At Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), students in the Engineering and Technology programs aren’t just preparing for the future—they’re building it.
Each year, senior students take part in capstone projects that serve as the grand finale of their academic journey, blending everything they’ve learned into hands-on solutions that push boundaries, solve problems, and spark innovation.
“These projects are where it all comes together,” said Dr. Md. Rasheduzzaman, professor in SEMO’s Department of Engineering and Technology. “They represent the moment students stop following instructions and start leading their own work. They’re not just learning tools, they’re building with them.”
Recent projects have included everything from an automated hydroponics system that grows plants indoors with minimal human intervention to a working Skee ball machine complete with industrial controls and custom components.
To bring these ideas to life, students work with Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming, which allows them to automate industrial processes, and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design, a complex, cross-disciplinary process involving electrical, mechanical, and software engineering to create fully functional hardware.
Along the way, students encounter and solve real engineering problems: learning new programming environments, working within tight budgets, troubleshooting hardware integration, and even 3D printing their own parts to reduce costs and customize designs.
Capstone projects often mirror the challenges students will face in their careers. In developing the automated hydroponics system, one student team improved on a previous design, added new automation, and learned a completely new PLC software platform: all skills directly transferable to industry roles. Another project required students to balance mechanical assembly with custom electronics, requiring not only technical know-how, but project management and resourcefulness.
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Students who have completed these capstones frequently transition directly into engineering careers. For example, recent graduates have accepted roles at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and WEG Transformers USA, where they will design and implement systems similar in complexity to their SEMO capstone work.
The capstone experience does more than enhance résumés, it builds confidence. Students leave the program having led a project from concept to completion, developed critical thinking skills and gained experience in real-world tools and technologies.
It’s this kind of comprehensive, experience-driven education that sets SEMO’s Engineering and Technology programs apart. Prospective students can expect to graduate not only with technical knowledge, but with proof that they can lead, design and deliver.
“These projects show that our grads can hit the ground running,” said Rasheduzzaman. “They leave prepared to solve problems, adapt quickly, and manage projects.”
To learn more about engineering and technology at SEMO visit semo.edu/eng-tech.