FAQ CS 692 – Capstone Exam

1. Apply advanced computer science theory to computational problems.
2. Demonstrate advanced understanding of the mechanisms, components and architecture of current computing systems.
3. Apply emerging technologies and advanced algorithmic design.
4. Critique, plan and produce complex software applications.
5. Research and analyze current computer science literature.

Students wishing to enroll in CS 692 must first complete all prerequisite and/or
deficiency courses with a grade of B- or better. Students must also have completed the
five required courses for the degree (CS 601, CS 611, CS 621, CS 651, and Cs 671)
and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Students cannot take a required course, prerequisite, or deficiency course concurrently with CS 692.

CS 692 Capstone Exams is a three (3) unit class. Grading is CR/NC. Students need to
pass all three exams to earn a credit for the class.

If a student fails one or more of the exams, they must register for the course in the
following semester. The student will only need to attend the exams that were not
passed.

Students get a maximum of three attempts at the exams.

Students may not change to a different Capstone Experience (CS 693 Project or CS
699 Thesis) after attempting the exams.

Students who cannot pass the exams after three attempts will not earn their MS degree
in Computer Science.

To enroll in CS 692 Capstone Exams, you must have completed ALL admissions
prerequisites and remediation courses, and all five required courses CS 601, CS 611,
CS 621, CS 651, and CS 671, and have a graduate and cumulative CSUEB GPA of 3.0
or better.

NOTE: All students taking CS 692 must be registered in the course. If you need to take
CS 692 more than once, you will need to pay for the units each time. CS 692 can be
taken a maximum of three times. If a student is unable to pass all three parts of the
comprehensive exam after three attempts, they will, unfortunately, be removed from the
program.

Students may enroll in CS 692 Capstone exams through MyCSUEB. Be sure to enroll
for CR/NC and not A-F grading.

Students may register for Capstone Exams in Fall and Spring semesters only.

• An exam sheet with 3 questions and paper will be provided.
• Students must answer only two out of the three questions. Please note that an individual question may have multiple subparts.
• All programming questions and answers should be written in the C or C++ languages.
• Students should write on one side of their answer paper only. Do not write on the exam question sheet itself.
• Name and which questions were chosen to complete should be marked on the cover sheet of the exam.
• At the end of the exam, students will tear off the cover sheet and staple it to their answer sheets.

The course grade is based solely on the 3 exam scores and results in CREDIT or NO CREDIT for the course.  

The student will complete 2 questions on each test, where each question is worth 20 points.

The student must pass each test individually, with a score of 24/40 (60%) or better.  

Students have the right to see the grading of their exams.  If they feel they have been graded unfairly, they should first discuss this with the instructor in charge of the exam.  If consensus is not achieved, the exam may be reviewed by the Department Graduate committee.

If the student passes all 3 tests, they will receive a CREDIT (PASS) grade.   If the student does not pass all 3 tests, a NO CREDIT grade will be issued.   In this case, the student should contact the graduate coordinator about re-taking the exam.  Exams are given in Spring and Fall semesters only.  If a student does not pass an exam, they must register for CS 692 in the following semester and re-take only the exam(s) that they did not pass.  Students are allowed 3 attempts for each exam.  If unfortunately, a student cannot pass after three attempts, they will be dismissed from the program.

If an exam paper is found to be plagiarized from other sources, an Academic Dishonesty report will be filed.  The student will lose advisor recommendations.

Please note that the CSU system has a 5-year currency rule. If coursework and the Capstone Experience is not completed within 5 years, currency is lost, and the student will need to start over to complete their degree.