adapted from c. casey project introduction.ppt computing degree projects an introduction to choosing...

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt

Computing Degree Projects

An introduction to choosing and initiating computing related projects


CO2403 and CO3808 CO2403 – Professional Skills Module CO3808 – Double Honours Degree Project CO3808 assumes students have got skills covered in CO2403 This may not be a safe assumption for the top-up course Normally very few lectures delivered to Final Year Students in

Project You have the opportunity to attend CO2403 lectures alongside

Project This weekly lecture session covers a variety of topics to

develop understanding of Projects and IT Professional Issues Some information may not be directly to both groups, but the

majority of information will be.


What is a Project? In the context of work

A clearly defined task to solve a recognisable problem In the context of your studies

A substantial piece of work demonstrating your ability – both academic and technical

A good student project should tackle a significant problem Require and demonstrate independence and initiative require research develop and demonstrate your communication skills require academic analysis and evaluation integrate theory and practice


What support will I get? Lectures

Project planning & Management Quality Issues Ethical Issues

Supervisor Guidance

Chris Casey’s Project Web site Point of reference

Other staff Resolve technical issues Develop broader ideas


My Role as the Project Tutor

Allocating supervisors ( I will supervise some students)

Coordinating the assessment General advice & delivering the

project lectures Resolving unexpected problems or

issues Dealing with plagiarism


Who can help with my Project? Your Supervisor will:

Monitor your progress Advise on technical & presentation issues Assess your work

They are allocated: Based on your proposal vs. staff expertise, interests

& work load Your Second Reader will

Independently assess your work mini-paper, project report & poster session

Consultants or other staff may provide Specific technical advice for popular areas


Academic Requirements

Finding, organising and reviewing relevant information

Gathering Information (Research) Internet, books & magazines Journals (printed or online) Library electronic resources

Where are the skills used? Mini-Paper Literature Review / Background Project Report and Critical Evaluation


Finding a Project and Mini Paper Find an idea

magazines: articles, advertisements your studies, members of staff from previous projects (must develop further!) business contacts, work placements Internet

Developers’ sites, user groups Discuss with

potential supervisors, project tutor colleagues

Investigate books, journals, magazines, Internet, etc. feasibility: outline designs, resources


The Mini-Paper An extended discussion (approx 4000

words) on a topic of your choice that is closely related to your Project

Tackles an interesting question based on published literature

Uses academic material & references Should support your project and feed

into your technical plan


Writing the Mini-Paper Find a topic & a focus tightly

computing-related question directly related to you project controversy, alternatives, discussion, evaluation.

Find relevant material Must review several relevant articles Change the focus to fit the material that is readily available

Organise (structure) the material Introduce your topic Present discussions (for and against) Draw and re-affirm your conclusions

Write and review the mini-paper Plan the words per section Make sure each paragraph is relevant and referenced


Some Examples #1 Online Booking System (e.g. hotel

or a leisure centre) Involves linking a Database to a Web

Interface What makes it sufficiently complex?

Database needs to be complex? Are the functions required challenging? Is there a real client to introduce real

issues – this will help generate the complexity?


Some Examples #2 Online shopping site generator

Take information about products Allow user to select from a template Generate an “e-commerce” site

Complexity Manage by incremental development

1. General site2. Convert site to framework3. Introduce templates


Some Examples #3 Computer Based Teaching Package

Must be interactive, not simply presenting information

Should be more than a multiple-choice quiz involve randomness of questions Storage and analysis of results Various levels of difficulty

Part of the complexity may be in evaluation of its effectiveness

Proper experimental design and data collection and analysis


Some Examples #4 Log File Analyser

Take log files from tool & process and present information in an appropriate format

Complexity would depend on The type of information The type of processing The range of facilities

Can be developed incrementally Configuration File Editor

Many applications (especially Linux based Apps) require a configuration file to set up the software before it is started

Develop a GUI interface to allow easier configuration of such packages

Complexity could again be in analysing the effectiveness of the tool produced


Evaluating the idea

Is it appropriately challenging? Is there a demonstrable, testable product? Does it allow you to demonstrate your

ability? Does it allow scope for originality? Are there alternatives to be evaluated? Is it more substantial than an assignment? Is it large but with repetition of skills?


Is it achievable? Are you confident of making a workable demo / full product? Are the required resources available? Is there relevant supervisory expertise? Is there serious published literature? Is your background relevant? If it seems too easy then:

Turn a comparison into an implementation Add an investigation of a relevant area Find a client to introduce real life complexities

If it seems too complex then: Identify staged objectives Narrow the focus


Writing a Project Proposal Content

Background - context & relevant literature

The problem Ethical issues Your approach Specific objectives Resources and availability Plan: Activity Diagram

Submit by the deadline ()


Initial Draft - ASAP A brief description Indicating

what you want to do the key challenges to be overcome availability of resources in sufficient detail to judge suitability

Discuss with Project Tutor (me) as soon as you can and I will direct you to a Potential Supervisor to discuss further


How is the Project Assessed Detailed assessment criteria in project

handbook Largely a Professional Approach

structured approach not ‘hack and waffle’ standards, documentation, testing and

evaluation well-written report (structured, referenced,

concise) Academic Achievement

develop knowledge: understand literature evaluation with justifications


Assessment Undocumented Informal Assessment

Rate and amount of Progress Supervisory Meetings Initiative and ability to cope with problems

Formal Assessment Mini-paper and interview Project Report Poster Session Interview (Viva Voce) – if required


Future Lectures Project Management, Planning

and Monitoring Quality assurance Managing Change and

Configuration Management Communication Skills

adapted from c. casey project introduction.ppt computing degree projects an introduction to choosing...

Documents

casey project

project lectures

project tutor colleagues

good student project

technical issues

practice slide

plagiarism slide

work minipaper