Software Engineering Group Projects (COMP3100/3500/4500)

This page gives a brief description of the administrative arrangements for COMP3100, COMP3500, and COMP4500 in 2013. Most of the information about this course will be available via the course web page:

The formal description of the courses can be found at the studyat web pages:

Course Staff

The course lecturer is Dr Eric McCreath. His office is CSIT N227 and email address is ericm@cs.anu.edu.au. Eric's office hours will be made available at the beginning of the semester. Also feel free to talk to Eric at other times.

Textbooks

There is no set textbooks for this course. However, the textbooks from previous software engineering courses you have done may come in handy.

Group Project

This is a group project course, groups will generally contain 3-5 students with one of these students being a fourth year student who has the task of leading the group.

A list of client projects will be made available at the beginning of semester from which a group must select one of these. Note that multiple groups will do the same project. This is intentional as it provides a much clearer way of ranking and comparing the performance of the projects. The group leaders (4th year students) who have the same client will collaborate in their relationship with the client in setting project objectives and specifications. However, in many respects these groups are competitors, attempting to produce the best project for their client. Generally the client would only end up using one groups work, although, a client may take ideas from different groups. There is the possibility of collaboration between groups on some aspects of the development (e.g. sharing commonly developed libraries), however, this collaboration must be agreed by all parties and clearly referenced in submitted work.

Group marks will generally be split equally, however, if group members believe that this is not equitable then the group's marks will be split based on contribution to the project. The contribution will be determined by the mentor in consultation with the course coordinator.

Workshop

There is no weekly lecture for this course. However, there will be 10 workshops per semester these are a core part of this course. It is a requirement that students attend and participate in these workshops. Each workshop will have 15-20 students in them with about 4 project groups in each. All members of a project group must attend the same workshop.

Each workshops generally includes the follow:

A 5-15min coordinators chat which covers key administrative aspects of the course and introduces the topic of the workshop.
A time to complete reflective questions that relate to this course and what you have learnt.
Workshop activity - in some cases this will be orthogonally to your particular project, however, it will help practice skills that will aid in your project. In other cases it will directly related to your particular project.
Mentoring (individual and group) discussion. This will be an opportunity to talk with you mentor, both to inform them of your progress and to obtain advice from them.
Group Presentations - assessable group presentations will be given within and to the workshop.

Assessment

The proposed assessment for COMP3100/3500 in 2013 is:

workshop participation - over the entire year - worth 20%, (Individual Mark)
prototype/library/design evaluation - semester 1 week 7 - worth 10% (Individual Mark)
3 artefact portfolio submissions - semester 1 week 10, semester 2 week 4 and week 9 - worth 10% each (Individual Mark)
2 presentations - semester 1 week 12 and semester 2 week 12 - worth 5% each (Group mark)
final project mark (includes a final project report) - semester 2 week 11 - worth 30% (Group mark)

The proposed assessment for COMP4500 in 2013 is:

workshop participation - over the entire year - worth 20%, (Individual Mark)
group leaders chat participation - over the entire year - worth 5%, (Individual Mark)
requirements documentation - worth 5% (group of 4th years that have the same client - semester 1 week 7)
3 planning/management portfolio submissions - semester 1 week 10, semester 2 week 4 and week 9 - worth 10% each (Individual Mark)
2 presentations - semester 1 week 12 and semester 2 week 12 - worth 5% each (Group mark)
final project mark (includes a final project report) - semester 2 week 11 - worth 30% (Group mark)

These components are then added to give your final mark. This may then be scaled to give your overall course mark and grade. The final marks for COMP3500/COMP3100 and COMP4500 are scaled separately.

Students must get a minimum final overall mark of at least 50% to pass the course. Also student must get a minimum of 50% for the workshop participation mark. Final marks are moderated at the Research School of Computer Science examiners meeting. Supplementary assessment will be awarded to those students with an overall course mark of between 45 and 49.

The project course runs over the entire year. So students must enrol into the course (COMP3100 or COMP3500 or COMP4500) in both Semester 1 and Semester 2. Students who pass the first semester will be given a KU (continuing unit) grade for their first semester. A final mark and grade is given at the end of second semester. Students that do not pass the first semester may be given a grade of N or NCN at the end of first semester and will need to start the course again in the following year if they wish to complete this course.

Please check the Undergraduate Handbook and the web for policy statements concerning special consideration and special, further and supplementary examinations.