Important Capstone Dates
- Capstone Info Session Kick-off (Online) | Thursday, July 31, 12-1pm PST. It is highly advisable to attend. If you cannot join live, we encourage you to view the recording after the session has ended. Note: The Capstone matching process does not apply to students in the IEOR IPES & Fintech concentrations. Students in these concentrations will be placed on a Capstone project by their respective faculty advisors. More information will be shared at the IEOR department specific FinTech and IPES virtual orientation (register to receive Zoom link).
- Join the Capstone program staff Jennifer Mangold, PhD and Maritsi Perez for an overview of the Capstone matching process. Gain valuable insights from Capstone faculty advisors and alumni on how to prepare for the August project matching process, and how to prioritize ranking your project preferences.
- View recording 2024 >>
- Capstone Info Session Slides (PDF)
- Online Zoom Peer Connecting | Link to be supplied in early August via an announcement found in the 2025-26 MEng program bCourses (UC Berkeley email credentials required).
- Virtual Drop-in Office Hours with Capstone Staff (For Students)
- This is dedicated time for students to drop-in and ask Capstone staff questions about the matching process prior to submitting ranking preferences.
- Zoom link to be provided during summer for these early August sessions. Berkeley email required.
- Capstone Advisor’s Project Office Hours | August 5, 6, 7, 8 (Online; various times TBD.)
- This is a special opportunity to ask project advisors specific questions and learn more about their proposed projects. Students, come prepared with your questions.
- VIEW SCHEDULE: Schedule will be available early August.
- Capstone Matching Process Summary Timeline. Please refer to July 31 Capstone Info Session slides and recording (see above) for more information.
- July 19 – August 8: Students review AY24-25 Capstone Marketplace Overview Sheet.
- August 5, 6, 7, 8 (online; various times): Capstone Advisor’s Project Office Hours (see info above)*
- August 11 (In-Person): Capstone Peer Connecting at New Student Orientation. Registration link TBA.
- Mid-August: Students rank 6 projects of interest. More information to come during summer. Application will include 1-page resume (PDF) and answers to 2 supplemental questions for each of the projects they rank.
- Career resources on resume tips:
- Late August: Project matching process begins with advisors reviewing students interested in their projects.
- Early September: Teams announced (3 – 5 students) and projects launched.
Capstone projects are a hub for integrative, experiential, and team-driven learning.
Capstone is a MEng degree requirement. The goal of each project is to develop a technical solution that addresses an industry, market, or social need. Over the course of two semesters, full-time and continuing part-time (in their last year of the program) MEng students will work in teams of three to five students, where they develop effective leadership, communication, project management, and teaming skills. Teams will have support from a faculty or industry advisor as they progress through their capstone project. This experience provides students an opportunity to apply what they are learning in the classroom to a real world project, with multiple stakeholders, while preparing them for their next career opportunity.
Capstone Final Project List
We will be excited to share the final list of capstone project offerings for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year in July.
To get an idea of project possibilities, please review the 2024-2025 Project Marketplace Overview list from which this year’s cohort was able to choose. We typically have well over 100+ projects for students to review.
- Click on individual hyperlinks to see a full description of each project proposal, and video recordings from the project advisors – resources created to help students learn more about the projects.
- Filter columns by Keywords, Project Scope, Accepting Students From to help narrow down projects of interest.
- For specific questions about a project, please reach out directly to the project advisor(s) listed in the project proposal.
Selection Process
Students in BIOE, CEE, EECS, IEOR (general track), ME, MSE, NE will have an opportunity at the end of July to review a full list of over 100+ project offerings for the 2025-26 academic year. This is an exciting time and a crucial step for students to explore project proposals by reviewing 1-2 pages of project descriptions and supplemental materials (i.e., video recording of project description) in preparation for the project matching process happening in mid-August.
Additionally, students will have a special opportunity to ask project advisors specific questions and learn more about projects during virtual Capstone Project Advising Office Hours held in early August. This allows students to meet and network with faculty, industry, and partnering organizations that have proposed a project.
After office hours have ended, students will rank projects that they find most interesting in mid-August.
Note: Students pursuing the IEOR FinTech and IPES concentrations are placed on a project by their respective advisors and do not participate in the project matching process. More information will be shared at the IEOR department specific FinTech and IPES virtual orientation (register to receive Zoom link).
Capstone Policy
The expectation is that students are making informed decisions when submitting their project rankings, given the numerous resources and access to faculty, industry partners, and capstone staff during the Capstone Advisors Office Hours and matching process. Once students have submitted their top six rankings, they are committing to being placed in one of these projects. With that understanding, any requests to change capstone projects will not be considered after the Capstone matching process has ended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work on a capstone project from a different department?
Yes, you don’t have to work on a capstone project that is based in your home department.
How common is it for groups to involve students from different departments?
Often projects are interdisciplinary in nature and have students from different departments work on the project.
When will the final list of 2025-26 project offerings be released?
The final project list for 2025-26 will be available to review in mid-July. Please be sure to review the information above for more information about the capstone experience.