Capstone projects at Georgia Tech are a graduation requirement for all undergraduate students. They are meant to allow students to apply the skills and knowledge gained throughout their coursework to a substantial project that addresses a real-world problem or opportunity. Given the emphasis placed on capstone projects and their role in demonstrating a student’s proficiency prior to graduation, evaluation of capstone projects is a rigorous process intended to comprehensively assess student learning outcomes.
Each academic program at Georgia Tech establishes specific learning goals and evaluation criteria for capstone projects within their respective disciplines. There are also common evaluation elements across all programs. At the core, capstone projects are evaluated based on three overarching criteria – technical merit, process, and delivery. Within each criterion are several sub-elements that are used to assign a raw score.
For technical merit, projects are scored based on the appropriateness and depth of technical and theoretical knowledge demonstrated, the selection and application of relevant analytical and computational methods, consideration of constraints and tradeoffs, and original contribution to the state of the art or field of study. Technical merit accounts for approximately 40-50% of the overall score.
Process elements cover project planning and management. Projects receive scores based on the establishment of clear goals and deliverables, development and use of a project plan, documentation of decisions and iterations, risk identification and mitigation, and application of project management tools and techniques. Process accounts for 20-30% of the total score.
Delivery criteria focus on the presentation and communication of results. Projects are scored on deliverables such as final reports, prototypes, simulations, etc. Evaluation covers organization and clarity, synthesis of technical work, justification of conclusions, acknowledgment of limitations and future work, and presentation skills for any demonstrations or defenses. Delivery accounts for 20-30% of the overall score.
In addition to these general criteria that apply across all programs, each academic department may include supplemental evaluation elements specific to their field. For example, for computer engineering projects acceptance testing and product validation may receive extra emphasis, while architectural design projects may place more weight on aesthetic considerations and code/regulatory compliance.
Capstone projects at Georgia Tech undergo multiple rounds of evaluation. Initial formative reviews are conducted partway through the project by faculty advisors. These provide feedback to help guide student work prior to completion. Upon concluding their projects, students undergo a summative evaluation involving an oral defense and demonstration in front of a review committee.
The committee normally consists of 2-3 faculty members from the student’s academic department, along with representative professionals from industry. Students are expected to explain the technical aspects and outcomes of their projects, but also demonstrate broader knowledge in areas like ethical and societal impact. The review committee uses a detailed rubric to score different elements of the project based on the criteria outlined above.
Following the defense, the committee deliberates and assigns a final letter grade for the capstone project. Students must achieve a minimum passing grade, typically a C or better, in order to satisfy their degree requirements. If significant deficiencies are identified, students may be asked to undertake further work or a re-defense. In rare cases where issues raise serious concerns, the committee can recommend that a student not graduate.
The rigorous capstone project evaluation at Georgia Tech thus aims to provide both formative coaching during project cycles as well as a summative competency assessment prior to conferring degrees. The multiple layers of criteria-based review involving faculty advisors and outside experts helps ensure graduates have truly mastered technical and professional skills befitting their educational experience and prepared for industry or further academic endeavors. The process reflects Georgia Tech’s commitment to producing graduates that can thrive as practitioners, innovators and leaders in their respective fields.