Using Sponsored Design Projects to Strengthen Professional Practice Curriculum Components in Civil Engineering Capstone

The Civil and Environmental Engineering department at Brigham Young University has a professionally focused, two-semester capstone program involving 10-20 sponsors from the public and private sectors and undergraduate teams guided by graduate student-mentors and faculty advisers. As they are able, sponsors provide a financial contribution for the project work done by the team. However, the work is performed and provided to the sponsor "as is", meaning that it is not stamped by a professional engineer and no warranties are given. Most sponsors return to the program each year, even as new sponsors have been added. The class is divided into teams of three or four students. The class is educated on topics relevant to professional practices such as team building and professional engagement, namely, Request for Qualifications (RFQ), Statement of Qualifications (SOQ), Request for Proposals (RFP), proposals, interviews, and contracts. They also study finance, project management, teamwork, leadership, and career development. Each of these topics is integrated by experience through the capstone project. In the first semester, teams are formed and organized and experience first hand the professional engagement process. Teams respond to an RFP, are interviewed, and awarded projects on a competitive basis. The second semester begins with a kickoff meeting where the sponsor provides documents, direction, and expresses important ideas about what should be delivered. All of the design work is completed as an on-campus internship during the semester. Each team is mentored by a graduate student who represents the sponsor's interest and is more capable of providing the continuous support necessary for the undergraduate design teams to stay on task. This mentor meets with the team weekly, helps plan tasks and time management, and ensures technical accuracy and sponsor satisfaction. A faculty member is also assigned to each team and is available for periodic consultation and encouragement to insure that best practices are implemented and a quality final solution can be delivered to the sponsor. Deliverables include an oral presentation, usually given at the sponsor's place of work, a final report with drawings and specifications, and a poster describing the design.