Please see main Project Center site
Seattle University 's Science and Engineering Project Center strives to give seniors the strongest possible base for their professional careers. Established in 1987 as one of the first in the nation, the program includes projects for Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, and Civil and Environmental Engineering disciplines. Leading national trends in education, Seattle University forms partnerships with prominent sponsors throughout the Puget Sound region to prepare students for professional practice. These companies and government and private agencies sponsor projects at Seattle University, providing students with practical problems to solve, and the type of real-world challenges they will encounter as professional scientists and engineers. Senior engineering students all participate in a sponsored project, and senior science students are encouraged to participate in a project. Science and engineering students work in teams in close collaboration with liaisons from each sponsor, and are guided by members of Seattle University's faculty. Three to five students form each project team, and work together on a project throughout their senior year. The students are responsible for team organization, scheduling, budgeting, design, construction, project management, documentation, and presentation of their results. These presentations are given on Projects Day, an annual event that takes place at the end of spring quarter.
Benefits to Students
- Students get real-world training in conceptualizing and executing projects that meet not only educational, but community standards as well.
- Students learn communication, leadership and public relations skills by working with diverse groups of people in a professional environment.
- Students have the opportunity to present fresh, new ideas in a highly competitive market.
- Projects are allotted substantial budgets, allowing students to order supplies and equipment that fall outside of university resources (which may include computers, equipment and laboratory resources).
- Members rotate as Project Lead, thereby ensuring that each student experiences the responsibilities and leadership qualities required of any project supervisor.
- Design team members have the great advantage of being observed as prospective recruits in a work place environment.