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CAN YOU PROVIDE MORE EXAMPLES OF ALTERNATIVE CAPSTONE FORMATS FOR MPH PROJECTS?

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Policy Brief.

A policy brief clearly outlines and analyzes a public health issue and provides policy recommendations to address it. It is targeted to a non-technical audience such as policymakers and community stakeholders. The brief will typically include an executive summary, background on the issue including relevant data and research, a clear statement of the problem or opportunity, proposed policy solutions, and implementation considerations. Students conduct a thorough literature review and may interview subject matter experts. The brief format cultivates skills in distilling complex information, strategic framing of arguments and recommendations, and written communication for lay audiences.

Program Evaluation.

Students design and conduct a process or outcome evaluation of an existing public health program, practice, or intervention. This involves developing an evaluation plan and logic model, collecting and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data, and providing a written report on the program’s strengths/weaknesses and recommendations. Students gain experience in evaluation methodology, working with program staff, qualitative and quantitative data collection/analysis, and constructive program feedback. The report format builds skills in evidence-based analysis, respectful communication of findings, and recommendations to strengthen programs.

Toolkit or Manual.

Students develop an implementation toolkit, user manual, or training curriculum around evidence-based public health practices, programs, or policies. This could guide topic areas like creating healthy worksite environments, building coalitions, facilitating community engagement processes, or implementing public health emergency preparedness plans. The deliverable provides step-by-step guidance, tools, resources and training material stakeholders could use. Students thoroughly research best and promising practices and gain skills in instructional design, audience needs assessment, visual communication, and packaging information for end users.

Journal Article.

Modeled after a peer-reviewed public health journal article format, students write an in-depth research paper on a topic of their choice. They perform an exhaustive literature review, analyze both qualitative and quantitative data, draw conclusions and recommendations, and cite sources using APA or other standardized format. The final paper is of publishable quality and potentially submitted to a journal. This cultivates skills in hypothesis testing, rigorous methods, academic writing style, and manuscript development. Students gain an understanding of the peer review process.

Needs Assessment.

Students conduct original primary and secondary data collection to comprehensively assess community health needs or service gaps within an underserved population or geographical area. The analysis identifies and prioritizes issues, explores contributory factors and social determinants of health, engages stakeholders, and makes recommendations. Methodologies may include interviews, focus groups, surveys, asset mapping, and usage/claims data review. Skills developed include stakeholder engagement, cultural competency, quantitative/qualitative analysis, and delivering results in an action-oriented format. The findings can directly inform local programming and policy.

Multimedia Project.

Students produce non-written public health deliverables using visual and technology formats such as videos, interactive websites/exhibits, podcasts, social media campaigns, or mobile applications. The project has an educational or engagement purpose, thorough planning and scripting, and is evaluated for effectiveness. Deliverables require extensive research, creative design, and technology skills. Formats foster skills in visual and participatory communication approaches, reach diverse audiences, and explore new technologies influencing public health. Equivalency is determined based on depth and effort compared to traditional written products.

Those are some ideas beyond traditional written papers or theses that MPH capstone projects could take to provide professionally applicable experiences. Formats emphasizing skills in program evaluation, stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, technology platforms and media are valuable for today’s public health jobs and issues. Well-designed alternative models cultivate competencies beyond academic research to strengthen students’ preparation for real-world practice.

WHAT ARE SOME COMMON EXAMPLES OF CAPSTONE PROJECTS IN DIFFERENT FIELDS OF STUDY?

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Engineering:

A major capstone project for many engineering programs is the senior design project. In this, senior engineering students work in teams to design and build a prototype or functioning product to solve a real-world problem. Some examples of senior design projects include:

Mechanical engineering students designing and building a device to help with material handling or automation of a manufacturing process. Their project would include modeling, prototyping, testing and evaluation.

Electrical/Computer engineering students developing a new hardware or software product. This could be an embedded system, mobile app, website or other technology product. Their project would follow the whole development life cycle from concept to deployment.

Civil engineering students designing and planning the construction of a building, bridge or other infrastructure project. Their project would involve assessing needs, performing calculations and simulations, creating technical drawings and specifications, developing a full construction plan, budget, schedule and addressing any regulatory requirements.

Business:

For business majors, the capstone often consists of a research study or business plan for a new venture. Some examples include:

Marketing students conducting quantitative and qualitative market research into a new product or service idea. This would include identifying target customers, analyzing the competition, assessing demand and developing a full marketing and communications strategy.

Management students writing a comprehensive business plan for launching their own startup company. The plan covers all aspects of launching the venture from market analysis, operations, management team, fundraising needs to projected financials like revenue, costs and profitability over multiple years.

Finance or accounting students performing a detailed financial analysis of a public company. Their project involves researching the industry, valuing the company, conducting ratio analysis of financial statements, and providing investment recommendations based on their findings.

Nursing:

For many nursing programs, the capstone takes the form of a research study or program evaluation within a healthcare setting. Examples include:

Conducting an evidence-based research study on a topic like a new clinical treatment, ways to reduce patient falls in a hospital, or strategies for improving patient education. This would require a literature review, research methods, data collection and analysis and conclusions.

Developing and evaluating a new staff training program, patient screening tool, or community health education program. The project assesses the need, implements the program and measures its outcomes and effectiveness.

Undertaking a process improvement project, for example analyzing hospital readmission rates and developing interventions to reduce readmissions of patients with chronic illnesses. This thoroughly evaluates current processes and ways to integrate practice changes.

Computer Science:

Common computer science capstone projects involve developing substantial software, web or mobile applications to solve problems. Examples include:

Creating a new full-stack web application from scratch like a social network, e-commerce site, or organizational task management system. It requires designing, coding, testing and deploying both the front-end and back-end.

Developing an original mobile app idea with features like geolocation, multimedia, backend integration and more. The app would need to work across different device types and operating systems.

Designing database structures and developing a data analytics or machine learning application involving large datasets. The project aims to extract insights, identify patterns and build predictive models.

Contributing new functionalities or modules to an open source project. This allows students to work on real-world complex codebases while improving an existing product or tool.

The examples shared here represent just a sample of types of substantive, real-world focused capstone projects undertaken across different academic disciplines. A key goal of capstone work is providing students experiential opportunities to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills developed throughout their studies to solve problems or develop products in a hands-on manner. This helps prepare them for professional careers in their respective fields.

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF WEARABLE FITNESS TRACKERS AND CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITORS?

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Fitness Trackers:

Fitbit Charge 5 – One of Fitbit’s most popular trackers, the Charge 5 tracks steps, distance, active minutes and calories burned. It also monitors heart rate, offers exercise modes, sleep tracking and more. It has a color touchscreen display, connects to the Fitbit app and offers features like guided breathing sessions. Battery lasts around 7 days. Retails for around $150.

Apple Watch Series 7 – The latest Apple Watch has a larger display area and faster charging than previous models. It tracks activities, workouts, heart rate, sleep and more. Offers ECG app, fall detection and integration with Apple Fitness+ workouts. Connects to iPhone and various apps. Battery lasts around 18 hours. Pricing starts at $399.

Garmin Vivosmart 5 – A simple, durable tracker from Garmin that monitors steps, distance, sleep, calories and intensity minutes. Heart rate is monitored continuously. Offers relaxation timer, breathing sessions and estimated stress levels. Connects to the Garmin Connect app on phone. Battery lasts 7 days. Around $150.

Samsung Galaxy Watch5 – The latest Galaxy Watch runs Wear OS and offers extensive health/fitness tracking including heart rate, ECG, blood oxygen, body composition, sleep and over 90 workout modes. Has GPS, LTE option, ecobattery modes claims 1.5 days on a charge. Integrates with Samsung Health. Starts around $280.

Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 – An affordable basic tracker that monitors steps, calories, distance, sleep, heart rate and offers over 30 exercise modes. Has AMOLED color touch display. connects to Mi Fit app. Can receive call/app notifications. Battery lasts around 14 days. Only $50.

Continuous Glucose Monitors:

Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System – Considered the top CGM available, the Dexcom G6 displays glucose levels every 5 minutes. Small sensor inserts under the skin and transmits to a receiver/sharing device. Smartphone app where readings are viewable and to set alerts. Sensor lasts 10 days. Requires fingerpricks for calibrations. Around $400/month if not covered by insurance.

Abbott Freestyle Libre 2 – Like the Dexcom, it has a small sensor inserted that lasts 14 days and transmits readings every minute to a reader or smartphone. No finger pricks needed except initial calibration. Provides glucose trend arrows and customizable alerts. Readings accessible via an app. Retails around $75/14 days but costs vary by insurance coverage.

Medtronic Guardian Connect – Considered the most discreet CGM device, it has a small sensor inserted that lasts 6 days and transmits to a separate transmitter clipped to clothes. Readings viewed on smartphone app. Provides custom alerts, thresholds and shares data with healthcare providers. Sensors need to be changed every 6 days. Monthly costs vary by insurance but often over $100/month.

Eversense Continuous Glucose Monitoring System – Unlike other CGMs, the Eversense sensor inside the body lasts 90 days and is inserted under the skin by a health provider. It transmits to a smart transmitter worn on the arm that displays readings. No fingerpricks needed once sensor inserted. Sensor and transmitter replaced every 3 months. Majority of costs often covered by insurance due to longevity.

All CGMs allow diabetics to closely monitor their glucose levels to better manage their diabetes through diet/exercise/medication adjustments based on the continuous readings. This helps avoid dangerous highs and lows. Insurance coverage and costs remain barriers preventing greater access and adoption of this important medical technology for many people with diabetes.

Fitness trackers have become ubiquitous wellness devices in recent years that allow users to easily track their daily activities, exercise, sleep quality and other health metrics from their wrist. While basic trackers just monitor steps, distance, activity etc, higher-end models from Apple, Samsung, Fitbit offer extensive workout tracking options, heart rate monitoring, ECG/EKG functions, stress tracking, sleep analysis and more. The wide array of trackers at various price points has democratized health monitoring for the masses while also sparking healthy competition between tech giants. As new sensors are incorporated, data privacy and regulation remain ongoing concerns as these devices become central hubs of personal wellness information. Both types of devices reviewed here represent important advancements in digital health and personalized, preventative care through constant, 24/7 monitoring of key indicators. As technology improves further and costs decrease, their potential to positively transform global health is vast.

CAN YOU PROVIDE EXAMPLES OF CAPSTONE PROJECTS IN THE FIELD OF ENGINEERING

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Civil Engineering Capstone Projects:

Design and construct a footbridge: Students design all structural elements of a footbridge that meets safety standards and aesthetics requirements. They produce plans and specifications, cost estimates, and a construction management plan. Construction involves steel beam fabrication, concrete work, railings etc.

Develop a stormwater management plan: Working with a local municipality, students analyze stormwater runoff patterns and issues in a neighborhood. They develop a plan to redirect flows, add retention basins, underground storage, and rain gardens to reduce flooding and improve water quality. It involves hydrologic modeling, civil design, neighborhood outreach.

Plan and design a multi-use development: Students work with a local developer to plan and design all civil site elements for a mixed-use development with residential, commercial, and public space areas. The project includes road networks, parking, utilities layout, grading & drainage, lighting, landscaping plans and more.

Conduct a traffic impact study: Students perform traffic counts and analyses at an intersection or road segment experiencing congestion issues. They develop recommendations such as signal timing changes, turn lanes, road widening etc. to mitigate traffic impacts of a new development. Alternatives are evaluated and a preferred plan selected.

Mechanical Engineering Capstone Projects:

Design and build a Baja car: Students design, fabricate and test a small off-road vehicle optimized for performance and durability. It involves the application of mechanics, dynamics, materials selection, manufacturing processes, and project management. Components include frames, suspensions, engines/transmissions, controls and other systems.

Develop an assistive device: Students work with an organization that helps people with disabilities to design, build and test a prototype assistive device. Examples include wheelchairs, prosthetics, adaptive sports equipment, rehabilitation devices etc. It involves kinematics, dynamics, ergonomics, electronics, and human factors considerations.

Design and build an UAV: Students work in teams to design, build and test an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) for a specified purpose such as cargo delivery, precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection etc. Projects require applications of aerodynamics, structures, controls, sensors, autopilot programming, and FAA drone regulations.

Improve manufacturing process: Students partner with a company and analyze an issue in their production process such as excessive scrap rates, quality concerns or inefficient operations. Students develop and test solutions involving tool/die redesign, automation, robotics, lean techniques or other methods and measure impacts on key metrics.

Electrical & Computer Engineering Capstone Projects:

Develop an embedded system: Students design and build an electronic/embedded system to automate a process or prototype a new product. Examples include autonomous robots, home automation systems, data acquisition devices, electrical controls for machine tools etc. It involves microcontrollers, sensors, actuators, circuit design, programming, and prototype construction.

Design telecommunications system: For example, students plan and prototype a private radio network for first responder use or design and implement a fiber optics network on campus. Projects require topics like broadband technologies, networking protocols, antenna design, distributed computing, and project planning skills.

Develop an assistive technology device: Students work with partners to design innovative assistive devices leveraging technologies like computer vision, natural language processing, robotics and more to help people with disabilities. Examples include smart walkers, environmental controls through IoT, language translation devices etc.

Create VR/AR/Haptics application: Students prototype immersive experiences applying virtual/augmented/mixed reality and haptic technologies to areas like surgical simulation, industrial training, cultural heritage, scientific visualization and more. Projects combine programming, electronics, computer graphics and human-computer interaction.

Engineering capstone projects provide authentic, meaningful learning experiences that require integrating knowledge and skills from multiple courses to address real-world challenges through collaborative, multifaceted projects. By working directly with industry, non-profits or community partners, students gain valuable experience that bridges the academic-professional divide and prepares them for future success.

SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS EXAMPLES FOR PET SECTOR

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Here are some examples of sustainability projects that pet companies and pet owners can implement:

Transition to renewable energy usage. The pet food and supplies industry relies heavily on electricity to power manufacturing plants, distribution centers, stores and more. Many companies are transitioning their operations to be powered by renewable energy sources like solar and wind farms instead of fossil fuels to reduce carbon emissions. Some install solar panels on facility rooftops while others purchase renewable energy credits to match a portion of their usage. This helps lower environmental impact.

Implement circular packaging design. Packaging waste is a major concern for the pet industry. Companies are redesigning packaging to be more circular in nature. For example, switching from plastic bags to boxes that can be recycled or introducing reusable and returnable packaging options. Chewy now offers plastic-free curbside recycling for customers to return unused bags and boxes through their recycling program. Ensuring packaging can re-enter the production cycle aids sustainability.

Offer post-consumer recycling programs. Many pet companies partner with recycling facilities and organizations to set up post-consumer recycling programs for products. For instance, recycling programs exist for dealing with used cat litter, dog toys, leashes, plastic food containers and more. These help keep materials out of landfills and find second lives. Companies promote recycling through their websites, with packaging messaging and community partnerships to increase participation.

Support urban farming and community gardens. The pet industry is supporting urban agriculture initiatives that provide access to locally grown produce while reducing environmental impacts. For example, some brands helped install pet-friendly community garden spaces in cities equipped with pet water bowls, poop bag dispensers and signage about keeping gardens safe and pet waste removal. These community assets aid in sustainability education too.

Launch green burial and cremation services. As pet companions pass away, their owners want dignified aftercare options. Many pet service companies now offer natural or “green” pet burial and cremation programs. Pets can be gently laid to rest in protected woodland areas using biodegradable caskets versus traditional cement vaults. Cremation services use alternative energy sources instead of fossil fuels to reduce emissions from the process. These options provide more sustainable farewell ceremonies for beloved pets.

Subsidize adoption of rescue pets. Pet overpopulation and the carbon footprint of breeding operations are ongoing issues. Many pet brands support eliminating euthanasia of rescue pets through subsidizing adoption fees or working with shelters/rescues on transport programs. For every rescued pet adopted, it saves energy and resources compared to the same lifecycle of a purebred from a commercial breeder. Subsidies incentivize adopting versus shopping and aid the rescue community’s work.

Transition delivery fleets to low-emissions vehicles. As product delivery is a major part of their operations, some pet retailers and food/supply companies are converting their fleets of delivery trucks, vans and vehicles to low or no emission options like electric, hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This reduces toxic tailpipe emissions from frequent routes over time. Some companies also implement fleet practices like right-sized vehicles, optimal routing software and driver training to improve fuel efficiency. Cleaning up fleets through technology investments lowers environmental impact.

Develop water Stewardship and conservation practices. Industrial water usage for operations like cleaning, cooling systems and product formulation is significant for pet product manufacturers. Many are actively reducing water footprints through auditing consumption, closing water loops with recycling/filtration systems, shifting to low-water product formulations and employing groundwater management best practices. Some achieve certifications like Alliance for Water Stewardship standards by maintaining sustainable water usage and replenishment in manufacturing regions. Conserving water aids local communities too.

Launch agriculture education partnerships. To promote more ethical and environmentally-friendly food production practices, some pet brands support agricultural education initiatives. This includes providing learning materials, farm equipment/technology grants and scholarships for students pursuing sustainability-focused agriculture degrees. Example programs teach regenerative grazing, organic and no-till cultivation techniques, water protection methods, waste recycling and more. Investing in next-gen farmers boosts long-term supply chain resilience and Earth care.