Research+Project

You will be working on a research project throughout the semester. You will be given some classtime to work on the project, but will be expected to do most of the work on your own time. Once again, use your time wisely.

The goal of this project is to choose a topic within computer science that is of interest to you, to conduct research into this topic, and to present your findings to the class. Your research into the topic might utilize the library, the internet, resource people, companies, etc. depending on the topic you choose. When you present your project to your peers, it should utilize information technology in some manner. You might choose to create a PowerPoint presentation, a series of web pages, a computer program, a video, or any other interesting way to present your project you can think of.

A list of possible topics is given below. Note that this is just a sampling of possible topics. If you would like to do something not on the list, come ask me about it!

You have the choice to either work on the project by yourself, or team up with one other person interested in the same topic. You should realize, however, that if you team up with another person, you will both get the same final grade, AND the project will be expected to take more work than if you were by yourself.

You may want to take a look at some projects that students have done in the past. You can find them in the Computer Science folder, under "CompSci 20 Major Projects".

Assessment of your project:
 Your project will be assessed according to the following rubric: Note that nearly half of the mark comes from the process by which you create your final product. How you get there is as important as what you en d up with! 
 * **Process** || **Below Avg.** || **Satisfactory** || **Excellent** ||
 * 1. Has clear vision of final product || 1, 2, 3 || 4, 5, 6 || 7, 8, 9 ||
 * 2. Difficulty and time commitment || 1, 2, 3 || 4, 5, 6 || 7, 8, 9 ||
 * 3. Managed time wisely || 1, 2, 3 || 4, 5, 6 || 7, 8, 9 ||
 * 4. Acquired needed knowledge base || 1, 2, 3 || 4, 5, 6 || 7, 8, 9 ||
 * 5. Communicated efforts with teacher || 1, 2, 3 || 4, 5, 6 || 7, 8, 9 ||
 * **Product (final project)** || **Below Avg.** || **Satisfactory** || **Excellent** ||
 * 6. Mechanics of speaking/writing || 1, 2, 3 || 4, 5, 6 || 7, 8, 9 ||
 * 7. Organization and structure || 1, 2, 3 || 4, 5, 6 || 7, 8, 9 ||
 * 8. Creativity || 1, 2, 3 || 4, 5, 6 || 7, 8, 9 ||
 * 9. Perceived educational value || 1, 2, 3 || 4, 5, 6 || 7, 8, 9 ||
 * 10. Demonstrates knowledge || 1, 2, 3 || 4, 5, 6 || 7, 8, 9, 10 ||
 * 11. “WOW ME“ factor || 1 || 2 || 3 ||

Describe the creative problem solving process. Apply the process to real-world problems; work with a group. Incorporate computers into some of the solutions.
 * Creative Problem Solving**

Examine and criticize commercial documentation: >> Field experience:
 * Documentation**
 * tutorials
 * user’s guides
 * programmer’s manuals
 * systems manuals
 * research the characteristics of a user
 * write documentation tailored to a particular user

Describe computer peripherals useful for artistic expression:
 * Fine Arts and Computers**
 * experiment with a digitizer, light pen, touch tablet, mouse
 * survey and describe graphical and "painting" software
 * experiment with a synthesizer, MIDI interface

Describe the various functions of computers in gaming:
 * Gaming and Computers**
 * opponents, partners, managers


 * categorize
 * analyze
 * write a critique or review

Search the Web and create a report
 * Hackers and Security**

Choose an example.
 * History of Computing**
 * the work of Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace
 * the work of Konrad Zuse
 * the work of Turing
 * development of ENIAC
 * invention of the transistor
 * invention of the integrated circuit (chip)
 * growth of the Internet

Report on uses of computers for library functions:
 * Libraries and Computers**
 * cataloguing, circulation


 * conduct a system analysis
 * design a computerized library system

Apply the programming skills gained in the course to a major project
 * Project**
 * work on the components alone
 * work with others, dividing the labour

Outline the history of robotics Describe how robots work Discuss industrial applications of robots Analyze the socio-economic implications of robots Describe the effects of combining robots with artificially intelligent computers Analyze current trends and predict future scenarios.
 * Robotics**

Interview elementary-level teachers:
 * School Applications of Computers**
 * report on applications of computers to elementary education


 * sports, lunchroom, office, student council, library

Examine and contrast the way in which different computer applications present information to users. Compare programs with similar uses, (word processing) and also ones with different uses, (a spreadsheet and a graphics program).
 * User Interfaces**

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