Senior Design Project Course: A Case Study

The two‐quarter Senior Design Project course given in the Computer Science and Engineering Department of Auburn University gives undergraduate students a significant computer system development experience by working on a project from proposal to prototype. Heavy emphasis is placed on team‐ and project‐management principles, team presentations, the application of standard structured development methodologies, and the generation of formal deliverables after each project phase. Project ideas are canvassed from faculty, graduate students, local industry and community, and from the students themselves. We believe that the knowledge and experience acquired by students from working in a team on a substantial project gives them an insight and perspective that is unattainable through the standard lecture paradigm. The course has received enthusiastic endorsement from industry, accrediting boards, and participating students (albeit at the end of the course!).