Barry I. Hyman
Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195, USA
E-mail: hyman@u.washington.edu

Abstract:
This paper proposes a new role for the traditional capstone design course that culminates many undergraduate engineering curricula. We envision the outcome of the capstone experience serving as the cornerstone for an integrated sequence of design projects throughout the curriculum. In this paper we describe the benefits of this approach to students, faculty, the university, and industrial clients. While this paper describes how this transformation could be accomplished in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Washington, we believe that it has similar potential in other departments and universities.