Senior Design Options

All projects have realistic job-comparable requirements, based upon a mix of possible sponsors: for-profit companies, inventors, medical institutions, philanthropic organizations, research programs, and national competitions. Since all but the national competitions change dramatically every semester/year, it is not possible to specify these projects more than a few weeks in advance of any given semester at which specific projects start.

General

Projects which systematically develop an optimized product which successfully meets/addresses a specific Sponsor’s needs. ME 640 and ME 641 are taken for these projects.

Option A (General) consists of multiple, independent design projects (approximately 20 individual projects per academic year) that are sponsored by industry or by individuals (typically entrepreneurs). The projects are two semesters in length, beginning with ME 640 (Mechanical Engineering Design Project), followed by ME 641 (Mechanical Engineering Design Project Option A). In the first course of the sequence (ME 640), the students identify customer needs, and define the scope of their projects, develop both conceptual and detailed designs, and specify components.  The groups also plan the timing of the project, document the scope and design, and present their progress to peers and industry sponsors. ME 640 is the pre-requisite for ME 641, which focused on the completion of the design, demonstrating that it meets the specified requirements, writing and submitting final reports, and delivering a prototype to the sponsor.

Formula

(stringent National Competition): systematically develop a race vehicle which most successfully addresses all requirements for the Competition. ME 617, ME 627, and ME 642 are taken for this project. The KU-ME Formula Team’s (Jayhawk Motorsports) record of achievement over the past several years can be found on the SAE International website with other information Jayhawk Motorsports.

Option B (Formula SAE Combustion/Electric Vehicle) allows our student design teams to compete with other student teams nationally and internationally. For this option, students enroll in ME 617 (Research for Design Project Option B, 1 credit hour) during the summer. ME 627 (Automotive Design, 3 credit hour Advanced Engineering Elective) is required in the fall semester where students primarily design their project. This is followed by ME 642 (Mechanical Engineering Design Option B, 3 credit hours). Various oral and written reports are required throughout the experience.

Biomechanics

Projects related to systematic development of a product which fits into the medical field. ME 633, ME 640 and ME 643 are taken for these projects.

Option C (Biomechanics) allows students who are pursuing the bio-certificate and/or might contemplate careers in the field or as medical doctors to engage in a relevant design experience. For this option, ME 633 (Basic Biomechanics, 3 credit hour Advanced Engineering Elective) is a required pre-requisite for ME 643. Just as they do in Option A, the students enroll in ME 640 (Mechanical Engineering Design Project) which is a pre-requisite for ME 643 (Mechanical Engineering Design Project Option C).