CALS Capstone is a course in which students are required to integrate diverse bodies of knowledge to solve a problem or formulate a policy of societal importance with the intent of facilitating the transition to post-baccalaureate life.  The Capstone experience will normally be completed during the student’s final 2 or 3 semesters.  The intent is to have the student utilize and integrate their undergraduate learning into a culminating, or capstone, experience.  Students should consult with their advisor for specific information regarding this requirement.

A Capstone experience should:

• Develop problem-solving skills
• Expose student to multidisciplinary approach
• Develop teamwork and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively to multiple audiences
• Develop skills in accessing and using information resources (e.g., electronic databases, library resources, national repositories)
• Address societal, economic, ethical, scientific and professional issues
• Communicate and extend the capstone experience via written, oral, and/or multimedia reports by each student

A student seeking to complete the Biology Major capstone requirement with a “699” (directed or independent study) may submit a Capstone Pre-Check to determine if planned research will be suitable for capstone. Near the conclusion of the project, students must complete and submit the CAPSTONE Approval Form in collaboration with a faculty instructor who will have direct oversight of the experience and the responsibility to assign the final grade. Lab supervisors, graduate students, or post-docs may assist in drafting question responses but may not sign the capstone approval form. Experiences that are focused on teaching assistance, even if the course number used is a 699 course, are not appropriate for the Biology Major capstone.

The following courses, along with senior thesis (682’s or 692’s) in biological science departments (taken senior year), will automatically be accepted as fulfilling the Biology Major capstone requirement.  Note: some courses have advanced prerequisites.

Anatomy & Physiology 435:  Fundamentals of Human Physiology
Biocore 486: Principles of Physiology Laboratory (if Biocore 382 & 384 are completed)
Botany 455: Vegetation of Wisconsin
Botany/F&W Ecol/Zoology 460: General Ecology
Envir St/Zoology 511: Ecology of Fishes Lab
Forest & Wildlife Ecology 599: Wildlife Research Capstone (limited access, last taught Fall 2017)
Genetics 527: Developmental Conservation and Regeneration
Pl Path 315: Plant Microbiomes
Zoology 316: Laboratory for Limnology-Conservation of Aquatic Resources
Zoology 555: Developmental Biology Laboratory
Zoology 612: Comparative Physiology Laboratory