Mr Rogers IB Computer Science Syllabus

Milestones: The Personal Software Project will be submitted in five parts as shown below on or before the milestone dates listed in the table below. Each milestone will be at least the equivalent of a test grade. In addition the final project will be submitted on or before Feb 21. The final project will be submitted in a binder. It have a title page, a table of contents, and all 14 of the "Items or section to include" listed below in "Outline of Project Requirements. It can have appendices but must otherwise rigorously follow the outline provided.

Log Book: Students are required to have a bound composition book to use as a log book for recording information about their Personal Software Projects. They should record notes on all interactions with Mr. Rogers or other mentors. All entries are to be dated. The log books will be checked for new entries at each milestone and will be given the equivalent of a small quiz grade each time.

Science Fair Project: All students are required to create a backboard and submit their projects for to the regional science fair in March.

Minimum document standards: The document is to be typewritten using either 10 or 12 point business type font such as Times or Helvetica. Do not use fancy fonts with artistic flourishes or fonts that look like handwriting. All the pages must be numbered. Handwritten comments can be added to the program listing and pages can be numbered by hand where it is inconvenient to do otherwise. Be sure to proof read and run spell check.

Minimum programming standards: 1000 lines of code, 5 classes or interfaces, a GUI with a pull down menu at the top, ability to throw run-time exceptions, and Inheritance--at least 2 classes. Must include at least 10 of the following:

Outline of Project Requirements
Items or sections to include		Required Pages	IB Criterion	Additional Requirements	Due	Points
1	Table of Contents	1		The table of contents must include ALL the items listed in the "Items or sections to include" column in the order listed. It can include appendices but otherwise no other items are to be listed.
2	Analysis of Problem	2-3	A1, 3pts Weight: 8.6%	Must contain the following sub-headings with the specified information: A research question suitable for a science fair project (see the above link) that is specific and testable.. A hypothesis which details how the research question will be answered. While The research question can be a single complete sentence, the hypothesis should be several paragraphs long and meet all of the specifications in the above link. It should include a discussion of background research and to the extent possible, how the problem has been addressed in the past. It should describe the program's output. Required input, calculations, and mathematical models stated in general terms. Although you will be the primary user of the program, input/output should be described for a hypothetical end user who could potentially duplicate or extend your work. References used for background research--minimum of 5. Note that while the Wikipedia is a great place to start, it is not itself a valid reference. Most of these should be from technical journals. Web pages, if appropriate should, at a minimum, include the URL, the author or organization providing the information, and the date. any commonly used form for references is acceptable as long as it contains enough information to find the data. In addition each student should find a research mentor with in-depth expertise of the subject, other than the teacher who is at minimum available by e-mail.
Milestone 1					9-28	100
3	Criterion for Success	1-2	A2, 3pts Weight: 8.6%	Must have at minimum an introduction clearly stating the objectives/goals of the solution to the problem and contain an outline, bullet list, or table with the minimum performance and usability criterion so that they are easily scanned. In simulations performance and usability criterion are often defined by simplifying assumptions. For example, in a projectile motion simulation if air resistance is assumed to be negligible, the simulations solutions will only be valid for low speeds.
Milestone 2					10-15	100
4	Prototype Solution	Variable	A3, 4pts Weight: 8.6%	This section starts by describing an initial design for some of the main objectives that were determined to be the criteria for success. it should consist of the following: a brief verbal description. a block diagram of the program with at least one block describing user input, one describing the manipulation of the input, one describing file I/O, and a 4th describing the output. Bullet statements can be used for the descriptions within each box. The prototype is based on functional decomposition. It is a top-down design that includes NO, repeat NO java code. It must include: A brief written summary of the way the program will function that references items 2-4 below. Can be in outline form. Fully annotated computer-generated drawings of the user interface and output. There should be multiple drawings showing the expected output under various conditions. A list identifying all I/O. User feedback in support of the design.. (At least part of this feedback must come from the teacher.)
5	Data Structures	2-5	B1, 3pts Weight: 8.6%	Must include: A brief written summary of data structure that references items 2-3 below. A Bluej block diagram. A Javadoc printout identifying all classes and fields. Diagram of file structure which at minimum contains a help file. Sketches/illustrations of the expected screen output. Javadoc comments must include: A purpose for each class. A definition for each field. Sample data for each field, where applicable including a brief discussion of the way data objects will be changed during program execution
6	Algorithms	2-5	B2, 2pts Weight: 5.7%	Must include: A brief written summary of algorithms that references item 2 below. This can include a list of algorithm. Standard algorithms like search and sort need very little description but more complex ones should be reasonably detailed A Javadoc printout with information on methods (it's ok to reference the above section). Javadoc comments must include: A purpose for each method. Preconditions and post conditions for each method.
7	Modular organization	3-5	B3, 2pts Weight: 5.7%	A written summary of class or modular structure that references item 2 below and the above sections in the design and relates how fields and methods are interconnected with various classes. A BlueJ box diagram.
Milestone 3					11-05	200

9	Handling errors	1-2	C2, 3pts Weight: 8.6%	All input must be in string form with proper protection for out of boundary data. The exceptions are GUI items like sliders
10	Code Listing Listing	500-3,000 lines of code	C1, 3pts Weight: 8.6%	1000 lines of code, 3 classes, a GUI, and a help file that meet all mastery needs are the minimum requirements. The program should demonstrate the use of good programming techniques including: an identification header indicating the program name author, date, school computer used, IDE used, purpose. The program should possess good internal documentation, including: constant, type and variable declarations that should have explanatory comments identifiers with meaningful names objects that are clearly separated and have comments for their parameters suitable indentation that illustrates various programming constructs.	1
Milestone 4					1-21	100
11	Annotated hard copy of tested Output	Variable	C3 3pts, D1 4pts Weight: 11.4%	See C3:The student includes evidence that the program functions well. The student successfully achieved all of the objectives from criterion A2. See D1:The student includes a complete set of annotated sample output, testing all the objectives in criterion A2.
12	Evaluation of solutions	2	D2, 4pts Weight: 8%	See D2. The student includes a complete set of annotated sample output, testing all the objectives in criterion A2.

13	Documentation of mastery aspects	2		Note that failure to meet mastery requirements will drop scores more dramatically than any other aspect of the project.
			E, 3pts Weight: 6%
	Total	60-100	48	The Holistic approach criterion evaluates commitment, initiative and independence.
Milestone 5--Final Project (Note: 1/2 of these points will be in 4th Quarter grade) Any item with out a due date listed will be due in the final project write up.					Tues. 2-21	200
Total Point Value ( the equivalent of six tests) These points will be distributed throughout the entire year. It will be nearly impossible to pass without turning in a project.						600

Software Project Possibilities: The best projects are those which can be converted into a science fair project. Extra credit will be granted if this is done. Possible ideas are as follows: