COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Prefix/Number: COT5930

Course Title: CS and SE Seminar

Course Credit Hours: 3

Instructor Name and Contact Information:

          Dr. Ed Rodgers

          Email: erodgers@uwf.edu

          Phone: 474-2581

          Office: Building 79, room 124.

Prerequisites or Co-Requisites: graduate or senior standing

Course Description: This course is designed to encourage students to pursue computer science and software engineering research in a topic of their interest and to prepare a report and PowerPoint presentation of their findings. The nature of the research could be to investigate a topic not normally covered in the degree program or to research a covered area in more depth. Depending upon a student's interest, the research paper could take the form of an informative report, an analytical or argumentative paper based upon a review of the literature, an interesting or unusual application, or the results of an empirical study. At the end of the term, students will share their knowledge with the rest of the class.

This is not meant to be a "thesis"- type course, but rather a less formal way for students to gain more knowledge in an area of personal interest. Although the intent of the course is to encourage a student to gain more knowledge, it is possible that a student could produce a research paper which would enhance their present job, could be the basis for presentation at a professional conference, or could be used for later development into a thesis proposal or article.

Goals: Upon completion of the course, students will have demonstrated the ability to select, investigate, and report the results of research in an appropriate topic in software engineering or computer science.

About this Course: This course is delivered completely online, thus a student must have consistent access to the Internet. Learning at a distance is a very different, but a very convenient environment. Students will generally set their own schedules, participate in any class activities at their convenience, and work at their own pace.

Students may want to incorporate these tips to get started:

• Set a time each week (schedule) to:
• Check the course web site to determine tasks for the week.
• Check the course web site frequently throughout the week for updates.
  
  
  
• Within the first week, become familiar with the site and how to use it.
• It is a tool to help you learn!
  
  
  
• When necessary, team up with your classmates to discuss class assignments and questions you might have.
  
  
  
• Check the Classlist link ? for fellow student biography information and email addresses.
  
  
  
• Ask questions when you need answers. There is a Q&A link in the Discussion section.

• If you have problems, contact the instructor early.

Topics & Student Learning Outcomes (Note: Students will NOT be tested over these topics---they are provided to help guide a student's progress in investigating and reporting their selected research topic):

1. Conducting Research
• Review the general aspects of topic investigation.
• Review the various methods of research.

2. Selecting a Topic
• Consider the personal value of the research.
• Determine a list of proposed topics.
• Select topic for investigation.

3. Getting Started
• Determine the purpose of the research
• Consider possible approaches and research tools.
• Select an approach and plan to investigate the selected topic.

4. Framing the Research
• If an informative report, state the nature and purpose of the topic.
• If an analytical report, describe the aspect of the topic to be analyzed.
• If an argumentative thesis, state the thesis to be supported.
• If an interesting or unusual application, state the nature of the application and where it is applied.
• If an experimental exercise, state the hypothesis to be tested.

5. Locating Research Sources
• Review resources available through the UWF library.
• Review professional journals appropriate to the chosen topic.
• Search appropriate Internet sources.

6. Conducting Literature Research
• Identify and review potential sources
• Select relevant sources for critical analysis
• Create an annotated bibliography of selected sources

7. Conducting Internet Research
• Identify and review potential sources
• Select relevant sources for critical analysis
• Create an annotated bibliography of selected sources

8. Conducting Experimental and Observational Research
• Review methods for conducting primary research
• Devise a test and evaluation plan
• Review experimental design methods
• Identify test subject sources
• Review statistical analysis methods

9. Creating the Outline
• Identify the purpose of the report.
• Develop the topic, thesis, or hypothesis.
• List ideas for development.
• Arrange material into subsections.
• Create headings for main and subsections.

10. Writing Research Papers
• Review library sources for advice on reporting the results of research.
• Review Internet sources for advice on reporting the results of research.

11. Research Paper Style and Format
• Review technical writing styles and formats.
• Review APA writing style and format.
• Select a style appropriate to the research method.
  
12. Creating the First Draft
• Using the outline as a guide, review notes for each topic.
• Summarize and paraphrase ideas for each topic.
• Develop the introductory paragraph in more detail.
13. Creating the Second Draft
• Review notes for each topic.
• Expand paraphrased ideas for each topic.
• Develop each paragraph in more detail.
14. Making Revisions
• Review sources for revising the outline and draft.
• Apply checklists to ensure clarity of expression.
• Apply checklists to ensure conformance to purpose.
• If a thesis or hypothesis is used, ensure that arguments are supported.
• Ensure that conclusions reflect content.
• Proofread and have others critique the paper.

15. Preparing the PowerPoint Presentation
• Read guidelines for effective PowerPoint presentations.
• Plan the format and style of the presentation.
• Organize the content.
• Assume that the viewer is knowledgeable about CS, SE, or IT but may know little or nothing about your particular topic---be informative, but not condescending.
• Prepare your presentation so that it would take about 20 seconds a slide to read and comprehend, and could be completed in about 10 minutes.
• Try to leave a clear, lasting impression of the most important nature of your study to the viewer.

Texts:

Required texts: None. Students should refer to the APA style links provided.

Recommended texts: None

Required Materials:

Internet Access
E-mail Account

Grading / Evaluation: IMPORTANT: Be sure to meet deadlines---the cutoff time for assignments is 11:59 p.m. on the due date listed in the Assignment section of each week's Content.

The course grade will be determined as follows:

Proposed Idea: 10%

Paper Outline + references: 10%

Updated Outline+ opening paragraphs + more references: 10%

First Draft: 10%

Second Draft: 10%

Final Paper: 20%

PowerPoint Presentation: 25%

Critique of Classmate's Presentation: 5%

Final Paper: The final paper should be 12-15 pages (about 4500-5500 words) in length, plus a Title page and a References page.  Submit your paper as a Word document using 12 pt. Times New Roman, 1 inch margins, 1.5 spacing, APA Style. 

PowerPoint Presentation: The PowerPoint presentation should contain about 40 slides. (These are just guidelines---but prepare no fewer than 35 and no more than 45 slides). You may enhance this any way you like, but only use things that are readily accessible by everyone.

References/Bibliography:

See the UWF Library Website and other Web resources.

Special Technology Utilized by Students: This course is totally online. All instructional content and interaction takes place over the Internet. See About the Course, Topics, and Student Learning Outcomes for additional requirements.

Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy:

See the UWF Student Handbook for policies regarding academic conduct and plagiarism.

Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will be grounds for punishment for academic misconduct.

To learn more about plagiarism and to avoid it, see Indiana University site or Georgetown University site

ASSISTANCE:

Students with a documented disability who require specific examination or course related academic accommodations should contact the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) by e-mail at sdrc@uwf.edu or by phone at (850) 474-2387.