A student team takes measurements for the Big 4 Trail project as part of the senior design capstone course.

Capstone course puts professional scenarios into practice

Through their involvement with real-world projects, Purdue civil engineering seniors take their education beyond the classroom and into a professional setting.

Signifying the near-completion of their undergraduate careers in the Lyles School of Civil Engineering — and serving as a rite of passage — all students must complete the senior design capstone course in their final year. The class employs all the knowledge they have accumulated at Purdue and emphasizes the importance of collaboration in a team environment.

“Senior design prepares our students for the professional world and deepens their understanding of what we have been teaching them over the years,” said Bob Jacko, professor of civil engineering and senior design instructor. “You can really see the difference it makes by the end of the semester. Not only do our students come out of this class with a greater understanding of civil engineering, but they gain an additional level of maturity as they learn what it’s like to be part of a planning and design team.”

Each semester, the project changes depending on the needs of partner organizations such as the Greater Lafayette and Tippecanoe County government offices, as well as several engineering firms and alumni. Past projects have included sample design work for historic theater renovations, roadway expansions and stadium construction.

This spring, students are working with Butler, Fairman & Seufert Inc. of Indianapolis on the Big 4 Trail project within Tippecanoe County. The Big 4 Trail stretches from Indianapolis to Delphi, Indiana, following closely along the abandoned Big 4 Railroad. The Tippecanoe County portion is a 27-mile-long pedestrian/bike trail that runs from the southeast corner of the county through Lafayette, West Lafayette and Battle Ground up to the county line toward Delphi. Railroad bridge redesign, shelter buildings, potable and sanitary water and property line delineation are only some of the civil engineering challenges facing the students this semester.

The students work in teams and act as their own civil engineering companies. Each team member takes on a specific role in the company as they plan out the entire project from the concept phase to final  development. The teams then present their plans at the end of the semester and provide full reports that include a budget and schedule for the development of their project.

Civil engineering student Camille Hamilton said her experience has been truly eye-opening.

“What was so great about this class was that I felt like it really gave me a good glimpse of what it would be like to work with fellow civil engineers,” Hamilton said. “We had to learn how to work together and effectively communicate what we expected of each other.”

Classmate Harrison Kuszmaul echoed Hamilton, adding that the class gave him a greater appreciation of established professionals.

“To take what we’ve learned and put it into practice has been invaluable to me,” Kuszmaul said. This class, I feel, has been a great lead-up to what I aspire to do as a professional. I want to be part of a company and team that can come together and do something incredible.”