Welcome...
Welcome to Amanda's Senior Thesis e-Portfolio. Throughout the 2009 - 2010 school year, I will be investigating design and construction of the Army National Guard Readiness Center Addition in Arlington, Virginia. Most of my effort will be focused on the building's structural systems. In November 2009, I will be proposing design changes that will be intended to enhance the Army National Guard Readiness Center. Throughout the Spring 2010 semester, I will complete a thorough analysis of my proposed design.
The course sequence of AE 481W and AE 482 compromise 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 The Pennsylvania State University. Senior Thesis consists of obtaining 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.
A number of students, selected by the AE faculty from the first presentations, will represent their class and compete for numerous awards by presenting a second time. This second presentation will be to an invited jury of about 50 visiting practitioners from all over the country.
It is important to note that students are required to include work in their primary discipline area of AE as well as to demonstrate breath capabilities in several other architectural engineering areas.
The Capstone Project Electronic Portfolio (CPEP) is a web-based project and information center. It contains material produced for a year-long Senior Thesis class. Its purpose, in addition to providing central storage of individual assignments, is to foster communication and collaboration between student, faculty consultant, course instructors, and industry consultants. This web site is dedicated to the research and analysis conducted via guidelines provided by the Department of Architectural Engineering. For further explanation of this capstone design course and its requirements click here. |
