The ABT 790 Capstone Course is an opportunity to lead a project in a real-world setting, and gain valuable experience, by applying what you’ve learned in the Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology curriculum.
It is not an internship; rather, students serve in a consultant role with a partner organization by identifying a need and crafting a proposal for implementation based on research and best practices. Students will build relationships with stakeholders at the partner site to address their question successfully. Plan on spending approximately 100 hours (7 hours per week) over the semester. View examples of past capstone projects.
Capstone Project Progression
- Secure a site partner.
- Collaborate with a site supervisor, obtain necessary documentation.
- Identify project needs, define the problem and craft a driving question.
- Explore research on subject area, finalize project design.
- Write project proposal including literature review.
- Give oral presentation to capstone partner (supervisor and stakeholders) and peer reviewers.
- Submit video recording, PowerPoint, script, and project proposal.
- Spend time at partner site or meet online, collaborating with site supervisor.
- Assess driving question according to project design.
- Analyze data, draw conclusions as they relate to driving question.
- Summarize findings, identify project limitations, and areas for future research.
- Submit full capstone report, executive summary/abstract, and reflection of experience.