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📓 Capstones - Timeline, Deadlines, and Homework

Unlike your previous courses here at Epicodus, you will work independently on a capstone project of your choosing during the last three weeks of this course. This project should act as a cumulative demonstration of the skills you’ve gained throughout your time at Epicodus.

In this lesson, we'll go over the timeline for key deadlines, cover F.A.Q.s, and more.

Timeline​

Class Time Dedicated to Capstone Work​

In total, you will be expected to put at least 120 hours of work into your capstone during the time we provide you to work on your project in class and in lieu of regular independent coding projects for certain course sections. If you have any questions about this, check in with your instructor. All students (part-time and full-time) will have this time dedicated to work on their capstone projects:

  • Professional Development Section - If you are working towards goals and skills that pertain to your Capstone, you may use your Capstone as a test bed for these concepts and features. Additionally, there will be no additional independent coding projects on Fridays during this section, and you are welcome to utilize that time to continue Capstone work if not Professional Development.
  • Capstone Section - This section will be entirely dedicated to Capstone work, which is the final 3 weeks of the course. Career service events, and whiteboarding practice will happen during this time in addition to Capstone work.

You are welcome to put in more work outside of class time if you like and are able to.

Deadlines​

Keep the following deadlines in mind. You’ll receive more information about each as they near:

  • Capstone Sign-Up: You will sign up with a descriptive, one-sentence summary of your project on the designated whiteboard or online doc during the Professional Development course section. This sign-up will be public to your cohort. Your instructor may ask for more or less information, and you need to follow their instructions.

    • Due date: For full-time and part-time students, this is due during the first week of the Professional Development course section.

  • Capstone Proposal: You are required to submit a project proposal outlining your MVP (minimum viable product) for the second week of Professional Development code review. More information, including the proposal form may be found here.

    • Due date: For full-time and part-time students, this will be turned in as part of your Professional Development's second week code review.

  • Trade Show: Similar to the group projects you've completed in other courses, you are required to pitch and demo your application to your Epicodus classmates during the final class session. More information may be found here. This is good practice for pitching your application to potential employers.

    • Due date: For full-time and part-time students, the trade show happens on the very last day of class. This is also when you will submit your capstone on Epicenter as your final independent project.

Brainstorming Homework​

Your homework is to begin brainstorming potential minimum viable products now, so you’ll be prepared for these deadlines.

Utilize the project idea that you've been ruminating over the past several courses. Think about the skills and the goal you have set aside for your Professional Development plan. Consider the following items while crafting your MVP:

  • What sort of technology, frameworks, libraries, APIs, or languages could you harness to realize your Capstone?
  • What features are feasible to complete with the alotted time?
  • What features might be good stretch goals if time allows?
  • What other tools might you need to complete these stretch goals?
  • Is there anything you don't know how you'd approach? Write this down for your instructor.

Past Student Work​

Here are a few examples of projects past students have built independently in past cohorts:

  • Applications to rank, track, score, and record results of various sports and game matches (everything from video games, to bowling, foosball, table games, kickball, and intramural sports). Including creating player leaderboards, and social areas to connect players.
  • Fully-functioning websites for the businesses of friends and family (including catering companies, dog breeders, local stores, and other companies)
  • Applications to manage tasks or productivity, including timers to use the Pomodoro method manage video game development
  • Social organizers to create and share events with friends.
  • Applications that assist in user's health; including creating unique workout plans, timing workouts, connecting individuals to exercise together, creating or recommend diet plans, tracking calories, etc.
  • Apps that contain sound, video, step tracking, using the microphone, gyroscope, camera, or other system function.
  • API consuming apps that work with specific APIs to display data for various applications, including social media, health monitoring, and task management.
  • Applications that focus on working with a specific library (like Three.js), framework (like Unity), or platform (like creating a desktop app or browser extension).
  • Tools to catalog items; including the contents of your fridge, in-home bar, or other hobby-specific inventories.
  • Trivia games to test your knowledge in different specialized areas.
  • Applications and websites to track and rate local favorites: Including restaurants, coffee shops, gyms, bars, and more.
  • Tools to connect people with benefactors and crowdsourced funding in their area, to fund art installations, charitable causes, community programs, and more.
  • Websites and applications that compile resources into a single, easy-to-navigate spot. Including resources for the homeless, emergency preparation, etc.
  • E-commerce sites for real-life businesses, compete with functionality to make and process orders, and accept payment.

You will have time during your normally scheduled code review for the second week of Professional Development section (next week!) to complete your capstone proposal. However, you can get started early if you like: start by reviewing the capstone proposal lesson for more details on requirements and the proposal template.

FAQ​

  • Q: Can I keep working on the app I have been working on previously in the program?
    • A: Generally not. The idea is to conceive of, plan and then create something completely independently without a blueprint app. If you have a compelling reason why you need to keep working on your app, check with your teacher. Do not just keep working without being given permission first.
  • Q: Does it have to be an app using what I've learned from my classes?
    • A: No. We recommend creating an application that utilizes knowledge from your React, JavaScript, and/or C#/.NET classes. However, many students like to use their capstone project to explore a new language, library, framework, or otherwise. If you decide to learn a new tool for your capstone, you need to make sure to budget a lot of time for learning, carefully plan your time to stay focused, and consider whether or not 120 hours of dedicated class time will be enough time to create an MVP. If you have any doubt about what's best for you to pursue, check in with your teacher.
  • Q: When are the deadlines again?
    • A: Review the section titled "timeline" in this lesson for a list of deadlines. Your capstone sign-up (for your class to see, a short description that does not need to be final) and proposal are both due in the Professional Development course section.
  • Q: I will be out of town for the trade show. Is that a problem?
    • A: Check with your teacher to find an alternative time (sooner) to demo your app to your instructor to receive feedback.
  • Q: Can I partner with someone else to create my app?
    • A: Generally no. You are not allowed to pair program on your capstone, but you can still consult peers, clients, teachers, or other resources. The final project should 100% be your work. If you have any doubts about this, check in with your instructor.
  • Q: Can I show something in the trade show that is totally different than the app I proposed without telling my teacher and have that be fine?
    • A: You can let your teacher know that you're thinking of changing your project, and if you believe it's a good idea to switch after consulting your teacher, you're welcome to do so. You'll want to show off everything you've made, however!