COMP SCI 2008 - Topics in Computer Science

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

Introduction to a specialised area of Computer Science. Topics include theoretical and applied aspects of Computer Science. Combines guided reading and research with a significant individual or group project component.

Open All

Course Details

Course Code	COMP SCI 2008
Course	Topics in Computer Science
Coordinating Unit	Computer Science
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	6
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	COMP SCI 1104
Corequisites	COMP SCI 1103 or COMP SCI 2103
Restrictions	Only available to students enrolled in B. Computer Science (Advanced)
Assessment	Written exam and/or assignments

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Markus Wagner

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1	Develop skills in independent project work and research
2	Acquire knowledge in a selected area of contemporary computer science
3	Improve communication skills in reporting findings of the study

The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer.
The course is designed to develop the following Elements of Competency: 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	2
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	1
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	3
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	1
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	3
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	1-3

Learning Resources

Required Resources

May vary with topic but generally access to internet and computer.

Online Learning

Will require contact with project mentor/supervisor, and formal presentation of work, but otherwise could all be done online.

Learning & Teaching Modes

In this course, the student will meet regularly with the project supervisor, and once a week meet with the course coordinator to discuss the progress of the project.

This course aims to introduce students to a range of fundamental research and project development skills. The course will be taught through a combination of meetings with the course supervisor and the project supervisor.

The meetings with the course coordinator are to assess the weekly progress of the project and discuss the expected outcomes. During these meetings, the student will make an informal presentation that will be assessed by the course coordinator. The meetings with the project supervisor are to discuss the details of the development of the project.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Students are expected to spend 20 hours per six unit course. This includes approximately 2 hours of contact time per week (one hour with the project supervisor and one hour with the course coordinator), and approximately 18 hours of independent study time.

Learning Activities Summary

week	topic	lecturer	presentation	written project and system
1	Introduction and supervisor matching	GC
2	Problem identification	GC	Presentation 1
3	Literature review	GC	Presentation 2
4	Literature review	GC	Presentation 3
5	Research hypothesis	GC	Presentation 4
6	Specification and design of project	GC	Presentation 5


7	Specification and design of project	GC	Presentation 6
8	Hypothesis testing and experiments	GC	Presentation 7
9	Hypothesis testing and experiments	GC	Presentation 8
10	Hypothesis testing and experiments	GC	Presentation 9
11	Results communication	GC	Presentation 10
12	Results communication	GC	Poster and demo presentation to the School of Computer Science	Submission of project and system

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Weighting (%)	Individual/ Group	Formative/ Summative	Due (week)*	Hurdle criteria	Learning outcomes	CBOK Alignment**
Project Paper	30	Individual	Formative / Summative	Week 13	Min 40%	1. 2. 3.	1.1 1.2 2.4 3.2 4.1 4.2 4.3
System	20	Individual	Formative	Week 13		1. 2. 3.	1.1 1.2 2.4 3.2 4.1 4.2 4.3
Poster and demo presentation	20	Individual	Summative	Week 13		1. 2. 3.	1.1 1.2 2.4 3.2 4.1 4.2 4.3
Mid-term Presentations	20	Individual	Summative	Weeks 2-12	Min 40%	1. 2. 3.	1.1 1.2 2.4 3.2 4.1 4.2 4.3
Introduction and Literature Review Paper	10	Individual	Summative	Week 6		1. 2. 3.	1.1 1.2 2.4 3.2 4.1 4.2 4.3
Total	100

* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.

This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.

This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.

**CBOK is the Core Body of Knowledge for ICT Professionals defined by the Australian Computer Society. The alignment in the table above corresponds with the following CBOK Areas:

1. Problem Solving

1.1 Abstraction

1.2 Design

2. Professional Knowledge

2.1 Ethics

2.2 Professional expectations

2.3 Teamwork concepts & issues

2.4 Interpersonal communications

2.5 Societal issues

2.6 Understanding of ICT profession

3. Technology resources

3.1 Hardware & Software

3.2 Data & information

3.3 Networking

4. Technology Building

4.1 Programming

4.2 Human factors

4.3 Systems development

4.4 Systems acquisition

5. ICT Management

5.1 IT governance & organisational

5.2 IT project management

5.3 Service management

5.4 Security management

Assessment Related Requirements

Students must obtain at least 40% in the written project and mid-term presentations components, and 50% overall, to pass the course.

Assessment Detail

Written report: this will be a 6-8 page conference format paper. This paper will ideally be at a stage that can potentially be submitted to a conference of reasonable reputation.

System: this will typically consist of a program showing the development of the project and experiments.

Poster and demo: intended to be used as a conference style presentation, where the audience will be the faculty and students of the School of Computer Science.

Mid-term Presentations: 10 minute presentation showing the fortnightly progress of the student.

Assessment	Type	Proportion of that Assessment	Due Week	Learning Objectives		CBOK Mappping*
					Problem Solving (abstraction and design)	Professional Knowledge (interpersonal communications)	Technology Resources (data and information)	Technology Building (programming, HCI, system development)
Mid-term present.1	Formative and Summative	4%	week3	1,2,3	5	5	5	5
Mid-term present.2	Formative and Summative	4%	week5	1,2,3	5	5	5	5
Mid-term present.3	Formative and Summative	4%	week7	1,2,3	5	5	5	5
Mid-term present.4	Formative and Summative	4%	week9	1,2,3	5	5	5	5
Mid-term present.5	Formative and Summative	4%	week11	1,2,3	5	5	5	5
Written report	Formative and Summative	30%	week12	1,2,3	5	5	5	5
System	Formative and Summative	30%	week12	1,2,3	5	3	5	5
Poster present.	Formative and Summative	20%	week12	1,2,3	5	5	5	5

Submission

Written projects and system will be submitted online, please refer to each assignment description for details.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator