1. CS 3950 Introduction to Computer Science Research
Christo Wilson
8/22/2012
CS 3950 Introduction to Computer Science Research
Meeting 1: Logistics and Intro
Defense

2. Hello! Welcome to CS 3950 Who am I? Are you in the right classroom?
Okay, good.
Who am I?
Professor David Choffnes
ISEC 613
Office Hours: Let’s discuss

3. Anti-Social Media Don’t friend me on Facebook
It’s nothing personal, I don’t use it anymore
Follow me on
Pure, unadulterated self-promotion
LinkedIn: I probably won’t add you, so please don’t ask

4. Your TA Lucianna Kiffer Email: kiffer.l@husky.neu.edu
Also a computer science researcher!
Office Hours (location TBD)
TBD

5. Why take this course? Christo Wilson 8/22/2012
Go around room: Name, year, major/minor, why did you sign up for this course?
Defense

6. Why take this course? Learn what is Computer Science research
Exposure to research areas in computer science
Be able to read, understand, and think critically about CS research
Learn about how to participate in CS research, what it looks like

7. Goals Fundamental understanding of computer science research
What are the research areas, key grand challenges/open questions?
How do I think, read, and write about research?
How do I participate in research?
Focus on research in math, engineering, and science
Not about programming, proofs, plug and chug
Lots of reading/discussion
Reading-centric, with focus on active participation in discussions
How do you read a research paper in CS?
What are the key open questions in each field, and how do we go about answering them?
How to present research to others so they understand

8. Online Resources https://david.choffnes.com/classes/cs3950sp19
Class forum is on Piazza
Sign up today!
Install their iOS/Android app
When in doubt, post to Piazza
Piazza is preferable to
If you me a question, I will tell you to post it on Piazza
Use folders (homework1, lecture2, etc.)

9. Teaching Style I am a researcher Solution: ask/answer questions!
Things make sense to me that may not make sense to you
I may talk fast when I get excited about a topic
Solution: ask/answer questions!
Seriously, ask questions (interrupting me is OK!)
Standing up here in silence is very awkward
I do not get paid by the slide
Help me learn your names
Say your name before each question/answer

10. Textbook
None!

11. Readings Links are on course website
Mix of research, meta-research, and research-adjacent papers
List will build over the next few weeks
You are expected to complete the readings before class
Except today
Homework covers the same topics
In-class discussion depends on everyone completing
We will discuss one paper in depth each meeting

12. Workload Participation and Attendance 40% Homework (10) 3% each
Paper Presentation
30%

13. Readings and Participation
This course is very focused on readings and participation
Goal is active learning, which requires your active preparation and participation
Read every paper assigned
Only 13 meetings, you are expected to attend them all
Let me know privately in the case of unavoidable conflict or illness
10 homework assignments
Due at start of next class
Turn in electronically
Lulu will set this up in Blackboard

14. Paper Presentation Logistics
You will present in groups of two
Find your own partners, use Piazza if you need help
If we settle on an uneven number of students, there will be one group of three
Identify research paper before spring break
Must be a paper (co-)authored by a current Northeastern faculty member
Should be in an area that you are interested in
Meet with me during office hours to discuss and get approval

15. Paper Presentation Logistics (2)
Meet with faculty member, postdoc, or PhD student
Discuss questions you had about the paper
Learn about ongoing/future work
Ask about opportunities to participate in research on the topic (or in the area)
Presentation in class
What is the key problem addressed in the paper? Why is it important?
How does the paper address the problem? What are the methods, tools, outcomes?
What are the limitations of the paper, areas for future work?
What opportunities are there for participation in research in this area?
Lead discussion on the paper

16. Late Policy
Each student is given 4 slip days that they can use at any time to extend a deadline
You don’t need to ask me, just turn-in stuff late
Assignments are due at beginning of class, no exceptions
20% off per day late

17. Cheating Do not do it Cheating is an automatic zero
Seriously, don’t make me say it again
Cheating is an automatic zero
I will send any and all suspects to OSCCR without exception
KCCIS is also tracking cheating, with stricter enforcement
Answers to homework questions original
If you work in a group, your response must still be in your own words
If you have questions about an online resource, ask us

18. Final Grades
At the end of the semester, all of your grades will sum to 100 points
= 100
Final grades are based on a simple scale:
A >92, A , B , B 83-86, B , …
Homeworks
Participation
Presentation

19. Schedule Overview Overview Dive into each area Christo Wilson
8/22/2012
Schedule Overview
Overview
Dive into each area
Defense

20. Schedule overview
Meta research
Assigned slots TBD

21. Questions?