“Capstones should endeavor to provide experiential learning by having students apply acquired knowledge and skills to relevant issues in their field of study. However, in order for a capstone to provide valuable experiential learning, strong faculty-student relationships need to be established...Capstone experiences should aim to integrate and apply concepts through performance skills such as laboratory techniques, data interpretation, written and oral communication, ability to design and perform an experiment and effective use of the scientific literature. Defined courses or structured independent study or research projects are the most favored forms of capstone, although the implementation of the capstone experience does vary.” (p.230)
Aguanno, A., Mertz, P., Martin, D., & Bell, E. (2015). A national comparison of biochemistry and molecular biology capstone experiences. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 43(4), 223-232. doi:10.1002/bmb.20869