Senior Design Project
In your final undergraduate year, you’ll take the Senior Design Project courses, where you’ll bring together and apply everything you’ve learned in the classroom to tackle real-world industry challenges while collaborating with industry, government, non-profits and research partners. Students can propose their own projects or select from approved proposals.
Through collaboration with corporate partners, you gain real-world, hands-on experience, refine your designs based on feedback and set actionable goals. You’ll also engage with industry experts, gaining insights into advanced engineering practices, industry standards and emerging technologies.
Your team will present their project during the Senior Design Showcase, held twice a year by FIU’s College of Engineering & Computing. The showcase features nearly 400 senior engineering and computer science projects.
Senior Design Project Curriculum
The Senior Design Project consists of two courses across two semesters: EML 4551, Ethics and Design Organization and EML 4905, Senior Design Project. Throughout both courses, student teams are supported by a project mentor (a faculty member from the MME Department) and a project advisor (an external expert).
EML 4551 - Ethics and Design Organization
In EML 4551, you'll form design teams with other students, select a project and develop a preliminary design along with a validation plan. This phase focuses on establishing the foundational principles of the project, including ethical considerations and project organization.
EML 4905 - Senior Design Project
In EML 4905, you'll move forward with the detailed design phase, which may include creating a prototype (full-scale, small, functional or a model) or conducting a study for larger systems like HVAC. This phase emphasizes refining the design and addressing practical implementation challenges.
You're graded based on how well you meet specific project goals. At the end of the project, your group will present their final designs and work, preparing them for careers or further studies.
About the Senior Design Showcase
The Senior Design Showcase is a biannual event hosted by FIU’s College of Engineering & Computing. Held every fall and spring at FIU’s Ocean Bank Convocation Center, the Showcase highlights student innovation and connections with industry.
It features projects from nearly 400 senior engineering and computer science students and attracts more than 900 attendees, including community members, industry leaders and recruiters from government agencies.