In your final year, you’ll apply classroom knowledge to real-world engineering challenges through the Senior Design Project, collaborating with industry, government, non-profits and research partners.
You’ll work with industry professionals to learn advanced engineering practices, standards and emerging technologies. Your team will present its project at the Senior Design Showcase, held twice a year, featuring nearly 400 senior engineering and computer science projects.
Senior Design Project Curriculum
The Senior Design Project spans two courses across two semesters, EML 4551, Ethics and Design Organization and EML 4905, Senior Design Project. Student teams work with a faculty mentor and an external project advisor throughout the process.
Senior Design Curriculum
EML 4551 – Ethics and Design Organization Form teams, select a project, and develop a preliminary design with a validation plan. Focus on ethics, project organization, and foundational principles.
EML 4905 – Senior Design Project Advance to detailed design, including prototypes or system studies (e.g., HVAC). Refine your design, tackle implementation challenges, and prepare for real-world application. Grades are based on meeting project goals, and teams present final designs at the end, readying them for careers or further study.
Modular Course Design
Each semester, you’ll complete modules that strengthen your engineering design, leadership, teamwork and project management skills. Lasting one to three weeks, these hands-on modules cover topics like assessing customer needs, crafting an elevator pitch, understanding environmental and ethical impacts and creating innovative prototypes.
These experiences help you build technical expertise while developing the soft skills needed to succeed in the workplace.
About the Senior Design Showcase
The Senior Design Showcase is held twice a year at FIU’s Ocean Bank Convocation Center. It highlights student innovation and connects students with industry, featuring nearly 400 senior engineering and computer science projects and welcoming over 900 attendees, including community members, industry leaders and government recruiters.