Course Description: Application of computer science and computer engineering concepts, principles and practices to develop a research, applied software development, or computer engineering project. The student will analyze, design, document, implement and deliver a presentation and written report of a research project or software/hardware system of moderate complexity under the supervision of the instructor and/or other faculty. Includes a discussion of ethical, professional and contemporary issues in technology and the impact of computing technology in a global and societal context. Students may propose their own project or select from projects assigned by the instructor. Proposed projects must be approved by the instructor. Students may work individually or in groups; group projects are expected to have a larger scope than individual projects. Class meetings will include lectures on software design & engineering, presentations, walk-throughs, structured reviews, and other activities and exercises that will provide the information and structure needed to complete the project in one semester. Additional lectures will discuss professional issues, the local and global impact of computing on society, and professional ethics, especially relating to the computing industry, and intellectual property.
This course is also used for CS and CSE Program assessment; the goal of assessment is to measure how well the program is meeting its intended goals. One mechanism for assessment is an ETS Field Test that will be required by all CS (but not CSE) students. The other is your project deliverables. They will be evaluated by other faculty members but only your instructor is responsible for assigning your course grade.
This course is also a GER Integrative Capstone course. The central goal of the Integrative Capstone category is to require students to synthesize across GER domains. Integrative Capstone courses give students the opportunity to develop and apply the collaborative working skills, critical thinking skills, and intensive written and oral communication skills that lead to an understanding of the fundamental interrelations among disciplinary skills and perspectives, as well as the distinctive viewpoints of the disciplines. You may be required to complete a survey regarding the GER assessment outcomes. Examples of your work (with any identifying information removed) may also be collected and evaluated for the purpose of GER assessment.
Instructional Goals: The instructor will:
Student Outcomes: Students will be able to:
In addition, the GER Integrative Capstone Outcomes state that students shall demonstrate:
Homework Assignments: Most of the assignments in this class represent milestones toward the completion of your project. This includes the following:
CS majors must complete the CS Major Field Test. This is not required for CSE majors.
Questions: If you have any questions, feel free to come in to my office. In general, I have an open door policy -- if I am available in my office, you are welcome to come by. An even better way to reach me is through email. I check my email frequently and you should receive a response quickly. Email is preferred over telephone and you will probably receive a faster response since I don't check voicemail very frequently.
Exams: There are no exams in this course.
Resources: If you require a dedicated computer, tablet, or other equipment to complete your project then we will try to provide it for you, on a first-come first-serve basis. We have some budget to purchase electronic supplies such as circuits, chips, sensors, etc. but such budget requests must be in as soon as possible. Starting February we may begin spending down our department budget. Be aware that any purchases by the department belong to UAA, not to you, so you may not be able to keep items purchased after the semester.
Grading: Grading for this course is letter grade. I am trying an outcomes-based grading scheme this semester. There are 10 outcomes (2 are different for CS and CSE). Each outcome makes up 10% of your overall grade. The outcomes and rubrics are posted on the website. By the end of the semester you must create a website (essentially an e-portfolio) that has materials that demonstrates your understanding of each outcome. For each outcome you should have some text describing what you have done to meet the outcome and some work artifact (e.g. code, document) that demonstrates your achievement. It is expected that most of the materials posted will come from this class, although you could pick selected items from outside tWe will say more about the portfolio in class. Other items you must complete:
An incomplete or deferred grade will only be given for a valid excuse (e.g. medical reasons, death in the family, etc.). If you are unable to complete your project in the semester simply because you got too busy, then you will you receive an F or DF grade and must re-take the course in the future. This means that you should choose your project carefully to ensure that the scope of the work may be completed in a semester. be completed in a semester.
Cheating: Students are expected to uphold the UAA standard of conduct relating to academic dishonesty outlined in the UAA catalog and student handbook. Cheating is not tolerated and constitutes grounds for dismissal. For this class, it is permissible and encouraged to assist classmates in general discussions of how to complete your projects. It is not permissible to copy another's work (or portions of it) and represent it as your own. Note that this does not preclude you from using publicly available libraries or subcomponents in the completion of your project, but you should note authorship where appropriate.