Undergraduates in civil and environmental engineering must take CE 495. This capstone course prepares students for the workplace by providing an experience with the following challenges:
- A project with multiple issues that must be resolved using civil and environmental engineering knowledge;
- Formulation of conceptual solutions and resolution of conflicting design elements;
- Development of plans that comply with regulations and provide a basis for cost estimates;
- Balancing individual responsibility and group participation in a team based effort;
- Preparation of written reports and oral presentations.
Each team is responsible for developing a design that addresses environmental, hydrological, pavement, transportation, and structural issues for the project. A student project manager coordinates each team. Design reports are judged by the faculty; progress reports and the oral presentations are judged by a board of practicing professionals.
TechSmith: New World Headquarters
Michigan State University continues to implement its vision of redeveloping the 140-acre Spartan Village into a technology and innovation campus. Recently Michigan’s governor and the MSU president were among others who announced the construction of a new headquarters for Techsmith, a software development company previously located nearby. The new 62,500 square- foot headquarters is being developed in partnership with the MSU Foundation on approximately 5 acres of land at the corner of South Crescent and Harrison Road.
The project should emphasize implementation of green infrastructure. Green infrastructure refers to systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes to infiltrate, evapotranspire, or harvest stormwater at its source. The university is seeking proof-of-concept level designs that examine how green infrastructure could be integrated into the particular site to meet multiple environmental, educational, and economic objectives. The development must be consistent with MSU’s campus master plan.
The Teams
Key to Team Roles: E=Environmental, H=Hydrology, P=Pavements, PM=ProjectManager, S=Structures, T=Transportation
Team 1: Spartan Design Group
Team 2: Endpoint Civil and Environmental Engineering Firm
Team 3: Engineering by Nemo
Team 4: Midwest Civil Design, LLC
Team 5: G & W Consulting Group
Team 6: RCE Consulting
Team 7: J.L. Engineering
Team 8: Agent of Construction
Team 9: Precision Engineering
Team 10: White Pine Engineering Group
Team 11: Titan Engineering
Team 12: GLA Engineering Services
Professional Seminar Speakers
Michele Buckler, P.E.
Daimler Automotive Group
Mark Dubay, P.E.
Michigan Department of Transportation
Brad Ewart, P.E.
Soil & Materials Engineers, Inc.
Megan Jacobs, P.E.
Soil & Materials Engineers, Inc.
Leanne Panduren, P.E.
Rowe Professional Services
Robert Rayl, P.E.
RS Engineering LLC
Charles Rolfe, P.E.
OHM Advisors
Jon Stratz, P.E.
Michigan Department of Transportation
Dan Thome, P.E.
Nicholson
Roy Townsend, P.E.
Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation
Brad Wieferich, P.E.
Michigan Department of Transportation
Professional Evaluators
Engineers and scientists associated with the following firms, municipalities, and companies donated time to provide students with a practicing professional’s perspective. We gratefully acknowledge their generous contributions.
Jill Bauer, P.E.
ROWE Professional Services
Sam Baushke, P.E.
Geosyntec
Dani Booms, P.E.
HTNB
Michele Buckler, P.E.
Daimler Automotive Group
Erik Carlson, P.E.
Michigan Department of Transportation
Dan Christian, P.E.
Tetra Tech MPS
Jim Corsiglia, P.E., S.E.
Harley Ellis Devereaux
Brian Davies, P.E.
Hubbell, Roth & Clark
Tyler Dawson, Ph.D., P.E.
NTH Consultants
Mike Ellis, P.E.
Barr Engineering Co.
David Hayden
DLZ
Megan Jacobs, P.E.
Soil & Materials Engineers, Inc.
Al Kaltenthaler, P.E., S.E.
C2AE
Peter Margules, P.E.
NTH Consultants
Giovanni Mauro, P.E.
Mauro Engineering
George McKenzie II, P.E.
Consumers Energy
Cole Moody, P.E.
HTNB
Jon O’Brock, P.E.
Materials Testing Consultants
Maurio Quagliata, P.E.
Bergmann Associates
Lauren Roller, P.E., S.E.
Harley Ellis Devereaux
Sarah Ross, P.E.
Practical Engineers, Inc.
Steven Sorensen, P.E.
PEA Group
Stephen Subu
Consumers Energy
Michael Thelen, P.E.
Consumers Energy
Phillip Vogelsang, P.E.
AECOM
Jon Ward, P.E.
ROWE Professional Services
Emily Warners, P.E.
Consumers Energy