FAQ Capstone vs Thesis

Before you Decide

General

Please keep in mind that this is a general outline and is likely to change based off the requirements presented by your commity.

Please also understand that you are allowed to change your topic into the next semester and potentially beyond that point based on your dicussions with your advisor.

Decision Path

1. Recognize if you have to abide by track requirements
2. Find a topic (a general purpose of this class)
3. Find and obtain an advisor (professor to work under)
4. Work with your advisor on which path you should take
5. Fill out the required paperwork Registration

Requirements

Most students will not be required to take one track over another, however, there is the possibility that you are required to take the thesis track. You will likely know ahead of time if this applies to you, but just in case, here is a potential list of people who are required to take the thesis track:

• BS/MS students- These students have specifically chosen a undergrad through grad track. This does not include students who first recieved a BS and are now going for an MS.
• Internation students with governmental requirements - There are some cases of international students coming to RIT on a scholarship that requires them to take the thesis track.
• Scholarship requirements - Much like the previous, there are some scholarships that would require you to take a thesis track.

Capstone

A capstone, for, simplicity's sake, is thesis lite. A capstone is comprised of a "nontrivial software development effort" and reporting on it.

Important Information

• Credit Hours: 3 credit hours final semester

  See Curriculum Breakdown

• Courses: You will have to take an extra SE elective
• Defense: There is no real defense, there is however, a showcase that you will be required to present a poster at

Thesis

Quick FAQs

• Q: Is it possible to take an independant study and thesis at the same time?

  A: Yes, but it is not very likely as you would have to get your advisor to green light it, and not many would do that outside extreme cases.

• Q: How do I know if a topic is viable?

  A: If there is enough modern research (within 4 years) that would allow you to easily write a minimum of 10 pages on.

• Q: How does publishing previous work integrate with the thesis?

  A: Publishing is highly advised, and publishing previous work is a good indication that your current work will be even better so please do.

Important Information

• Credit Hours: 9 credit hours (includes independant study)

  See Curriculum Breakdown

• Courses: You will have to take the independant study, the form to do so can be found on the departments's form page
• Defense: There is a 20-30 minute defense for your thesis that is really an inflated Q and A

Further Reading & Resources

Please visit the SE Department's Graduate Resources web page for more details on this topic.