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Associate Professor Ann Nicholson
Associate Professor
Phone: +61 3 990 55211
Fax: +61 3 990 55159

Lecturer(s) / Leader(s):

Introduction

Welcome to FIT2044 Advanced Project level 2  for semester 2, 2010. This is a zero-credit-point unit designed to challenge the more advanced 1st and 2nd year students in the B. Computer Science, B. Software Engineering, B. Science majoring in Computer Science, and other related double degrees.(Students from other degrees in the Faculty of IT - BBIS and BITS may also do this unit if suitable projects are offered.) Here is a chance to do something special and creative for the "honour" of it. The unit  is intented to introduce students with more advanced programming skills to topics that they might not otherwise encounter until later in their courses and give them an opportunity to work on a more substantial programming project.

Unit synopsis

The unit begins with a series of informal lectures on topics or skills outside the students current curriculum. Informal lectures do being in the first Semester, however, enrolment in this unit does not take place until second semester. This informal lecture series will introduce students to interesting material, get them started on skills they may find useful for the projects to be run in the second Semester, and help determine (both for the student and the unit coordinator) whether the student would benefit from enrolling in the unit FIT1016/FIT2044.

At the start of the second semester, students are allocated to project supervisors to work on an advanced project. This will usually be a programming task, but on occasion, may involve hardware. Students may work individually or in groups, as determined by the supervisor of a particular topic. The topics are chosen to cover a range of areas of Computer Science. They will give the students opportunity to further investigate the areas or develop the skills to which they were introduced in the lecture series. After the end of the second semester, the projects are demonstrated to anyone in the School who is interested, and the work is assessed by a panel consisting of the Unit coordinator, the Assistant Lecturer and the students Supervisor to determine whether the grade Pass is to be awarded or not.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of this unit students will:
  • understand concepts from several areas of Computer Science not covered in their normal curriculum;
  • know where to find further information on a range of topics on computer programming and computer science;
  • understand, from their own experience, some of the difficulties that can arise in larger programming tasks;
  • be able to learn new programming languages and tools on their own, without formal instruction;
  • be aware of the diverse range of tools that can be used to solve computing problems;
  • be aware of the breadth of the Computer Science discipline;
  • have an appreciation of the nature of Computer Science;
  • have skills in using a programming language or technology not covered in their normal curriculum;
  • have experience demonstrating a computer program;
  • have experience giving an oral presentation of a computing project.

Workload

Students must attend a preliminary session to hear about the projects being offered, and attend a final presentation session. During semester, they may have weekly meetings with the supervisor, but the nature and duration of these meetings will be determined by the supervisor and student together.

The amount of work required will vary depending on the project and the existing knowledge and programming experience of the student, however 2-6 hrs personal study (gaining the required background knowledge, developing and implementing a solution, then writing up the project) would be a reasonable expectation.

Unit relationships

Prerequisites

FIT1002 or CSE1301

Prohibitions

CSE2370

Teaching and learning method

Teaching approach

Students will be given a project specification and then have regular (usually weekly) meetings with their supervisor. The supervisor will suggest background reading material, discuss possible approaches to the project and answer student questions as the project is undertaken. However most of the work will be done in personal time by the student.

Timetable information

For information on timetabling for on-campus classes please refer to MUTTS, http://mutts.monash.edu.au/MUTTS/

Tutorial allocation

On-campus students should register for tutorials/laboratories using the Allocate+ system: http://allocate.its.monash.edu.au/

Unit Schedule

Week Date* Topic Key dates
1 19/07/10 Topics will be determined week by week in conjunction with your supervisor.  
7 30/08/10   Meeting to report progress
Mid semester break
13 18/10/10   Final Presentations

*Please note that these dates may only apply to Australian campuses of Monash University. Off-shore students need to check the dates with their unit leader.

Unit Resources

Prescribed text(s) and readings

Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.

Recommended text(s) and readings

Required software and/or hardware

Students will need to program on a computer. The particular programming language or operating system may vary, depending on the project and the previous knowledge of the student. It would be expected that the student could complete the project in general access student labs.

Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook.

Equipment and consumables required or provided

Students may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to 10 hours per week for use of a computer.

Study resources

Study resources we will provide for your study are:

Individual supervisors will provide study resources as required by the project.

A unit web site is also provided.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment is based entirely on a demonstration of the students project work, which will include oral discussion of the concepts and skills learned. The unit is Pass Grade Only.

Faculty assessment policy

To pass a unit which includes an examination as part of the assessment a student must obtain:

  • 40% or more in the unit's examination, and
  • 40% or more in the unit's total non-examination assessment, and
  • an overall unit mark of 50% or more.

If a student does not achieve 40% or more in the unit examination or the unit non-examination total assessment, and the total mark for the unit is greater than 50% then a mark of no greater than 49-N will be recorded for the unit.

To complete the project, the student must:

  • give a presentation at the completion of the project
  • submit a brief written report on the project
  • give a demo to their supervisor of the project
The unit is pass/fail.

Assignment tasks

Assignment coversheets

Assignment coversheets are available via "Student Forms" on the Faculty website: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/
You MUST submit a completed coversheet with all assignments, ensuring that the plagiarism declaration section is signed.

Assignment submission and return procedures, and assessment criteria will be specified with each assignment.

Assignment submission and preparation requirements will be detailed in each assignment specification. Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced. You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.

  • Assignment task 1
    Title:
    Final presentation
    Description:
    Oral presentation on project
    Weighting:
    Criteria for assessment:
    Students will be assessed on the quality of the presentation, in particular they should make it clear what the aim of the project was, the approach they took to the project and what they have achieved.
    Due date:
    Last week of semester (TBA)
  • Assignment task 2
    Title:
    Final demonstration
    Description:
    Demonstrate project to supervisor
    Weighting:
    Criteria for assessment:
    Something has been produced that is a solution to at least some part of the problem addressed.
    Due date:
    By the end of semester
  • Assignment task 3
    Title:
    Final report
    Description:
    Written report on what has been done for project.
    Weighting:
    Criteria for assessment:
    • Clarity of written expression
    • Description of project and its aims
    • Description of approach taken
    • Description of what has been achieved in the project
    Due date:
    End of semester

Due dates and extensions

Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are not regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

Students requesting an extension for any assessment during semester (eg. Assignments, tests or presentations) are required to submit a Special Consideration application form (in-semester exam/assessment task), along with original copies of supporting documentation, directly to their lecturer within two working days before the assessment submission deadline. Lecturers will provide specific outcomes directly to students via email within 2 working days. The lecturer reserves the right to refuse late applications.

A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.

Refer to the Faculty Special consideration webpage or further details and to access application forms: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html

Late assignment

Assignments received after the due date will still be considered for assessment, as long as there is sufficient time for the supervisor to assess before results must be submitted to the University.

Return dates

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.

Feedback

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:

Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes

Appendix

Please visit the following URL: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/appendix.html for further information about:

  • Continuous improvement
  • Unit evaluations
  • Communication, participation and feedback
  • Library access
  • Monash University Studies Online (MUSO)
  • Plagiarism, cheating and collusion
  • Register of counselling about plagiarism
  • Non-discriminatory language
  • Students with disability
  • End of semester special consideration / deferred exams
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