CSCI 410 - Technical Communication & Analysis

Course Details

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
• Assemble an online portfolio of previous course projects
• 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 background section that discusses the context and related work of your project
  • 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

Prerequisites

Senior Standing, CSCI 151.

Disabilities

It is the policy of Hendrix College to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal and state law. Students should contact Julie Brown in the Office of Academic Success (505.2954; brownj@hendrix.edu) to begin the accommodation process. Any student seeking accommodation in relation to a recognized disability should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course.

Academic Honor

Please refer to the CSCI Academic Integrity Policy.

Syllabus

Week	Tue	Thu
1/19	LaTeX Overview	Draft - Abstract and Intro
1/26	Draft - Outline	Draft - Background
2/2	NO CLASS	Portfolio I
2/9	Figures	Presentations - Pecha Kucha
2/16	Draft - Body I	NO CLASS
2/23	NO CLASS	Portfolio II
3/1	Draft - Body II	Progress Presentations
3/8	Individual Meetings	Draft - Whole Thesis I
3/15	Practice Presentations I	Practice Presentations II
3/22	SPRING BREAK	WOOOOOOOOOOO
3/29	NO CLASS	Draft - Whole Thesis II
4/5	Final Presentations MTW	Feedback from Presentations
4/11	Final Thesis Due	Beersem

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.

Writing Assignments

• Drafts of the thesis (or sections of the thesis) will be submitted throughout the Spring semester.
• Polished resume/cover letter
• Portfolio
• Others as assigned

All theses must be written using LaTeX with ShareLaTeX. There are many resources available for LaTeX on the web, including the LaTeX Math Symbols, Detexify, TableGenerator, and a WikiBook on LaTeX.

Here is a template LaTeX project that you will be expected to use for writing your thesis.

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.

Grading

Your final grade for this course will be based on the Homework, Exams and Presentations described above.

Grading Scale 90-100 A 80-89 B 70-79 C 60-69 D 0-59 F

Weights Participation 20% Writing Assignments 40% Oral Presentations 40%

---

© Mark Goadrich, Hendrix College