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MSIT 5910: Capstone Project
MSIT 5910: Capstone Project
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: As this is the final course in the MSIT program, all eight Core Courses (MSIT 5210, MSIT 5212, MSIT 5214, MSIT 5216, MSIT 5226, MSIT 5250, and MSIT 5270), in addition to the three BUS (BUS 5113, BUS 5115, BUS 5612 courses must be completed first before taking the MSIT 5910 - Capstone Course.
Course Description: The final year capstone project for the MSIT program is designed to enable students to apply their knowledge of information technology, computer science and other disciplines to the analysis of complex computing problems. Throughout the course, students will be expected to design and evaluate solutions to complex computing problems using industry-recognized best practices and standards.
The course will provide students with the opportunity to analyze user needs in the development and implementation of computing-based solutions. Moreover, students will learn to assess the ethical considerations in the development, implementation, evaluation, and management of IT systems. The course will also emphasize the importance of constructing clear, well-organized arguments supported by credible research-based evidence.
Required Textbook and Materials: UoPeople courses use open educational resources (OER) and other materials specifically donated to the University with free permissions for educational use. Therefore, students are not required to purchase any textbooks or sign up for any websites that have a cost associated with them. The main required textbooks for this course are listed below and can be readily accessed using the provided links. There may be additionally required/recommended readings, supplemental materials, or other resources and websites necessary for lessons; these will be provided for you in the course's General Information and Forums area, and throughout the term via the weekly course Unit areas and the Learning Guides.
- This course does not contain a main textbook; resources to all required reading will be provided in the course Learning Guide for each week.
Software Requirements/Installation: No special requirements.
Learning Objectives and Outcomes:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Apply the concepts of information technology, computer science, and allied disciplines to solve complex problems.
2. Design a solution using emerging tools and technologies to solve a business problem.
3. Evaluate the solution in context of the objectives defined for the project.
4. Analyze user needs for system design and development, based on a business problem
5. Analyze the ethical considerations when managing IT systems.
6. Demonstrate the ability to write well-organized arguments supported by high-quality, credible, relevant sources.
Course Schedule and Topics: This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, with one Unit per week.
Week 1: Unit 1 - Project Proposal: Part 1
Week 2: Unit 2 - Project Proposal: Part 2
Week 3: Unit 3 - Project Implementation Plan: Part 1
Week 4: Unit 4 - Project Implementation Plan: Part 2
Week 5: Unit 5 - Project Implementation Plan: Part 3
Week 6: Unit 6 - Project Implementation Plan: Part 4
Week 7: Unit 7 - Final Project Due: Implement feedback from Instructor and submit the project
Week 8: Unit 8 - Capstone Report Submission: Complete and submit the Capstone Reflection
Learning Guide: The following is an outline of how this course will be conducted, with suggested best practices for students.
Unit 1: Project Proposal: Part 1
- Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignments
- Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion Forum)
- Complete and submit the Portfolio Assignment
Unit 2: Project Proposal: Part 2
- Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignments
- Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion Forum)
- Complete and submit the Portfolio Assignment
Unit 3: Project Implementation Plan: Part 1
- Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignments
- Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion Forum)
- Complete and submit the Portfolio Assignment
Unit 4: Project Implementation Plan: Part 2
- Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignments
- Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion Forum)
- Complete and submit the Portfolio Assignment
Unit 5: Project Implementation Plan: Part 3
- Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignments
- Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion Forum)
- Complete and submit the Portfolio Assignment
Unit 6: Final Project Due: Implement feedback from Instructor and submit the project
- Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignments
- Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion Forum)
- Complete and submit the Portfolio Assignment
Unit 7: Final Project Due: Implement feedback from Instructor and submit the project
- Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignments
- Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion Forum)
- Complete and submit the Portfolio Assignment
Unit 8: Capstone Report Submission: Complete and submit the Capstone Reflection
- Read the Learning Guide and the Reading Assignments
- Participate in the Discussion Assignment (post and comment in the Discussion Forum)
- Complete and submit the Final Project Report
- Complete and submit the Final Project Presentation (Video and the PowerPoint Presentation)
Course Requirements:
Discussion Forum Assignments
Some units in this course require that you complete a Discussion Assignment. You are required to develop and post a substantive response to the Discussion Assignment in the Discussion Forum. A substantive response is one that fully answers the question that has been posed by the instructor. In addition, you must extend the discussion by responding to at least three (3) of your peers’ postings in the Discussion Forum and by rating their posts. Instructions for proper posting and rating (out of a 10 point scale) are provided inside the Discussion Forum for each week. Discussion Forums are only active for each current and relevant learning week, so it is not possible to contribute to the forum once the learning week has come to an end.
Portfolio Assignment
Portfolio Assignment is graded by your instructor. The grading rubric is listed under the assignment instructions. The grading rubric is a document that outlines the criteria that your instructor will use to grade your work.
Class Introductions
This section is your opportunity to introduce yourself to your classmates and create a vibrant learning community. By sharing your background, interests, and goals, you can create meaningful connections and discover commonalities with your peers.
Course Forum
The Course Forum is the place to raise issues and questions relating to the course. It is regularly monitored by the instructors and is a good place to meet fellow students taking the same course. While it is not required to participate in the Course Forum, it is highly recommended.
Assignment Submission
Accepted file formats for assignments are Microsoft compatible, PDF, or as specified in the course and activity instructions. Do not password-protect your files. Screenshots of computer coding, mathematical formulas, or images with sentence structures (typed or handwritten) are not allowed, unless otherwise stated in the assignment instructions.
Course Policies:
Grading Components and Weights
Each graded component of the course will contribute some percentage to the final grading scale, as indicated here:
| Discussion Assignments (8) | 15% |
| Portfolio Assignments (7) | 40% |
| Final Project Report (1) | 20% |
| Final Project Presentation (1) | 25% |
| TOTAL | 100% |
Grading Scale
This course will follow the standard 100-point grading scale defined by the University of the People, as indicated here:
| Letter Grade |
Grade Scale | Grade Points |
| A+ | 98-100 | 4.00 |
| A | 93-97 | 4.00 |
| A- | 90-92 | 3.67 |
| B+ | 88-89 | 3.33 |
| B | 83-87 | 3.00 |
| B- | 80-82 | 2.67 |
| C+ | 78-79 | 2.33 |
| C | 73-77 | 2.00 |
| C- | 70-72 | 0.00 |
| D+ | 68-69 | 0.00 |
| D | 63-67 | 0.00 |
| D- | 60-62 | 0.00 |
| F | Under 60 | 0.00 |
| CR | N/A | N/A |
| NC | N/A | N/A |
| NF | N/A | N/A |
| W | N/A | N/A |
Grade Appeal
If you believe that the final grade you received for a course is erroneous, unjust, or unfair, please contact your course instructor. This must be done within seven days of the posted final grade. For more information on this topic, please review the Grade Appeal Procedure in the University Catalog.
Participation
Non-participation is characterized by a lack of any assignment submissions, inadequate contributions to the Discussion Forums, and/or lack of peer feedback to Discussion/Written Assignments. Also, please note the following important points about course participation:
- Assignments must be submitted on or before the specified deadline. A course timeline is provided in the course schedule, and the instructor will specify deadlines for each assignment.
- Occasionally there may be a legitimate reason for submitting an assignment late. Most of the time, late assignments will not be accepted and there will be no make-up assignments.
- All students are obligated to inform their instructor in advance of any known absences which may result in their non-participation.
Academic Honesty and Integrity
If and when you submit any work that requires research and writing, it is essential to cite and reference all source material. Failure to properly acknowledge your sources is known as “plagiarism” – which is effectively passing off an individual’s words or ideas as your own. University of the People adheres to a strict policy of academic honesty and integrity. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in sanctions by the University, including dismissal from the University or course failure. For more information on this topic, please review the Academic Integrity Policy in the University Catalog.
Any materials cited in this course should be referenced using the style guidelines established by the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA format is widely used in colleges and universities across the world and is one of several styles and citation formats required for publication in professional and academic journals. Refer to the UoPeople APA Tutorials in the LRC for help with APA citations.
Code of Conduct
University of the People expects that students conduct themselves in a respectful, collaborative, and honest manner at all times. Harassment, threatening behavior, or deliberate embarrassment of others will not be permitted.
Any conduct that interferes with the quality of the educational experience is not allowed and may result in disciplinary action, such as course failure, probation, suspension, or dismissal. For more information on this topic, please review the Code of Conduct Policy in the University Catalog.