Course Information

Course: Computer Science Senior Seminar, COSC 485, Central College, fall 2004.
Professor: Tom Linton, office: 129 VSC, phone: (641) 628-5264 email: lintont@central.edu
Office Hours: Mon 2-2:50 PM, Tues 11-11:50 AM, Wed 8-8:50 AM, Thur 9:15-10 AM, or by appointment.
Class Meets: 12:00 to 12:50 AM Wed in VSC 143.

Class Overview This is the capstone course for the computer science major and this class should complete your departmental communication skills requirement. You will give an oral presentation and write a paper on an advanced topic of your choice.

Goals and Objectives By the end of this class you will be able to:
American Disabilities Act Central College abides by interpretations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that stipulates no student shall be denied the benefits of an education “solely by reason of a handicap.”  Disabilities covered by law include, but are not limited to, learning disabilities, hearing, sight or mobility impairments, and other health related impairments.  If you have a documented disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require accommodations, please see me and Nancy Kroese, Director of Student Support Services and Disability Services Coordinator, (x5247) in the first two weeks of this semester, so that such accommodations may be arranged.

Grades

Grades, based on the letter, or A, A-, B+, B, B-, . . . system, will be based on a curve of the total points in the class. The curve used will be the traditional 100-93 A, 92-90 A-, 89-88 B+, etc. The breakdown of the points in the class is given below.
Weekly assignments
 30%
Paper
 35%
Practice talk
 10%
Final talk
 25%

Schedule

The tentative shedule for the class:
Week
Dates
Assignment
1 8-25
 Introduction, look for topics, write summary of 2 or 3 topics-articles.
2
 9-1
 Topic articles due Fri 8-27
Summary paragraphs due Wed 10-1
Select one topic for talk and paper.
3
 9-8
 Abstract of talk and outline of paper due.
Short (2-4 minute) overview of talk given orally.
Discuss paper introduction.
4
 9-15
 Introduction due
7-8 minute presentations for early speakers
5
 9-22
 7-8 minute presentations for remaining early speakers
Practice presentation (outside class) for next week speakers by Fri 9-24
6
 9-29
 Paper first draft due
Jessica M and Chris G give talks
Practice presentation (outside class) for next week speakers by Fri 10-1
7
 10-6
 Clay M and Jessica T give talks
Practice presentation (outside class) for next week speakers by Fri 10-8
8
 10-13
 Paper second draft due
Tyler B and Jen J give talks
9
 10-20
 7-8 minute presentations for late speakers
Practice presentation (outside class) for next week speakers by Fri 10-22
10
 10-27
 Katie L and Carver O give talks
Practice presentation (outside class) for next week speakers by Fri 10-29
11
 11-3
 Paper final draft due
Toran B and Travis A give talks
12
 11-10
 Junior seminar talks
13
 11-17
 Junior seminar talks
Practice presentation (outside class) for next week speakers by Fri 11-19
14
 11-24
 John J and Jesse L give talks
15
 12-1
 Practice presentation (outside class) for next week speakers by Fri 12-3
16
 12-8
 Keith W gives talk