The document outlines the history and evolution of a computer science research project course, transitioning from a one-semester to a two-semester structure to allow for better development and assessment of research proposals and thesis work. It details the management philosophy, methodologies, and assessment mechanisms, emphasizing transparency, group-based management, and multiple levels of supervision. Key learning outcomes and course components are also described for both semesters, highlighting the continuous assessment approach and the importance of student experience and research ethics.

2. History of DoCS & FYP
Management Philosophy
Management Mechanisms
FYP Course Structure
What does it all mean?
Challenges

3. • Commenced 1991
• FYP (1991 – 2002)
• Development Project (Create software system)
• Research
• 2002 – Present
• Research Oriented

4. • Moved from:
• Projects based  research oriented
• Close system  More Open system
• One-on-One  Group based management

5. •One-on-One  Group based management
• Team of coordinators - appointed by department at
beginning of semester; manage all admin elements
• Multiple supervisors (Primary, Secondary) – assigned based
on interest and topic expertise, mutual agreement
• Multiple assessors (Primary, 1 Other) – all staff for
individual activities, supervisor + 1 other for final thesis
• Open presentations at every stage of Project
• Open feedback and review at every stage

6. •Transparency
•Fairness
•Consistency
•Minimize controversy
•More Feedback/Help
•Shared Ownership

7. • Used to be a 1 semester course (we found no course outline)
• As of 2015  2 semesters
• Semester 1 – Proposal
• Semester 2 – Research Project/Thesis
• Why this shift?
•Separate project idea development/proposal from implementation/evaluation
•More time to think/work
•No more August submissions/grading 

8. Semester 1 - Proposal
•CSE 4100 - Undergraduate Computer Science Research Project (Proposal) ;
2 Credits
•Learning Outcomes:
•By the end of this course students will be able to:
• Describe the research process.
• Critically analyse and review published literature in a chosen subject area
• Document a detailed literature review in a chosen area of computer science
• Prepare and present a detailed project proposal
•Topics (Each Major topic presented by an identified ‘lead/expert’)
• Student experience, Research Process
• Proposal: Research Problem, Literature Review, Analysis, Evaluation and
Hypothesis Testing, Research Questions, Objectives and Goals, Thesis
Statements
• Methodology
• Research Ethics
• Technical Writing
• Presentation of Proposal

9. Semester 1 - Proposal
•CSE 4100 - Undergraduate Computer Science Research Project (Proposal) ;
2 Credits
•Method of Teaching:
• Research Topic Seminars 3 x 13 = 39 hrs.
• Meeting with Supervisors 2 x 13 = 26 hrs.
•Assessment: Continuous assessment to evaluate students’ learning.
• Project Proposal Presentation (20%)
• Written Project Proposal (70%)
• Supervisor Interaction/Engagement (10%)

10. Semester 2 – Project
•CSE 4200 - Undergraduate Computer Science Research Project
(Thesis); 4 credits
•Learning Outcomes:
•By the end of this course students will be able to:
• Describe the research process
• Develop their scientific mindset through an inquisitive, reflective and
constructively critical attitude in which decisions are substantiated and
discussed
• Implement the small-scale research design that was proposed in CSI 4100,
conduct analyses and effectively communicate findings
• Provide a creative and scientific contribution to the development of their field
of study
• Prepare and present aa detailed Thesis and Poster

11. Semester 2 – Project
•CSE 4200 - Undergraduate Computer Science Research Project
(Thesis); 4 credits
•Topics (Each Major topic presented by an identified ‘lead/expert’)
•Evaluation and Testing Methods
• Evaluation methods, choosing an evaluation method, evaluating prototypes,
user testing
• Analysis, Evaluation, Hypothesis Testing
• Analysis, Evaluation and Hypothesis Testing I
• Measurement and Scaling Techniques
• Sampling Design
• Methods of Data Collection
• Instrument Development and Administration
• Methodology Presentation
• Artefact Presentation
• Final Presentation

12. Semester 2 – Project
•CSE 4200 - Undergraduate Computer Science Research Project
(Thesis); 4 credits
•Method of Teaching:
• Research Topic Seminars 3 x 13 = 39 hrs.
• Meeting with Supervisors 2 x 13 = 26 hrs.
•Assessment: Continuous assessment to evaluate students’ learning.
• Methodology 20%
• Artefact Presentation 15%
• Thesis 40%
• Poster 10%
• Final Presentation 15%
Total = 100%

13. • Need Research to say …
• Outcomes/Success
• Presentation and Publication
• Seminars, Conferences, Journals
• Graduate Studies based on Research
• Work Placement

14. •Research direction
•Level of research – what’s acceptable for UGR; how
much is too much or not enough?
•Assessment differences
•Support - Not always able to supervise every project
adequately – interests and capacity

15. •Coordination and Supervision need time
•Time to adequately supervise - ½ hour / student /
week not enough for supervision
•Time to manage research activities - Voluntary
Coordination/Management
•Slow movement to publication (of publishable
quality papers)