Design Courses

There are many courses that can be taken at rice that teach engineering design. Some of these are capstone design projects for seniors, and others are designed for underclassmen. You can find descriptions of each course below.

Senior Design Courses

Bioengineering: BIOE 451 & 452

Senior Bioengineering students will design devices in biotechnology or biomedicine. This project-based course covers systematic design processes, engineering economics, FDA requirements, safety, engineering ethics, design failures, research design, intellectual property rights, business planning and marketing. Students will be expected to compile concise documentation and present orally progress of their teams. It is required that students take both parts of this course in the same year. BIOE 451 and 452 must be taken the same academic year.There are many courses that can be taken at rice that teach engineering design. Some of these are capstone design projects for seniors, and others are designed for underclassmen. You can find descriptions of each course below.

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: CHBE 403 & 404

Product and process design fundamentals. Economic analysis. Use of modern simulation tools for chemical engineering design.

Civil and Environmental Engineering: CEVE 480

The capstone design course will provide senior engineering students with a complete design experience including fundamental design issues in the major areas of the curriculum, small team experiences, project proposals, progress reports and presentations, design software and computations, major report writing, and a final presentation to the CEVE faculty. An established local firm will assist in teaching practical design methods and consultation with other faculty is required as part of the overall experience.

Electrical and Computer Engineering: ECE 494

Senior Design is a year-long course required of all BSEE-degree students. Students should register for ELEC 494 for both semesters. Teams of students will design, construct, and document a prototype system to meet specifications determined by the team and the instructor. Senior design projects are the culmination of the Rice engineering experience. Cross-departmental projects are allowed and encouraged, and extensive use will be made of the Oshman Engineerng Design Kitchen. Many projects will involve advisors from industrial affiliates. Throughout the year there will be several opportunities for presentations on the project. Top projects will be eligible for several awards from within Rice and outside the university, including some nation-wide competitions.

Mechanical Engineering: MECH 407 & 408

An interdisciplinary capstone design experience in mechanical engineering. This course provides an opportunity for students to apply knowledge and skills acquired in previous courses to the solution of a realistic engineering problem. Teams of students will specify, design, and build a system to meet a prescribed set of requirements. The topics covered in this course will include design methodology, effective teamwork, project management, documentation, and presentation skills. Must complete MECH 408 to receive credit for MECH 407. Required for mechanical engineering majors in B.S. program.

Underclassmen Design Courses 

Problem Based Learning Engineering: ENGI 150

Students will solve contemporary, challenging, real-world problems in engineering. The problems will orient around the skills of engineering evaluation, engineering modeling, and engineering design. There will be a significant emphasis on problem formulation and problem solving, as well as oral and written communication. Course is designed for first year undergraduate students.

Sustainable Design: ENGI 202

The objective of this course is to develop skills in formulating and solving problems arising from emerging technologies for the energy and water industries, such as green construction or renewable energy technologies, in the context of sustainable design. Students will be challenged to examine the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of emerging challenges and opportunities, by identifying the relevant objectives, constraints, and decision variables as viewed by various stake holders.

Engineering Design for Art Conservation: ENGI 240 

The objective of this course is to apply the engineering design process to pressing problems in art conservation. Students will work in teams with the Museum of Fine Arts Houston to develop storage solutions for priceless works of art. Course instruction will cover topics in the conservation of Art Objects and the Engineering Design Process. 

Introduction to Global Health Issues: BIOE 260 

Seminar-style introductory design course covering epidemiology, pathophysiology, health systems, health economics, medical ethics, humanitarian energencies, scientific and engineering design methods, and appropriate health technology case studies. To register, you must be enrolled in the GLHT minor and submit a 250 stattement via the BTB website (www.btb.rice.edu) by Monday of preregistration. Instructor permission required