Through a grant from the National Science Foundation in 1996, the NJIT Department of Mathematical Sciences has developed an Undergraduate Capstone Laboratory to be used in conjunction with a Capstone Course. The Capstone Course is required of all those graduating with a degree in Applied Mathematics or Statistics. The course provides an opportunity for students to synthesize the knowledge gained during their undergraduate experience by combining mathematical modeling and theoretical analysis with computational analysis and physical experiments.
The Capstone Lab currently contains experimental and computing equipment that allows for analysis and experiments involving mechanics (mass-spring systems, etc.), electrostatic set-ups that can be used to illustrate solutions to problems of potential theory, and a Hele-Shaw cell that can be used to illustrate fluid flow past obstacles. The equipment is interfaced to a PC that can be used for data acquisition and processing.
The following links include examples of past Capstone projects: