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Capstone Project (PRBX): Computer Science (UG) - COM00015H

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  • Department: Computer Science
  • Credit value: 40 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Professional requirements

Please see the additional assessment information above.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25 to Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

The aims of this module are to provide a culmination of three years' teaching in a substantial Capstone Project Module (CPM).The project provides an introduction to independent study in an engineering context, supports synthesis and application of material from the degree course, and gives the student the opportunity to demonstrate an appreciation of engineering methods and techniques, through coverage of requirements, ethical considerations, specification, design, implementation and evaluation. On completion of the project, the student will have gained the practical skills that can only be gleaned from the experience of undertaking independent (supervised) study. The student will also have the experience of having written a substantial academic report.

Module learning outcomes

  1. Demonstrate acquired specialisation in a particular part of the subject area, including enhanced or new technical skills that build on taught theory.

  2. Demonstrate acquired skills to undertake a computer systems (software and/or hardware) engineering project, including design, implementation and evaluation.

  3. Demonstrate a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge.

  4. Recognise alternatives, selecting and justifying the approach taken at each point in the report, identifying parts of the project area that are feasible within the time (etc) constraints of the project.

  5. Appreciate the latent issues of the subject area (for example, in software engineering they might meet and tackle such as emergent requirements, design flaws, equipment/application problems).

  6. Prepare a written report on the work done, according to the defined criteria. In particular, the student should be able to prepare a report with a good structure and clear presentation, and in which the referencing is of publishable academic standard. The report must demonstrate critical abilities and evaluation of work done and methods applied.

  7. Articulates an understanding of legal, ethical, social, professional and commercial issues involved in the project, detailing potential issues and mitigation strategies.

  8. Summarise the context, method, results, and implications of the project in an engaging form for a non-expert audience.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Additional assessment information

Please note, as per University of York assessment regulations (see the Rules for Progression and Award), it is only possible to resit UG Capstone Project Modules (CPMs) when this is permitted within the total module credit resit threshold for the year. Currently, this threshold is 60 module credits.

Due to PSRB (accreditation requirements) there are also special assessment rules that apply to PRBX. First PRBX cannot be compensated. Second, only in the case of marginal fail of PRBX (marks that fall within 30-39), reassessment is permitted. Students are given the opportunity to make amendments to enable them to reach a pass threshold, within a specified time frame. The mark for the resubmitted PRBX will be capped at the pass mark (40). There will only be one such reassessment. These rules are applicable to all students who take PRBX, regardless of programme.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Feedback on written report draft (where draft provided to supervisor in a timely manner).
Written feedback after written project report.

Indicative reading

*** Dawson, C. W Projects in Computing and Information Systems. Addison-Wesley 2005

*** Gowers, E. The complete plain words. Penguin 1987

*** Kopka, H and Daly, P.W. A guide to LATEX : document preparation for beginners and advanced users, 3rd edn. Addison-Wesley 1999

*** Zobel, J. Writing for computer science, 2nd edn. Springer 2004


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.