INF 466: Independent Research in Informatics
Day/Time:Tuesday and Thursday 8:45 – 10:05 AM
Location:HU 109
Instructor:Dr. Michael D. Young
Contact:
Office Location and Hours:
Tuesday and Thursday HU B-16 10:15 – 11:15 AM
342 Draper Hall by appointment
Course Information:
This INF 466 is a project-based class with the CEHC Director of Experiential Learning and External Partnerships and Director of Student Services as clients.
This will be an end-to-end requirements analysis, design, implementation, documentation, training, and delivery of an information system to assist the directors in their daily tasks. Desired skills include business analysis, UX, DBA, SQL, ETL, report building, project management, etc etc.
Course Structure and Requirements:
Students will be assigned to functional teams based in the needs of the clients. There will be 2-3 teams (core database, student services, and experiential learning) along with a project manager.
The development approach will be AGILE with iterative deliveries and requirement refinements. If you are not familiar with AGILE, see:
There are no assigned reading students are expected to research the information and techniques necessary to deliver a functional and valuable project that satisfies the clients’ requirements.
Course Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to accomplish the following activities:
- Effectively listen to the client, understand the needs of the client, interact with the client’s staff, and respond to the needs of the client.
- Apply knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to respond to the needs of the client (with the assistance of the faculty mentor).
- Communicate professionally and effectively in the written final report and the oral presentation. Work independently with limited oversight from the faculty mentor and client.
- Work effectively in development teams using listening and communication skills, effectively manage conflicts, optimize resources and meet deadlines.
- Identify and address ethical and interpersonal issues that arise during the project.
Prerequisites: Senior standing or permission of instructor.
Grading:
Thiscourse is A-E graded using the sample UAlbany scale (see:
Assessments:
- Time sheets; 5% (10 at 0.5% each)
All students will track and report the time they spend on 410. Beginning February 13th reports must be submitted every Tuesday whether class is in session or not. An Excel timesheet template will be provided.
- Work Plan; 5%.
The students will develop and update a work-plan for the semester that includes tasks, estimates of required effort, interim products, milestones, revision time and deadlines. Reasons for changes in deadlines or assignment must be documented.
- Work Plan Management; 5%.
Over the course of the semester the teams will document changes in deadlines or assignments and will be evaluated on how well they manage their work and changes to their work plan.
- Draft Oral Presentation: 10%.
All students are required to participate in the oral presentation in a visible manner and to interact with the clients.
- Draft Project: 15%.
The students will jointly produce one or moreprototypes developed according to client requirements.
- Final Presentation: 20%.
All students are required to participate in the oral presentation in a visible manner and to interact with the clients.
- Final Software Project:40%.
The students will jointly produce functional software and documentation.
Evaluation of Team Members: Course grades are largely based on group products. Therefore, twice during the semester students will rate the performance of their fellow teammates. Based on these evaluations, individualcourse grades will be adjusted to account for an overall assessment of superior and inferior teamwork. This provision is designed to minimize free riding in teams.
Course Schedule:
Dates / Session Topic / Assignments/NotesJan. 23 / Introduction.
Process discussion.
Jan. 25 / Requirements Meeting with Clients
Jan. 30 / Create teams and begin planning
Feb. 1 / What, who, how, and when? Task decomposition and team assignments.
- What needs to be accomplished?
- Who will accomplish each task?
- How are we going to do it?
- When are we going to do it?
Feb. 6 / Progress Reports & Team Meetings / Initial work plan due with assignment due dates for teams.
Feb. 8 / Team Meetings
Feb. 13 / Progress Reports & Team Meetings
Feb. 15 / Team Meeting
Feb. 20 / Progress Reports & Team Meetings
Feb. 22 / Team Meetings
Feb. 27 / Progress Reports & Team Meetings
Mar. 1 / Team Meeting
Mar. 6 / Progress Reports & Team Meetings
Mar. 8 / Team Meetings / Evaluation of Team Members due.
Mar. 13 / No class
Mar. 15
Mar. 21 / Progress Reports & Team Meetings
Mar. 23 / Meeting with Clients
Mar. 28 / Progress Reports & Team Meetings
Mar. 30 / Team Meetings
Apr. 3 / Progress Reports & Team Meetings
Apr. 5 / Team Meetings
Apr. 10 / Progress Reports & Team Meetings
Apr.12 / Team Meetings
Apr. 17 / Progress Reports & Team Meetings / Written Draft Due
Apr. 19 / Team Meetings / Draft Presentation Due.
Apr. 24 / Draft Presentation of Report to Clients / Written Draft and Oral Presentation Due
Apr. 26 / Progress Reports & Team Meetings
May 1 / Team Meetings
May 3 / Progress Reports & Team Meetings
May 8 / Presentation run-through / External audience will be invited.
May 12 / Final Presentations to Client
3:30-5:30 pm. / Final Report and Presentation Due
Evaluation of Team Members
Policies:
Attendance:Grades for this course are largely derived from group products and group members are dependent on each other therefore,attendance is mandatory.Students missing a class session without prior approval of their team or documentation of an emergency medical situation will be penalized5% of the course grade per occurrence.UAlbany’s medical excuse policy can be reviewed at:
Participation: The value of each student’s participation will be evaluated by their group members and student grades will be adjusted accordingly.
Disability Policy:Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with documented physical, sensory, systemic, medical, cognitive, learning and mental health (psychiatric) disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring accommodation in this class, please notify the Disability Resource Center (518- 442-5490; ). Upon verification and after the registration process is complete, the DRC will provide you with a letter that informs the course instructor that you are a student with a disability registered with the DRC and list the recommended reasonable accommodations.
Academic Dishonesty Policy: Students are expected to comply with the University at Albany’s Community Rights and Responsibilities. An incident of unethical conduct (e.g. cheating, plagiarism) or classroom disruption will result in a grade of E for the course and referral to the appropriate Departmental and University Committees. More information on academic integrity is available at the following website:
Grade Complaints: Students or teams that feel their exams or assignments have been graded incorrectly should follow a three-step procedure. First, the student or team carefully reads the exam or assignment and identifies the precise problem(s) with the grading. Second, the student or team sends a written appeal explaining why their answer was appropriate to the instructor. Third, the instructor meets with the student or team to discuss the appeal and resolve the conflict.
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