Projects in Computer Systems (810:145), Spring 2003

Time and Place: 9:30-10:15 on Tuesday and Thursday in CEEE 20

Instructor: Mark Fienup (fienup@cs.uni.edu)

Office: Wright Hall 321

Phone: 273-5918 (Home 266-5379)

Office Hours: M 9-11, 2-3; T 3:30-4:30; W 9-11, 2-3; Th 3:30-4:30; F 9-10

Prerequisite: Computer Architecture, Networking, or Operating Systems

Goals: The goal of this course is to allow students to apply their current (and learn new) systems knowledge to complete a substantial group project. While I don't have any specific material to be covered, we'll introduce material as needed. The first couple of weeks will be used discussing Project Management issues and Bioinformatics material since the projects are to involve speeding up

Bioinformatics applications using parallel/cluster computing.

Text: none, but we'll look at a lot of material available over the web. See the course web-page http://www.cs.uni.edu/~fienup/cs145s03/

Assignments: Assignments will consist of work toward the group project. Teams will decide how to break up the work to be done in an equitable manner. Any team member not pulling their weight will be penalized.

Pedagogic Approach: After an initial period of lecture, I would like this course to operate like a studio course where the majority of class-time is used by students in working on their projects. One of the hardest parts about group projects is finding time in the week when the whole team is free, so class-time will provide your group with some time during the week to coordinate your activities. Therefore, attendance is required even if no lecture material is being presented!

Grading policy: There will be NO written tests in this course. However, each group will make several presentations during the semester including a presentation during the scheduled Final-Exam time (8-9:50 Wednesday, May 7). The remainder of your grade will be determined by the quality of your group project.

Each team member will have the opportunity to evaluate the project contribution of all members on their team (including their own work). Individual grades will be adjusted up or down from the team grade based on these evaluations.

Special Notice: The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protection from discrimination for qualified individuals with disabilities. Students with a disability, who require assistance, will need to contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) for coordination of academic accommodations. The ODS is located at 213 Student Services Center. Their phone number is 319/273-2676.