The Capstone Experience

Student laser tagCapstone courses give students experience solving a substantial problem using concepts that span several topic areas in computer science and/or computer engineering. Students must work together in teams to define a problem, develop a solution plan, produce and demonstrate an artifact that solves the problem, and present their work. Class time focuses primarily on the project design and implementation, but it may also include lectures on the practical application of advanced topics. Cross-disciplinary projects that require interaction with other departments are encouraged.

A capstone course is not simply an advanced course in a particular sub-area, nor is it simply an unstructured project course.

Capstone Course Properties

  • Projects must be large enough to require teams of several students to work on over one quarter.
  • Students must apply concepts from more than one sub-area of CSE (at the 300-level and above).
  • The work must involve a substantial design effort.
  • Students must present their work using formal oral presentations and written reports.
  • Efforts must culminate in an interesting, working artifact.

Links of Interest

Capstone Registration

Capstone Registration for 2012-2013 is now closed.

Students in the Computer Engineering program are required to complete a capstone course as part of their graduation requirements. Students in the Computer Science program are encouraged to take a capstone, although it is not required to fulfill graduation requirements in the CS program. Determination of which capstones will be offered and will be approved to fulfill CE capstone requirements is made during spring quarter of the academic year prior to the course offering. In June, CSE students receive an e-mail asking them to sign up for their preferences, and every effort is made to assign students to one of their preferred capstones. An add code is e-mailed to all students signed up for a capstone prior to registration for the quarter in which the student is taking it.

2012-2013 Capstones

2011-2012 Capstones

Last changed Mon, 2012-11-19 15:37
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