Research and Student Projects
Engineering & Design students have opportunities to participate in undergraduate research projects with faculty and work on projects within in our labs. The hands-on learning approach allows students to learn how to use industry-grade equipment and build a strong project portfolio. Read about the various opportunities and previous student work below.
Polymer Materials Engineering
Showing the worth of ocean plastics as a reusable item and then creating a robust industry niche for that plastic would be so important. And our students are working towards that.
Associate Professor John Misasi
North American Ocean Plastics Research
PME students have the opportunity to work on research projects alongside faculty and industry partners. Click on the links below to learn more!
Current Research
- Washington Sea Grant’s Debris from Shellfish Aquaculture Finds New Life as Crab Gauges (link)
- More about crab calipers from ocean debris (link)
- Reducing aerospace composite waste
- North American Ocean Plastics Recycling
- JCATI - Toray Composites (video link)
- Reversible thermosets for recyclable composites
- Compostable plastics degradation in the environment
- Safer materials for aircraft interior composites
- High performance 3D printing materials for space applications
- Circular Economy - The Plastics Problem
- Project examples (link)
- Click to learn more!
Be a part of the solution
Manufacturing Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering students have the opportunity to work as research assistants alongside faculty and industry partners. Check out the links below for more information!
Current Research
- Machining Research Lab (link)
- Applied ergonomics & human factors
- Learning factories
- Automation
- Manufacturing systems & product design
- 3D printing process evaluation methods
- Machining of aerospace materials
Whether it’s a research project with a professor or a student engineering club/competition - just do something, and do it well. That’s one of the main advantages of the engineering programs at Western - there are just as many opportunities to get hands on, applicable experience outside of the classroom as there is inside the classroom.
Wyatt Lemoine
Manufacturing Engineering, Class of 2020
Design. Make. Solve.
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering students can work alongside faculty members on research projects.
Current Research
- Safe Artificial Intelligence and Cyber-Physical Systems Lab (link)
- Adaptive Signal Processing and Emerging Communication Technologies (ASPECT) Laboratory (link)
- Power system reliability
- Renewable energy integration
- Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs)
- Machine learning
- Smart navigation and transportation systems
- Advanced control of high-power electronic converters in the smart-grid
It's a great feeling to develop a tangible item with a clear purpose and use for the company.
Daniel Guilder, EECE student
Senior Capstone Project sponsored by PACCAR
Industrial Design
Industrial Design students showcase their work both digitally and in person. Many of the student projects are in collaboration with industry partners. Click on the links below to see what our students can do.
Earn credits towards your degree!
Students may earn credits for participating in research. Each research credit is equal to 3 hours of research work per week during a quarter. While students may repeat research courses, there is limit of how many credits may be applied to the degree. Consult your faculty advisor for options and registration approval. Forms below must be completed and submitted to the faculty member before registration.
PCE 395/495 form:
MFGE 495 form:
EECE 495 form:
