What is a capstone?
A capstone project is a culminating assignment completed near the end of an academic program that allows you—the student—to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have gained throughout your program. Your capstone involves synthesizing and applying what you have learned from various subjects or courses related to your major and applying that to investigating and solving a fundamental or applied question or problem through in-depth study. A capstone helps you build research, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and project management skills and grows confidence in your ability to work professionally.
Warnell’s Capstone Program is the final step in your academic journey—your chance to apply your knowledge to a fundamental or applied research question, management problem, or outreach need. There are two capstone paths for Warnell students: Senior Project or Senior/Honors Thesis. The expectation is that most students will participate in Senior Project. A small proportion of students who have been engaged in research prior to their capstone year may pursue an independent Senior or Honors Thesis under the direction of a faculty mentor.
What’s the difference between Senior Project and Senior Thesis?
Senior Project involves teams of 3-4 students working together on basic or applied research, management planning, or outreach. Projects can be faculty led or led by an external and many will include a service-learning model in support of the needs of an external client.
Senior or Honors Thesis is reserved for exceptional students who have been engaged in research prior to their capstone year leading to the development of an individual research project. There are minimum academic requirements and formal proposal required as part of an additional application process to pursue a Senior Thesis.
