Abstract
The capstone design course is a culminating course that offers opportunities for students to acquire technical and soft skills in the context of a design project. Conventional curricula and lecture-based teaching methodologies are facing problems to address the challenges posed by industry-oriented projects. Consequently, this paper proposes a system level approach to the curriculum and integrates content-based learning with problem-based learning. Content-based learning consists of coherent delivery of core concepts and systematic laboratory sessions. Problem-based learning addresses the technical skills (such as problem formulation and system design) as well as the soft skills (such as communication skills, working in teams, lifelong learning and ethical/professional responsibility). The Digital System Design course in the Computer Engineering discipline serves as a case study. Assessment through student feedback and the analysis of quantitative data shows a significant improvement in student outcomes.