2 Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have participated in the development of a set of documents that define a proposed research solution to a defined problem supported by formal presentations. Students will be required to use a combination of the knowledge gained from the series of courses completed at university, external experience from business or industry, and research efforts of the specific problem areas that are identified by mentors. The problem contains aspects of requirements that a project manager would be required to solve in a commercial or research environment. Students will develop plans, analysis documents, and design documents for the various aspects of the project solution.

The use of current technology in the support of the design and development of the problem solution is a critical component of the process. Students will take on the role of project managers and be required to develop management level briefings through formal presentations. The development of these briefings is expected to require research along with interviews of experts in the particular domain. One or more presentations will be a critical design review that seeks the approval for continuation of the project. The various presentations will require students to work as individuals making a presentation, members of a team to prepare a group presentation as well as leaders of group efforts in support of the overall project.

3 Course Topics

1. Project Analysis
2. Project Interviewing
3. Risk Analysis
4. Group Interactions
5. Simulation
6. Prototyping
7. Technical Writing
8. Project Planning
9. Project Resources
10. COTS Hardware and Software
11. Human/Computer Interface
12. Presentation Techniques

4 Course Grading

5 Course Policies

5.1 Honor Policy

The Honor System at Old Dominion University is based upon the integrity of each student. Any form of dishonesty or deception such as lying, cheating, and plagiarism constitutes a violation of the Honor System. All material submitted for grading by a student during the course is to be the student’s own work. Any violations of the honor code may be referred to the honor council for resolution, and grade sanctions imposed.

The instructor reserves the right to question a student orally or in writing and to use his 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.

5.2 Weekly Progress & Deliverables

Once groups have been assigned, there will be at least one informal presentation per week. The expected deliverables (e.g., presentation content, group website) will be discussed during class meetings (lecture and/or recitation).

The instructor will ask each group to provide a brief summary of both progress and identified issues. All group members should be prepared to provide a summary.

5.3 Professionalism & Contribution

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 development of formal project documentation (including presentations).

Any student who fails to collaborate with his/her group in a satisfactory manner may possibly not pass the course, regardless of overall point total.Each student will be evaluated based upon demonstrated professionalism and contribution. Any student who receives poor marks from the instructor and/or their group members may not pass the class.

5.4 Unsatisfactory Performance

If a student fails to contribute meaningfully within his/her group, or a student feels he/she cannot contribute meaningfully within his/her group, the instructor will arrange a meeting. The meeting may be conducted face-to-face, via network conferencing, or via email. The instructor may consult other CS 410/411W instructors or ask other CS 410/411W instructors to attend the meeting.

During the meeting the instructor and student will discuss the student’s current contributions and expected contributions moving forward. The instructor and student arrange a follow-up meeting. If by the follow-up meeting, the student has not made the expected (i.e., agreed upon) contributions he/she may not pass the course.

6 Educational Accessibility

Old Dominion University is committed to ensuring equal access to all qualified students with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Office of Educational Accessibility (OEA) is the campus office that works with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange reasonable accommodations.

• If you experience a disability which will impact your ability to access any aspect of my class, please present me with an accommodation letter from OEA so that we can work together to ensure that appropriate accommodations are available to you.

• If you feel that you will experience barriers to your ability to learn and/or testing in my class but do not have an accommodation letter, please consider scheduling an appointment with OEA to determine if academic accommodations are necessary.