Gennert's Project Guidelines

Getting Started

• Relevant coursework should be taken before the project is started. Isn't that the whole idea of The WPI Plan?
• A well-written proposal will be due at the beginning of project work. This may be part of an earlier PQP if appropriate. The proposal must explain what the problem is and why it is important, and sketch a method of attack. The proposal does not need to be comprehensive, but it should let a reader know that you understand the problem.
• Read "How to Write a Project Proposal". You must follow the instructions in HtWaPP in order to receive funding.
• A schedule, covering the entire project, must be developed at the beginning of the project. The schedule should include milestones and deadlines.
• The topic must be well-researched. The library is an invaluable resource; all project students should be familiar with it. If you do not know how to perform a literature search, the library staff will help.
• Attend relevant seminars and colloquia on campus and nearby. This is one of the best ways to learn what others are doing.
• A project should represent a significant effort. The average amount of work will be 15--20 hours per week. Sponsored Research Assistants should spend 25--30 hours per week on the project.

  Meetings and Reports

• Project review meetings will be held every week. If you will be unable to attend a scheduled meeting, call or email ahead of time.
• Written progress reports will be posted on the Web prior to the weekly meeting, with a summary at the end of every term or semester. The weekly progress report can be short---1 or 2 pages---but must state what has been accomplished since the last report, what is expected to be accomplished in the next interval, and what obstacles were encountered. One progress report per project. The end of term/semester summary, project proposal, or final report may be substituted for the weekly progress report.
• You are strongly encouraged to submit condensed versions of high-quality reports and theses to conferences and journals. All thesis students must submit at least one paper based on the thesis.

  Final Report

• A well-written final report or thesis is required. Correct spelling and grammar are mandatory. Contact the Writing Center if writing assistance is needed.
• A complete draft must be submitted at least 10 days before the final deadline. Expect revisions. Submitting sections earlier is encouraged. Thesis readers must be given at least 10 days to review submitted materials. If the project advisor is to review a draft before the reader, submit the draft at least 20 days before the deadline.
• You must prepare copies of final reports for all interested parties, including advisor, thesis reader, off-campus advisor or sponsor, and registrar.
• All submitted work must be original.
• There are occasions when direct quotations are unavoidable. Indicate exactly which material is a direct quotation, and provide a reference including page numbers.
• Minimize direct quotations; quote only the material needed to support the point.
• Always quote the original source; never quote one author quoting another.
• Rules of attribution apply equally to drafts and finished work. Do not let anyone suspect plagiarism.

  Presentation

• A well-organized final presentation is required for IQP, MQP and thesis projects. This may be satisfied by an on-site presentation for off-campus work, or CS Colloquium, CS MQP presentation, Research Group meeting, or other forum.
• Use professional tools for your presentation, e.g., PowerPoint, Presentation Manager, Light Pro and browser.
• Expect to go through a dry run of the presentation with the project advisor.

  Software

• All software must be of professional quality.
• It must be thoroughly documented, including a User's Manual, if appropriate.
• Use an IDE.
• If written in Java, it must use javadoc for documentation.
• It must be thoroughly demonstrated. Warning: Normally well-behaved demos have been known to break in the presence of a project advisor!
• It must be thoroughly debugged.
• It must compile without error. Warnings should be minimal; those that remain should be explainable.
• It must be portable. Use makefiles. If your project advisor cannot compile and run it, it isn't good enough.

  The Web

• Maintain up-to-date project web pages. Include the proposal, specs, weekly reports, links to related items, links to your homepages, etc.
• Maintain a current homepage with a link to your project. Or a wiki.
• Post images and videos as appropriate.
• You are expected to find and post information on the World-Wide Web.
• While the Web is a valuable information source, use it judiciously. Note well that primary sources, such as original papers, are always preferable to secondary sources, such as the Wikipedia.
• Let your advisor know where your personal and project web pages are located.

  Responsibilities

• You are be responsible for finding out exactly what administrative paperwork is required and for preparing same. This includes Completion of Degree Requirements (CDR) forms, Thesis forms, etc.

  Grading

• No passing grades will be awarded until all borrowed materials have been returned.
• Grading policy: "A" indicates exceptional work, not just good effort. Significant original ideas, effort that goes far beyond what is expected, and meticulous implementation all contribute to an "A." "B" indicates good work, while "C" is for acceptable performance. "SP" indicates satisfactory performance at "A," "B," or "C" level. An "NR" grade will be given when little or no work has been performed during the grading period or when awarding additional credit is inappropriate. The final grade for a multiple-term/semester project may, at the advisor's discretion, supersede intermediate grades. "NAC" indicates unacceptable work.

  Groups Take Note!

• All project students share responsibility for the project's success. All team members should understand the entire project, and should read all weekly progress reports, term/semester summaries, proposal, and final report.
• You will receive a grade that reflects the group's overall achievement and your individual contribution to it.
• You will be asked to confidentially evaluate everyone's contribution, including your own.

  And Finally...

• Follow these Guidelines!

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