Senior Design

All mechanical and aerospace undergraduate students are required to complete the senior design course sequence, which challenges students to work in teams to develop a solution to an engineering design problem.

Program Overview

Fall Semester

Aerospace engineering students: MAE 434 Aircraft Design
Mechanical engineering students: MAE 451 Design Process and Methods

At the start of the fall semester, teams are formed based on students’ interest areas, often aligning with the fields they hope to pursue after graduation. Each team receives a design problem based on a real-world need. Design challenges are proposed by industry clients, faculty members and campus partners. Teams will consult with these clients to develop their designs.

Spring Semester

Aerospace engineering students: MAE 474 Aerospace Engineering Design Project

Mechanical engineering students: MAE 494 Mechanical Engineering Design Project

The teams continue to meet weekly throughout the academic year, sometimes in consultation with faculty and industry advisors, to complete an original engineering design. At the end of the spring semester, faculty members, project clients and industry representatives are invited to attend Senior Design Demo Day to get an up-close look at the final designs and demonstrations of hardware. Projects are evaluated by a panel of judges and the top three are selected. Each senior can also cast a vote for the Student Choice Award.

Students gain a great deal from the senior design course sequence, both technically and professionally. They get to experience the full product development cycle from concept to testing.”
-Reza Rashidi, associate professor of practice

Give to Senior Design

Mechanical engineering students: MAE 494 Mechanical Engineering Design Project

Explore Projects from Past Years

2025-2026 Projects

Selected projects included semiconductor-manufacturing systems, UB smart parking system, robotic arms, mannaed and unmanned electric boats, underwater vehicle, sport analyzers, and other multidisciplinary prototypes.

2024-2025 Projects

Selected projects included semiconductor-manufacturing systems, laser weeders, the X-22 interactive exhibit, water-disinfection equipment, automated surgical lighting, electric propulsion, and other multidisciplinary prototypes.

2023-2024 Projects

Selected projects included PEP manned and unmanned boats, the Moog pump test stand, the Niagara Aerospace Museum wind tunnel, OlympusBar, manufacturing systems, and internally developed student concepts.