One major component of the Chemical Engineering curriculum at Michigan Tech is the capstone design experience completed during the student’s senior year.  The capstone design experience includes completing a 6-credit, 2-semester class sequence that uses a series of both team and individual design problems.  These problems require students to utilize material taught in the sophomore and junior chemical engineering courses as well as incorporating engineering economics, safety, and environmental topics covered in their senior classes. 

The capstone design experience involves completing the following CM classes your senior year:

Fall Semester:

CM4850 (2 credits) 
"CM Process Analysis & Design 1"  Topics include: Mass/energy balances for chemical processes and unit operations; Factored estimation of capital investment; Capital and operating costs; Investment profitability; Discounted cash flow, Process improvement strategies, Incremental investment analysis, Loan calculations, U.S. and international tax laws

CM4851 (1 credit)
"CM Design Laboratory 1"  Students analyze an existing facility, simulate current operations, assess improvement opportunities, demonstrate the economic consequences of the changes, and provide a recommended course of action.

Spring Semester:

CM4860 (2 credits)
"CM Process Analysis & Design 2"  Topics include: Estimation of capital investment and operating costs; Investment risk analysis; Defender/challenger comparison of investment options; Use of financial formulas to manipulate cash flows (i.e., “time value of money”); Heat exchanger design; Pinch analysis and heat exchanger networks (HEN); Process simulator thermodynamics; Decision Tree analysis

Design Lab (min 1 credit) – Student’s choice, see below

Spring Semester Design Lab Options

The Chemical Engineering Department offers several choices to our students for completing their senior design experience.  Students must choose one of the following options for completing their final credit of design lab:

• Take CM4861 "CM Design Laboratory 2”
• Participate in an Enterprise program design problem*
• Participate in a design project in another department*

*  Students interested in choosing this option must first receive departmental approval.  Contact your academic advisor for more information.