( 4 or 8 credits )

The purpose of the capstone for the masters programs offered by the Information Sciences & Technologies (IST) department is to allow students to demonstrate their creativity and scholarly, or professional, capabilities in the areas that they have studied. A MS project involves background research and some type of implemented computing solution that addresses an IT need, issue or problem. A MS thesis involves more in depth research of a topic, analysis of results and, typically, some solution development. Closed-end, course-based capstone experiences are typically completed during a standard number of academic terms as appropriate to the degree program.

The MS capstone experience is specific to a given degree as defined by the department faculty.  The capstone expectations are:

• MS/Information Technology (MS/IT): open-ended; 4002-897 MS Thesis OR 4002-898 MS Project (4 or 8 credits).
  • An optional two-credit capstone preparation course, 4002-893, is available to help you write your capstone proposal.
  • Steps to follow after your thesis has been defended.
• MS/Human-Computer Interaction (MS/HCI): open-ended; 4004-897 MS Thesis OR 4004-898 MS Project (8 credits).
  • Steps to follow after your thesis has been defended.
• MS/Medical Informatics (MS/MI): a 2-term, instructor-lead course experience; 4006-887 Capstone in MI I (UR MIF-408a) and 4006-888 Capstone in MI II (UR MIF-408b) (4 credits total).
• MS/Software Development & Management (MS/SD&M): a one-term, capstone-course experience; 4002-895 SD&M Capstone (4 credits).

For the MS/IT and the MS/HCI programs, click here to access capstone templates and forms, such as cover pages, proposal forms, etc. The specific requirements for course-based capstone experiences will be discussed in class.

See the Capstone Guide document for more detailed information.