Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Computing Degree Projects An introduction to choosing...
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Transcript of 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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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.
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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?
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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?
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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 ()
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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
Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt
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