Duration – about 5 weeks (about 5 hours per week effort - 25 hours average)

Goals:

1. Identify a narrow research topic (What is the problem?)
2. Conduct a thorough related work search (How have others tried to solve the problem?)
3. Write a survey paper that summarizes and synthesizes the area

How to choose a topic?

• Select a topic that interests you
• Is there a security aspect in your current line of research?
• Talk to me about problems related to current research in ISRL.
• Look through recent conference proceedings for the latest research results

Annotated Bibliography

Status Reports Informal update on your progress Due on some Thursdays starting on March 3

Draft 1

• No format requirements.
• Depending on the status of your project, this could be anything from an informal status report to a paper draft.
• Your draft should convince me that you are being productive and are on track for a successful project.

Draft 2

• Requirements:
• Abstract <br>What is the problem? Why is it important? Who cares about it?
• References <br>Up-to-date reference section with complete information (full venue name, date, etc.) and a consistent style. No annotations.
• Show some synthesis of the work
• Formatting - Single or double column. I will send you feedback electronically.
• 3 pt penalty for each day late

Final Paper - due on last day of class

• Minimum length limit of 4,000 words (excluding references)
• Aim for 4,000-5,000 words
• Single or double column, 11 pt font, 1 inch margins
• Seek outside peer review before submitting final draft
• Submit pdf file online. Add a comment of the approximate word count of the paper excluding references.
• 10 pt penalty for each day late
• 5 pt penalty if word count not provided
• Grading scale
  • 10 pts References - consistent style, complete information
  • 10 pts Abstract
  • 10 pts Why is the problem important?
  • 10 pts Citations that clearly show what have others done to solve the problem
  • 20 pts Synthesis - how well did you synthesize the material and show connections
  • 20 pts Writing style - polished, evidence of editing and review
  • 20 pts Writing clarity - can I understand your paper?

Final Exam Presentation - see class schedule

• Time limit: 12 minutes plus 3 minutes for questions.
• Submit a copy of your slides in ppt, pdf, or google doc format just prior to the final.
• Grade scale
  • 10 pts Quality of slides
  • 10 pts Delivery - quality of verbal presentation
  • 25 pts Content - how well did the presentation teach the audience about the topic?
  • 5 pts Time management - does it look rehearsed?

Self evaluation - Due before the final exam, submit online

• Length - max one page
• INDIVIDUAL PROJECT - SURVEY PAPER
  • What did you learn?
  • What went well and what did not go well with your project?
  • What would you do differently if you did the project again?
• COURSE
  • Briefly describe your attendance and class participation. Explain any absences.
  • What grade do you think you earned?
  • What were your strengths displayed during the course?
  • What were your weaknesses displayed during the course?