Capstone

Starting with the graduating class of 2025, Stanford will require all students to complete a capstone experience, regardless of their major. 

MCS majors will have the opportunity to integrate the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies and think independently and creatively using the tools of the discipline during a capstone experience, which is an essential part of the undergraduate program. There are a variety of ways to complete the Capstone requirement, both within and outside MCS/Data Science. 

To satisfy the capstone requirement, choose one of the following options: 

Option 1: The Data Science Experience (DataSci 190)

Description: Attend and actively engage with events in which you hear from professionals in the field of MCS / data science. Revisit what you’ve learned throughout the major and mature your personal understanding of data science. 

Steps & Timeline:

  • Take DATASCI 120 as your WIM. (Ideally during spring of junior year.)
  • By the final study list deadline of autumn quarter during your senior year, join the Data Science Experience Canvas page. If you choose to join later, that’s okay too, but be aware that you will not be able to complete all of your requirements in one quarter. 
  • Throughout senior year, engage in the following:
    • 3 Listen-Engage-Connect events
    • 2 technical seminars
    • 2 sessions of data science consultations
    • 2 hours of work with peer advisors 
    • Submit reflections/artifacts through the Canvas page. 
    • Take DATASCI 190 during spring quarter of your senior year. 
    • Assemble and submit final portfolio & present at the MCS / Data Science Capstone Showcase in May/June.

Units: 1 unit

Option 2: Data Science Practicum (DataSci 192A & 192B)

Description:  Work in teams to provide actionable recommendations and practical tools to partners, which may include government agencies, community organizations, companies, or research labs. Integrate material from coursework, gain experience applying data science techniques to complex, real-world problems, and develop your ability to work in teams.

Steps & Timeline:

  •  Take DATASCI 192A during winter quarter of senior year.
  • Take DATASCI 192B during spring quarter of senior year. These courses must be taken consecutively, within the same academic year.
  • Assemble and submit final project & present at the MCS / Data Science Capstone Showcase in May/June.

Units:  5 units

Option 3: Data Science in Context (DataSci 194__)

Description: Learn from a domain expert who will provide an introduction to an application domain (which varies from quarter to quarter, depending on the instructor) and demonstrate how data science has been used to open new lines of inquiry. Then, identify a research question and apply your suite of data science tools to address the question. Receive guidance on formulating your scientific question and translating that question into an analysis plan. In the end, produce a research report and a presentation on your question, analysis approach, and interpretation of results.

Steps & Timeline: 

  • Take a DATASCI 194 class during senior year (e.g. DATASCI 194B/D/L/N/W). Please note that the class must be taken for at least three units and a letter grade in order to fulfill the capstone requirement.
  • Assemble and submit final project & present at the MCS / Data Science Capstone Showcase in May/June.
Option 4: Independent Research Project

Description: Conduct independent MCS / data science research under the supervision of a professor and create a final report and poster. The research project must be pre-approved by the program, substantially use techniques from upper-division MCS / Data Science coursework, and be completed junior or senior year. It could be either an existing project (e.g., from the Summer Undergraduate Research Program) or a new project.

Steps & Timeline:

  • By the final study list deadline of autumn quarter during your senior year, join the Canvas page for Independent Research Projects.
  • During autumn quarter of senior year, find a professor who agrees to supervise your research project. This may be a professor who has supervised you in the past or a new professor.
  • By the last day of classes of autumn quarter, complete the Proposal to Use Independent Research for Data Science B.S. Capstone form, have it approved by your research advisor, and submit it to the Canvas page for Independent Research Projects. Obtain approval from the program director.
  • Enroll in an independent study course (e.g. DATASCI 199, CS 199, SOC 191, etc.) for a letter grade with the supervising professor in every quarter until you finish conducting the research and creating your report/poster.
  • Create your final report and poster and submit them along with the Final Report & Poster Approval Form.
  • Present at the MCS / Data Science Capstone Showcase in May/June.

Units: 1-5 units, depending on scope of project and how established prior work is

Option 5: MCS Honors Program

Description: Choose a concentration in which you want to deepen your knowledge of MCS / data science and its applications. Engage in advanced coursework, independent studies, and research related to your concentration.

Steps & Timeline:

  •  Choose a concentration, draft your Honors Proposal, and have it approved by your faculty advisor. Submit your Honors Proposal by the final study list deadline of autumn quarter during your senior year.
  • Complete 15 units of upper-level coursework, as outlined in your proposal. 
  • Assemble and submit final portfolio & present at the MCS / Data Science Capstone Showcase in May/June.

Units: 15

Learn more about the MCS Honors Program 

Option 6: Notation in Science Communication (outside of program)

Learn more about the Notation in Science Communication 

 

  • After completing the notation in science communication, submit final portfolio & present at the MCS / Data Science Capstone Showcase in May/June.
Option 7: Complete a pre-approved project based class in another department that involves significant MCS / data science work (outside of program)
  • The class would need to be pre-approved by the program. Examples from the past include BIODS 217 and HISTORY 238C.
  • Assemble and submit final project & present at the MCS / Data Science Capstone Showcase in May/June.