Computer Science Capstone

CS Capstone Design

Team Selection and Project Preference Memo Guidelines


Overview

An important part of the Capstone process is that (for perhaps the only time in your careers!) you, as students, get to have input into the selection of the Capstone project that you will work on. The hope is that, if you are working on something that interests you personally, the motivation and quality of the end result will be higher.


Of course, it isn't always possible to accommodate everyone — it is necessary to distribute personnel across projects, and there are other factors (personalities, skills, and so on) to consider. For this reason, we've developed the following process after projects are posted:

  1. Students in CS476 are asked to review the posted projects and prioritize them based on their skills, interest level, and other preferences. These preferences are expressed in a formal memo (see instructions below) and submitted on the due date specified on the course site.
  2. Results of the preference memo are compiled into a complex spreadsheet and then a complicated n-dimensional constraint balancing problem (not easy!) is solved to maximize the number of students getting onto their first and second choice projects... while also ensuring balanced, well-staffed teams with high success potential.

With this many projects/teams, it is a simple fact that may not get to work on your favorite project. But this is very much like real life: your boss is going to take your skills/preferences into account, but ultimately you're going to get assigned to whatever project needs to get done. This is where the other info listed on the prefs memo can help us make the best fit.

The Project Preference Memo (20 pts)

To guide CS faculty in assigning project teams, each of you will prepare a professional memo that details the relevant info. Each memo shall include:

  1. Proper professional document. Let's skip the standard memo header (To:, From:, RE:) to save space. Place "Project Preferences" at very center-top, then Key items are your name and email at top, big and bold
  2. Your info: Key items are your name and email at the top-left, and a neat little passport photo in the top-right corner. Professional serious headshot.
  3. A brief (a few sentences) intro, where lead in by giving an overall sentence or two about yourself/interests, which leads you to...
  4. A bullet list outlining your interests. 3-5 one-sentence bullets. Keep it general: mobile apps, computer security, etc. Don't *just* put the topic ("mobile apps"); each topic should include a single sentence explaining what you mean, i.e., what is interesting/motivating about that topic for you. This will help us understand what overall application areas interest you.
  5. Follow this with a little intro sentence leading to a bullet list of the key technical skills you can offer. Things you have some experience or expertise in. Be honest. If you have no special experience, list a few courses that gave to key skills. Be sure to give brief detail: briefly summarize what training or experiences back those skills, e.g., "Web portal design: summer internship at McDonalds helping build web portal for the new 'BicMacLovers' matchmaking and dating site."
  6. The meat: Your top FIVE project preferences, clearly numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, in order of preference. For each one, give a 1-2 sentence reason why you like the project, or what special skills you have that are relevant for that project. Why should we assign you to it?
  7. In the last section, you may mention other relevant info. This might include specific others that you'd love/hate to be on the same team with, along with a brief rationale.

The whole thing should be one page. Professional quality counts! Make it look nice; express yourself clearly. Keep in mind that this memo will shape your life up through the end of the capstone experience!