The Potomic Science Center for George Mason University

The course sequence of AE 481W and AE 482 comprise what is more commonly known as AE Senior Thesis. This year long capstone design project is one of the major highlights of the five year professional degree BAE program. It is required of all undergraduate students in the Department of Architectural Engineering at Penn State.

Senior Thesis consists of obtaining an outside sponsor who provides the student with an actual building that will be used as the model for a variety of technical and management tasks throughout the year. Based on the building or project model, students will investigate the project, perform technical analysis, develop project criteria and eventually prepare a written proposal for more advanced design work. This is followed up by a semester of intense effort to complete the goals of the proposal. A formal written final report is required as is a verbal presentation to a faculty jury.