Work in progress - the software enterprise

Computer science and software engineering programs are in a constant struggle to update curriculum content and instructional methodologies so graduates are better prepared to enter today's fast-paced technology sector. Despite these efforts, the general perception of industry remains that new graduates are ill equipped to perform their duties when entering the marketplace. We find our students are often caught between the academic mission to learn the science and the need to find gainful employment when they complete their degree requirements. Our response to this dilemma is the introduction of a four-semester capstone project sequence dubbed "the software enterprise". The instructional methodology involves a combination of lecture, problem-centered learning, and project work to expose, practice, and apply concepts over short intervals. In this way, students understand not only the skills but also how they are applied. The length of the sequence ensures prolonged and repeated exposure to applied concepts. This work-in-progress paper presents our project sequence features