what is a capstone project in undergraduate

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What is a Capstone Project in College?

The capstone project in college is the apogee, or completion marker, of a student's coursework leading to the culmination of their program with a degree in their chosen field of study. The original definition of a capstone focuses on the actual stone placed at the top of a wall or building, marking the successful completion of the structure. It's a significant and celebrated piece of architecture, considered to be the most important of an entire construction project.

"(Capstone projects are) the apex of all a student's work done throughout their college career," said Dr. Jeff Czarnec , a social sciences adjunct online and on-campus at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Retired after 23 years in law enforcement, Czarnec served as an associate dean of criminal justice and social sciences at SNHU for nearly a decade. He now leverages his extensive background to teach social sciences, enriching the academic experience with his practical insights. 

When entering a capstone course, there's an expectation that you have all the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful. 

You have the opportunity to pick a research topic that is of interest to you and run with it. "After having to write research papers in all of their courses prior to (the capstone), the task is not one to dread, but to enjoy. It is their time to shine as students and to enjoy the journey," MacCarty said.

A capstone course is more than a potential degree requirement. It can serve as an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge mastery and creative thinking, which may help you stand out to potential employers.

What is Involved in a Capstone Project?

Each university, program and instructor may have different requirements — or models — for a capstone project. According to Czarnec, a general design might first include selecting a topic of interest that the instructor will approve. 

Czarnec said that, depending on the program, a capstone may include anything from a video presentation or an architectural model to an art exhibit or short film; however, it almost always includes a paper demonstrating an introduction, theory, evaluation, research and individual issues relevant to the proposal.

"Students are expected to be ready to enter the world as professionals in their field upon completion of the capstone course," said MacCarty.

The time it takes to complete a capstone project usually depends on the course's length. If you're in an undergraduate online program at SNHU, for instance, your capstone course would take eight weeks to complete, Czarnec said. 

Capstone courses are research-based, and you can choose your topic early on, allowing you more freedom to conduct research  independently. Capstone topics usually align with a program's specific disciplines, too.

For example, in the social sciences realm, "our focus is on human behavior and cognition, which may be different from a capstone course in business or STEM," MacCarty said.

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Types of capstones.

There are many types of capstone projects that you could consider, and they vary from learner to learner, Czarnec said. "Some will investigate issues or phenomenon that they are familiar with either professionally, personally or courtesy of a discipline-related source, such (as) a police or human services agency," he said. 

In a nutshell, a rough outline of a capstone, according to Czarnec, may look something like this:

• Select a topic and have it approved by the instructor
• Evaluate relevance to the proposal
• Perform necessary research
• Present results in the agreed-upon fashion

Czarnec said that if you're looking for a capstone topic, you may consider focusing on an area you're passionate about or you could also try to ask you instructor for some assistance. For example, Czarnec said that he can act as a guide, mentor, editor and research resource for his students to help them focus and narrow their search for a capstone topic.

Are Capstone Projects Difficult?

"Not necessarily," said Czarnec. "It does force you to be efficient and very specific to topic. No fluff. Straight forward. Razor sharp." 

The capstone is more of an opportunity to catch your breath, he said, and to retrace and pull up what you have learned in a more stress-free environment .

"It helps validate students as learners," Czarnec said.

Depending on the major and course requirements, there may be opportunities to connect with outside contacts, not only to assist with the capstone project research and problem statement but also to provide a networking community .

"Not every research project is, nor should they be, the same," Czarnec said. "Everyone has a different approach."

What is the Difference Between a Thesis and a Capstone Project?

A capstone is similar to a thesis in that the starting point involves the strengths needed for a thesis or dissertation work. For example, you may need to consider the skeletal structure of research and form your theory, hypothesis and problem statement.

"While a capstone is certainly a scholarly piece of work and does share some aspects of a thesis, the time and detail that is required of a master's thesis is greater," MacCarty said. 

A capstone paper may be 25 pages, whereas a thesis could be 100 or more. If you choose to further your education beyond a bachelor's degree, the capstone project could be an invaluable tool in preparing for a graduate thesis.

Capstone Projects are About Your Success

Capstones of all programs are leading you to the end game, Czarnec said. The goal is to develop you into a well-rounded thinker who can pull their work together in a coherent, articulate, well-organized fashion while considering the demands of the profession or vocation you're interested in.

The focus and intent of a capstone should be to create an effective device to assess and measure all that you've learned throughout your program in an aggregate fashion so you can demonstrate your life-long vocational skills in a nice, neat package. 

"My goal is for students to leave the program confident about their skills and abilities," said Czarnec.

MacCarty said that capstone courses should be structured to support your success in fulfilling program requirements and allow you the opportunity to showcase your academic abilities and skills gained throughout your degree program.

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What’s a Capstone Project? And Why Do I Have to Take It?

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Over the years, I’ve frequently heard students grumble about taking a capstone course or project, that one last step before graduation as outlined by their degree requirements.

“Why do I have to take it?” “Do I really have to take this?” “What is the point of all this!”

This final course may seem daunting or frustrating, but once it’s completed, the Capstone often becomes one of the most rewarding and valuable experiences in a student’s college career.

The capstone course is the last class in a program of study. It’s called a capstone because it represents a crowning achievement as a capstone does in architecture. For some degree programs, a capstone course may require a project and subsequent presentation; for others, it may include an assessment exam to test interdisciplinary skills (like math, writing, critical thinking, etc.). A capstone may also involve a final research paper exploring a topic of interest, emerging from a student’s individualized program of study. Ultimately, a capstone project represents new work and ideas, and gives you the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have gained during your college career.

Not only does a capstone course allow us to substantiate if students are learning the necessary skills needed to continue onto success after graduation (and we’ve made changes to courses and degree requirements to better assist students in this manner), but the completion of a capstone project can be used for an employment portfolio. By integrating theory and practical experience, your project can set you apart from graduates of other institutions. Imagine walking into a potential employer’s office with an applied research project exploring solutions to an issue or problem the organization, or industry as a whole, has been grappling with?

A Capstone’s Purpose: Career Advancement

In the field of technology for example, one of the challenges is how rapidly it changes. Jordan Goldberg, mentor and developer of our APS-295 Associate Capstone  course, said it helps ensure students are prepared to handle these changes as they start their careers. “Today, it’s important to understand the trends early on in the process, and the tools available to develop and deploy new technology,” he says. “The Capstone course uniquely brings together students from all majors within the school [of Applied Science and Technology] in an interactive and collaborative fashion to discuss and examine opportunities, challenges and issues related to technology.”

Here, students are able to look at real world examples and situations, exchange their points of view based on experiences and discuss potential solutions to problems. “The concept of the capstone course is to provide the essential information to be able to ask the right questions and critically look at nontechnical issues that have the potential to negatively impact the deployment of a new emerging technology or application,” says Goldberg. “Ultimately, this will prepare the student for a technical leadership role in their area of study as they complete their degree.”

Thomas Edison State University offers Capstone courses in several of our degrees:  LIB-495 Liberal Arts Capstone is required for a Bachelor of Arts degree, and APS-401 Current Trends and Applications  is required for our Bachelor of Science in Applied Science and Technology degree. Our newest course is the APS-295 Associate Capstone, required for the Associate in Applied Science and our Associate in Science in Applied Science and Technology degree programs. These courses have engaged students to pursue intriguing projects, indicative of their career pursuits, including:

• Classroom accommodations for elementary age students with attention deficit disorder
• The theoretical impact of a present-day conflict between North and South Korea on the U.S.
• Evaluating public awareness of privacy issues surrounding modern technology 

On Your Own Terms

In any college degree, there are courses you have to take to fulfill the general education requirements for your degree or area of study. And a capstone project, while relative to your major, allows you to choose your own subject in that discipline. When I was a graduate student studying American History, my capstone project afforded me the opportunity to research a topic that I never solely focused on in any of my courses, but was fascinated by all my life, Abraham Lincoln. 

I delved into an intense study of how the narrative of President Lincoln’s life had changed throughout the course of history, depending on when and who was writing the biography. This was the most fun I’d ever had taking a college course because I was able to read and write about a topic I was passionate about. Meanwhile, I was able to show off the skills I’d gained during my years in college.

So if you are required to take a capstone course, I understand if you want to grumble about it a little while. But when it’s all done, get ready for the most exhilarating feeling ever. I promise.  

Are you currently working on a capstone project? Share your experience and advice in the comments below!

Written by Donald Cucuzzella

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What is a Capstone Project? All You Need to Know

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The capstone project can go by different names at many schools, but ultimately, it is a culminating project that helps showcase and tie together all that you have learned through your college experience. Some colleges refer to it as a capstone experience, a senior project, or senior exhibition. But regardless of the name, it is a highly involved project that results in a lot of challenge and growth.

This project may take place in the form of a final paper, a long test, a presentation, or a research project. It could even be an art project or a musical composition. Depending on what you study, your capstone project will vary greatly in form. But each capstone typically involves a synthesis of the information you have gathered throughout your college years.

How to approach the capstone project

You should approach your capstone project as your “last hurrah” in college. It’s a great way to show yourself, your peers, your teachers, and your family what you’ve learned. For music majors, this may be a composition where they employ all of the techniques they’ve learned. For anthropologists, it could be an exercise in combining their new research skills with their theoretical knowledge. Mathematics majors might take an extensive exam or present their own research project.

For papers and presentations

As you approach the project, you might feel overwhelmed; after all, it should be the most ambitious project you undertake. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, it can be a good idea to portion out your tasks. Impose limits on yourself and set approachable goals. Work with your adviser to create a comprehensive calendar of tasks. Set a date to determine your preliminary thesis. Then decide when you’d like to have your first round of research done. Choose a date to start writing, and when to finish a first draft.

Make sure to check back in with your adviser often to discuss your progress. Remember that your thesis does not need to remain consistent throughout the entire process. In fact, it can actually be a good sign that your thesis changes! It shows that you are reacting to the new information that you are learning. If your thesis changes throughout the process, it’s a sign that you are creating a dynamic project.

If you’re studying for a long exam, you should learn what’s going to be on the exam, and set dates to review each topic. You can form a study group with your peers to help get the wheels turning. It can be a good idea to start by going over your notes and converting them into a study guide. Work with your classmates to sift through the immense body of material that you’ve covered. This will help you determine what to prioritize.

Throughout the entire process, you should be in communication with your professors and advisers. They are there to help. Though they probably won’t be able to give you all the details on the exam, they can give advice. If you don’t know whether to prioritize a certain subject matter, they can probably offer some counseling.

Related : How to email your professor (with examples)

Talk to recent grads

Regardless of the nature of your capstone project, it’s always a great idea to talk to recent grads. Talking to someone who recently completed a similar project or test is invaluable. They can tell you what was valued most by your department. They can also share what worked and what didn’t work for them as they prepared. Speaking to someone who just went through the task you are approaching can never hurt.

Leveraging your capstone project for grad school

Your capstone project is not only a great opportunity to grow and reflect on what you’ve learned. It’s also an opportunity to appeal to graduate schools. Capstone projects can be an impressive achievement to include in grad school applications. Especially for students who write papers, it is a concrete example of what you are capable of.

You can also use your capstone project as an opportunity to zero in on a specific area of study that interests you. If you manage to write a 30-page paper about the Mongolian empire for your capstone, perhaps you’d be interested in going on to study more about Genghis Khan in grad school. Grad school is all about going in-depth on specific topics. So, they’ll love to see that you succeeded when completing your capstone project.

See also: The GRE: Everything you need to know

Balancing your capstone project with your other courses

Because capstone projects are so immersive, it may be difficult to balance the workload with your other courses. You should be cautious about neglecting your other schoolwork for your capstone, and vice versa. For this reason, it can be a good idea to try to sign up for an easier courseload for the semester that you complete your capstone. Try to get your other harder courses out of the way during junior year. If it’s too late for that, try to spend one semester of your senior year with easier courses. You can use this semester to focus on your capstone.

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What is a capstone course?

At some colleges, capstone projects are synonymous with a capstone course. Students enroll in a course that walks them through their project or prepares them for an exam. These courses are highly useful, as they help bring structure to this difficult project. If you have multiple options for a capstone course, try to enroll in one with a professor you like. You’ll be working very closely together. So, if you have similar interests or good communication skills, you will see great results.

Deciding on a subject for your capstone project

When it comes time to decide on a subject for your capstone project, you’ll be faced with many choices. You can start by thinking back to other major papers you’ve written in college. If you have a desire to continue with any of the topics, you can do that. But in some cases, the subject will be determined by the capstone course you enroll in.

You should think of the subject of your capstone project as a fluid idea. Once you have an idea, talk it over with your friends over lunch. Try to figure out what you are interested in, but don’t latch on to an idea too quickly. Once you have an idea you are into, keep thinking about it and allow it to change as you do more research.

See also: Top scholarships for graduate students

Earning distinction on your capstone project

Some colleges offer an opportunity for select students to receive distinction on their capstone project. This can be a great honor, and it can look good to grad schools. You may be shooting for distinction as you start your project. But don’t allow the prospect of distinction to paralyze you as you work on your project. To complete an effective capstone project, you’ll have to make mistakes and change it as you go. 

Your best shot to earn distinction would be to start early and not be off-put by errors or changes you have to make. If you finish your project early, you’ll have more time to show it to professors and advisers. This gives you more time to refine it and iron out the kinks. If you finish a messy first draft early, you’ll have plenty of time to perfect your project.

• If your capstone will be in the form of an exam, start taking notes in class with your exam in mind
• At the end of each semester, write out the most important concepts that you learned and put them into a master study guide
• If you’ll be completing a capstone project, remember the papers you write that are most interesting
• Remember to save your sources, and you’ll be saving yourself time later on as you delve back into the subject

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Hi everyone! I've come across the term 'capstone project' in relation to college lately, but I don't have a clear idea of what it means. Can someone explain what a capstone project is, its purpose, and how it works? Would really appreciate the help!

Hi there! A capstone project is a culminating academic experience that typically takes place in the final year of a student's undergraduate or graduate program. Its purpose is to provide students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they've gained throughout their coursework in a hands-on, real-world context. Essentially, capstone projects allow students to demonstrate their mastery of a subject area while delving deeper into a sub-topic of particular interest.

Capstone projects can take various forms, including research papers, presentations, performances, exhibitions, or even the development of a product or service. The specific requirements and structure of a capstone project vary depending on the academic discipline and the educational institution.

To complete a capstone project, students usually start by selecting a topic or research question, then conduct a literature review to understand the existing scholarship around that topic. Based on this initial work, they develop a project proposal, which outlines their intended approach and methodology. Once the proposal is approved by a faculty advisor or committee, students proceed with implementing their project.

Throughout the process, students are typically required to present their progress, engage in peer evaluation, and work closely with a faculty advisor for guidance and support. Upon completion, students present their findings, which are then evaluated by a committee of faculty members to ensure that the project meets the expected standards.

Overall, the purpose of a capstone project is to help students integrate and synthesize the knowledge they've gained throughout their academic career, demonstrate their expertise in their chosen field, and develop valuable skills that can be useful in their future professional pursuits.

I hope this helps clarify what a capstone project is! Good luck with your college journey!

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What Is a Capstone Project in University?

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Importance of Capstone Courses

Characteristics of capstone projects, capstone project vs. capstone course, examples across various majors, capstone project process, benefits for students, challenges and tips, frequently asked questions about capstone in university.

Confused with the concept of a capstone project ? As you approach your senior year, you might be hearing about this culmination project—whether a research endeavor, final paper, application, or portfolio— this academic endeavor aims to showcase the depth of your learning throughout your college years and prepares you for the professional world.

 In this blog post, I will explore what it means, how to prepare for it, and how you can bring this academic achievement to life. I'll guide you through this process, ensuring you have the support and resources you need. With the right guidance and understanding, you can transform this challenging task into an opportunity for growth and real-world application.

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Capstone courses are part of university curricula and are strategically designed to prepare students for a seamless transition from academia to the workforce. They may include research endeavors and theses. However, each has a distinct focus and purpose.

These projects often highlight practical applications and skill enrichment, making them more aligned with professional practice (often done as a group project).

On the other hand, research and theses contribute to the academic body of knowledge, delving deeper into theoretical aspects. Bridging this knowledge gap is essential to empowering students with the understanding needed to make informed decisions about their final-year assessments.

In a broader context, a capstone project is designed to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application. It provides a platform to reflect on academic journeys, apply acquired knowledge to real-world scenarios, and develop problem-solving skills. By addressing tangible challenges, learners enhance their readiness for the professional world.

The benefits of capstone projects extend beyond academic prowess. They empower students to navigate complex, work-related issues, through practical experience and fostering a deeper understanding on a particular subject.

This synthesis of knowledge and practical application enriches the graduate student's educational experience and typically involves graduates with a skill set essential for success in their higher education.

Although the terms "capstone project" and "capstone course" are often used interchangeably, it's necessary to understand their differences:

A  capstone project   is an independent assignment that encapsulates students' academic learning and demonstrates their proficiency in a specific discipline or field.

The focus is on individual research, problem-solving, or creative endeavors, providing a medium to demonstrate the knowledge acquired as students finish their studies. A capstone project is part of a course (think of it as a final assignment).

A  capstone course   contains a broader coursework and educational experience. It is an entire course (like any other) in which students incorporate and apply their knowledge gained throughout a program. It often requires students to collaborate on projects, engage in discussions, and participate in various activities. It can take longer to complete and varies depending on the institution. 

Students across different degree programs engage in multifaceted capstone experiences at the end of their college careers. These experiences can vary widely, from individual research to collaborative group endeavors, reflecting the essence of their academic achievements.

For example, in fields such as political science, students may delve into a senior thesis, conducting extensive research and showcasing their critical thinking skills.

Alternatively, within literature courses, the last capstone course may involve a comprehensive literature review, illustrating the culmination of knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course of the degree program.

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Many capstone courses extend beyond conventional research papers, requiring you to work on a final project addressing a real-world problem. This collaborative effort and practical method, which can be conducted in small groups, emphasizes teamwork, a significant amount of research, and a strong work ethic (fundamental skills that prepare students for the workplace).

In addition to meeting the degree program and requirements, these capstone experiences often involve a final exhibition, allowing students to present and demonstrate their problem statement to professors, other students, peers, and sometimes even external stakeholders.

A capstone course experience serves as a bridge to graduate degrees or even doctorates, honing research capabilities that are essential for success and develop the necessary skills for potential employers.

As Jolanta Burke and Majella Dempsey highlight in their Practical Guide for Students Book , commencing a capstone project is like constructing a house:

Firstly, you must establish solid foundations, much like a house, ensuring reliability. Then, continue learning and enhancing your skills to build it. Once armed with the necessary skills and information, the next step is to decide on the materials, devise a plan of action, and follow through until the house—your project—is complete and ready for use.

Just as a house requires a robust foundation, a capstone project initiates with meticulous planning. This phase encompasses defining content, goals, and methodologies, ensuring the project demonstrates most capstone courses.

For instance, if your project revolves around human-centered design, identify a problem, such as a shortage of shelters in a city, and conduct research. Then, the person and approach to solving this problem should be determined, perhaps by studying the owner of an existing shelter and identifying gaps in current approaches.

While delving into extensive research, it's crucial for students to hone academic capabilities by studying other courses and examining what has already been done about the specific problem. Seeking input from people, professors, and TAs are invaluable. Once enough material, like a literature review or interviews, is gathered, present it to your professor for feedback before progressing.

Pre-Execution

Jus like choosing construction materials for a house, students must decide on materials and formulate a detailed action plan, meeting degree or course requirements. This phase demands careful consideration of methodologies and strategies, emphasizing material determination—whether it's an app, a history psychology project, or any other course. Craft a structured plan and present it as a proposal before delving deeper into the subject.

The final stage involves executing the plan and completing the project, demonstrating the capstone experience. The research project needs to be prepared for use, showcasing the culmination of efforts.

Presentation

The presentation serves as the grand reveal of the completed project. A well-structured project and a compelling pitch, typically required, is essential to demonstrate its readiness for use.

This approach ensures a seamless transition from planning to execution, essential for success in capstone courses and the culmination of their academic journey.

The preparatory nature of these projects makes students discover what they enjoy the most, what comes easily, and the potential to find areas of improvement. The benefits are crucial for student' personal and professional development, providing a real connection between academic knowledge and real-world application.

Gaining Skills and Experiences

Capstone projects showcase the skills and experiences accumulated throughout a student's educational journey. From research prowess to critical thinking and effective communication, the project culminates in these proficiencies, bringing them to the student's forefront.

Practical Transition to the Next Phase

Capstone projects are vital in preparing students to transition to the professional world or advance in academic pursuits. It's a practical initiation into college career, familiarizing students with the challenges and responsibilities they'll encounter in their future careers or advanced degrees at other schools.

Initiation of Work or Advanced Studies

Working on a capstone project program allows students to navigate the complexities they'll encounter in their chosen field. This experiential learning program equips them with valuable insights and the confidence and adaptability required to transition to the professional world or pursue advanced degrees.

Holistic Development for Future Success

Capstone projects contribute significantly to students' and major programs' holistic development, ensuring they are academically qualified and possess the practical skills demanded by prospective employers for their future endeavors.

Here are some potential burdens and some capstone journey strategies that have helped me throughout my projects during school.

Choosing a Subject:

• Challenge:  Defining the size of your capstone project can be daunting. I recommend balancing ambition with feasibility. For example, if you are trying to help dog shelters, maybe focus on how to prevent owners from abandoning them by educating dog owners. In the case of a more research-based project, look at the literature review of your research focus and build upon what has already been investigated.
• Strategy:  Begin with a clear project scope and revisit the risks regularly. Prioritize key objectives to avoid complicating your project, and focus on a single issue .

Time Management:

• Challenge:  Capstone projects often overlap with other academic commitments. Time management becomes paramount.
• Strategy:  Create a detailed timeline, allocating specific tasks to manageable time frames. Regularly reassess and adjust as needed.

Research Roadblocks:

• Challenge:  Conducting extensive research may lead to information overload or difficulty finding relevant sources.
• Strategy:  Define research questions early. What is the project doing? For whom? In what builds upon? Utilize academic databases and seek guidance from mentors for targeted resource discovery.

Team Dynamics (if applicable):

• Challenge:  Group projects may need help coordinating schedules, differing work styles, or conflicting ideas.
• Strategy:  Establish clear communication channels, set expectations from the beginning, and address conflicts promptly.

What exactly is a capstone project?

A capstone project is a culmination endeavor in your last year of college. This final assignment showcases the knowledge you acquired throughout your college years. It's a bridge between academia and the professional world, demonstrating the complete scope of your learning.

How do capstone courses differ from capstone projects?

A capstone project is an independent culminating assignment reflecting academic individual proficiency. On the other hand, a capstone course is an entire academic course that may involve collaborative projects, discussions, diverse activities, and presentations.

What are the benefits and challenges of capstone projects?

Capstone projects offer transformative experiences, unveiling skills and experiences gained through academic years. The benefits include skill refinement, self-discovery, and a practical transition to the professional realm.

However, challenges such as choosing a subject, time management, research roadblocks, and team dynamics may arise. Strategies like clear project scoping, time management, focused research questions, and effective team communication can help overcome these challenges.

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Capstone Project: Definition, Types, Structure, and Examples

by  Antony W

January 2, 2024

If you're reading this, chances are that you're in your final year of school and the words "capstone project" have come up somewhere in your first or second semester.

You're probably looking for a quick score on the topic - what it's about, a project template, or even a sample. If so, you're in the right place.

Before we get into it, you' need to know that you're in the hands of consummate capstone project experts.

Help for Assessment is composed of scholars at all levels of academic achievement including Masters and Ph.D., all inspired and motivated to help students like you achieve their academic goals. The expertise and experience we have spans years. Even better, this combined academic expertise is placed at your disposal. If your capstone research project is already giving you goosebumps, we will do it for you from scratch including the project proposal, research, write up, and final review before submission.

Remember, you can trust Help for Assessment to complete your capstone project successfully and earn you top grades. All you have to do is order the service here on our service page.

 In the meantime, let us explore the definition of the capstone project, types of projects for students, and a sample capstone project.

What Is a Capstone Project? 

A capstone project in college is a final independent project undertaken in a program of study designed to assess the skills, knowledge, and expertise acquired by the student.

As the name suggests, it is the capstone or crowning achievement of academic life and the last class taken before graduation. It gives you the final credits required to pass the course, which is why every student must take the project.

Since it is designed to assess knowledge and skills gained in a particular discipline, capstone projects vary from school to school and discipline to discipline.

Such a project might involve something as simple as research on a topic, an evaluation of a new technique or method, development of a health program, research into a historical figure or event, or even composing a skit or theatre presentation.

No matter what kind of project you choose to undertake, the result is the same. You get to showcase your understanding of the coursework material learned and display your readiness to enter the professional world to start your career. It is a rewarding experience if done right, but can mess up your final year and possibly your graduation if you manage to mess it up.

Do you know that a successful capstone project also helps to land you lucrative jobs? That’s right, capstone projects are one of the ways potential employers find out just how learned, resourceful, and talented you are. Think of it as a kind of thesis.

Capstone projects are also called culminating projects, experience, senior exhibition, or other similar names. The project is usually self-directed, and most students find it a challenge to even come up with the right capstone project topic. 

Capstone Project Vs. Thesis

A capstone project and a thesis are both very similar in that they represent a final effort from the student just before graduation.

They are done in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the course being undertaken. The comprehensive approach and assessment involved are very similar, and sometimes the structure and methodology might overlap.

Both also have to be reviewed and approved by the institution and will remain in the public domain after publishing.

However, there are some important differences.

• A thesis is purely academic while a capstone project focuses more on the practical preparation of the student for the real world/job market.
• A thesis is guided by a research question resulting in the addition of new knowledge to the field, while a capstone project is guided by the practical importance of the project to the field.
• A thesis involves academic research and analysis, while a capstone project can be anything including a dance or film.
• A thesis is expected to be original and authentic, while a capstone project will have more loose requirements. You can borrow another person’s capstone project ideas , so long as you demonstrate your own advancement in the field.
• A capstone project will usually only have a brief write-up or report, while a thesis generates a detailed, extensive writeup.
• The final presentation of a thesis, called a defense, is meant to prove and show that you have mastered the subject. You are supposed to be a mini-expert in the field. A capstone project presentation comes off as a kind of exhibition where you showcase your project without having to defend it.

Types of Capstone Projects

Capstone projects vary not just in the type of project, also in the level at which they are done.

There are projects for juniors and seniors in college as well as for postgraduate students.

Here are some examples of the forms of projects depending on the academic level.

• In-depth research projects.
• Developing the concept of a product, tool, or service.
• Expositions.
• Experiments.

Capstone projects can be conducted either individually or in a group.

However, the key thing is to make sure that the project proposal has been reviewed and approved by the instructor/panel/institution in charge before proceeding.

Senior Capstone Project

Senior projects are so called because they are done by high school students in their senior year.

Just like other projects, they represent a culmination of the coursework with an interdisciplinary application of knowledge and skills gained so far.

The project usually takes the better part of the final academic year and will have different parts to it, depending on the type of project chosen.

It will also require a presentation where the student(s) explain and describe the project to an audience, including their classmates.

Sample Capstone Project Outline

The write up for a project consists of several parts. However, even before starting the write-up, you need to do a few things:

• Come up with an idea for your project. What will be your subject matter, topic, or premise?
• Find sources for the project and review them beforehand to ensure that they will be of help to you.
• Come up with a step-by-step methodology for your project.

Using this information, you will then write a capstone project proposal for your project. It informs your instructor or review panel exactly what you intend to present so that they can approve or reject it.

Once approved, you can go on to the next stage. The final write-up has the following parts.

• A title page.
• Project outline.
• A description/abstract.
• Introduction
• Rationale/relevance/reason for doing the project.
• Objectives of the project.
• Procedures/methodology.
• Research and analysis.
• Evaluation of results and findings.
• Conclusion and future work/suggestions.
• Bibliography/works cited/reference list.

Note that the project is carried out in stages. Once approved, you will need to be submitting weekly or monthly status reports to your supervisor. After the project report is submitted, you will also have to make a presentation about the whole project.

This brief outline is only meant to be a rough guide. We have a much more detailed article detailing how you can do your capstone project, including a project template. 

Capstone Project Examples

Help for Assessment has extensive experience when it comes to capstone projects of all kinds.

Whether it’s a high school project, a college capstone, or a senior capstone project, you can trust us to carry it out successfully for you.

You can check out various project samples here . 

Get Help With Your Capstone Project

Capstone projects in every level of school are a make or break it deal. Given that they complete the graduation credits required, it makes sense to leave this important part of your coursework to experts.

We are proud to offer you a guide on how to write a capstone project here . If you need help, you can take advantage of our capstone project writing service at affordable, student-friendly rates with amazing discounts. 

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Senior Capstones, Honors, and Synthesis Projects

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As you plan for senior year, you may wish to work on an independent project to solidify the academic knowledge and other educational experiences acquired during your time at Stanford. Capstone Projects and Honors Theses can be a rewarding way to apply what you've learned and finish your Stanford career with a flourish.

Capstone Projects

All undergraduates matriculating as first year students in 2021-22 or later, and graduating in 2024-25 or later must complete a senior capstone requirement, as defined by each department. The capstone project provides students with considerable flexibility and independence.

A capstone project may allow for deeper engagement with a given major, in the form of an  Honors Thesis , a senior paper or project, or an arts performance or exhibition. Alternatively, some capstone projects (often referred to as  Senior Synthesis Projects ) are more interdisciplinary in nature or involve community partnerships.

You can find support for capstone projects from your academic departments or other campus programs such as the  Haas Center for Public Service  and  VPUE Research Grants .

Honors Theses

Usually, by “honors”, Stanford means departmental honors. For most majors (but not quite all), honors means a research honors thesis: a substantial project where you identify your own research topic, carry out the research, and write up your results. Arts programs provide additional paths for pursuing honors through performances or exhibitions. Just about every major offers an honors track, and in addition, several programs allow students from any major to participate in an interdisciplinary honors program (see below for the current list).

Pursuing an honors thesis requires a high degree of initiative and dedication. It also requires significant amounts of time and energy. It can be one of the most challenging, and rewarding, experiences of your academic career. Your  Academic Advisors  are always happy to discuss your thoughts and considerations about pursuing honors with you .

You can start discussing the idea of a thesis with people as early as your first year at Stanford (though most people who pursue honors don’t find their ideas until sophomore or junior year), and as you move through classes up through your junior year, think about what types of questions you might be interested in answering with a thesis. Your faculty are the best people to consult when thinking about honors, as having a mentor who can guide you in the project is essential.

Honors programs generally require an application, a minimum GPA, and some selected classes, as well as the thesis or capstone project. Most application deadlines are in the Winter Quarter of your junior year, but may range from sophomore spring to senior fall. Check the program website for the basics, look out for information sessions, and arrange to meet with program leaders for more information.

The top honors theses are recognized annually in an awards ceremony. You can find links to Stanford News stories of recent ceremonies (and get a sense of the range of possibilities) on the  Medals Ceremony  website.

For Departmental Honors, visit the department site or the majors site to see if your department offers an honors program.  Majors Site

The current Interdisciplinary Honors programs are:

• Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity
• Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law  (CDDRL)
• Ethics in Society
• Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
• International Security Studies  (CISAC)
• Science, Technology, and Society

Here for the "other" Honors?

Please note that Stanford does not use Latin honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude), but does award Distinction (based on GPA) to graduating seniors. In addition, Stanford has a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a nationwide honor society that recognizes students for the excellence and breadth of their undergraduate scholarly accomplishments, and Tau Beta Pi, the national Engineering Honors Society.

Awards and Graduation Honors Phi Beta Kappa Tau Beta Pi

Senior Synthesis Projects

At Stanford, we use the term  "Senior Synthesis Project"  to refer to a senior capstone project that does not readily fall within the category of a research or creative arts honors project. A senior synthesis project draws on your first three years of undergraduate experience, focusing on your academic work but perhaps also integrating your other interests. This is a capstone project that you envision will complement, build upon, or react to those recent experiences. It is distinct from the capstone required by your major.

Senior synthesis projects emphasize reflection on your academic experiences at Stanford and ideas that go beyond what is required in departmental course offerings, with strong faculty mentorship. Check with your program whether such a project is supported, and what process you should follow.

• How do I pursue an independent project?
• Planning for Departmental Honors
• Working with a Faculty Honors Advisor
• How to begin a research, arts, or senior synthesis project

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Undergraduate Writing: Undergraduate Capstone Courses

Undergraduate capstone courses.

Students at the capstone stage should understand how to use appropriate and relevant content to develop and explore ideas in writing. In the final project, students must be able to (a) display sentence-, paragraph-, and essay-level skills; (b) use evidence to support a claim in an academic argument and give credit to a source; and (c) provide the reader with documentation of research with a reference page. Capstone projects must contain the appropriate academic sources for the discipline. The writing should demonstrate an awareness of the importance of presentation, style, and audience. Walden capstone criteria align with the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU) assessment rubrics for final projects. Final projects should be free of errors, cohesive, and comprehensive in scope. For more information, review the AACU website regarding capstone standards.

Writing a capstone is not the same as writing a course paper. Drafting a longer essay can be difficult to approach, so you may want to consider an initial outline where you decide the structure and scale of the project. In a capstone, you will draft and revise the document over the term. You will need to carefully proofread your capstone before you submit it to your instructor. The capstone template will help you with formatting the document. Walden student capstones are important display cases of student knowledge.

A. Display sentence, paragraph, and essay level skills.

Sentence-level skills include awareness of grammar and punctuation rules. Paragraph-level skills involve use of evidence for idea (thesis) development. Students should practice essay-level writing skills, including the use of transitional material and organizational frames . Students should display awareness of discipline specific conventions particular to a writing assignment, including academic expression, presentation , and stylistic choices appropriate to an academic audience.

B. Use evidence from research to support a claim and give credit to the source .    C. Provide the reader with documentation of research with a reference page .

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What Is a Capstone Project & How to Write It: Definition, Outline, Steps

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A capstone project is a culminating academic project. It typically requires students to apply the skills they have gained during the course to a real-world problem. Capstone projects are common in undergraduate and graduate programs across a range of disciplines, including business, engineering, healthcare, and education.

Interesting fact, the first documented capstone project was completed in 1937 by Edgar F. Batten, who proposed to build an airport. It was considered a novel idea at that time, but it led to the development of Cleveland Municipal Airport. Today, they have come a long way, allowing students to showcase their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. In this guide, we will define a capstone project and state its purpose in academics. We will also delve into its significance and provide an outline of how to do a capstone project. So, get ready for an exciting journey to become a capstone pro! Remember that you can always buy a capstone project from our academic gurus if you strive for maximum output.

Feel free to check out our capstone project writing services and see how else we can assist you with this program! Our writers can always get you well-written texts before the deadline!

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Capstone projects are vital in every school. Then, what is a capstone project ? Generally, it is research designed to showcase students’ knowledge, skills, and abilities in specific fields of study. This task is challenging and time-consuming, but once completed, it is rewarding. Capstone project is interdisciplinary in nature and can be completed in various formats, such as a written report, research paper , term paper , or presentation. It often involves independent research and analysis by an individual college or university student or group. For example, you could be asked to explore one topic or social problem that interests you, do extensive research about it, assess findings, and propose a solution. Based on the definition of capstone project, it is a culminating academic experience that typically takes place at the end of students' college education. Other basics include:

The main purpose of a capstone project is to assess your ability to integrate and apply knowledge acquired throughout your academic program. It gives you a chance to demonstrate mastery of a particular field of study, showcasing critical thinking, research, and communication skills. Capstone project serves several key goals:

The importance of capstone projects cannot be overstated. They supplement your academic journey, providing opportunities for you to demonstrate mastery of skills and knowledge, build real-world experience, and showcase your abilities to potential employers. Writing capstone paper can serve several important reasons, including:

A capstone project structure plays a crucial role in helping you write a successful paper. It provides a clear, organized framework for the capstone project, helping you ensure that you include all necessary parts. It will also guide you in the right direction, helping you find the best approach to complete your paper. Before you begin writing a capstone project paper, it is important to carefully review all guidelines provided by your academic program to ensure that it meets all requirements and is structured clearly and effectively. Here is a general structure of senior capstone project:

A sample capstone project outline is a visual representation of the paper structure and organization. It acts as a roadmap for writing, helping ensure that the project stays on track. The purpose of the capstone project outline is to provide an overview of all main elements and order in which they will be presented. Here is a template example of an outline for a capstone project:

A capstone project requires careful planning to show that you have a grasp of a particular discipline or subject. As such, it is important to understand the steps involved in the process and have a well-defined plan in place. The following subsections will guide you in writing a capstone project paper, from start to finish, giving you the roadmap to ensure a successful outcome. Each part is carefully detailed to help you understand what’s expected of you. Follow these steps to learn how to write a capstone paper:

Choosing a topic is an important step in writing a capstone project. It sets the foundation for your paper, determining how successful the final product will be. Always go for capstone project ideas that have not been extensively researched, allowing you to add new insights. Here are some steps to follow when choosing research topics :

Choosing a topic that is relevant, manageable, and of personal interest to you will help you stay motivated throughout your capstone writing process.

Conducting a thorough literature review is crucial in helping you understand the current state of knowledge on the topic, identifying gaps your capstone senior project can fill. Here's how to go about it:

By conducting a thorough literature review, you will write a capstone paper that is well-informed, grounded in latest research, and makes a meaningful contribution.

Based on research, define the problem statement you aim to address in your capstone research paper. It should be well-defined and specific. The problem statement should be clear, concise, and align with the research question. It should also be justified, explaining why the problem is important, including how it relates to current literature. Here are some steps to follow when defining a problem for a capstone project:

Defining a problem is important because it provides focus and direction for research. A well-defined problem will ensure that your capstone project writing is of high quality.

This section should describe methods you will use to collect and analyze data, as well as the rationale behind your choice. They should be appropriate, accurate, and reliable for the capstone project. You should also explain any final capstone project limitations, including how you plan to address them. Here are some steps to follow when introducing graduate capstone research methods:

Introducing research methods is important because it sets a foundation for your research. It will provide readers with a clear understanding of your methods, including rationale behind them.

This step involves presenting findings of the study and analyzing all data. When writing a capstone paper, provide a clear presentation of the results in addition to how they relate to the problem they aim to address. They should be presented in a logical, organized manner, and supported by evidence. In your capstone work, discuss their implications, including how they contribute to the existing body of knowledge. Here are some steps to follow when discussing key findings:

In this final step, you should present your capstone project in a clear, organized manner, highlighting key findings and significance of research conducted. This should be a well-structured, well-written paper or oral presentation that showcases your knowledge of how to do a capstone project on a specific subject. Capstone in college or university should be written in an academic style, following the guidelines set by the institution. The paper should also include an abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, results section, discussion, and conclusion. For oral presentation, you may also be required to answer questions from the audience. So, it is important to be well-prepared and familiar with the paper content. It should effectively communicate your research findings to them. To make a successful presentation, here are a few suggestions:

A capstone project format can vary depending on the discipline or requirements set forth by your instructor or program. Most times, you may encounter the following common formats used in most capstone papers.

Regardless of the chosen format, ensure that your capstone paper is well-organized, has proper grammar, and is easy to read.

To ensure success in writing your capstone project, it is important to keep in mind some key practices. In this section, we will introduce you to common tips that can help you effectively plan, research, and write the paper. From choosing a suitable topic to proofreading the final draft, these tips on how to write a good capstone project will help you produce a successful paper that meets academic standards:

In this guide, you have learned what’s a capstone project definition, its benefits in education, purpose, and structure. Before you embark on writing your paper, make sure you fully understand the meaning of a capstone project paper and what it entails. This means taking the time to carefully research a topic, identify a clear problem to address, and develop a research plan that will help you find answers. Remember that the final product should be well-written, well-organized, and effectively communicate your key research findings. Once you begin to write your capstone, keep in mind the following tips:

FAQ About Capstone Projects

1. what is a capstone project in college.

A capstone project in college is the final piece of stone needed to complete a degree program. It often involves significant research proposal, presentation, or practical application of skills and knowledge acquired during their program. By definition, it is a requirement for graduation and may be evaluated for grades or other forms of academic recognition.

2. What is capstone project significance?

Capstone projects are significant because:

3. How long should a capstone paper be?

The length of a capstone project paper varies depending on set guidelines by the academic institution or instructor. On average, they can be between 20-25 pages long, sometimes 35, including any supporting materials, such as appendices or references. However, check specific requirements from your institution as they can cap the number of pages.

4. What is the difference between a capstone project and a thesis?

A capstone project and thesis are both academic works, but they carry significant differences between them. A thesis is typically longer, and more in-depth than a capstone project. It is often required for graduate students and is based on original research. Its focus is narrower and more specialized. A capstone project is often required for undergraduate students, mostly based on research or practical application. It is more interdisciplinary in nature, involving solving world problems.

• Use of academic knowledge Students apply knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout their academic program to their papers.
• Collaboration with faculty members or industry professionals Students may work with faculty members or industry professionals to gain additional insight and guidance on their capstones.
• Presentation or defense Students may also be required to defend their capstone project in front of a panel of experts or live audience.
• Evaluation by committee A committee evaluates the student's paper to determine if they have met all academic requirements and project standards.
• Demonstrate student’s learning abilities As an educational strategy, capstone project can be used to show if the learner has acquired knowledge gained over the entire course.
• Improve students’ self-perception and confidence Typically, capstone projects allow students to take on new responsibilities and show commitment all through. Completing them boosts their self-esteem, self-awareness, as well as confidence.
• Boost career aspirations Since capstone projects involve working on real-world problems, students gain practical experience and prepare them for their future careers.
• Foster motivation and engagement Creativity involved in senior capstone projects, especially since students select them based on their personal interests, can motivate them to learn, engaging others in that process.
• Preparing for future careers By working on real-world issues and engaging in independent capstone research project, you develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and presentation skills that are essential for successful careers.
• Encouraging innovation By providing you with an opportunity to tackle complex problems and come up with innovative solutions, capstone projects encourage creativity.
• Demonstrating mastery of a particular field By successfully completing a capstone project, you demonstrate mastery of a particular field, setting yourself apart from others in the academic program as well as enhancing your marketability in the job market.
• Building your CV Prospective employers want to know more than just your academic performance. What is the capstone project you undertook in school? Adding them to your CV will inform them of your additional skills you possess.
• Building a sense of accomplishment Completing capstone essays can be a significant accomplishment, giving you pride and satisfaction for your hard work.
• Abstract Brief summary of the capstone project, typically around 250-300 words. It provides a concise overview of background information, objectives, methodology, results, and conclusion. It is often the first section that readers view to better understand your study's purpose and findings.
• Introduction This section provides an overview of the paper and sets context for your study. It includes a background on the topic, a clear problem statement or issue being addressed, research questions, and objectives. It should also highlight how your paper will be structured.
• Literature Review It provides a comprehensive overview of relevant research on the topic, including an analysis of previous studies, gaps in literature, and theoretical framework that will guide your study. It is important to provide thorough and well-structured literature review to support your research questions.
• Methodology In this section, you outline research design types, data collection and analysis methods, and sampling procedures that will be used to address your research questions. It should also give detailed description of the research process, including rationale for methods chosen and procedures followed to ensure validity and reliability of data collected.
• Results Here you present your study findings, including statistical analyses, tables, graphs, and figures that illustrate the results. They should be presented in a well-organized manner, focusing on answering your research questions.
• Discussion This section provides an interpretation of results, connecting findings to literature and research questions, further discussing their implications. The discussion should give critical evaluation of results, considering the limitations for future research.
• Conclusion It summarizes the main study findings, providing recommendations for future research. This section should be a clear and concise summary of results, tying the findings to research questions and objectives.
• References This section provides a comprehensive list of all sources cited in the paper, formatted according to appropriate citation style (APA, MLA, etc.).
• Appendices If necessary, this section includes additional materials that support the main study findings, such as survey instruments, raw data, or transcripts of interviews.
• Background of the topic
• Purpose of study
• Research questions
• Overview of paper structure
• Overview of relevant research
• Analysis of previous studies
• Gaps in literature
• Theoretical framework
• Research design
• Data collection and analysis methods
• Sampling procedures
• Rationale for methods chosen
• Procedures to ensure validity and reliability of data
• Presentation of study findings
• Statistical analyses
• Tables, graphs, and figures
• Focus on answering research questions
• Interpretation of results
• Connection of findings to literature and research questions
• Implications of findings
• Critical evaluation of results
• Study limitations
• Implications for future research
• Summary of main findings and conclusions
• Recommendations for future research
• Comprehensive list of all sources cited in paper
• Additional materials that support main study findings
• Identify area of interest Think about your interests, passions, and academic strengths. This will help you choose a topic that you are genuinely interested in or are well-suited to research.
• Consider the project scope Make sure the topic is manageable within a specified timeframe and resources available to you. In particular, it should be narrow enough to allow you to focus, but broad enough to provide enough material for a comprehensive analysis.
• Review the coursework Take a look at all courses you have taken so far and consider how they relate to your chosen topic. Remember the paper should be built on knowledge you have acquired throughout your academic journey.
• Consult your supervisor A capstone project advisor can provide valuable guidance and feedback on the topic. They can help you refine it, ensuring that it is relevant to the field of study.
• Research your topic Once you have a few potential topics, research each one to determine their feasibility, availability of resources, as well as scope of literature.
• Make a decision After you have conducted your research, choose one topic that you are most interested in and that you believe will be the most rewarding.
• Start by brainstorming keywords or phrases related to the topic, using them to search databases, such as Google Scholar , JSTOR , and other relevant academic sources.
• Pay attention to relevant theories and studies as you research. This will help you get a sense of what has already been done, what questions remain unanswered, and what you can contribute to the field.
• Keep track of all sources, taking notes as you read. Organize them into categories, like creating an annotated bibliography that you can refer to later.
• Evaluate the quality of sources you found. Check if they are peer-reviewed or have been published in reputable academic journals.
• Synthesize the information you have gathered to identify themes or patterns. This will help you see the bigger picture and understand the research context.
• Use the synthesized information to refine the research question and hypothesis. Make sure that your research is original and adds to the existing body of knowledge.
• Review existing literature Conduct a thorough review of existing literature in your area of interest. This will help you identify any gaps in knowledge or areas that need further research.
• Identify the problem Based on literature review, identify a specific problem or issue that you would like to address. It should be relevant and of interest to you.
• Refine the problem Make it more specific and focused. Consider the project scope, available resources, and own abilities.
• Formulate a research question Based on the problem you have defined, formulate a research question that will guide your paper. It should be clear, concise, and answerable through research.
• Develop a hypothesis Develop a hypothesis that you will test through research. It should provide a potential answer to the research question.
• Choose research methods that are appropriate for the research question and hypothesis. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of different methods, and select the ones that are most suitable.
• Provide a clear explanation of why you chose the methods you did. Explain how they will help you answer the research question and test your hypothesis.
• Give a detailed description of research methods, including how you will collect data and analyze it. Be specific about what steps you will take, tools you will use, and data you will collect.
• Consider any ethical issues that may arise from using those research methods. Explain how you will ensure that research is conducted in a responsible manner.
• Review previous research that has used similar methods, considering any lessons learned from that. Explain how you will apply these lessons to your own research.
• Present results in a clear and concise manner. Use tables, graphs, and charts to help illustrate your findings.
• Interpret results based on your research question and hypothesis. Explain what the findings mean and why they are significant.
• Compare your results to those of previous research in similar fields. Explain how the results you got are similar or different from previous findings.
• Discuss research limitations and the strengths of methods used. Explain how they may impact the results.
• Discuss implications of the findings for your field of study or society as a whole. Explain how that research contributes to a broader understanding of the topic.
• Conclude your discussion of key findings by summarizing results and their significance. Highlight key takeaways while explaining why they are important.
• Plan your presentation carefully.
• Use visual aids, such as slides, charts, graphs, and images, to help you effectively communicate ideas or findings to the audience.
• Rehearse the presentation several times until you are confident and comfortable with its content and flow.
• Present only the most important information to avoid going into too much detail.
• Interact with the audience by asking questions or allowing for discussion.
• Be ready to answer questions from the audience, discussing your work in great detail.
• APA paper format Mostly used in social sciences, education, and psychology. It contains a cover page, abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion, references, and appendices.
• MLA paper format Commonly used in humanities, such as literature and language. You must include in-text citations and the Works Cited page.
• Chicago format Often used in history, business, and other disciplines. It involves using either footnotes or in-text citations and a bibliography page.
• Start early Give yourself enough time to research, write, and revise. Starting early will also give you enough time to address any obstacles that may arise when writing.
• Choose a suitable topic Pick a topic that interests you and is relevant to your field of study.
• Research thoroughly Gather as much information as possible from reliable sources. Conduct a comprehensive literature review to gain a deep understanding.
• Outline your ideas Organize ideas to create an outline for the capstone project. This will help you stay focused, ensuring the paper has a clear structure.
• Write clearly and concisely Use clear, concise language to communicate ideas. Avoid using technical jargon unless it is absolutely necessary.
• Cite your sources Properly cite all sources you use in the capstone project to avoid plagiarism. Follow the required citation style specified.
• Revise Take time to proofread the work. Check for grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors. Also, ensure that ideas are presented well.
• Seek feedback Ask a friend, mentor, or academic advisor to review your capstone assignment and provide feedback. This will help you identify any mistakes.
• Strictly follow the instructor’s guidelines.
• Only pick reliable sources for your capstone paper.
• Pay attention to the layout, format, and structure.
• Plan your time for completing the project wisely.
• Always seek feedback to ensure you are going the right way.
• They provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their mastery of a particular subject area.
• They allow students to apply knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout their college degree in a real-world setting.
• They provide students with a sense of completion and achievement, helping them demonstrate the value of their college performance to potential employers or other stakeholders.

What Is a Capstone Project: Definition

What is the capstone project purpose, importance of capstone projects, senior capstone project structure, capstone project outline, how to write a capstone project paper, 1. choose a topic, 2. research existing literature, 3. define a problem, 4. introduce your research methods, 5. discuss your key findings, 6. present a capstone project, capstone paper format, capstone project writing tips, bottom line on capstone project.

Created by the Great Schools Partnership , the GLOSSARY OF EDUCATION REFORM is a comprehensive online resource that describes widely used school-improvement terms, concepts, and strategies for journalists, parents, and community members. | Learn more »

Capstone Project

Also called a capstone experience , culminating project , or  senior exhibition , among many other terms, a capstone project is a multifaceted assignment that serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience for students, typically during their final year of high school or middle school, or at the end of an academic program or learning-pathway experience . While similar in some ways to a college thesis, capstone projects may take a wide variety of forms, but most are long-term investigative projects that culminate in a final product, presentation, or performance. For example, students may be asked to select a topic, profession, or social problem that interests them, conduct research on the subject, maintain a portfolio of findings or results, create a final product demonstrating their learning acquisition or conclusions (a paper, short film, or multimedia presentation, for example), and give an oral presentation on the project to a panel of teachers, experts, and community members who collectively evaluate its quality.

Capstone projects are generally designed to encourage students to think critically, solve challenging problems, and develop skills such as oral communication, public speaking, research skills, media literacy, teamwork, planning, self-sufficiency, or goal setting—i.e., skills that will help prepare them for college, modern careers, and adult life. In most cases, the projects are also interdisciplinary, in the sense that they require students to apply skills or investigate issues across many different subject areas or domains of knowledge. Capstone projects also tend to encourage students to connect their projects to community issues or problems, and to integrate outside-of-school learning experiences, including activities such as interviews, scientific observations, or internships.

While capstone projects can take a wide variety of forms from school to school, a few examples will help to illustrate both the concept and the general educational intentions:

• Writing, directing, and filming a public-service announcement that will be aired on public-access television
• Designing and building a product, computer program, app, or robot to address a specific need, such as assisting the disabled
• Interning at a nonprofit organization or a legislator’s office to learn more about strategies and policies intended to address social problems, such as poverty, hunger, or homelessness
• Conducting a scientific study over several months or a year to determine the ecological or environmental impact of changes to a local habitat
• Researching an industry or market, and creating a viable business plan for a proposed company that is then “pitched” to a panel of local business leaders

For related discussions, see authentic learning , portfolio ,  relevance , and 21st century skills .

As a school-reform strategy, capstone projects are often an extension of more systemic school-improvement models or certain teaching philosophies or strategies, such as 21st century skills, community-based learning , proficiency-based learning , project-based learning , or student-centered learning , to name just a few.

The following are a few representative educational goals of capstone projects:

• Increasing the academic rigor of the senior year. Historically, high school students have taken a lighter course load or left school early during their twelfth-grade year, which can contribute to learning loss or insufficient preparation for first-year college work. A more academically and intellectually challenging senior year, filled with demanding but stimulating learning experiences such as a capstone project, the reasoning goes, can reduce senior-year learning loss , keep students in school longer (or otherwise engaged in learning), and increase preparation for college and work.
• Increasing student motivation and engagement. The creative nature of capstone projects, which are typically self-selected by students and based on personal interests, can strengthen student motivation to learn, particularly during a time (twelfth grade) when academic motivation and engagement tend to wane.
• Increasing educational and career aspirations. By involving students in long-term projects that intersect with personal interests and professional aspirations, capstone projects can help students with future planning, goal setting, postsecondary decisions, and career exploration—particularly for those students who may be unfocused, uncertain, or indecisive about their post-graduation plans and aspirations.
• Improving student confidence and self-perceptions. Capstone projects typically require students to take on new responsibilities, be more self-directed, set goals, and follow through on commitments. Completing such projects can boost self-esteem, build confidence, and teach students about the value of accomplishment. Students may also become role models for younger students, which can cultivate leadership abilities and have positive cultural effects within a school.
• Demonstrating learning and proficiency. As one of many educational strategies broadly known as demonstrations of learning , capstone projects can be used to determine student proficiency (in the acquisition of knowledge and skills) or readiness (for college and work) by requiring them to demonstrate what they have learned over the course of their project

In recent years, the capstone-project concept has also entered the domain of state policy. In Rhode Island, for example, the state’s high school graduation requirements stipulate that seniors must complete two out of three assessment options, one of which can be a capstone project. Several other states require students to complete some form of senior project, while in other states such projects may be optional, and students who complete a capstone project may receive special honors or diploma recognition.

Most criticism of or debate about capstone projects is not focused on the strategy itself, or its intrinsic or potential educational value, but rather on the quality of its execution—i.e., capstone projects tend to be criticized when they are poorly designed or reflect low academic standards, or when students are allowed to complete relatively superficial projects of low educational value. In addition, if teachers and students consider capstone projects to be a formality, lower-quality products typically result. And if the projects reflect consistently low standards, quality, and educational value year after year, educators, students, parents, and community members may come to view capstone projects as a waste of time or resources.

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What is a Capstone?

Capstones are final courses that draw upon your entire ALM scholarly training to produce a faculty- or student-directed academic research project worthy of a Harvard degree.

Student-directed capstones require you to come up with a topic and make a case to your research advisor as to why the topic is worthy of investigation. The project represents your academic passion and professional interest. Once the topic is approved, you craft a capstone proposal--a research plan--where you outline the topic, share the background reading you've done to understand the topic, and state the research design and methods.

Faculty-directed capstones are semester-long academic seminars lead by an instructor, who brings together all the key learning outcomes of the field of study in a structured syllabus. The instructor may present a list of topics from which you can choose or you may work on the same project as other students. You could work in a team or on your own.

Prework. Most capstones require you to participate in either a noncredit capstone proposal tutorial or a 4-credit, graded precapstone course the semester right before capstone registration (no earlier). The guided prework in either the tutorial or course sets the foundation for academically strong capstones.

The following ALM fields require student-directed capstones:

• Global Development Practice
• Journalism  *
• Museum Studies
• Sustainability

* All fields require the Capstone Proposal Tutorial, except Journalism.

The following ALM fields require faculty-directed capstones:

• Anthropology
• Biotechnology  
• Creative Writing and Literature
• Data Science
• Digital Media Design
• Government  
• International Relations
• Math for Teaching  
• Information Management Systems  
• Software Engineering  

How do I choose between a thesis and a capstone?

Some programs have the option to pursue either the thesis or capstone track., a thesis is the more appropriate choice if:.

• You want to earn a PhD or other advanced degree later on
• You want the experience of writing for a publication
• You want to work individually with a Research Advisor and Thesis Director
• You are more self-directed, are good at managing projects with little supervision, and have a clear direction for your work
• You have a project that requires more time (9-12 months) to pursue than can be done in a single class

The Capstone route is the more appropriate choice if:

• You want to focus on a smaller-scale project that highlights your technical skills to a current or future employer
• You want to work with a client or supervisor on a real-world project that can address a pressing business need
• You want more input on your project from fellow students and other instructors;  you prefer to work in a community instead of alone
• You want more structure to your project, including more internal milestones and due dates

For more information about the ALM Thesis option in the various programs that offer it, please see the Thesis Process  page on the Extension School Website. 

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What is a Senior Design Capstone?

The Senior Design Capstone for Industrial and Systems Engineering is a collaborative and practical experience for both the students and the sponsor.  In this capstone course, teams of 3-4 ISE students will be assigned a real-world problem posed by an industry sponsor. The students will collaborate with the sponsor and their teammates to address the problem using their skills in statistics and data analysis, probability and simulation, operation research and optimization, inventory and manufacturing planning, work design and human factors, six-sigma, lean methods. Over the course of a semester, students will work together to create a viable solution to the problem.

What is a sponsor?

A sponsor is an industry client located in southeast Ohio. Each client identifies a problem within their company or organization and an ISE student team will be assigned to address that problem over the course of a semester. In the past, student teams have worked to address problems involving test facility flow analysis, product measurements, product flow efficiency, operator ergonomics, maintenance cost, restaurant customer flow an deficiencies, emergency department analysis, and many others. Propose a project by clicking the button below and someone will be in touch with you soon. 

Become a sponsor here.

What should a sponsor expect?

Throughout the semester, students will work closely with the sponsor to achieve their goals. Students are expected to report to the sponsor on a weekly basis. The teams will follow a strict timeline and produce a PDR report in the middle of the semester and FDR at the end of the semester. You will have input throughout the process. 

Learn about program guidelines here. 

Explore past projects here.  

Questions? Contact the course instructor, Dušan Šormaz.

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Engineering students collaborate with industries on capstone projects

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May 8, 2024 : By Ted Allen - Office of Communications & Public Engagement

Capstone, also known as senior design, is the culminating academic experience for Liberty University School of Engineering (LUSE) students and a significant résumé-enriching achievement as they prepare to transition to professional careers.

“Each student works on a team of four to six to design a new product or process or make significant design improvement on existing systems,” said Dr. Howie Fang, a professor and chair of the mechanical engineering department and director of LUSE’s capstone program. “It’s a creative activity, and students do that for their client, who works with the student team over the period of two semesters.”

That creativity and collaboration was on display during Thursday’s Engineering Capstone Expo in the Montview Alumni Ballroom. For this academic year, LUSE offered 22 capstone projects to 97 engineering students with 18 projects from industry partners. Area businesses included Automated Conveyer Systems Inc., Centra, Delta Star, Framatome, Harco Fittings, Lawrence Companies, and Master Engineers & Designers. Students also worked with multi-industry companies such as Textron, and government agencies like NAVAIR, who have provided funding for and benefited from students’ innovative capstone projects. (See the full list of industry sponsors below.)

“It is very important for our students to learn real-world engineering problems and how to find solutions to those problems before they go out and get into industry as engineers,” Fang said. “Then, they are prepared and comfortable applying what they have learned in the classroom to real-life engineering challenges in their new jobs.”

Capstone teams involved students from all five engineering programs: mechanical, electrical, computer, industrial & systems, and civil engineering.

“Dr. Howie Fang is a world-leader in design optimization methodologies and has taught that in the context of the Creationeering process to the senior students while integrating it with real-world engineering problems,” School of Engineering Dean Mark Horstemeyer said, with Creationeering referring to his coined term for the interface between business and engineering and the creative inspiration from God in students’ research and design. “I am so proud to have Howie Fang in the LUSE as his leadership has raised the standard for the school.”

Such was the case for Tanner Randall, who will start this month at Framatome in its thermal hydraulics and component testing center after leading a team of six mechanical engineering students who worked under the supervision of Framatome mechanical engineer and software developer Greg Troyer to analyze the natural frequencies of nuclear reactor vessel internals (RVI), which facilitate fission in extreme environments. Christopher Pace, an electrical engineering student who worked on another Framatome-sponsored project, has also been hired by the company, which has its North American headquarters in Lynchburg, Va.

Katherine Rioux and fellow mechanical engineering students Fady Fayek, Caleb Schaible, and Logan Drawbaugh worked with Dr. Andy McIntosh from Leeds University in England to develop a Biomimic Novel Spray System, using the bombardier beetle as its model for extinguishing fires. She has landed a job working on E2D Hawkeye Airborne Command and Control Aircraft at NAVAIR in Patuxent, Md.

“It’s been a steep learning curve, but the cool thing about being tossed into the deep end is you either sink or swim, and I didn’t want to sink, so I learned,” said Rioux, who had internships with NAVAIR over the past two summers.

At last spring’s Expo, Josh Ingram and his team won the Capstone Legacy Award for their best product design for NAVAIR, a small tool that can be used to repair the engine of the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. Ingram was hired by BWXT last May while Zach Deluth, another member of this team, was hired by NAVAIR.

“The team worked with NAVAIR really well, and the product the students delivered to them is ready to be made for them to use to maintain these aircraft, so they were really happy,” Fang said.

Due to the quality of work produced by the engineering students on that capstone project, NAVAIR’s Cherry Point, N.C., location sponsored two capstone projects for Liberty’s engineering students this year.

Several of the seniors said the capstone projects stretched them more than any other class they had taken toward their degree, challenging them to put what they have learned in the classroom into practical application.

“It’s hands-on, working with a real customer, solving real problems, and it really made them think through, identifying what the problem is, coming up with solutions to that problem,” School of Engineering Lab Manager Marc Jantomaso said. “They built really good relationships with the clients.”

In recent years, as the School of Engineering has grown — both in number of students and faculty and in reputation in the Lynchburg, Va., area and around the nation and the world — more and more connections have been made between graduating seniors and area engineering companies.

“Through the capstone program, we have built up some very good relationships with industry that will tremendously benefit our engineering students, as well as the industry, providing the students with opportunities to refine their learning and open doors for employers to hire highly skilled graduates,” Fang said. “It’s a win-win situation. We can have more impact for students if we bring real-world applications, real-world projects from industry and let students work with industry people directly in these projects.”

This year, the projects received more than four times the total amount of funding as last year, allowing the seniors to develop more elaborate projects with greater functionality.

“They have more financial resources now, so they can do more,” Fang said. “When you go out to industry, your project can run anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. That is the scale type of work from industry, and that is very beneficial to students if you can have a project with that complexity. So, from that perspective, we try to attract as many industry projects as possible.”

With genius inspired by God, and plenty of direction from faculty advisors and the clients they are doing their capstone projects for, the student teams “make miracles happen,” said Liberty President Dondi Costin, who attended the Expo.

“I was blown away at every single station, and I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “This is a true testament of your education … (and) exactly what Liberty University is all about. It’s taking young men and women who have natural talent and who have been raised with character and who are brought here by God, who have an individual ability and skill and passion and motivation and coming together as a team and using that skill in concert with the skills of others who are just as intelligent and passionate and gifted.”

2023-24 Engineering Capstone Industry Sponsors

Automated Conveyer Systems (ACS) Inc.

Centra Health

Corvid Technologies LLC

Delta Star, Inc.

Energy & Automation, Inc.

FarmBot Inc.

Harco Fittings

Kapstone Projects LLC

Lawrence Companies

Master Engineers & Designers

McKee Foods Corporation

U.S. Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center East (NAVAIR)

Textron Specialized Vehicles

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Spring 2024 ASU electrical engineering projects showcase innovation

by TJ Triolo | May 9, 2024 | News

  ASU’s School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering undergraduate spring Class of 2024 demonstrated the capstone group projects they created during their senior year

After years of learning a variety of skills in the electrical engineering undergraduate program in the  Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering  at Arizona State University, students face one final test before graduation: They must show off their ability to solve a real-world problem using their knowledge. To put the skills they’ve learned to task, students coordinate a capstone group project incorporating electrical engineering.

Forty-eight teams from the  School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering , part of the Fulton Schools, presented their projects at the Spring 2024 ECEE Senior Design Capstone Demo Day. The students developed solutions to electrical engineering problems in a variety of fields, including assisting those with visual disabilities and automating a greenhouse and solar panel cleaning.

Fulton Schools faculty led some of the projects, while industry mentors oversaw others to fulfill needs with fresh solutions from the latest crop of budding electrical engineers.

A screen reader for real life

Electrical engineering capstone project team members pose behind a table displaying their interactive visual assistant. The technology interprets objects and provides an audio description for those with visual disabilities. Photographer: TJ Triolo/ASU

One of the capstone teams developed a project they dubbed an interactive visual assistant. The system uses a camera to “see” items in real life, then provides a computer-generated audio description spoken to the user describing what’s in front of them.

The project is intended to assist those with visual impairments, working similarly to a screen reader on a computer for physical objects. It uses a Raspberry Pi chip programmed for the purpose connected to artificial intelligence, or AI, large language models such as ChatGPT , which serve as knowledge databases to interpret objects the camera observes.

Ahmed Alkhateeb , a Fulton Schools assistant professor of electrical engineering, served as the project’s mentor. For the students involved, creating the system was a learning experience in a variety of skills, including project management, delegation and ensuring the final product met a stakeholder’s criteria.

“We’ve been having issues with getting the Raspberry Pi to work consistently, specifically with the camera and the microphone aspects of it,” says team member Antonia Scott. “Those two have been giving us some finicky issues that we’ve had to go down massive debug routes for, and that was definitely a frustrating experience, but we learned a lot through it.”

Team member Kaira Monson concurs the learning experience was valuable, especially as it relates to AI for electrical engineering.

“I think it looks good to be able to say you did this project, especially if you’re interested in AI fields, since ours is very AI-heavy,” Monson says.

A greenhouse for growing vegetables on Mars

An electrical engineering capstone team poses with their automated greenhouse project. The greenhouse uses artificial intelligence to control parameters to optimize plant growth. Photographer: TJ Triolo/ASU

Another project used AI for a different purpose: automating a greenhouse’s functions. Sponsored by Astro Seed , a company creating greenhouse technology to grow plants in environments on Earth and extraterrestrial worlds, the team built a small-scale prototype of a greenhouse with automated care functions for two plant compartments.

Housed in a small 3D printed structure, the miniature greenhouse uses sensors for temperature, moisture and environmental control. The sensors send data to an Arduino chip, which uses AI to analyze the parameters supplied and adjust plant growth technology such as water pumps and LED lights accordingly.

Originally, the capstone project was supposed to have nine plant compartments. However, as the project went on, the team realized they’d have to scale back their design to contain two due to resource constraints such as the lengthy printing time for the structure’s complex design.

Group member Yasmin Estrada says pivoting on the project’s scope and size was one of the biggest challenges.

“We had to change our scope multiple times to be able to build this prototype,” Estrada says.

Team member David Lampert says as the project progressed, it became a learning experience about how to work with a customer to ensure Astro Seed’s needs were met.

“We learned a lot about relationship management and communication,” Lampert says.

Improving solar panel efficiency through automated cleaning  

The Palais Senior Design Prize-winning team celebrates their victory at a lunch with team mentor Anamitra Pal (fourth from left), an associate professor of electrical engineering in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, award namesake Joseph Palais (second from right), a professor emeritus of electrical engineering in the Fulton Schools, and Stephen Phillips (right), director of the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, part of the Fulton Schools, and a Fulton Schools professor of electrical engineering. Photo courtesy of Anamitra Pal

As automation becomes more prevalent, one team used it for a different direction than computer-controlled greenhouse operation. Under the mentorship of Anamitra Pal , a Fulton Schools associate professor of electrical engineering, student members designed a robot programmed to clean roof-mounted solar panels.

A drone controlled by a human operator picks the robot up from the ground, carries it to the solar panel and drops it off. The robot’s programming sequence then begins, and it removes dirt and debris from the panel, ensuring maximum efficiency to harness the sun’s energy.

The drone is then flown back onto the roof and retrieves the cleaning robot once it’s finished.

The team’s innovative project received the Palais Senior Design Prize. The winning project is selected through judging from a secret panel of attendees at Demo Day and receives a cash prize and a lunch with Professor Emeritus  Joseph Palais , who sponsors the prize with his wife Sandra Palais.

“Through the long nights and obstacles that were thrown to the team, winning the Palais Award is an accomplishment,” says team member Sladjana “DJ” Opacic. “It validates our efforts put into the project, and no matter what, it tells us not to give up because maybe someday, our prototype will have a significant impact to society.”

Team member Noah Crowe says the project taught the group to consider all angles and potential issues in an engineering project.

“There is more than meets the eye when building a product from an idea,” Crowe says. “Vital problems such as finding ways to ensure electrical continuity between moving parts can easily be overlooked early in a project.”

ECEE Highlights

Read more engineering stories in Full Circle

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Learn more about the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

College of Computing

SCI Pilots AI-Enhanced Capstone to Advance Software Engineering Instruction

Friday, May 10, 2024

Emily Smith

College of computing school of computing instruction.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries and redefining problem-solving methods, especially within the rapidly evolving tech sector. 

A recent Forbes article highlights a significant shift in recruitment strategies, noting an increasing demand for professionals who can effectively leverage AI alongside their technical skills. 

"The demand for skilled professionals who can adeptly use AI has never been higher," the article states, emphasizing the need for complex problem-solving abilities and technical proficiency.

The School of Computing Instruction (SCI) at Georgia Tech is responding to these industry shifts by launching a transformative initiative this summer. The redesigned Computer Science (CS) capstone course bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world software development demands. 

"Students still need a foundational understanding of computer science because these tools aren’t perfect, but we want to equip them with the ability to use them," SCI Chair Olufisayo Omojokun said. 

"With this redesign, we're positioning the capstone as a platform for testing and refining the application of generative AI technologies in real-world scenarios."

Course Overview

Led by SCI Lecturer Nimisha Roy, the course is designed to simulate the tight deadlines of the industry, offering students practical experience of project constraints. This summer, students will choose from various projects centered around developing Google Chrome apps, with each project designed to challenge and enhance their skills in software design, implementation, testing, and project management.

"The course starts by grounding students in traditional software development methods to establish a solid base," Roy said. "Students first create system design artifacts using conventional approaches. They then enhance these designs using AI-driven tools like Lucidchart and Mermaid, allowing for a direct comparison between traditional and AI-enhanced processes.”

She says this approach not only highlights the transformative impact of AI on design productivity and quality but also emphasizes the crucial role of documentation in software development.

AI tools like GitHub Copilot, Codeium, and Testim are introduced to streamline coding and testing processes for the implementation phase. 

"We anticipate that the integration of AI from the beginning of the implementation phase will significantly boost productivity and enable the development of more complex features compared to traditional methods," Roy said. 

Students will rigorously test this hypothesis by comparing the quality of design documentation and final software products against those from previous semesters.

Objectives and Impact

Reflecting on the course's goals, Roy said, "This isn't just about enhancing technical skills. It's about preparing students to critically assess the role of AI in software development, considering its impact on productivity, output quality, user engagement, and the learning curve associated with adaptability."

She adds that this initiative underscores Georgia Tech's dedication to pioneering advancements in CS education that bridge the gap between academic learning and industry demands, setting a new standard for educational practices.

Future Directions

As the course unfolds, there is a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation regarding its potential future impact. Beyond the immediate objectives, future iterations of the capstone course may explore further advancements in AI technologies and their implications for software development practices.

“Using these tools could potentially lead to a scenario where future capstone projects involve students accomplishing more or higher-quality projects,” said Omojokun.

SCI’s initiative marks a significant shift in how future software developers are trained and sets a new standard in educational practices, aligning closely with industry advancements and future needs.

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We are thrilled to announce Vivek Sarkar as the new Dean of the College of Computing at Georgia Tech! With a distinguished career spanning academia and industry, Sarkar's leadership promises to elevate our community to new heights. https://t.co/2mX5D46cJz pic.twitter.com/LxpLTCXWZV — Georgia Tech Computing (@gtcomputing) April 12, 2024

@GeorgiaTech 's dedication to excellence in computer science (CS) has been recognized once again, with the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings unveiling the institution at 7th place overall for graduate CS studies. https://t.co/qavNUSTb7n pic.twitter.com/BcGyGBQld8 — Georgia Tech Computing (@gtcomputing) April 10, 2024

Six seniors recognized with Dean’s Awards for outstanding capstone projects

Topics include a method to detect earthquake victims and an image-to-text application for the visually impaired.

Six SEAS students have been recognized with Dean’s Award for Outstanding Engineering Projects (Eliza Grinnell/SEAS)

Six students from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) were recognized with the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Engineering Projects at the recent SEAS Design and Project Fair at the Science and Engineering Complex. Recipients participated in ES100, a year-long capstone course for seniors in the SB engineering program, where each student develops a project to address a real-world engineering problem. The award comes with a prize of $500.

“SEAS students make things that may be really cool, quirky, or fun,” said SEAS Dean David Parkes. “And just as often, their work will help solve a real-world problem and have a significant impact on people’s lives. During ES100, a year-long capstone course for seniors in the SB engineering program, students tackle specific problems. They develop technical specs, design solutions, test their ideas using quantitative analysis and simulations, prototype, and build.”

For the 2023-24 academic year, 42 students completed ES100 projects. Five projects, including one two-student team project, were selected for the award. The award-winning projects covered a broad range of topics, including a remote sensor network for detecting earthquake victims trapped under rubble, an image-to-text application for the visually impaired, a quadcopter drone with enhanced maneuverability, and tool for determining potential water contaminants and suggested filtration solutions in wells.

Serena Zhao’s bioengineering capstone, “Developing Uniform, Photon-Emitting Nanoprobes for Multi-Color Electron Microscopy,” designed nanoprobes that emit colored light when hit by protons from an electron microscope, allowing for much more detailed imaging at the nanoscale level.

“Electron microscopy (EM) images are black and white,” Zhao said. “There’s no specificity, no color labeling. When it comes to studying complex biological processes, that’s a huge disadvantage. My project was trying to build these nanoprobes that emit color under EM, so we can get an electron image, a colored probe image, and then we can overlay them into a colored, labeled image that still has specificity and high resolution.”

The other four award winners were:

• Arba Shkreli and Molly Bosworth , electrical engineering, for their project, “SeASAR: Sensor Application for Search & Rescue in Urban Settings”
• Yasmine Omri, electrical engineering, for her project, “Towards a Real-Time Image-to-Speech Tool for the Visually Impaired: Efficient Hardware for On-device Image Classification”
• Lachlan McGranahan , mechanical engineering, for his project, “Modeling, Simulation, and Control for a Tilt-Rotor Quadcopter”
• Layla Seaver, environmental science and engineering, for her project, “Addressing Forever Chemicals: An Algorithm for PFAS Prediction Modeling and Filter Selection for Private Well-Users”

“I’m interested in using my engineering background to serve actual human needs,” Omri said. “My project falls into a field that we call ‘tiny machine learning.’ I wanted to find a way to run a very complex system locally, with energy efficiency and performance speed. I tried to consolidate it into a practical, application-based system focused specifically on the visually impaired.”

Four SEAS students received Honorable Mention for their senior capstone projects (Eliza Grinnell/SEAS)

Four additional SEAS students received Honorable Mentions for their capstone projects. They are:

• Cherish Jongwe, bioengineering, for his project, “Biofilm-Enhanced Household Water Filtration System for Heavy Metals Removal”
• Nicholas Laws , mechanical engineering, for his project, “Visualization Tool for Chemical Kinetic Pathways in Plasma-Assisted Combustion”
• Anna Ramos, electrical engineering, for her project, “Eye Controls for Quadriplegic Gamers”
• Emma Zuckerman , mechanical engineering, for her project, “Low Reynolds Number Anemometer for Earth’s Stratosphere and the Martian Atmosphere”

Seaver also received a $500 award from the Society of American Military Engineers. A former project lead and co-president of the Harvard chapter of Engineers Without Borders, Seaver has devoted most of her Harvard career to water research and infrastructure development.

“I took Elsie Sunderland’s class on toxicology, which introduced the idea of forever chemicals and contaminants like PFAS,” Seaver said. “When it came time to choose a thesis topic, I thought about the importance of these emerging contaminants for water quality and public health, and how I had the opportunity to work with one of the leading experts in this field through Elsie’s lab. If I could create a tool to make that information from the lab more readily available to users, that’d be the best way I could have an impact with my thesis.”

After she graduates, she’ll be working on water projects at the Boston office of Kleinfelder, an engineering firm.

“One of their most recent developments is looking at PFAS removal technology at the municipal level, which I’m really excited about,” she said.

Topics: Academics , Dean , Awards , Bioengineering , Electrical Engineering , Environmental Science & Engineering , Materials Science & Mechanical Engineering

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