CS 411W Course Syllabus

Spring 2008

Professional Workforce Development II

Instructor:Janet Brunelle
 
Office:Engineering and Computational Sciences Building; Room 3210
Telephone:(757) 683-6001 ext. 4832
Fax:(757) 683-4900
Email:brunelle@cs.odu.edu
Class Meeting Times:10 AM - Noon Monday and Wednesday
Classroom:Hughes 1110
Office Hours:1:00 - 4:00 PM Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday;
Texts:"Information Technology Project Management, 4th ed." by Schwalbe
 Optional - "Technical Communication in the Global Community" by Andrews

Course Goals and Objectives

To increase the student's knowledge in producing the broad needs of the technical corporation. To provide students with a working knowledge of product development including an understanding of the basic prototyping concepts. To develop student skills in technical writing including the creation of large technical documents.

Course Topics


1. Project (Writing) Analysis               9. Proposal Specification Writing
2. Preparation of Contracts 10. Project Planning
3. Schedule Preparation 11. Project Resources
4. Budget Justification Paper 12. Writing Fundamentals
5. Risk Analysis 13. Preparation of User's Manuals
6. Group Interactions 14. Human Interface Issues
7. Simulation 15. Multi-media Equipment
8. Prototyping 16. Presentation Techniques

GRADING

All grades will include a component/multiplier based upon the student's demonstrated Professionalism. All labs will receive two grades: grammar and technical content. The percentage for each element will vary for each lab.

Grading Criteria


Type of Graded Element Description Percentage
Writing - Lab I Descriptive/Persuasive Paper 5% (Individual)
Writing - Lab II Prototype Product Specification 10% (Individual)
Writing - Lab III Prototype Test Plan/Procedures 10% (Individual)
Writing - Lab IV Product/Prototype User's Manuals 10% (Individual)
Writing - Lab V SBIR II Grant Proposal 10% (Group)
Writing - Requirements List Development Environment Requirements for Prototype 5% (Group)
Test Mid-Term Examination 15% (Individual)
Demonstration - Prototype Presentation I Prototype Demo Concept, Development Environment, Test/Acceptance Demo Plan 15% (Group)
Demonstration - Final Prototype Product Laboratory Prototype/SBIR Plan 20% (Group)
All students are required to take the CS Exit Exam during this semester. Those who score in the lowest tenth percentile (nationally) will receive a grade reduction of 10% in CS411W. Those who pass above the tenth percentile will receive no grade penalty.

Course Policies:


Each week of the semester, there is an informal presentation by a member of the project group. It is expected that these reports will be made by a different member of the group on a week by week basis. In addition to the specific topic of the weekly report, the presenter should provide a brief summary of the weeks accomplishments or new problems identified during the week.

Because the class period is important and discussions cannot be reproduced, absences cannot be made up. Excessive absences may have a negative effect on a student's learning and performance. Any student who must miss a class is expected to have the initiative necessary to properly cover the material missed (i.e. assignments given or modified, due dates established or modified and any handouts, etc.). Students must meet all course deadlines and be present for the final exam and demonstrations.

******* LATE WORK IS NOT ACCEPTABLE *******


Old Dominion University supports a comprehensive evaluation of a student's achievement in a course as a vital part of the educational process. In support of this university policy, successful completion of this course includes a satisfactory performance in the prototype demonstration and development of the formal product proposal specification. A student who fails the comprehensive final examination may not pass the course regardless of the student's semester performance.

Honor Code Policy

The instructor reserves the right to question a student orally or in writing and to use this evaluation of the student's understanding of the assignment and of the submitted solution as evidence of cheating. Violations will be reported to the Honor Council for consideration for punitive action. By CS Dept. policy, students found to be in violation of this rule will, at the very least, receive a failing grade in the course and may be subject to stiffer penalties.