Syllabus
Course Description:
Overview of the academic research methodologies used in graduate level work. Topics include: Writing style, Audience analysis, Research Planning, Experimental design, Document structure, Research validation, and the process for submission and review to conferences and journals. This course provides the student with an opportunity to identify and develop a detailed thesis or capstone proposal that will be continued in a subsequent course. An in-depth study of a software engineering topic will be research focused. The student selects a research problem, conducts background research, and selects appropriate technology and methodologies needed to fully conduct the project. The topic is selected by the student and is in agreement with the student's advisor and committee. The proposal is presented in a scholarly format for approval by the advisor and committee.
* Please spend some time reading this document, as it contains vital information about the texts, course policies and grading.Course Topics:
The course will encompass a variety of concepts and topics, among them are the following:
- Overview of the research process
- RIT library, professional organizations and online resources
- Audience analysis
- The structure of research papers
- Literature Review
- Successive outline refinement techniques
- Experimental design
- Design of research Instruments and assessments
- Internal and External Validation
- The Theory of graphical representation
- Dissemination
- Topic Proposal Review
- Project Planning
- Proposal Development
Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:
- Apply the major activities involved in research.
- Select a topic and conduct background research on an in-depth software engineering problem.
- Given a research topic, students can outline the activities needed to conduct a research project.
- Given a research topic and hypothesis, students can design appropriate experiments to acquire data.
- Organize and develop a technical, thesis or capstone proposal articulating the hypotheses, background research, process, and timeline.
- Articulate the status of their research in written and verbal form.
Method of Instruction:
Course will combine lecture and in-class activities. Students will collaborate inside and outside of class in support of activities and project deliverables. Assignments will include selected readings, project write-ups, as well as activities focused in supporting the materials reviewed in class.
Textbook(s):
Highly Recommended
Recommended
Attendance Policy:
Come to class. Most sessions contain either team work that requires all team members to be present to gain full benefit or consultation time with the instructor regarding your project. You have one unexcused absence (slept in, car won't start, etc.) with no consequences. After that the following cumulative scale applies for additional unexcused absences:
Make up exams will only be granted for very good reasons (job interviews known in advance, documented sickness, family emergencies, etc.) Heavy workload in other (maybe to you more important) courses is typically not a very good reason.
- One unexcused absence - 1 % off final grade
- Two unexcused absences - 3 % off final grade
- Three or more unexcused absences - 5 % off final grade
- Three late arrivals will be considered as one absence - it is your responsibility to notify the instructor the day you arrived late and missed attendance call.
* Additionally, you will also miss credit for activities that took place during the classes you were absent. Bottom line come to class.
Make up exams will only be granted for very good reasons (job interviews known in advance, documented sickness, family emergencies, etc.) Heavy workload in other (maybe to you more important) courses is typically not a very good reason.
Be professional. Practice common courtesy when I or your fellow colleagues are speaking, which leads us to:
Keep your hands off the mouse/keyboard, unless of course we are doing something that requires you to use your computer. From time to time I may forget to use the Net Support software used to monitor machines in our labs. Please refrain from email, IM, Tweeting, browsing, and game play or use the computers in any other unprofessional manner while I or your fellow colleagues are speaking. Likewise for laptops, PDAs and cell phones.
Grading Breakdown:
A final course grade is a combination of your grades on exams, quizzes, class activities and team projects.
| Component | Percentage of Final Grade |
|---|---|
| Assignments | 30% |
| Research Analysis (Writeup & Presentation) | 10% |
| Project | 40% |
| Final Presentation | 10% |
| In-class activities | 10% |
* Please be aware that the myCourses grade-book feature will be used to communicate "raw" grades to you, but is NOT used for calculating final grades.
Your final grade will be determined by the following:
| Grade | Percentage Range |
|---|---|
| A | 93 + |
| A- | <=90-92.9 |
| B+ | <=87-89.9 |
| B | <=83-86.9 |
| B- | <=80-82.9 |
| C+ | <=77-79.9 |
| C | <=73-76.9 |
| C- | <=70-72.9 |
| D | 60-69.9 |
| F | under 60 |
The instructor will make every attempt to submit grades on submitted materials within a two week time-frame. However, in the event grades are not returned in this time frame, students should notify the instructor immediately. Additionally, due to the significant time required to grade the submissions in this course, it will not be possible to grade all items within the two week time frame.