CS 3992-001 Spring 2023 Pre-Thesis/Clinic/Proj
CS/ECE 3992
Computer Engineering Capstone Planning
Spring 2023
Instructor: Erik Brunvand, Office: MEB 3142, Office Hours: After class and by appointment
Communication about class should be through Canvas messages so that we can keep class-related communications separate from other emails.
Course Description
This course is for students with Computer Engineering major status who are seniors within one year of graduation. In this course the student defines an engineering capstone project that is selected with approval of the instructor. This project is planned and executed to completion over the course of two semesters (spring and fall 2023).
There are several major goals for this project, which will prepare the students for industry or graduate work:
- Define and complete a significant engineering project
- Develop writing and presentation skills in the context of a project proposal
- Develop project organization, planning, and teamwork skills
Prerequisites: "C-" or better in CS/ECE 3710 AND CS/ECE 3991 AND Full Major status in Computer Engineering
This is the first course in a 2 or 3 semester series. The purpose of this course is to form teams and propose one of three senior capstone projects:
- A self-selected senior group project to be completed in CS/ECE 4710 (Fall 2023)
- An ECE clinic group project which will be completed in the subsequent 2 semesters. (Fall 2023, Spring 2024)
- An individual thesis project, which requires you to find a thesis advisor, and write a thesis proposal. The thesis work will be in CS/ECE 4991 and 4992. (typically Fall 2023/Spring 2024)
During the first half of the course while teams are being formed and while project ideas are being selected the instructor will lecture on the fundamentals of project planning: scoping, group selection, risk assessment, scheduling, backup planning, strategy, etc. The second half of the course involves student presentations and critique of the written proposals that are in progress. The final result of the course will be an approved project, clinic, or thesis proposal, including a written proposal with timeline, bill of materials, risk assessment, and other project planning and scoping information.
This class will involve a lot of writing and presenting of your ideas.
It will also involve a variety of readings related to computer engineering, team building, design methods and practice, and history.
Required text
There is no required text for this course. There are quite a few readings, but those will be provided on this Canvas page.
You will, however, be required to keep a sketchbook in which you will enter various assignments and reading responses. You can think of this as a lab notebook or a sketchbook. I prefer to use the terminology of "sketchbook" because I think of this as a place to sketch out ideas and thoughts that you may want to review later. Opinions vary, of course, but I find that the act of writing by hand, and drawing small sketches by hand, is tremendously helpful in forming ideas and working things out. I'd like you to try it this semester and see how it works for you.
For your sketchbook, you can buy any type of sketchbook you like, but I recommend something small enough that you'll carry it with you much of the time, and one without lines so that it encourages drawing in addition to writing. You can choose blank paper, dotted paper, or grid - just not lined!
- At least 5"x8" - you can go bigger if you like, sizes close to that are easy to carry around. 7x9 is another nice size, or you might like square format too.
- Plain, dotted, or grid paper - not lined
- Some examples (these are just examples - there are lots of styles available in the campus bookstore too!)
- Plain paper
- Dotted paper
Information Pages
- Readings - All the course readings, and many more in case you're interested in further reading
- Sketchbooks - More information and example images about sketchbooks
- Writing Resources - Lots of LaTeX information, and links to general writing resources
- Parts Sourcing - Information about places from which to source parts
- Lab Resources - Some helpful resources for using lab equipment (from Al Davis, 2013)
- Circuit Bending resources - Information about taking old toys and "bending" them into something interesting. Not completely relevant to this course, but fun.
Class Schedule (a work in progress)
I'm re-thinking some of the assignments so don't take this as the final schedule and final set of assignments. There will definitely be some minor adjustments as the semester goes along.
| Date | Topic / Reading / Assignments | Links, Slides, etc. |
|
1/10, 1/12 |
Introduction and Logistics Thursday - short discussion of this bonus reading - a short article from the Washington Post about privacy concerns with new products shown at CES |
T - Intro slides |
| 1/17, 1/19 |
Tuesday: Discussion of Machine Beauty |
T/ Th - Slides about New Media Art |
| 1/24, 1/26 |
Tuesday: Discussion of Google Team Forming |
T - Teamwork I |
| 1/31, 2/2 |
Tuesday: Discussion of Design of Everyday Things |
T - Project Idea Discussion |
| 2/7, 2/9 |
Tuesday: Discussion of Design Principles / Methods |
T - Proposal Structure Th - Proposal Writing See Writing Resources page for more links |
| 2/14, 2/16 |
Tuesday: Discussion of System Complexity / Modularity |
See LaTeX section in Writing Resources page |
| 2/21, 2/23 |
Tuesday: Discussion of NASA System Design |
T - Parts Sourcing |
| 2/28, 3/2 |
Proposal Abstract Presentations |
Group presentations: Tuesday, 2/28 Thursday, 3/2 |
| 3/7, 3/9 |
Spring Break! |
|
| 3/14, 3/16 |
Tuesday: Discussion of Endianess Thursday: No Class |
T - Mechanics |
| 3/21, 3/23 |
Project Proposal Office Hours |
I'll hold office hours to talk about project plans, logistics, prototype ideas, etc. My office is in MEB 3142 - on the west wall of the 3rd floor of MEB |
| 3/28, 3/30 |
Thursday: Discussion of Computing, Aesthetic (changed from Tuesday to align with the mistake on the reading response due date! |
Tu - SMT Soldering |
| 4/4, 4/6 |
Tuesday: Discussion of Ubiquitous Computing |
T - Laser Cutter (with demo) |
| 4/11, 4/13 |
Tuesday: Discussion of As We May Think |
T - 3D Printing |
| 4/18, 4/20 |
Tuesday: Interrupts/ESP |
T - Interrupts / ESP Processors Thursday: |
| 4/25 |
Tuesday: Prototype Demos Thursday 4/27 is Reading Day |
Tuesday 10:45-11:00 - Group 3 - Nathan, Parker 11:00-11:15 - Group 7 - Brittney, Jordy, Misael 11:15-11:30 - Group 8 - Dana, Ella 11:30-11:45 - Group 5 - Alex Gr., Beverly 11:45-12:00 - Group 6 - Ojas, Garrett, Isaac S. |
| 5/2 |
Final Proposal Presentations |
Note - this is our "Final Exam" day/time 120 minutes / 9 groups = ~12min/group 10:30-10:42: Group 6 - Ojas, Garrett, Isaac S.
|
Grade Components
|
Sketchbook assignments |
20% |
Draw/write in your sketchbook and upload an image of the pages |
|
Reading Reflections |
20% |
Write a reflection in your sketchbook and upload an image of the pages |
|
Quality and detail of web page and log: |
5% |
|
|
Prototype |
15% |
Build and demonstrate some piece related to your proposed project |
| Assignments relating to your proposal | 40% | |
| mission statement | 8% of this category | |
| abstract | 17% of this category | |
| initial proposal document | 25% of this category | |
| final proposal document | 50% of this category |
Note that 55% of your grade is on your evolving proposal documents, presentations, and prototype demos
Grading
- Disability? If you have one that needs attention, make sure I know early in the semester, and contact the University Disability Center in Room 162 of the Union Building, or call 581-5020
- Add/Drop Policy - follow the College guidelines. They're very strict so make sure you get the facts.
- Incomplete Policy - There is no option for an incomplete in this class unless you have a documented medical or legal emergency.
- General guidelines for grading are:
A grades: Excellent work that meets the highest standards of the class; superior comprehension and integration of course materials; outstanding commitment to class objectives. “A” work exhibits outstanding creativity and insight and involves an excellent proposal that has a high chance of being a superior project in the subsequent capstone project course. You "earn up" to an A - you don't start at an A and lose points from there...
B grades: Quality and quantity of work is above average and exhibits clear focus; demonstrates improvement over the duration of the course; solid comprehension of course material and commitment to course objectives. “B” work meets all course requirements and involves a high-quality proposal that should result in an above-average project in the subsequent capstone project course.
C grades: Satisfactory work that meets the minimum requirements, but may exhibit a lack of initiative, commitment, or significant improvement; Comprehension of basic concepts is satisfactory, with further integration or exploration encouraged. “C” work is considered average, and involves a proposal likely to become a successful project in the subsequent capstone project course.
D grades: Work that in one or more ways fails to meet the course requirements; initiative and commitment are seriously lacking. Comprehension of course material and competencies is below average and needs considerable improvement. This involves a proposal that will likely need additional thought to become a successful project in the subsequent capstone project course.
E grade: Quality and quantity of work is unacceptable. Course requirements and competencies have not been met. Proposal is unlikely to result in a successful project in the subsequent capstone project course.
I grade: Given and reported for work incomplete because of circumstances beyond the student's control (such as illness or enforced absence). University of Utah Academic Policy 6-100-3-G2 states “The grade of I should be used only for a student who is passing the course and who needs to complete 20% or less of the course.” Students receiving an I should be able to complete the coursework for the class without needing to attend any additional classes. Please see: http://regulations.utah.edu/academics/6-100.php
College of Engineering Semester Guidelines
Spring semester guidelines for College of Engineering students can be found here. (Links to an external site.)
Faculty and Student Responsibilities
All students are expected to maintain professional behavior in the classroom setting, according to the Student Code (Policy 6-400), spelled out in the Student Handbook. Students have specific rights in the classroom as detailed in Article III of the Code. The Code also specifies proscribed conduct (Article XI) that involves cheating on tests, plagiarism, and/or collusion, as well as fraud, theft, etc. Students should read the Code carefully and know they are responsible for the content. According to Faculty Rules and Regulations (Policy 6-316), it is the faculty responsibility to enforce responsible classroom behaviors, beginning with verbal warnings and progressing to dismissal from class and a failing grade. Students have the right to appeal such action to the Student Behavior Committee.
If you find that you have any concerns as a student, this page from the School of Computing web site has some very important links that can help. Check them out!
Note that the School of Computing has adopted a tough stance on academic misconduct. Pleaseread the policy and don't give us any cause to sanction you!
For 3992, academic misconduct means representing as your own, work that is substantially copied from an outside source. Since this course is all about self selected projects where you will write a proposal in various stages of completeness and give project presentations via slides, this is not likely to be a problem.
However if you use text which is slightly modified or copy diagrams that you find on the web then the source of this information must be cited. Best practice for textual work is to cite information obtained elsewhere and provide the full reference in a bibliography. For copied diagrams used in either your proposal or your slides then best practice is to cite the source in the caption or as text associated with the diagram. This is not an optional practice.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The University of Utah Department of Art and Art History seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you need accommodations in this class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the instructor and to the Center for Disability Services, http://disability.utah.edu/ (Links to an external site.) 162 Olpin Bldg, 801-581-5020 (V/TDD) to make arrangements for accommodations.
Wellness Statement
Personal concerns such as stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, depression, cross-cultural differences, etc., can interfere with a student’s ability to succeed and thrive at the University of Utah. For helpful resources contact the Center for Student Wellness; www.wellness.utah.edu (Links to an external site.); 801-581-7776.
Addressing Sexual Misconduct
Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender (which Includes sexual orientation and gender identity/expression) is a civil rights offense subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, color, religion, age, status as a person with a disability, veteran’s status or genetic information. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you are encouraged to report it to the Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, 135 Park Building, 801-581-8365, or the Office of the Dean of Students, 270 Union Building, 801-581-7066. For support and confidential consultation, contact the Center for Student Wellness, 426 SSB, 801-581-7776. To report to the police, contact the Department of Public Safety, 801-585-2677(COPS).
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|