By ROBIN JACKSON
The capstone program in the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology has a long history of success in preparing students for jobs after graduation. Robert Todd, mechanical engineering professor and director of the capstone program, said capstone projects are meant to simulate the types of projects graduates will encounter in engineering and technology professions.
?We want to prepare them for leadership in engineering professions,? he said. ?We?re giving the kids a chance to play the game. You can teach all the theory in the classroom just like you can teach all about the theory of baseball. But you won?t understand how the game works until you actually play the game.?
To do this, sponsors give projects that companies may not have the manpower or time to complete. These 800-1000 hour projects are to be done over the course of two semesters. During that time, the capstone students are involved in both the design and manufacturing aspects of the project. Starting from the drawing board, the students from engineering, technology and business departments led by a faculty coach, work together to solve real-world problems in the industry. The sponsor is kept abreast on project developments and receives drawings, reports, prototypes and ownership of the product.
?It?s been effective to simulate your education and techniques you learn in the classroom,' said Joey Jacobsen, a mechanical engineering major. 'You?re able to put it into practical situations.?
Johnson also said working on capstone helps him work better in a team and understand how teams from various companies work differently from each other.
The capstone program was originally created to break several negative trends employers observed in engineering and technology graduates.
Todd, and professors Spencer Magleby and Carl Sorenson researched companies that were hiring BYU graduates in 1993, asking them what weaknesses they perceived in graduates. Inability to work as a team member, lack of creativity, need for real-world experience, poor understanding of manufacturing processes and indifference towards quality work were some top problems employers faced.
Using these general complaints, they further developed the capstone program here at BYU, among the first of its kind to appear on any campus in the nation, Todd said.
Throughout the past 15 years the capstone program has expanded rapidly. Since 1990, the program has grown from three projects to 32 and three faculty members to 27. The number of students enrolled increased about 10 times, from 22 students in 1990 to 195 today. Students have completed more than 330 projects with sponsorship from companies such as NASA, BD Medical Systems, Cummins Engine Company, Aero Turbine, Osterbauer Compressor Service and the U.S. Navy.
Past projects include the ?Asphalt Zipper,? a concrete pavement-removing machine, a silverware sorter, a device that quickly groups silverware in nonresidential locations (hospitals, restaurants, etc.) and a new, compact laptop keyboard.
Today, with capstone under their sleeves, graduates in the program are in high demand, Todd said. He said a large percentage of capstone projects result in employment for the students.
Todd said he hopes every year they will improve their instruction. Completing a course guidebook to replace the syllabus, bringing in several guest speakers and upgrading are his visions for the program in the future.
?I love working with students,? he said. ?I can?t imagine a better job than working with students who are eager to learn, which you certainly can find at BYU.?