Practicums

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Practicums

• John Murphy
• Jmurphy_at_computing.dcu.ie
• http//www.computing.dcu.ie/jmurphy/ca623info.htm
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What is a practicum?

• Research/Development Project.
• May involve researching a given area.
• May involve just s/w development.
• However, most projects will be a combination of
  research and development.
• Marks equivalent to 20 credits.
• Individual or two person projects.
• A two person must project must indicate clearly
  the contribution of each student from project
  inception to completion (a different mark may be
  awarded to each.)

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Deliverables

• A 1 page project description.
• An 8-10 page academic paper.
• Describing the results in a form that could be
  published.
• This must be produced by the project team.
• However, subsequently a supervisor may wish to
  produce a joint paper with the students for
  publication.
• LaTex (http//www.miktex.org/).
• Other deliverables depend on the nature of the
  project.
• A WEB site.
• Software.
• Software Manuals.
• A detailed report.
• These should be agreed with your supervisor.

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How is it marked?

• Each project will be assigned 2 assessors.
• They will read the academic paper.
• The Student(s) will then defend their project.
• 1 hour session.
• This might consist of
• 15 minute presentation.
• 15 minute demo.
• 30 minutes of questioning.
• The structure is up to you, but you must leave
  time for questions.
• Other deliverables may also be examined.

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Supervisors

• Every project will have an academic supervisor.
• The supervisor will
• Approve the project.
• Approve the list of deliverables.
• Assist the team during the project.
• Agree on ownership of any IPR and publication of
  results.
• but will play no part in the marking process.
• Projects can have external sponsors.
• For example, a company might propose a project
  and support it with hardware, software, etc..
• However, there must still be an academic
  supervisor.
• The marking process will be the same and the
  sponsor will have no role in marking the project.

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Finding a project.

• Three sources
• Students may propose their own projects.
• Members of staff may propose projects.
• External sponsors may propose projects.
• In all cases, students must come to an agreement
  with a member of academic staff.
• The member of staff approves the project and
  agrees to supervise the project.
• The 1st deliverable is then a description of the
  project and the deliverables.

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Deadlines I

• Project Approval Monday 26th March 2007
• All projects must be approved and descriptions
  submitted by this date.
• However, students are strongly encouraged to have
  an approved project as early as possible.
• The earlier you complete the approval process the
  more likely that you will
• Get the project that you want.
• Get the most appropriate supervisor.
• You will also have more time to do some
  preliminary work on your project.
• YOU MUST ORGANISE YOUR PROJECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Deadlines II

• Paper Submission
• Monday 27th August 2007 3pm electronically to
  jmurphy_at_computing.dcu.ie with CA623 submission
  in the subject line.
• You will be expected to work on your practicum
  during the summer and complete the academic paper
  by 27th August.
• The assessors will be given 2 weeks to read the
  paper.
• The Defence 17th- 21st September 2007
• All other deliverables must be available at the
  defence.
• NOTE THIS IS AN EXAM YOU CANNOT UNDER ANY
  CIRCUMSTANCE MISS THIS WEEK OTHERWISE YOU MUST
  REPEAT IN 2008

Dates may be subject to change.
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Missed Deadlines

• Project Approval
• If you miss this deadline you will be allocated a
  project and supervisor.
• Paper Submission
• If you miss this deadline you will NOT be allowed
  to defend your work.
• Your case will be brought to the Programme Board
  and you may or may not be allowed to submit in
  August 2007.
• Defence
• If you miss your defence, your project will be
  marked solely on the academic paper.
• You will receive a much lower mark!

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Confidentiality

• By default, all deliverables are confidential.
• They will only be used as part of the assessment
  process.
• However, when you submit your project approval,
  you will be given the option of allowing DCU to
  use your practicum for other purposes.
• Granting permission to DCU is entirely optional.
• The assessors will not be informed about your
  decision.
• So it will have no effect on your marks.

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WEB Site

• The WEB site will contain more information.
• http//www.computing.dcu.ie/jmurphy/ca623info.htm
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• This presentation.
• Lists of projects proposed by staff.
• A project approval form.
• You should visit this site frequently.
• CHECK THIS SITE BEFORE YOU ASK ANY QUESTIONS OR
  EMAIL STAFF. EMAILS THAT REQUEST EXTENSIONS OR
  CHANGES IN THE TIMETABLE WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED
  UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.