Capstone or final year units can provide students with opportunities to integrate their knowledge and experiences from their whole program in preparation for the next stage of their careers.

From 2010 Macquarie began moving towards all students undertaking a capstone unit. These resources have been developed by the LTC to support you in designing your unit. There are suggestions on designs to improve the student experience and strategies for integrating the unit into your whole program.

• Designing a Capstone Unit [Word - 148k] or PDF - 160k
  This resource includes design considerations for learning outcomes, teaching processes and assessment strategies for designing capstone or final year units.

• Assessing Final Year Students (or capstone units) [Word - 164k] or PDF - 239k
  This resource from the Assessment Toolkit has ideas specifically relating to capstone unit assessment.

• Podcast of Aron Downie (Chiropractic) talking about Curriculum Mapping

• Presentation slides for Capstone Units [Powerpoint - 292k]
  Margot McNeill presented at the Transitions Out Program workshop at Queensland University of Technology in July 2009. 

• Check out this report from the University of Melbourne on capstones in their programs [PDF - 864k].

Case Studies

• Case Study: Media, Music and Cultural Studies [Word - 114k] or PDF - 136k
  MUS304: Dr Diane Hughes designed this unit which enables singers to explore various components of vocal recording and performance at an advanced level.
• Case Study: Computing Science [Word - 122k] or PDF - 128k
  COMP 345/ ISYS 346: Associate Professor Debbie Richards preparing students for working in teams in industry.
• Case Study: Indigenous Studies [Word - 123k] or PDF - 128k
  ABST300: Kristina Everett provides a structure, driven by theory rather than content, that can be applied to Indigenous communities globally.
• Case Study: Early Childhood [Word - 120k] or PDF - 125k
  Dr Shirley Wyver designed this unit to support students in '... honing of communication skills with children and parents, encouraging students to reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses'.