Computing Science
Software Systems Capstone Projects (Capstones) provide SoSy students opportunities to apply their software systems skills to significant projects of depth and/or breadth that require contemporary knowledge of systems and software system development. Through collaboration with industry, non-profits, or academic research labs, students will be able to develop software projects that they can be proud to publicize.
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.
Capstone Requirement
A capstone requirement may be added similar to existing Systems and Software Engineering requirements.
Students complete EITHER (CMPT 494 (3) Software Systems Capstone Project I and CMPT 495 (3) Software Systems Capstone Project II) OR 2 out of: CMPT 379 (Principles of Compiler Design), CMPT 431 (Distributed Systems), or CMPT 433 (Embedded Systems).
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. Enrollment into CMPT 495 is performed by the School provided that there is an agreement between the students and the supervisor in continuing the project into the second term. For details, see the Capstone Project Requirement section of this page:
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Important Dates For Sosy Capstone Projects
| Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 Cycle | Spring 2027-Summer 2027 Cycle^^ | Summer 2026 - Fall 2026 Cycle | ||
Matchmaking Starts |
Now - Sept 15, 2026. First self-enroll on |
Est by mid-Nov 2026 First self-enroll on Canvas course link TBA |
Now - May 17, 2026 First self-enroll on |
|
Fill out Capstone Project |
By Aug 23, 2026 | Est by mid-Dec 2026 | By April 25, 2026 | |
Meet with Mentor(s)^ |
By Sep 15, 2026 | Est by mid-Jan 2027 | By May 17, 2026 | |
Fill out Commitment to a Capstone Project Quiz |
By Sep 15, 2026 | Est by mid-Jan 2027 | By May 17, 2026 | |
Auto-Enrollment by School |
By Sep 15, 2026 | By late 2nd week Jan 2027 | By May 17, 2026 | |
CMPT 494 Starts |
Est Sept 9, 2026 | Est Jan 5, 2027 | By May 11, 2026 |
^Once the students have met with the mentor(s) and an agreement is reached, they can fill out the Commitment Form directly. There is no need to wait.
^^Tentative schedule. It is subject to change.