Capstone Experiences

The BEO Capstone

The BEO Capstone was a signature feature of this concentraton and was established as a recommendation of the 2011-12 curriculum review of the program, the BEO Faculty Committee and staff designed a required, concentration-wide capstone to provide a synergistic experience for BEO seniors. This innovative course is unduplicated anywhere on campus and receives strong support from the College Curriculum Committee, the Dean of the College, the Registrar, and other administrative offices. The BEO capstone will be a required course for all concentrators to work with their peers across the three tracks;  to synthesize theoretical and real world knowledge;  to synthesize learning across the three disciplines;  and to demonstrate connections between the for profit and nonprofit sectors.

The BEO Capstone program grew to accommodate as many as 75-100 students in an academic year and involved the close coordination of all three BEO units - Economics, Engineering and Sociology as well as the Swearer Center and the CareerLab (now the Center for Career Exploration). Most projects were two-semester commitments and seniors were placed on projects best aligned with their preferences and skills. A faculty advisor supervised project teams, usually comprised of five students and a “mentor” from the sponsor organization who provides project context, advice and access to data and resources.

Types of Projects

Capstone projects targeted real world problems and challenges of a sponsor organization. Projects were sponsored by small start-ups, government agencies, social or educational institutions, corporations, NGOs, and/or advocacy groups. Projects included:

  • Analysis of strategic options
  • Business case to bring a new product, service or technology to market
  • Proto-type development and market analysis of a technology
  • Analysis of acquisition, merger or divestiture
  • Analysis/modeling of investments, equipment, intellectual property

BEO Capstone Project Examples: Academic Year 2015/ 2016 

This year, BEO will partner with 20 local organizations to provide capstone projects to students. 

Click here for capstone projects for academic year 2017/18

Click here for capstone projects for academic year 2016/17 

Click here for capstone projects for academic year 2015/16 

Click here for capstone projects for academic year 2014/15

Click here for capstone projects for academic year 2013/14

Key Project Responsibilities

  • Well-defined project goals and scope negotiated by sponsor, team and faculty advisor
  • Clear deliverables incorporated in a written project plan with milestones
  • Setting of context within the sponsor organization and access to data 

Student Project Goals:

  • Build skills in problem analysis, business case preparation, product/solution development, market research, presentation and public speaking
  • Enhance project management, teamwork and problem-solving skills
  • Develop expertise in a specific problem area while understanding context, leverage points and constraints (e.g. economic, legal, social, diversity and cultural conditions)

Benefits to Sponsor Organizations

  • Access bright, focused and community-oriented students and faculty
  • Receive an objective study of a critical issue facing a sponsor organization
  • Receive written documentation of analysis and recommendations
  • Develop connections to Brown students and faculty for future collaborations