Students in INFO I494 (Fall, 3 cr.) and INFO I495 (Spring, 3 cr.) complete a two-semester capstone sequence in which they identify, frame, design, and build a substantial interactive information system in response to a meaningful problem, need, or opportunity.
In INFO I494, students work in a collaborative studio environment to investigate users, stakeholders, and context; define project scope; establish goals and milestones; and develop a feasible plan for their capstone project. The fall semester emphasizes problem finding, opportunity framing, project planning, teamwork, and professional communication.
In INFO I495, students carry that work forward into the design, development, testing, and refinement of a functional build. Working with faculty in a studio-based setting, students integrate technical implementation, interaction design, evaluation, documentation, and iterative revision. The sequence culminates in a professional public presentation of the completed project and its process.
The capstone is designed as a collaborative studio experience rather than a set of isolated teams. Students work in project groups, but they also coordinate across the studio, share feedback, and adapt to changing project needs. Team roles and group structures may evolve over time, helping students build flexibility, resilience, and professional project-management skills.
Students will be most successful in the sequence if they enter with a foundation in programming and computer infrastructure, along with a domain, problem space, or motivating question they are interested in exploring.