Senior student capstone project benefits OHIO community, provides important opportunities

On Nov. 1, 2024, a new version of Ohio University’s Environmental Health and Radioactive Isotope Tracking System was released marking the completion of a 2022-23 senior capstone project in computer science through the Software Design and Development class (CS4560).

This new release is a full redesign of the original tracking system, which was developed by Bruce Tong, assistant professor of instruction, and has been in use since the 1990s. The Radioactive Isotope Tracking System is a crucial system used to monitor radioactive materials on campus and to comply with strict guidelines from the Ohio Department of Health and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Crystal Brooks, OHIO’s biological and radiological safety officer, noted that much of the original application had become outdated. For instance, the original system tracked purchasing, a function now replaced by BobcatBUY. The redesigned application retains essential features while removing outdated elements that previously cluttered the system.

Reflecting on her experience working with senior computer science students through the Student Software Engineering Program (SSEP) in the Office of Information Technology (OIT), Brooks commended their engagement, follow-through, and openness to new ideas, calling it a "lovely experience."

She highly recommends the SSEP for other University offices seeking to update their technology tools or processes, saying, "Compared to externally sourced software solutions, the SSEP allows for a custom build that meets all our needs without any workarounds."

The Student Software Engineering Program

The SSEP is a cohort-based program for OHIO computer science students interested in pursuing careers in software engineering. It offers several benefits:

• Students gain hands-on experience in real-world software development.
• Customers receive a customized solution tailored to their needs.
• Ongoing support from OIT continues after the students graduate.

John Gilbert, a 2023 graduate who contributed to the capstone, praised the SSEP program for offering students hands-on experience in professional software development while they complete their studies. He found the mentorship from full-time engineers invaluable, noting that it helped him grow both technically and professionally, making him a stronger candidate for internships and future job opportunities.

Gabriel Havas, another 2023 graduate who participated in the capstone, also enjoyed the program, appreciating the comprehensive insight it gave him into every phase of a project—from planning and development to delivery. Havas added, “I would absolutely recommend this program to any computer science student who wants to learn more about web development and software engineering practices outside of the classroom.”

The Bobcat Brew Trail web application

This year’s 2024-25 SSEP capstone project is actively working on developing a new mobile-friendly web application for the Bobcat Brew Trail.

Dana Wright, senior associate director of student and recent alumni engagement, oversees both the existing Bobcat Brew Trail website and the new web application development. The existing website, launched in July 2023, highlights alumni-owned breweries and breweries with Ohio University alumni as head brewers. Its goal is to support alumni businesses, and foster connections among alumni.

After the initial success of the Brew Trail, managing over 1,600 user accounts and more than 1,500 check-ins using Excel and Qualtrics became challenging. In early 2024, Wright reached out to OIT for assistance. The number of check-ins between July and October of this year reached 1,525, equaling the total from the previous season with 650 new participants joining.

Wright collaborates closely with the students who are enthusiastic about the learning experience. Her team has benefited from the students' insights as they effectively set expectations and provide valuable suggestions. The students’ energy, ideas, and fresh perspectives have been essential to the development process.

The SSEP’s involvement with the Bobcat Brew Trail application was largely serendipitous. Robert Foreman, manager of software engineering in OIT, suggested to Wright and her team that their new project request with OIT might make a good student capstone project.

Once they learned about the capstone opportunity, they knew it would be a perfect fit. Connecting alumni with current students aligns perfectly with the alumni relations philosophy

Wright stated that, “Partnering with students in the SSEP program helps us achieve our goal of connecting students and alumni. I’m proud to share with Bobcats on the Brew Trail that the new web application is being designed and developed by current OHIO students. It’s a unique and engaging way for alumni to see firsthand the talent and skills of our students.”

Students in the current SSEP capstone cohort say they are learning so much from working on the Bobcat Brew Trail application.

Noah Fox (senior) states, “Working in the SSEP has been a great opportunity to both learn technical skills that aren’t covered in any classes, and to learn from a team of great software engineers.”

When asked about gaining beneficial experience for future careers, Jansen Craft (senior) responded, “Communicating with a real client on a real project is great experience and helps us develop our non-technical skills.”

Kara Nemet (senior) stated that, “One of the most beneficial experiences in my opinion is learning how to collaborate with both my team and my client. I've also learned a lot about myself and what I want to do in the future.”

If you are interested in learning more about the Bobcat Brew Trail, please visit the website at https://www.ohio.edu/alumni/get-involved/experiences/bobcat-brew-trail.

If you have a software need and are interested in submitting an idea for a future SSEP capstone project, please submit the Custom IT Project form.