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.
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
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.
Form Teams and Design
Student teams are formed, initial solutions identified, and designs begin to take shape during the first semester.
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 display of a wind turbine design entered in Collegiate Wind Competition.
Students demonstrate their Auto-Belay at the Capstone Design Expo.
A Nitinol Abrasion test Method Medtronic project being showed off.
Sponsor Signup Process
Steps from our Become an Industrial Sponsor page.
1. Complete Sponsor Request
2. Connect with a capstone faculty advisor.
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!
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