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CSC400 is the Computer Science capstone course at Southern Connecticut State University. This is your opportunity to apply everything you've learned in your computer science degree to a substantial, semester-long project.
Working in teams of three, you'll design, develop, test, and deliver a complete computer science project. Whether you build software, conduct research, or work with a real client, you'll gain hands-on experience that prepares you for your professional career.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Plan and execute a substantial computer science project from conception to delivery
Collaborate effectively in a team environment using modern development practices
Apply technical skills learned throughout your degree to solve real-world problems
Communicate professionally through documentation, presentations, and client interactions
Manage project scope and deliver working software within time and resource constraints
Demonstrate deep understanding of software development lifecycle, testing, and deployment
Project Types
Project Types
Software Development Projects
Software Development Projects
Build a complete software application from scratch.
Examples:
- Web applications (e-commerce, social platforms, productivity tools)
- Mobile applications (iOS, Android)
- Desktop applications
- Games
- Data analysis tools
- Machine learning applications
Deliverables:
- Working software application
- Source code repository
- Technical documentation
- User documentation
- Test suite
- Final report
- Presentation
Research Project
Research Project
Investigate a computer science topic and produce original research.
Examples:
- Algorithm analysis and optimization
- Security vulnerability research
- Machine learning model development
- Performance benchmarking studies
- Survey and comparative studies
- Tool development for research
Deliverables:
- Research code and data
- Technical manuscript (conference/journal format)
- Presentation
- Repository with reproducible results
- Documentation
Client-Sponsored Project
Client-Sponsored Project
Work with a real client to solve their actual business or technical needs.
Examples:
- Custom business applications
- Automation tools
- Data visualization dashboards
- Integration projects
- System modernization
- Process improvement tools
Deliverables:
- Working software/solution
- Source code repository
- Technical documentation
- User documentation
- Client evaluation letter
- Handoff documentation
- Final report
- Presentation
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I work on a project I started in another class?
A: You can build upon previous work, but the bulk of the project (at least 70%) must be new work done in this course.
Q: Do I need to know all the technologies before starting?
A: No! Part of the learning experience is researching and learning new technologies. Choose something with good documentation and community support.
Q: What if my team isn't working well together?
A: Communication is key. The instructor will help mediate team issues and, in extreme cases, can restructure teams.
Q: Can we change our project idea after starting?
A: Minor pivots are normal. Major changes require instructor approval and must be done early in the semester.
Q: Is attendance mandatory?
A: Yes. Regular attendance is required for you and your team. Missing presentations will have a significant impact on your grade.
Q: Can I work alone?
A: No. This is a team project class designed to prepare you for work in a real-world development environment.
Q: Can we have four people on the team?
A: Yes, with instructor approval. This will impact the expectation on deliverables that your team creates at the beginning of the semester.
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