California State University Stanislaus

CS 4960: Seminar in Computer Science

Fall 2015

Thursday 4:00 pm - 4:50 pm, P 114,  Dr. Melanie Martin


[Basic Information]         [Announcements]         [Calendar/Assignments]         [Links]      

Welcome to CS 4960, Seminar in Computer Science

Course Description:
Presentation and discussion of selected topics in computer science from current literature.

Course Objectives:

Announcements and Upcoming Events

8/24/15

Welcome to CS 4960!         

9/13/15
Office hours on Thursday, September 17 are changed (from 3-4 pm) to 2-3 pm in Naraghi 375
9/24/15
Office hours on Tuesday, September 29 are changed (from 1-2:30 pm) to 2-3:30 pm in Naraghi 375
10/18/15
Office hours for the week of October 19th:
           Monday, October 19th, 1-3 pm in DBH 278
           Tuesday, October 20th, 1-4 pm in Naraghi 375
           Wednesday, October 21st - none
           Thursday, October 22nd - none
           Friday, October 23rd, 1-2 pm in Naraghi 375
           and by appointment
11/4/15
Office hours on Thursday, November 5 are changed (from 3-4 pm) to 1-2 pm in Naraghi 375

Basic Information

Textbook: None.

Instructor: Dr. Melanie Martin                                  Office: Demergasso-Bava Hall 278 and Naraghi 375

Email: mmartin@cs.csustan.edu                               Office Phone: (209) 667-3787 or (209) 667-3269

Web Page: www.cs.csustan.edu/~mmartin

Office Hours:                       

Monday           2:00 pm to 2:50 pm                        DBH 278
Tuesday           1:00 pm to 2:30 pm                       Naraghi 375

Wednesday     2:00 pm to 2:50 pm                       DBH 278

Thursday         3:00 pm to 3:50 pm                       Naraghi 375


                                 and by appointment.

Best way to contact Dr. Martin:  Email mmartin@cs.csustan.edu  Please put "CS4960" in the subject line of the email.

Prerequisite: Senior standing and consent of the instructor. (This course is for senior Computer Science majors.)

Warning: I reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus at any time during the term by announcing them in class and on my web page.


Grading and Policies

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: GRADING:

Assuming you fulfill all the requirements listed above, I will base your grade on three components:
  1. your grade on your written report,
  2. your grade on your oral presentation, and
  3. your participation grade.
Each of the components above will get equal weight.

I'll grade your paper and oral presentation based on the thoroughness and depth with which you address your topic as well as the clarity, accuracy and style of your presentation. You'll get a grade between 0 and 100 for each.

You'll get one participation credit for each time you attend a presentation and turn in an acceptable critique sheet. I'll compute your number of satisfactory critiques as a percentage of the number of possible critiques, and this percentage will be your participation grade.

You will receive credit (a grade of "CR") for the course if
  1. you receive a a score of 60 or above in each of the three components, and
  2. your average over the three components is 70% or above.
Otherwise you will receive no credit ("NC").

(The above "course requirements" and "grading" are borrowed liberally from Dr. John Sarraille's CS 4960 course description, with permission.)

Academic Honesty: The work you do for this course will be your own, unless otherwise specified. You are not to submit other people's work and represent it as your own. I consider academic honesty to be at the core of the University's activities in education and research. Academic honesty is expected at all times in this course.

Cell Phone Policy: During class time, your cell phone is to be turned off and out of sight. Any use of a cell phone during class will result in confiscation of the phone until that day's class has ended or your removal from the class for that day. If you attempt to use your cell phone or leave it on during an exam, you will be considered to have finished your test, and I will collect your exam at that time.  Exceptions may be made only if you discuss your situation with me prior to the start of that day's class, in this case, your cell phone must be set to vibrate/silence.

Important dates:

(See Schedule of Courses or Academic Calendar)

Last day to add a class without instructor signature:                     

September 6;

Last day to drop a class:

September 21;

Last day to change grade options (CR/NC) without instructor signature: 
September 21;

No classes:

September 7, October 13, November 11, November 26-27, December 11.