NWI-IMC045
Research Seminar Software Science
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleNWI-IMC045
Credits (ECTS)6
CategoryMA (Master)
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Science; Informatica en Informatiekunde;
Lecturer(s)
Coordinator
dr. P. van Bommel
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
dr. P. van Bommel
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
dr. P. van Bommel
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2017
Period
KW3-KW4  (05/02/2018 to 02/09/2018)
Starting block
KW3
Course mode
full-time
Remarks-
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesNo
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedureIn order of Study programme
ExplanationIn order of Study programme
Aims
  • Learn how to evaluate research papers;
  • learn what makes papers good;
  • learn about how papers are refereed and published;
  • obtain a broad overview of important recent developments in Software Science research.
Content

The Software Science Research Seminar is intended to provide students with the opportunity to develop the skill of critically reading and evaluating research papers in the broad area of Software Science. The course is a required component of the Software Science specialisation, but is also open to other MSc or PhD students with an interest in this area. Every student in the class will present two papers. The first  paper is a "classic" paper from the area that already had major impact. The second paper has been presented at some top conference recently and may have major impact in the future.

Literature
A collection of papers on how to write, present and review papers in computer science will be made available during the course.

Teaching formats
• 6 hours guided individual project work
• 4 hours lecture
• 48 hours individual project work without guidance
• 16 hours student presentation
• 94 hours individual study period

Extra information teaching methods:

• Short summaries:
Each week, choose one of the 2 papers being presented, and write a short summary of the paper. This should be submitted electronically before the class takes place, and should include:

• What is the problem, why do the authors find it interesting?
• What specific claims does the paper make?
• What evidence is offered to support them?
• What questions do you have?
• Your opinion of the quality of the writing

Important: for these short summaries, you are invited to collaborate with one other student, so you produce a single summary between you.

• Presentations:
Everyone in the class will present two papers. This is basically an extended version of the evaluation above, which you present orally. Starting from this you should initiate a discussion of the paper.

• Review:
After you have presented your paper, you write up your presentation as review of the work (5-6 pages), identifying the main issues which were identified during the discussion and reviewing scope for further research. The objectives are essentially the same as for the presentation. This should be submitted electronically within two weeks of your presentation. This should be your own work.

• Preparation of presentations:
You should make an appointment with your "mentor" (a staff member with specific expertise in the area of the paper) a few days before your presentation so we can discuss your slides and talk about opportunities for making the class more lively.

Topics
The scope of the selected papers will be very broad and may involve material a long way from the topics of your interest. However the real purpose is to study the reading and writing of research in software science.

Test information
There are two assessed components, of weight 1/3 and 2/3, respectively: The collected set of your short summaries of six papers (excluding the papers you present yourself). Half- to one page each. Your reviews of the two papers you presented, based on your presentation and the discussion which followed. Around 5-6 pages each.

Prerequisites
Broad overview of computer science (bachelor level). More specific expertise in Software Science; preferably you have already taken a couple of courses in the specialisation Software Science.

Required materials
Articles
A collection of papers on how to write, present and review papers in computer science will be made available during the course.

Instructional modes
Course
Attendance MandatoryYes

Lecture
Attendance MandatoryYes

Presentation
Attendance MandatoryYes

Project
Attendance MandatoryYes

Zelfstudie
Attendance MandatoryYes

Tests
Tentamen
Test weight1
OpportunitiesBlock KW4, Block KW4