1. How do I select a good project?
Often, companies have a list of projects that they would like to accomplish in a given year but don't have the time or available resources. Once your company has prioritized and selected the projects for the coming year, we recommend that you look at some of the top projects that you were unable to include. If there is a project that would require student creativity and industry and looks interesting to you, we suggest that you start with that project.
2. How do I scope a capstone project?
Faculty members will help companies scope the project to match the abilities of our students. Team size ranges from 3-6 students on a project. Each student typically works up to 12 hours per week performing tasks for their capstone class.
3. Will my project be selected?
We can not guarantee that your project will be selected. Presenting interesting aspects of your project along with visuals will increase the likelihood of selection.
4. What kind of outcome can I expect?
According to the feedback of past clients, virtually all of our student projects prove useful to companies. Even when a tangible new project or process is not the result, clients gain new knowledge, fresh ideas, and valuable experience, not to mention contacts with Rose-Hulman students.
5. What is the role of the company contact for projects?
The company contact should be available to answer students’ questions. Students are reassured and appreciative if the contact can acknowledge receipt of a question and give students an estimate of when the question will be answered. We do not expect you to know the answer to every question, and it may be necessary for you to ask for information from someone else in the company. Company contacts may spend up to 2 hours a week interacting with students, although the time is usually less. Company contacts are also invited to design reviews and/or presentations.
6. How is confidentiality handled?
Projects that don't require confidentiality are best, because we encourage students to share their results at the Rose Show at the end of the academic year. However, we do offer different levels of confidentiality when required: Our first level of confidentiality limits project information disclosure to members of the capstone class and each class member signs a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), and your information is never discussed outside of the classroom. These projects are not discussed outside of class and students make no public presentations. A stricter level of confidentiality is also available. In this case, students go to a separate, private room whenever they are working on the project and only students involved with the project and the instructors of the class are allowed to discuss the project.
7. What if I am a non-profit organization?
Rose supports service-learning projects as much as practical and we can work within your budget. Some not-for-profit projects can be achieved without a fee. Please discuss the details with the faculty member who will advise your project.