Computing Science

Why Do A Capstone Project? 

Capstones are expected to be incentivizations themselves from the student perspective. They will provide an opportunity for exploring a problem the student is interested in for an extended period. Students may propose their own group projects to a faculty member. Because of the competitive nature of student applications for Capstones, students must strive and demonstrate appropriate knowledge to be approved. This will elevate both SoSy and the students. In addition, Capstones will provide both material for participating students’ CVs and the possibility of winning the Capstone Showcase award. Specific benefits may include high quality reference letters for the student, the opportunity to work with graduate students in a research lab, and the opportunity to work with an industry partner.  

How Does It Work?

Each Capstone will be based around an approved capstone proposal submitted by a faculty member who will act as a mentor for the project. Students may work with faculty in order to construct/modify a proposal that finds agreement between the abilities and interests of both the students and faculty involved. When an agreement is reached, the mentor will inform the SoSy Capstone Committee and have the students enrolled in the Capstone courses* (CMPT 494 and subsequently CMPT 495).

During the course of the two fourth-year courses (CMPT 494 and CMPT 495), small groups of students (typically 2-4) will work with their faculty mentor on various parts of the project on a regular basis. This includes, and not limited to, proposing, conceptualizing, designing, developing, and demonstrating the project.

Upon completion of a Capstone, students are required to complete a final project report providing the context for the problem they worked on, the challenges they faced, and how they students overcame these challenges. Appropriate knowledge of existing work must be demonstrated. This project report may serve as a white paper or conference paper depending on the nature of the Capstone project.

All Capstone students will also be required to create a poster and a live demonstration (as appropriate) of their work in a Capstone Showcase or the Computing Science Undergraduate Research Symposium.

*The proposal approval process is a prerequisite for CMPT 494, while successful completion of CMPT 494 is a prerequisite for CMPT 495. For details, see the Capstone Project Requirement section of this page:
https://www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2025/spring/programs/software-systems/major/bachelor-of-science.html