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. Learn more about: Senior Project Senior Thesis Compare Senior Project and Senior Thesis Senior Project Senior or Honors Thesis Structure (Group v. Individual) Group Individual Application required? Students have the option to apply for advertised Senior Project opportunities but are not required to apply and will be assigned to a project if they do not identify a project on their own. Students who do not apply for a project must register for FANR 4501. Application due in semester prior to first capstone semester. Proposals due by midpoint of first capstone semester. Requirements Minimum 3.4 cumulative GPA and prior experience working in a research setting that has led to the development of the thesis project. A research proposal is required as part of the application. Faculty involvement Projects can be led by faculty through their lab or program and sometimes in service to an external client; but, some projects may involve students working directly with an external client while supported by a team of faculty advisors and a Senior Project Coordinator. Theses require a faculty mentor who supervises the students research and writing process, but thesis students are also supported in the writing process during their final semester by a faculty Senior Thesis Coordinator. Which capstone path is right for me? The expectation is that most students will participate in Senior Project. Because Senior Project can span from research to management planning to outreach and communication, students can identify a project that meets their professional interests and needs. Students should review advertised project opportunities and identify opportunities that meet their interests and professional goals including the knowledge and skills that you will be using, the types of products you will be producing, and whether you will be working with or in service to external clients. Senior Project is an ideal opportunity for students to grow and demonstrate their collaboration skills and can be effective for skill-building and developing professional connections. Senior Project is an appropriate pathway for students interested in research and continuing on to complete a graduate thesis. Some projects also include opportunities for students to publish papers or technical reports. Senior or Honors Thesis is ideally suited for academically strong students who are self-motivated and have been engaged in research that has led to a specific research question. Working on an independent thesis can be a good experience for students planning to complete a graduate thesis or interested in leading publication of a research article. Successful completion of a thesis usually requires multiple semesters of work in close collaboration with a faculty mentor. Students who have not been working with a faculty research mentor prior to their first capstone semester are discouraged from pursuing Senior Thesis and encouraged to pursue Senior Project. Capstone timeline Plan your capstone across semesters. Senior Project or Research Senior or Honors Thesis Semesters prior to your final year Research advertised project opportunities, speak with faculty about project opportunities, and apply to projects that interest you. Speak with faculty about getting involved in their research or outreach program, research advertised thesis opportunities or discuss potential opportunities with a faculty mentor, apply to advertised Senior Thesis opportunities if appropriate. Capstone semester 1* Depending on the project, you will be instructed by the Senior Project Coordinator to register for FANR 4501 or FANR 4960R, 4970R, or 4980R. Execute project including planning and training meetings with supervising faculty, meeting with clients, and collecting data or needed information including relevant literature review. Register for Undergraduate Directed Research (FANR 4960R, 4970R, or 4980R). Write Thesis Proposal and apply to complete Senior Thesis before the mid semester deadline. Begin planning and training meetings with supervising faculty, and collecting data and needed information including relevant literature review. Capstone semester 2/final semester** Register for FANR 4502S or FANR 4990R. Write and present project as a group. Register for FANR 4990R. Write and present thesis as an individual. * This is your second to last fall or spring semester. ** This is your final fall or spring semester before graduating. FAQs When do I need to decide? You’ll want to start thinking about which path is right for you as you approach your first capstone semester to decide. However, you have up until your third semester to decide before you’ll need to register. Keep in mind, the longer you wait you higher chance you’ll miss out on working on your preferred project or with a preferred faculty member. Can I switch from project to thesis (or vice versa)? Yes, but students must complete their enrollment changes prior to the first capstone semester's add/drop date. Senior Thesis students who wish to switch to a Senior Project are allowed to apply for Projects and should consult with their faculty and academic advisors. When will I hear if my project application was approved? Decisions will be sent by email about 10-14 days after the application deadline. Current Projects Curious about the projects currently available for students? View the complete list. Past project examples Gallery:
