A Capstone Design Course Based on Computing Curricula 1991

This article describes the development and proposed implementation of a capstone design course based on the 1991 report issued by the ACM/IEEE joint task force on computing curricula. The capstone design course advocates incorporation of the three essential and recommended components of design, theory, and abstraction. Discussion of ethics and professional practice are also recommended, consistent with the task force report. The course benefits from faculty experience with similar courses in both computer science and computer engineering and also experiences with independent study courses. To improve the students' verbal and written communications skills and experience in teamwork and cooperative design projects, students are required to work in small groups and to present frequent written and oral reports. A final cumulative written report and oral presentation/demonstration is additionally required.