Department of Computer Science

Computer Science Writing (CSW) 2011/2

Workload - Private Study - Assessment - Description - Learning Outcomes - Content - Teaching Materials - Recommended Books

Module Prerequisites

Prerequisite knowledge

This module is mandatory for all 3rd year MEng students. The taught part of the module is mandatory for CS undergraduate students taking a project.

Workload

• Lectures: 10 x 1hr
• Practicals: 2 x 1hr
• Private Study: 48hrs
• Assessment: 40hrs

The assessment (MEng third years) is a short literature review paper. It is suggested that this is written in two phases, with the student's supervisor commenting on the first draft. Lit review (assessed) preparation - 30 hours. Final version of assessment - 10 hours. After the written assessment, there will be a short, assessed presentation. For third years other than MEng students, there is a practical session in which each student will give a presentation - these presentations are not assessed but will receive feedback. The topic should be related to project (PR3 or PR4) literature review, and should require about 5 hours' preparation.

Private Study

Study requirements depend largely on the student's written English and presentation skills. The estimates for a student with average English skills are. Text preparation skills - 20 hours. Assessed presentation, and its preparation - 10 hours.

Assessment

Open Assessments

• Computer Science Writing: Aut/5/Wed -> Spr/3/Wed, uses electronic submission.
  Feedback: Spr/7/Wed
• Presentation: Spr/4/Mon -> Spr/4/Fri
  Feedback: Spr/8/Wed

The MEng third-year students do an open assessment comprising a literature review, following specified constraints, and a marked presentation related to the literature review. There are strict guidelines. Failure to adhere to the guidelines is deprecated and will lose (many) marks.

Formative Feedback

Written feedback is given on the presentations students make as part of CSW, whether they form part of the assessment (for MEng 3rd year students) or not (for all other students).

Description

CSW is taken in full by MEng third years students. Lectures are taken by all other third years doing CS projects. Lectures run in the first half of the Autumn term; timing of the presentations (MEng, Spring term; non-MEng, Autumn term) is to be determined. The aim is to help students prepare large extended documents, particularly project reports. For many students, the third- or fourth-year project is the first time that they have had to prepare and present a large piece of descriptive writing. Coverage is oriented to the specific projects undertaken by these students (PR3, PR4) and to MEng projects and assessment needs. Projects are assessed primarily on a report; students need to be able to present their work appropriately, setting it context, and evaluating their results, their approach and their contribution. The module also covers:

•Using LaTeX (presented by JLJ)
•planning, drafting, and how to use a supervisor
•project method, and its write-up
•report structure and content
•academic style, including referencing
•selecting and using literature
•tips on giving a presentation
•ethical issues in projects (presented by ADNE)

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module, students should:

•be able to make an informed choice of text preparation facilities, and use these to present written text clearly and accurately;
•understand the difference between draft and final copy;
•be able to use literature effectively, including appropriate citation styles and constructing a critique;
•prepare and give a presentation on an academic subject, in a fixed time;
•understand how ethical issues may be relevant to projects, and how to ensure that project work is carried out ethically.

Content

What is a project? (1 or 2 lectures)

•Project definitions and rationale
•Content
•Guidelines and how to use them
•Planning and executing a plan
•Motivating and justifying

Methods and Approaches (2 lectures, including Scientific Method (DWF))

Text preparation facilities (1 lecture on latex (JLJ))

•Text preparation software
•Style and presentation issues
•Referencing and citation styles

Writing for Engineers and Scientists (1 lecture)

•Drafting and revising
•Removing ambiguity and waffle
•Using appendices
•Proof-reading and checking

Doing a Literature review (1 or 2 lectures)

•Reading and noting
•Critical review
•Sources and searches

Giving a presentation (1 lecture + 1 seminar)

•Content
•Style
•Timing
•Don't panic

After the session on presentation, undergraduate students will each prepare a short (unassessed) presentation. The presentation will be presented to a small group of the students, which will then discuss the presentations. Each group will be scheduled an hour in a meeting room. A demonstrator will supervise each session.

Teaching Materials

Powerpoint/pdf slides. NB further books may be suggested in lectures.

Recommended Books

Last updated: 15^th December 2011