Selecting a Capstone Product Design Project

Columbia University has several years of experience with its undergraduate capstone product design course, requiring students to complete a semester-long product design project. Among our previously assigned projects were the design of biodegradable roadway deicers, drinking water purification devices, portable hemodialysis devices, and second generation biofuels. Looking back at previous projects, we have been able to extract important lessons about project selection and assignment. This paper will discuss these lessons, including the various factors that make for a successful project.