Capstone Project Wiki

Grades in Capstone are absolute, not relative. It is possible for every student to earn an A. Grades will not be adjusted by curving.

Grades are calculated by weighted percentage, as described in Grading Algorithm. Weighted scores are calculated and then rounded to the nearest 0.01 percent. The letter grades are then assigned based on the rounded scores as shown here.

The Capstone grading algorithm is shown in the figure below. An individual's grade is based on your individual professional development (20%) and team product development project performance (80%). These individual assignments are summarized in the Syllabus.

The Capstone grading algorithm. White boxes indicate the specific things that are graded; colored boxes show totals of the enclosed boxes. Click on the image to magnify

The Individual Professional Development Score is a weighted sum of the individual assignment, exam, and evaluation scores.

5% of your grade is based on the scores you earn on individual assignments and team discussion. An assignment and discussion sheet are given for every instructional class period.

6% of your grade is based on Product Development exam, which is given on Learning Suite during the scheduled final exam time.

1% of your grade is given for completing peer and coach evaluations. 1% of extra credit is available for completing the online course evaluation.

8% of your grade is given for your individual contribution to the team's project work. This contribution will be evaluated by your coach. To help with this evaluation, the coach will review your Individual Contribution Summary worksheet stored on Box. You will be responsible for keeping this worksheet up-to-date on a weekly basis.

If your Individual Project Contribution grade is lower than a C- (70%), you will not receive full credit for the Team Project Performance Score or the Team Professionalism Score. These scores will be adjusted to reflect the fact that you are not carrying your fair share of the team load.

Individual score adjustments may also be made when individual students persist in unprofessional behavior. For example, the first failure to follow purchasing policies will result in a warning. The second will result in a 1% loss in the final grade. The third will result in a 2% loss in the final grade.

The Team Product Development Score is a weighted sum of the Team Project Performance score (70% of the final grade) and the Team Professionalism score (10% of final grade).

The Team Project Performance score is based on the desirability and transferability of your design. These elements are evaluated by the coaches from your instructional pod based on the artifacts that are submitted for grading at the end of each semester.

Grading rubrics are found in Design Reviews under the entries for each design review. These rubrics clearly show the items and evaluation criteria that are judged for desirability and transferability. Coaches will use their best professional judgment when evaluating your submissions with the appropriate rubric.

The Team Project Performance Score will be determined by the grades on the Final Reports submitted each semester.

The Team Professionalism score is based on your team’s completion and compliance in three broad areas: meeting Capstone expectations, professional behavior in all campus labs, and consistently following all purchasing policies.

Capstone expectations include delivering high-quality Weekly Status Updates to your sponsor, securing your Capstone work by properly using your Box folder, and completing other Capstone-related requirements such as making presentations, participating in design fairs, preparing the project poster, preparing the project summary, etc.

Professional lab behavior includes keeping a clean team lab space and working safely and professionally in all laboratories on campus.

Professional behavior includes following purchasing policies include those for orders, returns, reimbursements, travel, etc. See Purchasing and Travel for more information.

The Team Professionalism score is given by the Capstone instructors each semester. We expect that most teams will receive a high Team Professionalism score.