Cal Poly Civil Engineering Design Course Wins National Award

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly’s Civil Engineering Senior Design course recently won a $7,500 Engineering Award from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) in recognition of its extensive collaboration with professional engineers.

A jury of NCEES members and representatives from academic institutions and professional engineering organizations made the award selection.

Initiated in 2006, the course enlists up to 30 local engineering practitioners to serve as mentors and advisers. Gregg Fiegel facilitated the development of the curriculum in conjunction with numerous faculty members and practicing professionals.

“The scale of our course is unlike any other in the country, with student enrollments typically ranging between 150 and 175,” Fiegel said. “Practitioners help with the course by evaluating student projects and presentations, advising on design project issues, teaching technical subjects related to the design projects, and lecturing on professional topics such as communication, ethics, project management, leadership and team work.”

In accepting the award, Fiegel thanked the local professionals who have helped with the course, the department staff and technicians responsible for coordinating the course logistics, and the students. “Introducing the new course was a huge undertaking,” he said, “and our students were receptive to the change.”

Fiegel also credited faculty members who helped develop and teach the class – in particular, Dr. Jay DeNatale. “His past engineering experience, excellent teaching skills and established relationships with local practitioners helped make the course what it is today: a nationally recognized model for civil engineering capstone design.”

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