The course "Presenting Computer Science" as a self-access option
Kurssin koordinoija: Tiina Niklander
Goal:
The goal of the course is to give an overview of the different fields of research in computer science, while outlining what is being taught and researched at this department of computer science. Until now, the only way to complete the course has been to attend the lectures and keep a learning diary based on them. To meet the needs of exchange students and upgrading students, a self-access option will be tried out in parallel with the lecture course during the Autumn 2002 term.How to complete the course by self-access:
There are two main parts in the self-access option; an essay and a written exam that ties in with the essay. Because the written material is available on the one hand as disparate www pages, and on the other as very detailed text books, the main goal of the essay is to steer the students towards reading the material on a suitable level of detail. In the written exam, very detailed knowledge is not required. On the other hand, you will not be able to pass either the essay or the exam with only superficial knowledge of key words.Essay
The main goal of the essay is to create an overall view of the problems, research subjects and methods used in the different fields of computer science. A general title for the essay could be something like 'The different fields of computer science and research in them carried out at the Computer Science Department.' You may compose your own title.The essay should answer the following questions, but should not be outlined in the order of the questions:
- 1) What are the different sub-fields of computer science, and how do they differ from each other? There is no single correct classification here. If there are very many sub-fields, try to combine them into larger entities (2-6) to explain further.
- 2) Describe each sub-field in a little more detail, but do not simply list
features:
- - what is researched,
- - which methods are used, and
- - what are the applications and social importance of the research in and results from this sub-field
- 3) Research in each sub-field carried out at the Computer Science
Department. It is best to write this in conjunction with each sub-field.
- - which specialisation areas or sub-programmes offer teaching in this sub-field (mention a few courses)
- - which research projects are carried out at the department at the moment, or were carried out in 2001
- 4) Links to your own thinking and experience (in connection with the rest of
the text, write your own ponderings, comments, argumentation, reasoning).
Your own point of view can and should be expressed in your essay, as your
own argumented views and emphasis. As a few examples, we can mention the
following:
- - how necessary, interesting, meaningful, etc are the different sub-fields in my point of view?
- - how do the contents of the course relate to my history and my goals?
- 5) List your source material. Use source references, i.e. show where you have found the source material. Your essay will not be failed if you do not include source references, but you might as well learn how to use them already. The source listing does not have to include every single www page. A reference to the main page is enough.
The following can and should be used as source material:
- 1) At least one of the text books listed in the course material, e.g. Brookshead, 2002 (there is an older edition, which can also be used, on the course book shelf in the department library). If you want to use a book that is not on the list, please contact the person in charge of the course beforehand. In your essay, you can comment on how useful the book is.
- 2) The department's annual report from 2001, available at the library as well as on the net.
- 3) The department's www pages. The pages on teaching and the research project pages are the most important.
- 4) You can search for Finnish/English terms in the IT glossary at www.ttlry.fi, but be aware that they are not 100% correct.
Length of the essay:
The recommended length of the essay is 5-10 pages (proportional character spacing, font size 12, line spacing 1.5). This recommendation is a guideline. The evaluation will look more to the contents of the essay than its length. A good concise presentation is much to be preferred to a wordy one.Handing in the essay:
The essay has to be handed in to the co-ordinator no later than a week before the exam. On the title page or an attachment, please state your name, student number or personal number, and your e-mail address and possibly other contact information.Exam:
In the exam, you are required to know the main outlines of the subject. No very fine details are required.Criteria for passing:
The essay (and exam) are passed if all the main sub-fields have been introduced and described as a whole, giving someone unacquainted with them a concise overview of the problem areas in each sub-field. In addition, the research in the sub-field that is carried out at the department has to be at least mentioned in the essay.The essay has to be written in a correct and proper language. Please pay attention to the terminology, as well.
Important dates:
An information and discussion gathering will be held for Finnish- and Swedish-speakers on Mon 14 Oct at 18:15 in room B450. A gathering for English-speakers will be held on Tue 15 Oct at 14:15 in room B450.The exam for the self-access option will be held on Tue 19 Nov at 16:00 in the Auditorium. In order to attend the exam, you have to have handed in the essay on Tue 12 Nov by 16:00 o'clock at the latest.
Tiina.Niklander@cs.Helsinki.FI