CS4983 Guidebook
This guidebook outlines the requirements for CS4983 deliverables in the order they are due. Students are encouraged to start immediately so that the report can be completed and submitted in advance of the final examination period. Topics are not approved retroactively. Confidential or proprietary topics are not normally suitable. Students are expected to consult with their Supervisor on a regular and frequent basis throughout the CS4983 work.
The Proposal
Near the beginning of the term in which the student is registered to take CS4983, the student must submit a proposed topic that has been approved by the intended Supervisor. Each student is responsible for obtaining a suitable topic and supervisor. Students should consult faculty members' homepages for ideas, and have discussions with professors whose areas and/or topics are of interest. Students may choose their own topic and/or work with an external group/individual, but must have a C.S. faculty member as supervisor.
Delivered to:
Course Coordinator, via email
Supervisor
Contents:
A submittal (cover) letter (in correct business format) addressed and delivered to the CS4983 Coordinator and Supervisor;
The completed Proposal Cover Page (see course web site for the template);
A brief abstract (1 page maximum) outlining the scope and anticipated content of the topic; and
An initial bibliography, normally of 6 or more sources. At least one of these sources must be a non-on-line source.
The Supervisor's signature is required on the Proposal Cover Page. The Supervisor and Course Coordinator will evaluate the Proposal.
The Progress Reports
Progress Reports will keep your Supervisor and Course Coordinator up to-date on your progress and build confidence that the work will be completed correctly, and on time.
Delivered to:
Supervisor via email
Copied to the Course Coordinator
Contents:
Business email format
Outline the work accomplished, stating approximate percentage of the overall work that is completed
Must explicitly state whether or not the work is "on schedule".
Explanation of problems and the corrective action being taken if not on schedule.
Assessment:
The Progress Reports will be graded by the Supervisor and returned to the student. The grade will be based on the quality of the document and the degree to which the progress is satisfactory.
The Report
The report describes the formal results of your work and should clearly communicate what you did, what you discovered and what you think as a result of it. It demonstrates competent organization, writing and formatting, in addition to understanding of the topic under study.
Delivered to:
Course Coordinator, via email
Supervisor
Contents:
A submittal (cover) letter (in correct business format) addressed to the Course Coordinator and Supervisor;
Components: Title Page, Executive Summary, Table of Contents, Body of Report, Conclusions, Recommendations, and Bibliography (or References).
Bibliography/References will include several (normally 10 or more) properly documented sources and corresponding citations and references in the narrative to these source materials.
Report Format:
Reports will be typed in a standard 10 or 12-point font and will be double-spaced on standard 8.5x11 paper with one-inch margins on all four sides.
The text of the report, conclusions and recommendations is normally between 10 and 20 pages in length.
Assessment:
The Supervisor will assess the Report for form and content. If the Supervisor considers the Report unacceptable, the student will revise and resubmit it within a brief period of time, usually two weeks beyond the initial deadline. The CS4983 Supervisor will retain the Reports. The Report will be normally considered to be a public document; it may be made available to others on request in the future.
The Seminar
It is important to be able to tell others what you have discovered and be able to discuss and defend your work. A Seminar will be presented to Computer Science students, Computer Science faculty, Supervisors, and others on a designated day towards the end of term. Student and supervisor schedules will be coordinated and accommodated where possible and a Seminar Schedule will be posted by mid-term.
Delivered to:
Supervisor
Course Coordinator
Colleagues
Details:
Fifteen (15) minutes in length, with an additional five (5) minute question period
CS4983 students are expected to attend the other seminars in their term.
Assessment:
The CS4983 Coordinator and Supervisor (as well as other attending faculty members) will evaluate seminars, primarily on the basis of preparation, organization, and clarity of communication.