Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Computing Degree Projects An introduction to choosing and initiating computing related projects

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt CO2403 and CO3808 CO2403 – Professional Skills Module CO3808 – Double Honours Degree Project CO3808 assumes students have got skills covered in CO2403 This may not be a safe assumption for the top-up course Normally very few lectures delivered to Final Year Students in Project You have the opportunity to attend CO2403 lectures alongside Project This weekly lecture session covers a variety of topics to develop understanding of Projects and IT Professional Issues Some information may not be directly to both groups, but the majority of information will be.

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt What is a Project? In the context of work A clearly defined task to solve a recognisable problem In the context of your studies A substantial piece of work demonstrating your ability – both academic and technical A good student project should tackle a significant problem Require and demonstrate independence and initiative require research develop and demonstrate your communication skills require academic analysis and evaluation integrate theory and practice

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt What support will I get? Lectures Project planning & Management Quality Issues Ethical Issues Supervisor Guidance Chris Casey’s Project Web site Point of reference Other staff Resolve technical issues Develop broader ideas

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt My Role as the Project Tutor Allocating supervisors ( I will supervise some students) Coordinating the assessment General advice & delivering the project lectures Resolving unexpected problems or issues Dealing with plagiarism

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Who can help with my Project? Your Supervisor will: Monitor your progress Advise on technical & presentation issues Assess your work They are allocated: Based on your proposal vs. staff expertise, interests & work load Your Second Reader will Independently assess your work mini-paper, project report & poster session Consultants or other staff may provide Specific technical advice for popular areas

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Academic Requirements Finding, organising and reviewing relevant information Gathering Information (Research) Internet, books & magazines Journals (printed or online) Library electronic resources Where are the skills used? Mini-Paper Literature Review / Background Project Report and Critical Evaluation

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Finding a Project and Mini Paper Find an idea magazines: articles, advertisements your studies, members of staff from previous projects (must develop further!) business contacts, work placements Internet Developers’ sites, user groups Discuss with potential supervisors, project tutor colleagues Investigate books, journals, magazines, Internet, etc. feasibility: outline designs, resources

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt The Mini-Paper An extended discussion (approx 4000 words) on a topic of your choice that is closely related to your Project Tackles an interesting question based on published literature Uses academic material & references Should support your project and feed into your technical plan

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Writing the Mini-Paper Find a topic & a focus tightly computing-related question directly related to you project controversy, alternatives, discussion, evaluation. Find relevant material Must review several relevant articles Change the focus to fit the material that is readily available Organise (structure) the material Introduce your topic Present discussions (for and against) Draw and re-affirm your conclusions Write and review the mini-paper Plan the words per section Make sure each paragraph is relevant and referenced

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Some Examples #1 Online Booking System (e.g. hotel or a leisure centre) Involves linking a Database to a Web Interface What makes it sufficiently complex? Database needs to be complex? Are the functions required challenging? Is there a real client to introduce real issues – this will help generate the complexity?

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Some Examples #2 Online shopping site generator Take information about products Allow user to select from a template Generate an “ e-commerce ” site Complexity Manage by incremental development 1. General site 2. Convert site to framework 3. Introduce templates

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Some Examples #3 Computer Based Teaching Package Must be interactive, not simply presenting information Should be more than a multiple-choice quiz involve randomness of questions Storage and analysis of results Various levels of difficulty Part of the complexity may be in evaluation of its effectiveness Proper experimental design and data collection and analysis

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Some Examples #4 Log File Analyser Take log files from tool & process and present information in an appropriate format Complexity would depend on The type of information The type of processing The range of facilities Can be developed incrementally Configuration File Editor Many applications (especially Linux based Apps) require a configuration file to set up the software before it is started Develop a GUI interface to allow easier configuration of such packages Complexity could again be in analysing the effectiveness of the tool produced

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Evaluating the idea Is it appropriately challenging? Is there a demonstrable, testable product? Does it allow you to demonstrate your ability? Does it allow scope for originality? Are there alternatives to be evaluated? Is it more substantial than an assignment? Is it large but with repetition of skills?

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Is it achievable? Are you confident of making a workable demo / full product? Are the required resources available? Is there relevant supervisory expertise? Is there serious published literature? Is your background relevant? If it seems too easy then: Turn a comparison into an implementation Add an investigation of a relevant area Find a client to introduce real life complexities If it seems too complex then: Identify staged objectives Narrow the focus

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Writing a Project Proposal Content Background - context & relevant literature The problem Ethical issues Your approach Specific objectives Resources and availability Plan: Activity Diagram Submit by the deadline ()

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Initial Draft - ASAP A brief description Indicating what you want to do the key challenges to be overcome availability of resources in sufficient detail to judge suitability Discuss with Project Tutor (me) as soon as you can and I will direct you to a Potential Supervisor to discuss further

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt How is the Project Assessed Detailed assessment criteria in project handbook Largely a Professional Approach structured approach not ‘hack and waffle’ standards, documentation, testing and evaluation well-written report (structured, referenced, concise) Academic Achievement develop knowledge: understand literature evaluation with justifications

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Assessment Undocumented Informal Assessment Rate and amount of Progress Supervisory Meetings Initiative and ability to cope with problems Formal Assessment Mini-paper and interview Project Report Poster Session Interview (Viva Voce) – if required

Adapted from C. Casey Project Introduction.ppt Future Lectures Project Management, Planning and Monitoring Quality assurance Managing Change and Configuration Management Communication Skills