The Capstone Series

Senior Software Engineering Project I, II, and III, collectively known as Capstone, represent the culmination of our Computer Science students’ academic journey.

Term	ID	Class Name	Credits
Fall	CS 461	Senior Software Engineering Project I	3
Winter	CS 462	Senior Software Engineering Project II	3
Spring	CS 463	Senior Software Engineering Project III	2

This three-course sequence transforms aspiring developers into industry-ready software engineers through real-world project experience and professional collaboration.

Students work in teams (generally 3-4 students) to design, develop, and deliver software solutions for real-world clients, gaining hands-on experience that bridges the gap between academic learning and professional practice.

For Students Build a comprehensive portfolio piece while gaining invaluable hands-on experience that bridges the gap between classroom learning and professional practice

For Industry or Faculty Partners Shape the next generation of software engineers while accessing fresh talent and innovative solutions for your organization's challenges

How We Measure Success

Our evaluation framework ensures accountability and growth across multiple dimensions. Students receive feedback from project partners or mentors (25%), peers (25%), and instructors (50%) across these critical areas:

• Reflection
• Requirements and Specifications
• Design, Implementation, and Deployment
• Verification and Validation
• Teamwork
• Communication

The emphasis on each area evolves throughout the series to mirror real-world project progression and professional development.

Learn more about the grade distribution See how evaluation criteria change as students progress through the series.

CS 461: Foundation & Planning

Students are matched with projects and teams, launching their capstone journey with a focus on requirements gathering and specifications. This foundational course emphasizes understanding stakeholder needs and translating them into technical requirements. Students deliver an initial working prototype that demonstrates core functionality and validates key assumptions.

CS 462: Development & Iteration

The heart of the development cycle. Students dive deep into design, implementation, and deployment while refining their understanding of project requirements. Through iterative development cycles and robust project management practices, teams build toward a production-ready solution.

CS 463: Delivery & Validation

The final course focuses on verification, validation, and project outcomes. Students polish their solutions, conduct thorough testing, and prepare comprehensive documentation. This 2-credit course emphasizes delivering professional-quality results and demonstrating measurable project success.

Most technical development is completed in CS 462, allowing CS 463 to focus on refinement and validation.