University of North Texas 
Senior Design Sponsorship
Preparing the Next Generation of Industry Leader
As one of the nation's largest public universities and the largest, most comprehensive in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the University of North Texas is dedicated to providing an excellent education to its more than 38,000 students while powering the North Texas region, state and nation through innovative programs and research. The College of Engineering graduates more than 300 undergraduate students each spring who demonstrate their education and innovation through a senior capstone course. Student groups work with corporate partners like you to apply their knowledge and talent in developing innovative solutions to real world problems.
All engineering seniors at the college conclude their undergraduate engineering education with a required capstone senior design project.
Students gain hands-on experience while working in a team environment. Essential concepts emphasized include:
- project planning
- budgeting
- scheduling
- analysis
- design
- fabrication
- testing
In addition to invaluable, practical technical experience, the capstone project enables students to develop their communication skills through a visual and oral presentation before an audience of peers, faculty, and experts in industry at Design Day.
Recent Student Projects
Please visit Senior Design page to see recent student projects.
Sample Student Projects
| Project | Sponsor |
|---|---|
| Smart Street Light System | AcculightUSA |
| Redesign of a Cable Hoist System Product | CCC Power |
| Configurable Power Distribution Unit | Elbit Systems of America |
| Innovative Baffle for Gas Fired Power Plants | Forney Corporation |
| Automatic Bag Fill Tester | Frito Lay |
| Data-driven Solution to Increase Efficiency of Assembly Process | GE Transportation |
| Custom 3D Printer Design/Build | Mayday Manufacturing |
| Pharmaceutical Inventory management Application | PDX, Inc. |
| Mobile Beverage Cooling Prototype | PepsiCo. |
| PACCAR/Cummins Lifting Eye Bracket | Peterbilt Motors Company |
Sponsoring Student Projects
Each student team consists of 3-6 seniors, and is led by a faculty member who is an expert in the project area and serves as the academic mentor.
Corporate partners support capstone projects by providing funding for necessary materials, laboratory access, and any required equipment use fees, etc. The company also makes available an engineer who acts as the corporate mentor, participates in design reviews, meets regularly with the student team (in person, via phone, or online), guides the project, and evaluates the final product.
To cover the specific cost of the project needs and the general educational needs of our graduate and undergraduate students, we request a sponsorship that varies based on the duration of the capstone project and the size of the sponsoring company:
- For individuals or companies with under 100 employees, the sponsorship cost is $2,000 for senior design projects.
- For companies with under 500 employees, the sponsorship cost is $7,000 for year-long projects and $3,500 for semester-long projects.
- For companies larger than 500 employees, the sponsorship cost is $12,000 for year-long projects and $6,000 for semester-long projects.
- If it is projected that the cost of materials, supplies, licenses, and equipment access fees may exceed the sponsorship cost, we will negotiate with the sponsoring company before the start of the project.
- If company facilities and equipment will be used for the capstone project, we will negotiate with the sponsoring company the value of such in-kind support before the start of the project.
Sponsored Project Deliverables
We provide the talent; you keep the IP. As a corporate sponsor, your organization will receive:
- Access to innovation in engineering through a team of appropriate engineering students bearing your name and dedicated to your project of choice.
- An opportunity to consult on engineering curriculum.
- An opportunity to serve as an advisor and engage with your student team and their faculty mentor in the project development process.
- An opportunity to facilitate professional networking between your student team and employees at your organization.
- An invitation to attend and participate in Senior Design Day in April.
- A detailed report capturing the design, analysis, performance, and alternative approaches considered during the development/design of the project.
- Source code, where applicable, such as the actual drawings, programming of the prototype, performance analysis and simulation software.
- The physical prototype developed by the project where applicable upon completion of the use of the prototype by the team members (outstanding works are expected to be submitted to local, statewide, national, and/or international competitions).
- Access to a prestigious network of experienced young professionals to recruit employees for your organization.
Impact the Student Experience
Sponsorship funds will be used to support the project needs. Any sponsorship funds not used by a capstone project team will be used to support our teaching and research facilities, and the educational experience and professional development of our undergraduate and graduate students.
Testimonials From Sponsors
“Our experience with the Engineering Senior Design project that we engaged on with Michael and Taylor was a very rewarding experience for both ESA and two seniors that were willing to work hard as well as help advance our capabilities here at Elbit. Both Michael and Taylor showed maturity and a strong willingness to find something challenging for them while developing a product that was crucial to our small UAV program. This PDU (Power Distribution Module) is the core of our small UAV platform which is responsible for providing power to many different types of payloads installed on the airframe. Michael and Taylor took the time to understand the requirements, compiled all the different payload combinations and design a PDU that could support the aircraft while taking into account power consumption and efficiency in order to maintain our maximum flight time requirements. As of today, the product has completed several flight tests and is being considered as the baseline for another program. Both Michael and Taylor did an outstanding job and I am proud to say that both have now graduated and have accepted a full time career with Elbit Systems of America. We are excited to have them as full time employees and look forward to continued successes from both of them.
Thank you to the UNT technical staff for supporting them during this design effort and for approving their project and congratulations to both Michael and Taylor for their accomplishments.”
“Working with the students was great. They had tremendous enthusiasm and excitement toward the project and it provided me an opportunity to mentor them on aircraft hole drilling processes and methods. They each had an opportunity to actually drill test plates and install rivets in our training classroom. As a UNT 1987 alumni, it also provided me an opportunity to give back to the college and maybe spark some student interest in the career of aerospace and manufacturing with Triumph.”
“Sponsoring a senior design project was a great experience. The teams worked really hard and came up with some innovative solutions to very difficult real world problems.”
“We like the unique approach UNT takes for their capstone projects. What really sets UNT apart is that you are, as the company, presenting to the group of students and trying to get them to pick your project. Because the students choose the project and want to work with you, we’ve found it’s led to an increased sense of ownership and engagement from the students and leads to better quality output.”
“As a UNT alum, working with the senior design students was a great experience for me and our Peterbilt team. The Capstone Project really helped us connect with academia and make a difference in students’ lives while also getting a great analysis done that addresses some of our industrial needs. It was a wonderful opportunity to advise the students and mentor them. Moreover, this opportunity allowed us to find great talent to join our team when they graduated. The student team and the faculty advisor did an amazing job in delivering our requirements for the project in a timely manner.”
Contact
For questions or additional information, please contact Angus McColl.