Capstone Showcase

1. Where are you from?

I am from Houston Texas, and I currently live in Missouri.

2. Why did you choose Integrated Computer Science as your major?

I chose Integrated Computer Science because it combines my interest in programming with real world problems. It gives me the flexibility to apply tech skills in areas like engineering, data, and automation. The program was Online and let me work while I learned from afar. Driving to Manhattan Kansas was about 5 hours for me, so this was amazing for me.

3. What concentration did you pick? Why?

I chose Anthropology because I’m fascinated by how culture, history, and human behavior shape our world. It helps me understand people and systems just that much better.

4. How have you integrated your concentration with programming in this capstone project?

My capstone project was designed to create a way to help increase industrial safety for the people working in industrial environments. I focused on the idea that most people want to help and make sure that everyone goes home safely. A lot of Anthropology is studying the cultures of people and how they interact with their environment, which helped me design a system that fits naturally into existing workflows. By combining that with programming, I built a safety monitoring platform that uses automation, real-time alerts, and human-centered design to support safer, more responsive industrial spaces.

WebSite: https://open-alert.com/
Git hub Release: https://github.com/blankpatkksu/Open-Alert/releases/tag/V1.0

5. What do you plan to do post-graduation with your ICS degree?

I want to use my degree to solve real world problems ideally in a way the makes processes safer and more efficient. Regardless of what I'm working on, even if that's user interfaces, back-end communications, or some web app. I want the result to be something that helps people, makes their jobs easier, or reduces the chance for error. My background gives me a unique perspective on how systems and people interact, and I want to keep building tools that bridge that gap.

6. Do you have any tips for incoming freshmen?

Don’t be afraid to admit it when you're stuck or need help or ask questions. I have learned it helps to find ways to immerse yourself in the world of programing by finding ways to learn and live tech. There are a lot of things that will propel you forward the more you know about the computers you're working with!

Good luck!

1. Where are you from?

I am from Lenexa, Kansas.

2. Why did you choose Integrated Computer Science as your major?

I started at K-State in Biomedical Engineering, then switched to Computer Science in my junior year. All my favorite classes were programming focused, and I knew it was the right decision for me. Later that year, I learned I was going to be a father, and we wanted to move closer to home. Integrated Computer Science provided the flexibility I needed to finish my studies while raising a family.

3. What concentration did you pick? Why?

I chose mathematics, it was always my favorite subject growing up. In fact, I almost became a Mathematics major before settling on Computer Science during my original switch. I love that I still got to take some of those high-level courses and tied it into my ICS degree.

4. How have you integrated your concentration with programming in this capstone project?

I integrated mathematics with web app development, to create a cryptocurrency portfolio tracker. I’ve been a full-time trader four years now, and there is a frustrating lack of quality tracking software. In the past, I used an excel spreadsheet where the calculations and algorithms got exhausting to manage. This project is always something I wanted to build, but the capstone gave me the perfect opportunity.

My application offers a responsive interface to record transactions and analyze holdings. Real-time price data is integrated through external providers, tracking any token on the blockchain. There is also a section for historical performance reports, including a tax form generated from the user’s transaction history. The frontend features a React/Typescript application built using the Vite framework. In the backend, an Express server hosts a RESTful API, storing the data with MySQL.

Website: https://corfolio.netlify.app/

5. What do you plan to do post-graduation with your ICS degree?

I would love to work in web development, but I’m not sure where life will take me yet. After graduation, I plan to focus on networking, applying to jobs, and polishing my resume. But first, I am going take a little time to relax and celebrate this moment.

6. Do you have any tips for incoming freshmen?

My advice to freshman is to take it easy and go with the flow of life. Don’t feel pressured to finish college in four years and do change your major if it feels right. Figure out how many credits you are comfortable with each semester and stick to it. Your time here will be much better if you are not overwhelmed. Finally, never give up, reach out to your professors or advisors if you need help. They are always happy to, even in a fully online major like ICS.

1. Where are you from?

I’m from Kansas City, Missouri, specifically Raytown, which is about 10 minutes from the inner city.

2. Why did you choose Integrated Computer Science as your major?

At first, I planned on majoring in electrical engineering, but I didn’t realize it was only offered at the Salina campus. I had already signed a lease for an apartment in Manhattan and couldn’t break it. I switched to mechanical engineering, but that was a reality check. I wasn’t sure what to do next until Ms. Archer told me about the ICS program. It sounded like a great fit, and I’ve been with it ever since.

3. What concentration did you pick? Why?

I mentioned I got humbled by mechanical engineering, right? Ms. Archer recommended I take some anthropology classes, which turned out to be a lot more manageable for me and surprisingly interesting. I stuck with it and made it my concentration.

4. How have you integrated your concentration with programming in this capstone project?

My project bridges technology and human behavior, which is where my anthropology background plays a key role. I’ve developed an app that explores how people engage with music and creative tools, using both programming skills and cultural insights to create an intuitive, real-world experience. The app allows users to upload their own instrumentals, automatically detect the beats per minute, and generate lyrics based on a chosen theme or artist using the ChatGPT API. Users can customize their creative flow by rearranging different sections of the lyrics—such as the hook, chorus, or verse—and choose how many bars they want each section to be, with options for 4, 8, or 12 bars. The lyrics are then displayed directly within the app interface, offering a seamless and interactive creative process.

Check out this example clip from Jacque's app:

5. What do you plan to do post-graduation with your ICS degree?

Honestly, I want to keep building on this project. I haven’t seen anything quite like it, and I believe it has the potential to become something people use in their daily lives.

6. Do you have any tips for incoming freshmen?

In college, it’s really you versus you. There’s a lot of temptation to prioritize fun, but you have to lock in if you want to go far. Life outside of school will get better if you take this time seriously and invest in yourself now.

1. Where are you from?

I’m from Olathe, KS

2. Why did you choose Integrated Computer Science as your major?

I began my college journey in Computer Engineering but quickly realized that I was more
interested in the programming aspects than the hardware. This led me to switch to
Integrated Computer Science, which allowed me to focus more deeply on software
development. I’ve also developed a strong interest in front-end web development, which
influenced my concentration

3. What concentration did you pick? Why?

I chose Graphic Design as my concentration because of my interest in front-end web
development. Pairing my technical skills with a background in design has helped me better
understand design, visual communication, user interface principles, and accessibility.

4. How have you integrated your concentration with programming in this capstone project?

For my project I decided to develop a typography sandbox website since it utilizes both my
computer science and graphic design abilities. Typography is an important element of
graphic design, and being able to quickly alter and play around with typefaces and other
typography elements can be helpful when it comes to design. The site was built using
React, a JavaScript library. The user can type and quickly change typography elements and
see them change in real time.

5. What do you plan to do post-graduation with your ICS degree?

After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in software or web development, ideally
something that lets me combine my skills in coding and design. I really enjoy building
things that people interact with, so front-end or full-stack roles are what I’m aiming for right
now.

6. Do you have any tips for incoming freshmen?

One tip I’d give to incoming freshmen is to not be afraid to ask questions, don’t try to figure
everything out on your own. Getting to know your professors and classmates early on can
really help, both in and outside of class. Also, try out different clubs or activities, even if
they’re outside your major, you never know what you might end up enjoying. I didn’t expect
to get into web development, but exploring different things helped me find what I enjoy.

1. Where are you from?

I grew up in central Kansas, Belvue to be specific.

2. Why did you choose Integrated Computer Science as your major?

Originally, I was interested in engineering but after two semesters at a community college I realized that wasn’t for me. So, I reevaluated my interests and what would give me the most opportunities. Growing up playing computer games and with rapid innovations in AI at the time, I decided that computer science seemed the best and most useful route for me. When searching for a college to transfer to and continue my education I found K-State's Integrated Computer Science program and thought it would match my needs perfectly.

3. What concentration did you pick? Why?

I chose Business as my concentration as it seemed to be the most useful and applicable concentration. Afterall, in almost any job in the private sector, having a better understanding of business can only help and perhaps provide better opportunities for career advancement such as management positions in this field.

4. How have you integrated your concentration with programming in this capstone project?

When considering my project, I knew I wanted to build a website as this was the most interesting and engaging activity throughout my various courses in this program. As a result, it was immediately clear to me how I would implement my concentration.

From a business perspective, the main purpose of a website is to provide visibility for the company and ease the customer experience as much as possible. The more knowledge a customer has about a company and their products, as well as the less complicated making a purchase is both result in more customers as well as better reported customer experience.

So, designing the website with these goals in mind was a matter of presenting information about the company, such as contact into, as directly as possible, as well as implementing smart GUI, graphical user interface, practices to make navigation as intuitive as possible, so potential customers never have to search to find what they are looking for. This includes grouping appropriate information on the same pages, such as company info being on a separate page than the purchasing catalogue and similar groupings. Another similar technique used was including a navigation bar with links to all pages at the top of every page so that potential customers can always see their options. In short, the integration of consumer friendliness, quality of life, and ease of use features is the way in which I have integrated my business concentration into programming.

Project Technical Write Up
Website: https://mybikes.cismj.me/
Wordpress Project Outline: https://mjumscheid.wordpress.com/

5. What do you plan to do post-graduation with your ICS degree?

I plan to work in an entry level job in IT at a local manufacturing company after graduation. I have some other potential job opportunities in computer graphics as well as software development which I would like to move to in the future, as they are more to my interests. However, while starting out and finding my feet in this field and job market, I feel this job will be the most useful and stable in giving me experience and best fitting my qualifications.

6. Do you have any tips for incoming freshmen?

For any incoming freshman I would highly recommend spending time outside of your assignments trying to really expand your skills and knowledge in your field of study. In my mind you should really try to maximize the number of skills and experience you gain here so that you can have the greatest available opportunities when the time comes to start applying what you learned in real world situations, with real stakes dependent on your success and the quality of your work.

1. Where are you from?

I am from Richardson, TX.

2. Why did you choose Integrated Computer Science as your major?

I chose ICS after taking an online web development course and really enjoyed it. When I went to apply for jobs I kept seeing that I needed a bachelor's degree so I decided to get mine in ICS.

3. What concentration did you pick? Why?

For my concentration I picked business, and I am actually getting another degree in Business in Technology from the Salina campus as well. I chose this as my concentration for two reasons. The first being, I worked in marketing for 3 years before going back to K-State. The second is, a business degree will help open the door for a management position down the road.

4. How have you integrated your concentration with programming in this capstone project?

So for my capstone I created a website for a small business that helps promote their goods and services. The website also has an API that I created in another app that can display the costs of the goods by month.

5. What do you plan to do post-graduation with your ICS degree?

After graduation I am going to continue my education by getting some certificates while I apply for jobs. My goal is to become a front end web developer.

6. Do you have any tips for incoming freshmen?

For anyone that is totally new to coding, I would suggest taking some online coding courses during the summer. The courses in this program teach a lot very fast and it is easy to get behind so if you at least know a little it can help. Also do not be afraid to reach out for help.

1. Where are you from?

I originally hailed from Wisconsin but now call Kansas City home.

2. Why did you choose Integrated Computer Science as your major?

I started out in Computer Science but needed to continue my studies online and the amazing flexibility of Integrated Computer Science allowed me to thrive. I love that in Integrated Computer Science I was able to integrate the ability to solve problems mathematically and logically to solve real world issues with solutions that could be built in weeks.

3. What concentration did you pick? Why?

I chose Entrepreneurship as my concentration because it was the best way for me to get to interact with real world issues that I could solve with my technical background. It allowed me to meet some wonderful people that were intrigued by using technology to solve a myriad of problems.

4. How have you integrated your concentration with programming in this capstone project?

I had the chance to integrate my passion for people and solving real world problems by going to the stakeholders in the utilities industry and finding a problem that required out of the box thinking as well as technical and mathematical modeling expertise.

I decided to embark on the creation and market testing of a product called Find 82 that aims to help people identify and find lead pipes using machine learning. This project is associated with my Web Development course as well as my Entrepreneurship Capstone course. I utilized my web development skills to develop an API then connected it to a web portal. I was able to integrate my Entrepreneurship skills to market the product and create a business model that would allow for the maximum market penetration (to reach as many people as possible).

With financial help from the College of Arts & Sciences Undergraduate Research Scholarship, by the end of the semester I was able to develop a product that allows users to record the sound of a hammer tapping a pipe, upload the file to the web portal, and the program will analyze the sound waves to identify the pipe material (PVC, copper, lead, etc.). With additional data and research (and funding), this program has the potential to be accurate and very impactful in the utilities industry.

Check out the Find 82 website.

Check out Tyler's Research Abstract.

5. What do you plan to do post-graduation with your ICS degree?

I am currently pursuing a career at Autodesk where I can help bring technology to real world problems cross the globe. In the meantime, I plan to continue to pursue my research and find other problems I can solve with technology.

6. Do you have any tips for incoming freshmen?

My biggest piece of advice would be to do what you can to meet people, whether that be in person, in chats, or in office hours with your professors. The flexibility of online learning is amazing, but never underestimate the power of talking to people in person. Some of my best memories were in the lecture halls or study rooms at K-State.