CN 730 Timetable of deliverables for research report, Spring, 2001
Students taking the course for credit will submit a written research paper
and present an oral summary of their research to the class in the last
week of the semester. The topic or content of your project can be anything
having to do with vision, and the dominant modality can be any one or more
of (1) computer simulations, (2) formal analyses, (3) design of a psychophysical
experiment, or (4) a critical literature review. Note that a psychophysical
experiment does not have to be fully executed in the course of the semester,
though collection of at least preliminary data would ordinarily be expected.
Note also that a "critical" literature review must contain an original
point of view, in the form of a hypothesis concerning which evidence is
being gathered, or a sketch of a model for which design constraints are
sought. The review cannot, in other words, be a list of "A said this, B
said that, and C said this other thing." The research report is expected
to be the product of an individual student's efforts, but students are
not precluded from reporting on some aspect or extension of a collaborative
project, provided the collaborator or collaborators are agreeable. Interim
reports on progress are due as follows:
January 29:
Turn in a written pre-proposal, consisting of a brief outline of methods
and goals, on the order of 2-3 pages.
February 12:
Turn in a formal proposal that will serve as a "contract" between you and
me, stipulating precisely the nature of the problem that you have been
investigating, and what will be deemed "worthwhile progress" by the end
of the semester. You should provide sufficient articulation of the background
literature to clarify why the problem you have chosen is an interesting
one, and why the solution that you are investigating holds promise. You
should also state what you anticipate will be the most difficult or time-consuming
aspects of your research, and provide a realistic time-table for achieving
specific interim objectives. This report should be on the order of 6-8
pages in length.
February 21:
You will provide an ORAL report to the class of your progress on your project
on this day. Presentations will be informal, lasting approximately 20
minutes, including time for questions. Note that "informal" does not
mean "unprofessional;" any audiovisual aids you use will be expected to
be of high quality. In place of our usual Monday discussion period that
week (i.e. on Monday, Feb. 19), I will meet with you individually
to make suggestions on a draft of your talk. You MUST turn in a
draft of your talk, in the form of "thumbnails" of your visuals, by the
FRIDAY,
Feb. 16. STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT TURNED IN A TALK DRAFT BY 4:00 PM ON FEB.
16 WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PRESENT TO THE CLASS ON FEB. 21.
April 30 and May 2:
You will give a final oral report of your findings to the class. The format
will be that of a "timed" presentation, not more than 45 minutes long,
including
time for questions and discussion. Once again, you will be required
to turn in a draft of your talk at least 5 days in advance of your presentation.
May 9:
Final written reports are due. Reports are to be in polished form, and
in a style that conforms to "instructions to authors" for some internationally
recognized journal.
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