approved reimbursements, and account-based purchases.
Grants, clubs, and sponsors will also have procedures for how funds can be approved for spending that students will need to navigate if utilized.
Through this process, students can learn about the nuances of performing transaction in a larger organization.
Senior design teams interested in leveraging the purchase process should review this resource page: Purchase Requests
The Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC) is a highly valuable resource for senior design teams who are fabricating, assembling, or modifying hardware. The senior design program has processes for performing reviews, submitting requests, having parts processed, and students being directly involved in the build of their hardware.
By utilizing the people and equipment available in the MTC, students can gain skills in design for prototyping and design for manufacturability. Working with fabrication and sourcing personnel also helps students develop the communication skills, techniques, and respect needed for the professional trades and personnel they are likely to encounter in their careers.
Senior design teams who wish to make use of the fabrication resources in the MTC should review this resource page: Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC)
Students are also encourage to get involved in the MTC prior to and outside of their senior projects as individuals or clubs.
There are several "student project labs" within SEAS which may be utilized by senior design teams for work space and storage. Like other resources, there is a request process by which students can have space reserved and use approved by providing information on what they intend to do in the space and why it is valuable or essential to the success of the project.
This process is intended to provide experience for future real world experiences such as requesting research and development space, work-center space, or other limited physical resources. The evaluation process also helps insure that students are working safely in lab spaces and that enough space is available to all teams, clubs, and student groups who need them.
Senior design teams who wish to make use of the student project labs should review the resources on this page: Project Lab Work Space
There are a number of academic and research labs which may be made available by their responsible departments depending on circumstances. Contact the managing faculty member to determine opportunities. If unsure of how/who to contact, reach out to the Academic Director.