Interdisciplinary Capstone
What is Interdisciplinary Capstone?
Each year, College of Engineering seniors participate in Interdisciplinary Capstone (IDCapstone), a two-semester course that allows students to fill their capstone requirement by working in interdisciplinary teams to deliver solutions to complex engineering problems.
Why should I participate in IDCapstone?
You're looking for a different kind of capstone experience.
Interdisciplinary perspectives are vital for developing and testing innovative solutions. As part of an IDCapstone team, you'll work with a variety of students from different majors in the College of Engineering to design and build engineering solutions together.
As you tackle challenging engineering design problems, you'll share and expand your own expertise while you leverage the strengths of other disciplines. It's experiential learning that prepares you to succeed at your first job out of university.
What skills will I gain from IDCapstone?
- Project management
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
- Collaborative decision making
- Leadership
- Innovation
- Career readiness
How is IDCapstone structured?
IDCapstone is a two-semester course sequence that meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 5:15 p.m.
You and your team will
- define your engineering design problem
- identify customer needs
- create project management systems
- work with stakeholders to identify deliverables
- select, validate, design, and implement engineering solutions
- consider the ethical and societal impacts of your engineering design
- develop teamwork and leadership skills
- document and communicate about your work with stakeholders
At the end of spring semester, you'll share your work with industry partners, faculty, and community members at the Interdisciplinary Expo.
How does IDCapstone prepare me for what's next?
Hiring managers want to see that engineers have experience working with interdisciplinary teams. But IDCapstone is more than a resume builder. It's a hands-on skill builder that will help you thrive in your first job.
Additional answers about IDCapstone
Students from any major across the university are welcome to participate in IDCapstone. However, only students in the following majors fulfill their in-department capstone requirement by participation in IDCapstone:
- Chemical engineering (counts as a Technical Elective; does not meet capstone requirement)
- Computer science
- Electrical and computer engineering
- Industrial and systems engineering
- Materials science and engineering
- Mechanical engineering
The need for students from different majors varies depending on the available projects. Please email rso@vt.edu if you're interested in learning more.
No. While IDProjects is the perfect preparation for IDCapstone, and some IDProjects teams can transition seamlessly into the IDCapstone course, if you missed IDProjects, no problem!
Yes. For students in chemical engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, industrial and systems engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering, Interdisciplinary Design, ENGE 4735 (fall) and ENGE (4736), is a three-credit, two-semester course that replaces your in-major capstone course.
Other majors may count the course as a technical elective. We're happy to work with students to decide what credit option works best.
As with most three-credit engineering courses, expect that in addition to three hours of weekly class time, you'll put in an additional nine hours of non-class work per week.
The Interdisciplinary Programs administrator, Robin Ott, coordinates with each department to request students from relevant majors. She also works directly with students to make assignments. If you are interested in joining an IDCapstone team, please contact Robin Ott and your department administrator.
Teams typically range from 4 to 15 students.
All students must meet prerequisite and corequisite requirements for their in-major capstone courses. Talk to your advisor in your major to make sure you've completed the necessary courses.
No problem. You'll learn a lot from IDCapstone.
If you're interested in participating in IDCapstone, please email Robin Ott, rso@vt.edu.
Yes! Each IDCapstone team works with industry and/or faculty mentors.
Many student competition teams participate in IDCapstone to allow them to get credit for the hands-on experience they're already getting as part of their team.
IDCapstone is a course for seniors only.
If you're a sophomore or junior interested in an interdisciplinary experience, please sign up for the IDProjects course.