Senior Design Projects
INDUSTRY-DRIVEN. HANDS-ON. IMPACTFUL.
Program Overview
The Materials Engineering Senior Design Program at Purdue University partners student teams with industry sponsors to tackle real-world engineering challenges.
Projects focus on practical, exploratory, and innovative solutions, giving students professional experience while delivering value to sponsors.
- Two-semesters (Fall & Spring)
- Focus on implementable, novel solutions
- Teams of 4–6 students
- Faculty-guided, industry-mentored projects
- Project IP terms defined up front; sponsors typically retain IP
Project Focus Areas
- Process design
- Materials characterization & testing
- Failure analysis
- Properties measurement
- Materials and process modeling
- Process optimization
- Safety, Ethics, and Energy consumption
- Engineering Design
Company Benefits
- Student interaction and exposure
- Potential new business partnership
- Visibility through posters in Armstrong Hall
- Invitation to MSE student night
- Solutions to deferred projects, new approaches, and better practices
- May be tax deductible
- Exploring new cutting-edge techniques in a low-risk, high-payoff environment
Student Experience
- Real-world engineering experience
- Exposure to current industry challenges
- Potential pathways to employment or new ventures
- Professional skill development:
- Technical writing & presentations
- Research and problem-solving
- Project management
- Experience with advanced lab techniques & equipment
- Team collaboration
- Industry networking
Industry Impacts
“The senior design program is a fantastic way to partner with students and investigate important technology issues for our current and future products.” — Medtronic
“The project continually gives a solid return on investment through new material and process knowledge — and access to Purdue MSE’s best and brightest.” — Cummins Inc.
How to Sponsor
To get more information or to become a project sponsor, contact our office by March 1st.
David Gildemeister
Associate Professor of Practice
Previous Sponsors
