In this course, students will learn the methodology behind experimental research in computer science. The course will cover topics such as planning a new research project, designing experiments, enabling repeatable research, and effectively presenting your results. It will also provide practice with the four skills critical to being an effective researcher: reading, writing, speaking, and thinking creatively.

Note that the course material and plans are subject to change!

Textbook

There is no required textbook for the course. The instructor will provide a set of books and online resources.

Requirements

Registration is restricted to CS Ph.D. students, but some masters or undergraduate students actively engaged in a research project will be allowed to take the course with the approval of their research advisor and the instructor. Students must be involved in a research project before the start of the course. New Ph.D. students are particularly encouraged to take the course. Ph.D. students from related disciplines in SEAS may be considered if space allows.

Topics

The course will cover topics such as:

  • Reading technical papers
  • Proposing a project
  • Experiment design
  • Data processing, visualization, and statistics
  • Writing short and long documents
  • Giving short and long oral presentations

Assignments

The course will not include any exams. Students will be expected to practice reading and writing, both within and outside of their field. Students will be expected to make progress on a research project throughout the semester, and will give a final writeup and presentation. A large part of your grade will be based on class participation!

Academic Honesty

All work submitted must be your own. This is especially important for written assignments – you may NOT submit text copy and pasted from any other source! Don’t do it! Ever!

Illness and Absence Policy

The instructors understand that students may need to be absent from class either due to illness or other personal situations. For personal situations such as being in a difficult time zone, internet connectivity issues, etc., students can watch lectures asynchronously and are still expected to participate via other means such as the course message board.

If students anticipate missing several classes such as due to illness, they should alert the instructor as soon as possible.

University policies

Use of Electronic Course Materials and Class Recordings

Students are encouraged to use electronic course materials, including recorded class sessions, for private personal use in connection with their academic program of study. Electronic course materials and recorded class sessions should not be shared or used for non-course related purposes unless express permission has been granted by the instructor. Students who impermissibly share any electronic course materials are subject to discipline under the Student Code of Conduct. Please contact the instructor if you have questions regarding what constitutes permissible or impermissible use of electronic course materials and/or recorded class sessions. Please contact Disability Support Services if you have questions or need assistance in accessing electronic course materials.

University policy on observance of religious holidays

In accordance with University policy, students should notify faculty during the first week of the semester of their intention to be absent from class on their day(s) of religious observance. For details and policy, see “Religious Holidays” at provost.gwu.edu/policies-procedures-and-guidelines

Academic Integrity Code

Academic Integrity is an integral part of the educational process, and GW takes these matters very seriously. Violations of academic integrity occur when students fail to cite research sources properly, engage in unauthorized collaboration, falsify data, and in other ways outlined in the Code of Academic Integrity. Students accused of academic integrity violations should contact the Office of Academic Integrity to learn more about their rights and options in the process. Outcomes can range from failure of assignment to expulsion from the University, including a transcript notation. The Office of Academic Integrity maintains a permanent record of the violation.

More information is available from the Office of Academic Integrity at studentconduct.gwu.edu/academic-integrity. The University’s “Guide of Academic Integrity in Online Learning Environments” is available at studentconduct.gwu.edu/guide-academic-integrity-online-learning-environments. Contact information: rights@gwu.edu or 202-994-6757.

Support for students outside the classroom

Virtual academic support

A full range of academic support is offered virtually in fall 2020. See coronavirus.gwu.edu/top-faqs for updates.

  • Tutoring and course review sessions are offered through Academic Commons in an online format. See academiccommons.gwu.edu/tutoring
  • Writing and research consultations are available online. See academiccommons.gwu.edu/writing-research-help
  • Coaching, offered through the Office of Student Success, is available in a virtual format. See studentsuccess.gwu.edu/academic-program-support
  • Academic Commons offers several short videos addressing different virtual learning strategies for the unique circumstances of the fall 2020 semester. See academiccommons.gwu.edu/study-skills. They also offer a variety of live virtual workshops to equip students with the tools they need to succeed in a virtual environment. See tinyurl.com/gw-virtual-learning

Writing Center

GW’s Writing Center cultivates confident writers in the University community by facilitating collaborative, critical, and inclusive conversations at all stages of the writing process. Working alongside peer mentors, writers develop strategies to write independently in academic and public settings. Appointments can be booked online. See gwu.mywconline.

Academic Commons

Academic Commons provides tutoring and other academic support resources to students in many courses. Students can schedule virtual one-on-one appointments or attend virtual drop-in sessions. Students may schedule an appointment, review the tutoring schedule, access other academic support resources, or obtain assistance at academiccommons.gwu.edu.

Disability Support Services (DSS) 202-994-8250

Any student who may need an accommodation based on the potential impact of a disability should contact Disability Support Services to establish eligibility and to coordinate reasonable accommodations. disabilitysupport.gwu.edu

Counseling and Psychological Services 202-994-5300

GW’s Colonial Health Center offers counseling and psychological services, supporting mental health and personal development by collaborating directly with students to overcome challenges and difficulties that may interfere with academic, emotional, and personal success. healthcenter.gwu.edu/counseling-and-psychological-services

Safety and Security

  • In an emergency: call GWPD 202-994-6111 or 911
  • For situation-specific actions: review the Emergency Response Handbook at safety.gwu.edu/emergency-response-handbook
  • In an active violence situation: Get Out, Hide Out, or Take Out. See go.gwu.edu/shooterpret
  • Stay informed: safety.gwu.edu/stay-informed