Sudharsan Iyengar Ming
Ma
siyengar@winona.edu ming.ma@winona.edu
Watkins 103D Watkins
103C
Course Description
This
course is an undergraduate research seminar designed to study research methods
in computer science and to support students in the implementation of an
independent student project. Student projects can be a software development
project, a survey project or a research project. With the help of faculty, students choose an
appropriate project/thesis to study. Computer science research methods are
introduced and the various forms of technical writing common to computer
science are studied. Students conduct their research/implement their project,
write a technical paper as a result, and present their findings during the
year-end senior technical conference.
Students also read and critically review several computer science
journal articles. This course serves to give students some motivation for
pursuing graduate studies.
Course Text: Writing for
Computer Science, Third Edition, Justin Zobel. The pdf of this book will be
made available for the class.
Course Goals
Goal
1:
Students will learn to analyze and interpret unfamiliar computer science
technical topics.
Goal
2:
Students will learn to use common computer science research and reporting techniques.
Goal
3:
Students will practice their written and oral communication skills.
Goal
4: Students will apply skills and knowledge from
earlier CS courses to the development of an independent, in-depth project.
Student Learning
Objectives
Students
should be able to:
Assessment of Objectives
Assessment
Activity |
Targeted
Learning Objectives |
Research
Paper |
1,2,4,5,6,8 |
Oral
Presentation of Research Paper |
4,7 |
Poster
Presentation of Research |
2,4,7 |
Technical
Paper Review |
1,3,8 |
In-class
participation |
1,6,8 |
Assessed Components
Note: The class
participation and preparation grade will be assigned based on the quality of a
student's participation. This means that each student should demonstrate,
on a weekly basis, that he/she has done the reading and other assigned work for
the given week. Assessment is based on, but not limited to, class
attendance, consistency of participation, support of statements and opinions,
relevance and timeliness of questions, and enthusiasm for learning.
POLICIES
Attendance
and Tardiness:
Attendance
will not be taken but will be factored into each student's participation
grade. Late arrival is disruptive to student learning. Any student
who is persistently late will be impacted negatively in the class participation
category.
Examinations,
Quizzes, Homework, Program Assignments:
There
are no quizzes or examinations in this course.
Academic
Ethics:
All
students are to complete course work in a manner in keeping with the highest
standards of academic honesty. Students engaging in academically
dishonest acts will be subject to disciplinary sanctions, which may include
dismissal from the University.
Commitment to Inclusive Excellence:
Using difference and diverse
perspectives to deepen understanding lies at the heart of WSU’s dedication to
improving the world. In this course, the
principle and practice of academic diversity, in its many different facets,
will be used to enhance the education of all members of the course. Differences in the
personal and social identity of the students and instructors in the course,
such as ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and
socioeconomic background, offer a rich source of information. As such, students are encouraged to put
forward a variety of informed, well-considered, and civilly expressed
perspectives in the classroom and in their coursework. Additionally,
students who have experienced disadvantage as a seeming result of difference
are encouraged to speak with one of the instructors early in the term about
their concerns and appropriate accommodations.