CS 5100 Graduate Seminar
Fall 2008
-
Professor
Cindy Norris
-
- Office: 107A CAP Building
- Email: can@cs.appstate.edu
- Phone: 262-2359
- Office hours: MW 9am-12pm; TR 3:30-5pm
- Class: T 9-9:50am in CAP 243
Course Goals
- Gain experience reading CS technical papers.
- Improve writing skills.
- Improve speaking skills.
- Gain an introduction to computer science research
and research/project proposal writing.
The precise topics that you will be reading/writing/speaking
about will be selected by members of the class. You will need
to come up with a research or project idea, study the background
needed to complete the research or project and ultimately,
write a research or project proposal. Along the way, you'll
write a bibliography for the proposal and give presentations
on papers listed in the bibliography. You'll write summaries
of papers presented by your classmates. You can work
with one other person on your research/project idea in which
case you would work together on the bibliography, research/project
proposal and the final presentation.
Grading Policies
Your grade will be determined by the following components:
- Bibliography, 10%
- Oral Presentations, 15%.
- Paper Summaries, 15%.
- Research/Project Proposal, 35%
- Final Presentation, 15%.
- Attendance, 10%.
Graded Components
- Bibliography:
You need to turn in a bibliography
that lists the materials (textbooks, journal articles, conference
proceedings, etc.) you'll need to study in order to prepare
your research/project proposal. This is due on September 9th.
- Oral Presentations:
You will take turns giving presentations on papers
related to your area of research/project. These presentations must be created
using a presentation tool such as powerpoint or open office impress
and be emailed to the instructor prior to classtime
on the day they are to be given.
- Paper summaries: If you are not presenting, you are required to turn
in a 1-2 page double-spaced,
12pt font, typed summary of the paper assigned that week. The summary is
due at the beginning of class. This is meant to ensure that everyone
reads the paper, not just the presenter.
- Research/Project Proposal A Research/Project Proposal
is a paper designed to convince the reader that you have a valuable
research or project idea, the necessary background to do the work
and a plan for getting the work done.
Your proposal should be 15-20 double-spaced pages in length, 1 inch
margins all around and 12 point font.
- Final Presentation: At the end of the semester, you will be required
to give a 10-15 minute presentation of your research/project proposal.
Your goal is to convince us to give you the "funds" you need to complete
your proposed work. You need to convince us: 1) you know what you are
talking about (you've done sufficient background study), 2) that the
work you are proposing makes some type of contribution
3) that the work you are proposing can be completed by you in a reasonable
period of time (less than a year).
The paper presentations will be given during the final exam period on
Friday, December 12, 12-2:30pm in CAP 243.
- Attendance: Four points will be taken from your grade up to a
maximum of ten points for each unexcused absence. If you think your
absence should be counted as excused, please send me an email indicating
you will be absent and why.
Final Grades
Final grades are based on a 10 point scale with +/- given within three
points of either end of the scale, i.e., 93-100, A, 90-92, A-, 87-89,
B+, 83-86, B, 80-82, B-, etc. If your grade falls within this range, you
are guaranteed to get at least the grade indicated. However, if all of the
grades are low, I will curve them at the end of the semester.
The grade of I (incomplete) will only be given in rare circumstances.
Web
Class handouts, including this one, can be found at
http://www.cs.appstate.edu/~can/classes/5100
Academic Integrity Code
The full version of the Academic Integrity Code can be found at
http://studentconduct.appstate.edu Here is a synopsis:
Students attending Appalachian State University agree to abide by the following
a. Students will not lie, cheat, or steal to gain academic advantage.
b. Students will oppose every instance of academic dishonesty.
Students shall agree to abide by the Academic Integrity Code when submitting
the admission application.
Accommodations to Students with a Disability
Appalachian State University is committed to making reasonable
accommodations for
individuals with documented qualifying disabilities
in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Those seeking
accommodations based on a substantially limiting disability must contact and
register with The Office of Disability Services (ODS) at
http://www.ods.appstate.edu/ or
828-262-3056. Once registration is complete, individuals will meet with
ODS staff to discuss eligibility
and appropriate accommodations.