COMP SCI 2008 - Topics in Computer Science

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

Introduction to a specialised area of Computer Science. Topics include theoretical and applied aspects of Computer Science. Combines guided reading and research with a significant individual or group project component.

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Course Details

Course Code	COMP SCI 2008
Course	Topics in Computer Science
Coordinating Unit	Computer Science
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	6
Contact	Up to 4 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	COMP SCI 1103, COMP SCI 1104
Restrictions	Only available to students enrolled in B. Computer Science (Advanced)
Assessment	Reports, Practical Assignments and / or Exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Professor Gustavo Carneiro

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Develop skills in independent project work and research.
2. Acquire knowledge in a selected area of contemporary computer science.
3. Improve communication skills in reporting findings of the study.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	Knowledge in a selected area of contemporary computer science.
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	Skills in independent project work and research.
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	Skills in independent project work and research.
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	Skills in independent project work and research. Communication skills in reporting findings of the study.
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	All
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	Skills in independent project work and research.
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	Skills in independent project work and research.
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	N/A

Learning Resources

Required Resources

May vary with topic but generally access to internet and computer.

Online Learning

Will require contact with project mentor/supervisor, and formal presentation of work, but otherwise could all be done online.

Learning & Teaching Modes

In this course, the student will meet regularly with the project supervisor, and once a week meet with the course coordinator to discuss the progress of the project.

This course aims to introduce students to a range of fundamental research and project development skills. The course will be taught through a combination of meetings with the course supervisor and the project supervisor.

The meetings with the course coordinator are to assess the weekly progress of the project and discuss the expected outcomes. During these meetings, the student will make an informal presentation that will be assessed by the course coordinator. The meetings with the project supervisor are to discuss the details of the development of the project.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Students are expected to spend 20 hours per six unit course. This includes approximately 2 hours of contact time per week (one hour with the project supervisor and one hour with the course coordinator), and approximately 18 hours of independent study time.

Learning Activities Summary

week	topic	lecturer	presentation	written project and system
1	Introduction and supervisor matching	GC
2	Problem identification	GC	Presentation 1
3	Literature review	GC	Presentation 2
4	Literature review	GC	Presentation 3
5	Research hypothesis	GC	Presentation 4
6	Specification and design of project	GC	Presentation 5


7	Specification and design of project	GC	Presentation 6
8	Hypothesis testing and experiments	GC	Presentation 7
9	Hypothesis testing and experiments	GC	Presentation 8
10	Hypothesis testing and experiments	GC	Presentation 9
11	Results communication	GC	Presentation 10
12	Results communication	GC	Poster and demo presentation to the School of Computer Science	Submission of project and system

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Task	Weighting	Learning objectives
Written Project	30%	1,2,3
System	30%	1,2
Poster and demo presentation	20%	3
Mid-term Presentations (10 presentations during the semester)	20%	3

Assessment Related Requirements

Students must obtain at least 40% in the written project and mid-term presentations components, and 50% overall, to pass the course.

Assessment Detail

Written report: this will be a 6-8 page conference format paper. This paper will ideally be at a stage that can potentially be submitted to a conference of reasonable reputation.

System: this will typically consist of a program showing the development of the project and experiments.

Poster and demo: intended to be used as a conference style presentation, where the audience will be the faculty and students of the School of Computer Science.

Mid-term Presentations: 10 minute presentation showing the fortnightly progress of the student.

Assessment	Type	Proportion of that Assessment	Due Week	Learning Objectives		CBOK Mappping*
					Problem Solving (abstraction and design)	Professional Knowledge (interpersonal communications)	Technology Resources (data and information)	Technology Building (programming, HCI, system development)
Mid-term present.1	Formative and Summative	4%	week3	1,2,3	5	5	5	5
Mid-term present.2	Formative and Summative	4%	week5	1,2,3	5	5	5	5
Mid-term present.3	Formative and Summative	4%	week7	1,2,3	5	5	5	5
Mid-term present.4	Formative and Summative	4%	week9	1,2,3	5	5	5	5
Mid-term present.5	Formative and Summative	4%	week11	1,2,3	5	5	5	5
Written report	Formative and Summative	30%	week12	1,2,3	5	5	5	5
System	Formative and Summative	30%	week12	1,2,3	5	3	5	5
Poster present.	Formative and Summative	20%	week12	1,2,3	5	5	5	5

Submission

Written projects and system will be submitted online, please refer to each assignment description for details.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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