CPCS 498: Graduation Project I

Course Information

Course Title: Graduation Project I

Credits: 1 credit

Prerequisites: 110 Earned Credits and graduating the following semester.

Prerequisites to: CPCS499 (Graduation Project II)

Text Book: Projects in Computing and Information Systems - A Students Guide. 2nd Edition, Christian Dawson. ISBN-978-0-273-72131-4, ISBN-ISBN 978-0-273-72131-4

Course Description

This course is the first part of a sequence of two courses that constitue the BSc graduation capstone project. In this part, the student is expected to propose, analize, and design a software system or conduct a thorough investigation of a particular CS-related problem for research-based projects. The student will deliver oral presentations and written reports.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

By the end of this course the students are expected to be able to:

Identify a CS-related problem.
Analyze the problem and develop an initial solution.
Demonstrate his ability to work independently and as part of a team with colleagues and advisors utilizing good work dynamics.
Plan effectively for the various project lifecycle activities.
Conduct an effective literature survey and be able to contrast and critique related work.
Generate and articulate functional requirements and a preliminary design of the system/project.
The student will demonstrate a level of effectiveness expected by employers when he produces written documents, delivers oral presentations, and develops, prepares and interprets visual information.
Produce an academic proposal.

Grading*

Supervisor 30% Coordinator 30% Committee40%

Note: Students are expected to attend the lectures classes, and to participate in all project activities. Missing more 25% of the lectures will result in DN.

(*See related documents for grade distribution).

Tentative Schedule
Week # / Ch / Subject: Topics / CLO / SO / Assessment Tool / Mark / Week#
1 & 2 / 1 / Course Syllabus, introducing forms, Introduction: What is a project? What is CS? What is a computing project? Importance of projects, Degree requirements, stakeholders, List of CS department professors, suggested projects.
Student Academic Advisor Approval From is Due. / 1 / A / Report I / 3 / 9
Final Report / 5 / 15
3 / 2 / Areas of CS, CS research? The research process, classifying research, research method, plagiarism and consequences of plagiarism, choosing a topic, choosing a group. / 1, 3 / A, E / Report I / 3 / 9
Final Report / 5 / 15
4 / 3 / Choosing a project and writing a proposal.
Group Formation Form is Due. / 7 / F / Report I / 9
Final Report / 5 / 15
5 / - / Initial Student Presentations: Project title, description, motivation and aims. / 1, 7 / A, F, H
6 / 4 / Project planning, project process, project management activities, work breakdown, time estimates, milestones, activity sequencing, activity network, scheduling, Gantt charts, replanning. / 4 / I / Report I / 5 / 9
7 / 5 / Literature Survey: Search and Review, tracing the information, critical evaluation, writing literature review, referencing in IEEE format, ethics and responsibilities. / 5 / B, F / Report I / 10 / 9
Final Report / 5 / 15
8 / 6 / Software Development, life cycle, models.
Assistance in Writing progress Report / 4 / I / Report I / 3 / 9
9 / - / Student Presentations I: Project Proposal: problem definition, objectives, justification, and approach.
Progress Report I is Due / 1, 7 / A, E, F, H
10 / 6 / The initial Design/the Analysis Stage: System requirements specification, Functional and non-functional requirements, data, software and hardware requirements, SE and Database diagrams. / 2 / B, C, I, J / Report II / 3 / 12
Final Report / 5 / 15
Final Presentation / 5 / 15
11 / 8 / Presenting projects in written format. / 7 / F / Final Report / 5 / 15
12 / 9 / Presentation Skills
Progress Report II is Due / 2, 6, 7 / A, B, C, F, H / Final Presentation / 5 / 15
13 / - / Progress Report II Feedback discussion / 7 / F
14 / - / Student Presentations II: literature survey, analysis, and design. / 2, 5, 6, 7 / B, C,F, H
15 / - / Final Presentation & Final Report (Committee) / 6, 7, 8 / B, F, H
7 / E, I / Reports I & II
Presentation I & II / 30 / Throughout the Semester
3 / D / In Progress Monitoring / 3 / Throughout the Semester
Student Outcomes Covered by the Course

a)An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, computing, science, and engineering appropriate to the discipline

Students apply knowledge of computing and design to a semester-long project

b)An ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution

Students are expected to arrive at the solution by themselves and attempt as a group to design and implement a system that solves the identified problem

c)An ability to design, implement and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component or program to meet desired requirements

Students are required to write programs individually and then combine them to produce a complex system as a group

d)An ability to function effectively on teams to accomplish a common goal

Students form a team at the beginning of the semester and work collaboratively to produce one cohesively functioning system.

e)An understanding of professional, ethical, legal and social issues and responsibilities

Students are required to carry out equal responsibility as a contributing team member. Students are required to assess other teammate’s performance as part of the final project assessment and writing requirement. Students are made aware of the grave consequences of plagiarism in their reports.

f)An ability to communicate effectively

Students discuss the system design and implementation throughout the semester among group members. Students give two intermediary reports during the semester and the final presentation at the end of the semester.

g)An ability to analyze the local and global impact of computing on individuals, organizations and society, including ethical, legal, security and global policy issues

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h)A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage continuing professional development

Students exercise their public presentation skills and writing skills.

i)An ability to use the current techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practices

Students pick and choose state-of-the-art tools and implementation platforms.

j)An ability to apply mathematical foundations, algorithmic principles, and computer science theory in the modeling and design of computer based systems in a way that demonstrates comprehension of the tradeoffs involved in design choices

Students apply knowledge of computing and design to a semester-long project.

k)An ability to apply design and development principles in the construction of software systems of varying complexity

Students design and implement in modern programming languages or use hardware platforms and modules that are currently available. Students combine multiple components by individual to produce a complex system.