Harvard Extension School’s (HES) data science capstone projects challenge master’s degree students to produce meaningful, real-world results — from building digital twins that optimize solar farm performance to developing early warning models for credit risks.
This applied experience in business settings prepares students for in-demand roles in fields such as AI, machine learning, and data visualization. Through our capstone project, students first hone their technical and research skills, then immerse themselves in hands-on, high-impact projects.
The full capstone experience is composed of two distinct parts:
- Precapstone: Before the capstone, students develop data science skills and design a proposal to make sure they’re data-ready on day one.
- Capstone: Students partner with industry-leading teams to gain hands-on execution experience.
Together, the precapstone and capstone give students an opportunity to work with industry partners, develop teamwork and communication skills, and apply their data science skills in a workplace.
How the Data Science Capstone Experience at Harvard Extension School Works
The capstone experience serves as the culmination of coursework for data science master’s degree students. But before students begin working with one of our partners in the industry, they come to Cambridge for the precapstone course: a three-week, on-campus experience.
The precapstone
During the precapstone course, students attend workshops and collaborate with experts across disciplines to identify research topics. Working in teams, students choose research topics based on their interests, industry partner needs, and the data science methods required for success.
Throughout this process, students receive guidance from Harvard Extension School faculty on:
- Refining their project proposals
- Building the domain knowledge necessary for their topic
- Developing effective teamwork, project management, and communication skills
At the end of the precapstone course, each team submits a detailed research proposal. Proposals must include:
- Rationale for the project
- Methods of research
- Expected outcomes
On-campus at Harvard
The precapstone course also gives data science master’s students the opportunity to connect, experience Harvard’s world-class resources, and meet their instructors in person.
“Being on campus has been incredibly inspirational,” says Monica Klimczak, ALM ’25 alumna in data science. “And it’s incredibly inspiring to just know that you have all this knowledge around you from so many different sources, and just to think of what we could do with that when we all come together.”
Tackling Real-World Data Challenges
After three weeks of collaboration in Cambridge, students begin their capstone, applying what they’ve learned to solve complex data challenges in business and research settings. Data science capstones can address numerous data issues across diverse disciplines — biology, finance, global health, and more.
“Our goal for the capstone is to enable students to work on a real-world project, solving current business problems,” says Bruce Huang, director of information technology programs.
Recent data science capstone projects include:
- Using machine learning to improve storm and lightning monitoring with NASA satellite data
- Applying deep learning to predict atmospheric conditions at NASA
- Modeling optimal rebalancing of multi-asset portfolios under transaction costs using dynamic programming and stochastic control
- Analyzing H5N1 avian flu outbreak patterns and genomic data to support pandemic preparedness
- Utilizing remote sensing, ecoacoustics, and eDNA to identify marine biodiversity hotspots through multi-modal machine learning
Data science industry partners
The Harvard Extension School capstone program offers students a unique opportunity to gain relevant experience in data science to fulfill their master’s degree requirements. To provide students with the most rewarding opportunities to apply their knowledge, HES partners with industry experts from well-known organizations that are working on challenging data science problems.
Our data science capstone industry partners include:
- NASA
- Mass General Brigham
- IBM
- National Grid
- HubSpot
- Harvard Medical School
- City of Boston
Behind the Scenes: Building Community and Confidence
The on-campus precapstone experience is pivotal for many data science master’s students. They meet other students from around the world and experience Harvard’s intellectual environment firsthand. And they build a community of data science peers, forge lasting connections, and expand their confidence as they apply their learning.
While the precapstone commitment can initially feel like a hurdle for busy students juggling work and family commitments, students often say it’s one of the highlights of their degree experience.
“The most common feedback that I receive from our capstone students is that they were reluctant to come on campus for three weeks,” Dr. Huang says. “However, at the conclusion of the precapstone residency, they tell me they would not want to miss this opportunity.”
For many students, the combination of mentorship and camaraderie makes the precapstone a uniquely positive experience.
“It’s been phenomenal so far, and I’m not exaggerating a bit,” Yash Nahar, ALM ’25 candidate, said during an interview while he was on campus for his precapstone.
“We are working with people from multidisciplinary fields, people from 15 different countries. Spending this time together in person is a really good experience,” Nahar added.
Alumni Spotlights: How Capstones Create Opportunity
Harvard Extension School’s data science master’s students use their degree and capstone projects to successfully transition to roles in data science, develop an area of expertise within their field, or progress in their careers.
The degree itself was a contributing factor in my promotion last year. Specifically about the capstone, I’ve chosen a field that’s outside my comfort area. If I switch to a new area, I’ll be more comfortable making that switch — whether it’s a new job or as an entrepreneur.
Hometown: Pune, India
Industry Partner: NASA
Current Title: Associate Director at UBS
I’ve never been a part of something that feels so big. Working with NASA is like a dream. I always thought, ‘No, I have my own company, I’m a one-woman show,’ but it’s really given me the courage to say, ‘You can step up. You can be with these people.
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Industry Partner: NASA
Current Title: Business Owner
Skills I acquired during my studies already allowed me to change my career. I started as a person who had no idea how to code, with a very basic understanding of statistics. And in three years, I managed to score a wonderful job as a senior analyst on a data science team.
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Industry Partner: Sponsored by a Professor in Texas
Current Title: Senior Analyst
Particularly for data science, I think there are really good, cutting-edge programs [at HES] in terms of Python, deep learning, and machine learning. They are constantly updating the course material. The program is so cutting-edge, and I’m applying that in my work.
Hometown: Westchester, Pennsylvania
Industry Partner: NASA
Current Title: Credit Risk Modeling Manager at Bank of America
This capstone project, I actually have changed my opinion. Even in just our discussions for the proposal, different people have different ideas. Everybody’s been contributing.
Hometown: Roslindale, MA
Industry Partner: Evergrowth BioHealthcare Capital
Current Title: Business Analyst
Together, the data science precapstone and capstone prepare data science master’s students to face workplace data challenges with creativity and collaboration. By bridging classroom learning with industry expertise, Harvard Extension School’s data science capstone empowers students to graduate ready to lead, innovate, and solve tomorrow’s data challenges.
