This web page lists answers to frequently asked questions about Capstone. Please refer to the What is Capstone? page for a general overview of the goals of Capstone.
Questions from Students
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Question: I am working on a project for Professor X and she suggested that my research project would be a good Capstone project. Can I do it?
Answer: Sorry, but no, the project you describe would not be an appropriate capstone project. The goal of capstone is to work with a team of students on a substantial design problem that requires development and testing of a device or "product" to meet the needs of a client or market. The project scope must be larger than what a single person can accomplish, which makes the coordinated effort of a team a necessity.
The project you describe sounds very interesting and is a great opportunity for you to learn. However, it's a individual research project, and the "individual" and "research" part makes it a bad fit for Capstone. FYI, you are not alone. Many students suggest interesting projects that don't fit the objectives of Capstone.
I suggest that you talk to Professor X about working with you on a ME 406 project. You can count a 4-credit ME 406 project as one of your senior electives.
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Question: I have a part time job at Company X and we have a lot of potential design projects. Can I pick one of those for my Capstone?
Answer: Maybe or maybe not. There are many reasons your work-related projects will not fit into the Capstone course sequence. Please refer to the What is Capstone? page for background information.
All capstone projects need to be initiated in the summer before the start of the Fall term. It usually takes a lot of communication between the prospective sponsor and the Capstone instructor (Recktenwald) to determine whether a project is suitable for Capstone and then shape the project so that it fits the educational objectives and logistical constraints. Projects identified after the start of the Fall term will not leave time to go through the necessary vetting and pre-planning.
Capstone projects must be substantial enough to require the sustained effort of a team of students. There are many good engineering design problems that do not meet the scope and complexity requirements of Capstone. Please contact the instructor before the start of Fall term to discuss any potential Capstone projects.
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Question: I don't like any of the Capstone sponsored projects, can I get together with my friends to make up our own Capstone?
Answer: No. While the instructor and other faculty work hard to find a diverse list of interesting projects, it is possible that none of the projects have special appeal to any one individual student. In engineering courses, students do not get to reject homework assignments because they do not like the problems or because they lack interest in the topic. Capstone projects are like huge homework assignments.
Capstone projects require an external client who is capable of objectively determining whether the project meets their needs and providing sufficient financial resources to build prototypes that allow students to explore design concepts and demonstrate, unequivocally, the performance of the design. Therefore, students cannot be both sponsor and participant in the project.
The Capstone instructor reserves the right, and has exercised that right, to reject projects that lack rigor, depth or sufficient practical impact. Attempting to initiate a project in the middle of the term, and without an external sponsor leads to frustration for everyone involved. There is not enough time to develop a project from scratch after the start of the Fall term. Even after working to develop a project that was initiated before the start of Fall term, it may not meet the standards required by the course.
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Question: What happens if I don't want to choose any of the projects?
Answer: I will ask you to express your preferences, and I will try hard to find a project to match your preference. If you do not express your preference, then you will be assigned to a team.
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Question: How will you assign student teams to projects?
Answer: I will ask you as an individual to list up to four projects in rank order of preference. I will strive to satisfy those preferences when teams are assigned. Individuals may be shifted to and from teams based on the match between the size of the team and the scope of the project
Students with a keen interest in a particular project may also write a preliminary proposal to work on that project. The proposal is effectively a bid to work on that project. If that proposal is sufficient, the team will be assigned to the project. If more than one team bids on a project, the team with the strongest proposal will be assigned to that project.
Teams may submit up to two proposals if the students want to work together. The instructor will work hard to satisfy the team and individual preference. Some compromise by students will be necessary.
Details on project proposal are provided on the Assignment page for ME 491.