CSCI 410 - Technical Communication and Analysis

CSCI 497 - Senior Seminar

CSCI 410 - Technical Communication and Analysis

Fall 2014/Spring 2015

Course Overview:
This year-long course focuses on written and oral communication concerning computing, with a secondary emphasis on quantitative performance analysis and reading and research skills. At the end of the course, you will be expected to be able to:

Read, understand, and explain technical papers describing computing topics
Properly cite related work.
Make appropriate use of quantitative and qualitiative analysis
Compose a resume and cover letter targeted to a specific job announcement
Create a senior capstone document with the following characteristics:
- A clear and concise goal statement describing the purpose of the project
- An introduction that clearly identifies the topic and previews the main points
- A body in which each claim is substantiated by one of the following:
  - A reference to the technical literature
  - A mathematical proof
  - A valid statistical analysis
  - A well-reasoned qualitative argument
- A conclusion that reiterates the main points and assesses the degree to which the goal has been achieved
Deliver an oral presentation with the following characteristics:
- An introduction that clearly identifies the topic and previews the main points
- A body in which the main points are clear and well-supported
- Visual aids are well designed and properly employed
- A fluent presentation style, including good eye contact and clear speech
- The topic is specific, appropriate, and adapted to the audience

Instructor:
Dr. Gabriel Ferrer
M.C. Reynolds 312
http://ozark.hendrix.edu/~ferrer/

Office Hours: MTWRF: 1:30-2:30 pm; and feel free to stop by whenever my door is open.

Appointments: To make an appointment with me, visit http://drferrer.youcanbook.me. From there, you can see my availability and select an appointment time.

Class Web Page: http://ozark.hendrix.edu/~ferrer/courses/410/

Lecture Time:
Fall: 3:10-4:00 pm M
Spring: 2:45-4:00 pm TR

Grading Criteria:
Participation: 20%
Journal: 10%
Writing assignments: 30%
Oral presentations: 40%

Each assignment will be assigned a letter grade for each of these four categories. Each letter grade has associated with it a percentage grade as follows:

Letter grade	Percentage
A	95
B	85
C	75
D	65
F	50

Missing grades will be scored zero. Any grade can have a "+" or "-" attached to it. A "+" is worth +4, and a "-" is worth -4. A grade of "A+" (100) will only be assigned to work that in some way goes above and beyond the requirements for the assignment. For each category, the total points earned will be divided by the total points possible to yield a percentage. A final average of at least 90 earns an A; 80 earns a B; 70 earns a C; 60 earns a D; below 60 is failing.

Participation: Every student will be expected to attend every class period and every public senior capstone presentation unless there is a properly excused absence. Every student begins with 20 participation points. Every unexcused absence receives a 3-point deduction.

Journal: Each student will maintain a journal of activities related to their senior capstone project work.

This journal is to be updated at least weekly.
The journal should be maintained as a single electronic text document.
The current document should be submitted every Friday via Moodle by 5 pm. The first journal entry will be due on Friday, October 1. Journal entries will not be expected during breaks.
A dated entry should be added to the journal whenever work is undertaken on the project.
All raw data should be included in the journal.

Each journal entry should include the following:

Date of the work.
Time the work started and ended.
Goals for the session.
Brief descriptions of activities undertaken.
Observations from activities undertaken.
Assessment of the degree to which the goals were met.

Writing Assignments:

All written assignments should be submitted in PDF format.
Drafts of the thesis (or sections of the thesis) will be submitted throughout the Spring semester.
Polished resume/cover letter
Others as assigned

Oral Presentations:

Every student will give numerous oral presentations throughout the year.
Each presentation should be prepared with electronic slides.
Some presentations will describe progress on the thesis project.
Other presentations will address additional topics.

Late Policy: No late work will be accepted.

Accommodations: It is the policy of Hendrix College to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal and state law. Any student who needs accommodation in relation to a recognized disability should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. In order to receive accommodations, students with disabilities are directed to contact Julie Brown in Academic Support Services at 501-505-2954.