Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing

Capstone Design Program

When Industry and Academia Team Up to Solve Problems, Powerful Things Happen

The Capstone Design Program at Chico State partners senior-level students with industry sponsors to design, build, and test solutions to real-world problems. For a modest fee, industry sponsors get ownership rights to a custom-built product or solution created through a collaboration with Chico State faculty and students.

Sponsors also get a chance to recruit talented students from three different areas of study: 

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechatronic Engineering
  • Advanced Manufacturing and Applied Robotics

The Capstone Design Program has provided an excellent return on investment to a long list of past sponsors and is currently looking for new sponsors to partner with for the upcoming Spring and Fall semesters. 

Become an Industrial Sponsor


Project Examples

The scope and scale of projects is flexible and dependent upon the needs of project sponsors. No matter what industry you work in, there’s likely something worth pursuing via the Capstone Design Program. Here's a small sample of some past projects.


How does the capstone program work?

Program Timeline and Stages

Industry partner with hard hat on

Plan and Sign Agreements

Project sponsors are recruited and project plans finalized twice each year prior to the start of classes in the fall and spring.

Student team working

Form Teams and Design

Student teams are formed, initial solutions identified, and designs begin to take shape during the first semester.

product example

Build and Test

Prototype construction and testing takes place during the second semester.


Culminating Event: The Biannual Capstone Design Expo

The College of ECC Design Expo at CSU, Chico gathers industry sponsors, faculty, students, and the public to review, discuss, and celebrate design solutions.

Expo example wind project

Expo display of a wind turbine design entered in Collegiate Wind Competition.

Expo example Auto-Belay

Students demonstrate their Auto-Belay at the Capstone Design Expo.

Expo example Nitinol Abrasion test

A Nitinol Abrasion test Method Medtronic project being showed off.


Sponsor Signup Process

Steps from our Become an Industrial Sponsor page.

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1. Complete Sponsor Request

David and Greg

2. Connect with a capstone faculty advisor.

Signature

3. Sign a Sponsor Agreement.

How to Become a Sponsor

Thank you for your interest in the engineering capstone project at Chico State. Visit Become an Industrial Sponsor to download the request form and see request examples.

How to Apply as a Student

We can’t wait to meet you! Chico State is part of the California State University system and uses Cal State Apply for applications.

Make sure to select California State University, Chico as your campus of choice when applying. Registering and applying is quick and easy, so let’s get started!

Apply to Chico State

Science Building


Contact Us

Fall - Spring Sequence
Coordinated by Corey Cole
530-898-5097
ccole6@csuchico.edu   

Spring - Fall Sequence
Coordinated by Joshua Miranda
530-898-5660
jdmiranda@csuchico.edu  

Students working on projects for wind competition