CSC 385 - Semester Project

Spring 2012

               

Overview

                                               

Work in this course is divided between (1) discussing some of the key topics in computer science and information technology and (2) choosing, designing, and implementing a major project.  The project will constitute the largest single component of your grade.  With respect to grading, the project has several components:

                                               

          – Weekly meeting/report                                   10 points

                                               

          – iNewton report                                               15 points

                                               

          – RAPS, personas, timeline & diagram            30 points

                                               

          – Testing protocol                                             20 points

                                               

          – Oral project presentation                               20 points

                                               

          – Paper describing your work                          20 points

                                               

          – Project implementation                                  150 points

                                               

                                                TOTAL                         265 points

               

Components

                                               

Weekly meeting/report {10 points}

We will meet each week at a scheduled time.  You will bring a written (typed) report of work done since our last meeting.  Also, many of the weeks in the semester are designated weeks.  For meetings during designated weeks, in addition to the regular report you will bring the particular document described in the weeks specification.

 

iNewton report {15 points}

1. Study two related research papers on an issue relevant to your project.

2. Prepare an oral report:

        a. show how the papers are relevant to your project

        b. compare and contrast the major points of the papers

        c. assess the research value of the papers

3. Present the oral report, using power point

4. Hand in copy of power point handouts (4 or 6 per page)

                                                

RAPS, personas, timeline & diagram {30 points}

Personas: Bring a description of 3-5 personas to represent those for whom your program is to be written.

RAPS:

RAPS = requirements analysis and project specification. 

Starting with the goals of your personas, analyze the milieu in which your project will operate, and list the requirements it must meet.  Then describe the design of your project; i.e., specify how the requirements will be met.  [Note: The word 'specific' is contained in 'specification'; keep in mind Kipling’s 6 honest serving men].

Timeline:

A week by week list of what you plan to accomplish each week.

[Note: Number the weeks 1 to 15. http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/]

Diagram:

Show the logical and functional structure of your project; display the relationship between the major components.

See Weeks

                                                           

Testing protocol {20 points}

Testing is done to verify correctness, usability, understandability, utility and adherence to RAPS document.  We will study three examples of testing protocols – Tesler-Mott, Tesler-Atkinson, and Verplank.

          Identify what is to be tested; and the means and methods of testing.

See Weeks

                                               

Oral project presentation {20 points}

Using power point give an oral presentation of your project.  Here are some pointers:

http://faculty.kutztown.edu/rieksts/385/sem-project/present.html

Grading rubric

                                                

Paper describing your work {20 points}

Write a 5-10 page paper describing the key features of your project.  Keep in mind the 3 C’s: clear, cogent & concise.

          Paper must have an abstract and at least three (actually used) bibliographic sources.

Grading rubric

                                               

Project implementation {150 points}

As indicated by the grading rubric, a grade is assigned to the overall quality of the project.

Grading rubric

                

NOTES::

                                               

Value Added

It is OK, in your project, you build on earlier work done, as long as you make it clear what your starting point was and the value added during the course of the semester.  The project will be graded on the value added.

                                               

Partnering

It is OK to have a partner for the project.  In such a case the project will be graded on the basis of the value added to the final project by each member of the team.

                                               

What to hand in

For some components you will hand in a hard copy at the time of your scheduled weekly meeting.  For the iNewton, you will hand in a hard copy of the power point on the day of the presentation.

          At the end of the semester you will hand in the following:

                                               

Hard copy:

Power point of your project presentation

Paper describing your project

                                               

Electronic copy:

All weekly meeting reports

iNewton power point

RAPS

Personas

Timeline

Testing protocol

Project presentation power point

Paper describing your project

Code you have written for your project