The Center for Engineering Design is intended to enhance the design content of the engineering programs at Gonzaga University by promoting interaction between the industrial and academic communities. The Center's mission is to organize, support and provide guidance to student teams. These teams undertake design projects defined by industry sponsors. A project team typically consists of three to five students having a diversity of knowledge and experience that best suits the project. Together they must make effective use of their available resources to perform and manage the project activities. By working on a real engineering problem, each student has the opportunity to make decisions under risk, to work as part of a team and to interact with professionals in industry.
Gonzaga engineering faculty members, who advise the student teams, are ideally suited as advisors. More than half of them have at least five years of industrial experience. A faculty advisor lends knowledge and experience to the project team by guiding and counseling the students in the technical and managerial decisions required by the project.
A liaison engineer from the sponsoring company provides technical direction and advice to the student team, monitors the project's progress and ensures that the project meets the needs of the sponsor. The liaison engineer also assists the team in making the best use of the sponsor's resources and facilities.
Projects involving civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering design are sought from industry throughout the year. Industrial sponsors who are supportive of engineering education provide ideas, resources, and funds for projects. By identifying project topics and the technical areas that are of interest to them, they help direct students to realistic engineering problems that are important to industry.
At the end of the semester, a day is dedicated to the presentation of projects, during which the student design teams present their projects and reports, and demonstrate models and prototypes. Industrial sponsors, faculty members, prospective students, and members of the community are invited to attend the event and to interact with the project teams.
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