Undergraduate Senior Capstone Experience

The purpose of  the Undergraduate Senior Capstone experience is to help students develop collaborative learning and professional working skills in a real-world setting, such as a research laboratory or field site, a government agency, or a private consulting firm. 
 
The experience promotes a closer relationship between a student and his or her faculty advisor-mentor and fosters mentoring by professionals working in the field of hydrology and water resources who may be involved with the student's project. 
 
The capstone encourages problem-solving from a broader perspective, particularly knowledge of, and planning for, multiple objectives.  Formal presentation of the Senior Capstone project helps a student improve skills related to writing a technical report, poster preparation and presentation, and oral communication.  For a list of recent research projects, go here.
 

Timeline

 

      During the following semesters or time periods, the student should:

  • Junior Year in Early Spring:  Seek placement with a faculty research group or an appropriate external agency or company and define--in consultation with the Undergraduate Coordinator and Capstone course instructor--the project topic and scope of participation.
  • Junior Year in Spring or Summer:  Initiate work on the project. Work on the project may be an ongoing activity, and, in some cases, longer than one semester.  Enrollment is not required at this time.
  • Senior Year in Fall:  Enroll for part of the required units for the Senior Capstone course (HWRS 498) under the faculty advisor-mentor's section and actively engage in the project in anticipation of the final written and oral report preparation.
  • Senior Year in Spring: Enroll for the final unit(s) of the Senior Capstone course (HWRS 498) under the faculty advisor-mentor's section. Submit the final written report and make an oral presentation to the class and/or a poster presentation at El Dia del Agua, the annual spring student research symposium.
 

Placement

 

      Each student is responsible for securing placement:

  • With a faculty research group, a government agency, or consulting company;  consult with the Undergraduate Coordinator and Capstone course instructor for suggestions
  • When possible, the department will assist a student in securing placement with a project, agency, or firm
  • If unable to secure placement, a student may fulfill the requirement by participating in and completing, under the direction of the Capstone course instructor, a semester-long project when the Capstone course is offered
  • Because the final semester of the senior year requires a full-time commitment in order to complete required course units, a student should choose the single-semester option only after careful consideration
 

Written Report, Oral Report, and/or Poster Presentation

 

      The written and oral reports should include:

  • Comprehensive overview of the project
  • Detailed account of the student's contribution to the project
  • Proper technical report format required
  • An oral report should be made to the class and/or a poster presentation made at El Dia del Agua, the annual spring student research symposium
  • Routine laboratory assignments or positions where students have little or no knowledge of the project do not qualify for Capstone credit
 

Grading

 

      The final grade:

  • Will be issued when both the oral presentation and/or poster presentation and a written report have been completed and submitted
  • Will be assigned by the Capstone instructor, not the faculty advisor-mentor or agency supervisor-mentor
  • A final grade of C or better is required if Quality Point grades are to be issued (A=4, B=3, etc.) for all students enrolled in the Capstone course
  • Will be submitted upon satisfactory completion of all requirements
  • Will not be issued unless all Capstone requirements have been met (no partial credit)
 

Contact

 
      To discuss a Senior Capstone project, contact Dr. Martha Whitaker, the Undergraduate Coordinator and Senior Capstone instructor, at marthaw@email.arizona.edu or 520-621-9715.

 

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