CSC 385 :: Semester Project
Spring 2008
Due: Class presentation – as scheduled during last 2 weeks of class.
Paper – December 2
Components:
1. Research: Study a specialized area of computer science.
2. Program: Write a program to implement a key concept.
3. Presentation: Present your work to the class orally.
4. Paper: Hand in a 5-10 page paper describing your work.
5. Abstract: Hand in a 1-2 paragraph description of your project. Examples are here.
6. References: In keeping with the iNewton Principle, your paper must have at least 3 used references.
How to Submit:
A. Place in one folder the following:
1. An abstract of your paper/project
2. Your paper
3. A copy of the your PowerPoint presentation
4. A couple of pages of your program code
B. Zip the entire folder
C. Email it all to me
D. Also hand in a hard copy of your paper
Milestones:
1. Weekly Meeting/Report: Each week you will meet with me & submit a typed report on the progress of your work.
2. Reqmts & Specs: During week #3 you will bring a written description of the analysis and specs of your proposed project.
3. Oral Research Report: You will gain experience for your presentation by giving a preliminary description of your area of study and current research in that area.
4. Oral Report Critique: You will fill out a critique form for each of your classmates making suggestions for improving their presentation style.
5. Presentation Attendance: Attendance at the presentations of your classmates is mandatory. Otherwise you will lose points from your project grade.
6. Presentation: You will present your work to the class in an oral report using PowerPoint or equivalent presentation software. Try to strike a good balance between background information, overview and critical details. Here are some pointers.
7. Paper: You will hand in a 5-10 page paper describing your work.
Grading:
1. Weekly Meeting/Report: 10 points.
2. Reqmts & Specs: 10 points.
3. Oral Research Report: 10 points.
4. Presentation: 20 points.
5. Paper: 20 points.
6. Project: 130 points.
Logos-Telos-Teleios Design Triad:
1. Logos: Choose a specific cognitive issue in computer science to study and apply.
2. Telos: Describe in terms of personas the goals of typical users;
Describe the goals of your program & how they help the user meet her/his goals.
Design a program to achieve that goal.
3. Teleios: Implement the program and test it under a variety of circumstances.
Comments:
1. Concept: It is important that your project be tied to an identifiable concept. Your research should be geared toward mastering that concept and embodying that mastery in a concrete implementation.
Applying knowledge already gained to a new setting or learning a new language will not be viewed as favorably as learning a new framework to apply to a difficult programming problem; or learning a new idea that brings order to a chaotic and amorphous programming task; or in some other way finding new logical underpinnings which give the programmer leverage for project development.
2. Creativity: You may exercise creativity in research and program development.
3. iNewton Principle: Stand on the shoulders of giants.
4. Value Added: Do not submit a project you did in another class.
If you use previous work and build upon it, you must demonstrate the value added.
Similarly, if you use work that others have done, show in what way you have added value to that work.
5. Grading: The kinds of things that will be considered.
6. Project Choice: Choose a project that is appropriate for you and your abilities.
Do not choose a project that is beyond your abilities nor a project that makes only minimal use of your talents.
Be careful of quicksand projects which bog you down in enormous expenditures of time without commensurate progress.
7. Team Projects: You may work with one or two classmates as a team, but only if you receive prior permission from the instructor. Each team member must make his/her own presentation and submit their own paper.
8. Presentation: Here are some pointers on the Oral Report and project presentation.
Power Point:
Some links for learning Power Point:
www.ac.wwu.edu/~chalmers/PowerPoint/Power Point 2000 intro.ppt
www.idemployee.id.tue.nl/g.w.m.rauterberg/lecturenotes/ID lecture-7/ID lecture-7.PPT