# CS4983 Guidebook

2022-2023

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 page for the [[template|cs4997/cover]]);

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.

### Timeliness:

Unexcused late submissions will not be accepted.

#  

# 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.

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.

### Timeliness:

Unexcused late submissions will not be accepted.

#  

# 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.

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.

### Timeliness:

Unexcused late submissions will not be accepted.

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 \"Senior Report Conference 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

For Fall 2020, seminars will be presented using Microsoft Teams

CS4983 students are expected to attend the other seminars in their term.

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.