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Instructor: Primary Instructor: Professor Jason Orlosky
office: Riverfront Campus, Hull-McKnight building, office 2804
jorlosky@augusta.edu
Office Hours: 11AM-Noon Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (after class)
OR by appointment. I am usually in my office or in the lab (GCC 2500) on weekdays, so feel free to knock.
Course Description:
A project on research in computer science, including topics such as virtrual reality, augmented reality, and intelligent user interfaces. Emphasis is on literature review, rapid prototyping, testing, validation, demonstration, and academic paper writing.
Section(s): One meeting per week plus ad-hoc meetings and demos in lab
Riverfront Campus in Hull-McKnight (GCC)
Prerequisites:
Instructor permission
Textbook (Optional):
None
Class Attendance: Class will be conducted in face-to-face mode. Whether a given class is provided face-to-face in a traditional classroom environment, or online via WebEx or TEAMs, you are expected to attend. Class attendance is a significant indicator of course success and will be required for days on which you make presentations or have graded discussions. I expect you to be in class. I recognize the need to miss classes due to unforeseen circumstances, however missing presentations or client meetings will likely affect your grade.
**Note** The course delivery methodology may change at some point during the semester based on future CDC Georgia Department of Health guidelines. We may be forced to go temporarily or completely online to satisfy future health safety requirements. In the event this occurs, procedures outlined in the syllabus will be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the modified class environment.
Course Grade Scale
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Total Points Earned Final Grade
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≥ 900 A
800 – 899 B
700 – 799 C
600 – 699 D
< 600 F
Grading: Points are allotted for the following activities. Point determination is discussed in the activity Rubrics. For most software deliverables, half of the points are awarded for the team submission, and half of the points are awarded based on each member’s individual contribution.
Category Point breakdown
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Software Deliverables
- Literature Review / Design 100 pts.
- Prototype and iteration 100 pts.
- Core Functionality 100 pts.
- Testing and optimization 100 pts.
- Validation and academic writing 100 pts.
Tentative Semester Schedule by Week / Topic / Assignment
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Week 0 Class introduction, project Q&A
Week 1 Begin literature review and project design
Week 2 Literature review and project design
Week 3 Initial prototype development and iteration
Week 4 Prototype refinement and preliminary results
Week 5 Feedback on prototype
Week 6 Core functionality implementation
Week 7 Core functionality refinement
Week 8 Core functionality completion
Week 9 Feedback and re-design
Week 10 Testing and optimization phase
Week 11 Continued testing and performance evaluation
Week 12 Validation study, academic writing draft
Week 13 Data analysis, results consolidation, continue draft paper
Week 14 Finalize academic paper and release version of project
Week 15 Final testing and demonstration
*Note that students with existing research progress may start at any of the above deliverables.
Computer Requirements:
You will need to have access to a reliable Internet connection and a personal computer for your use the first day of class. It can be either a PC running windows or a Mac running MacOS; both are equally capable for the class although the PC is easier to configure. The computer must be equipped with a webcam, microphone and capable of video conferencing.
Lab hardware may be used on a project-specific, as-available basis, including a Windows PC capable of running Machine Learning or AR/VR software, Microsoft Azure, and the Cyber Range.
If you do not own a personal computer, AU has some available on a first-come loaner basis for use during the semester. The University has identified resources that can assist students with securing technology such as laptops to assist with completing coursework at a distance while quarantining or isolating. These resources are offered at no additional cost to the student. If information technology resources are needed, the student should contact the Office of the Dean of Students for support and further information about securing technology for the remainder of the semester. For questions about software and troubleshooting current IT applications, students should first attempt to resolve the issue by calling the AU IT Helpdesk 24/7 at 706-721-4000.:
Course Format
We will meet as a class once per week in the lab. During this time, each student will give a brief presentation on his or her research progress over the previous week. The format for these presentations is listed in D2L. Over the course of the semester, you will select a topic, plan out your research, implement a prototype or continue with a prior research topic, refine and test that prototype, debug and evaluate it, and write a manuscript (2-4pages) that models a poster or workshop-paper submission to a competitive international conference. Students with existing manuscripts may continue progress on previous work.
Use of Generative AI
Students are permitted to use generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot) in their capstone projects, provided all use is clearly documented. This includes specifying the tool and the prompts used if the resulting outputs are incorporated into the project. Documentation should be included as comments in your code, in the project report, verbal communication, or as an appendix. The use of AI should complement, not replace, the student's effort and creativity, and all work must comply with ethical guidelines and the university's academic integrity policy.
For team projects, all members are collectively responsible for documenting AI use and understanding AI-generated contributions. While AI can assist with problem-solving and code generation, students must prioritize learning and critical thinking.
Announcements:
I will post important class information in announcements on D2L. Please edit your notifications so that you receive an email when I post an announcement. Failing to make this edit can result in you not receiving important information in a timely manner.
Late Policy:
All assignments are due on the assigned due date by 11:59 PM EST. Late assignments will be accepted, but with a penalty of 10% of the grade per day late. There will be plenty of time to complete these assignments, so be sure to plan ahead for illness and other extenuating circumstances to avoid negative consequences. Extension of due dates is only acceptable with approved extenuating circumstances, such as severe illness. Make sure you have documentation of the extenuating circumstance. Unacceptable circumstances include, but are not limited to, power outages, equipment failures, car malfunctions, and illness without a doctor’s note. Because assignments and deliverable dates are posted well in advance, there will be very few acceptable excuses for waiting until the last minute. The course schedule posted to D2L will have the latest information and will contain any updates or modifications because of AU modifications. The posted schedule will have precedence and priority if there are any questions.
Academic Accommodations
Augusta University will make reasonable academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students should contact Testing and Disability Services (Galloway Hall; 706.737.1469; www.augusta.edu/tds/) as soon as possible for more information and/or to initiate the process for accessing academic accommodations.
“Augusta University believes academically qualified individuals with disabilities should have equal opportunity and access to a quality education. We are actively involved in fostering an environment that encourages full participation by students with disabilities in every segment of the University.
The Office of Disability Services was established to help ensure an accessible and positive college experience for students with disabilities. Our Office [Testing and Disability Services] provides a variety of services and accommodations to meet the needs of disability related concerns in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Board of Regents' policies” https://www.augusta.edu/tds/disabilityservices.php
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Augusta University is committed to ensuring all students have equal access to all services and
benefits of Augusta University. If you are a student with a disability and require
accommodations due to a diagnosed disability, you must register with Testing and Disability
Services (TDS) and submit the appropriate documentation. Requests for accommodations
should be made as early in the semester as possible, as accommodations are not retroactive.
Contact us at tds@augusta.edu or by telephone at 706-737-1469, for additional information.
All accommodations are confidential.
Distracting Behavior
Distracting behavior such as uninvited casual talk among students, use of cell phones, snoring, or inappropriate behavior toward fellow students or faculty will not be tolerated. Faculty have the right and the responsibility to maintain a classroom free of such distractions. Students who persist in such behavior may be asked to leave the class and may be counted absent for the session. Persistent disruptive behavior may result in forced withdrawal from the course.
Academic Honesty:
In an academic community, honesty and integrity must prevail if the work done and the honors awarded are to receive their respect. The erosion of honesty is the academic community’s ultimate loss. The responsibility for the practice and preservation of honesty must be equally assumed by all of its members. Any type of dishonesty in securing those credentials therefore invites serious sanctions, up to and including, a “WF” or “F” in the course, and expulsion from the institution. Please reference the http://catalog.augusta.edu/content.php?catoid=27&navoid=3332&hl=honesty&returnto=search#Academic_Honesty for further details and specific definitions of cheating and plagiarism.
“Augusta University (“AU”) recognizes that academic honesty is essential to its academic function. The [AU academic honesty policy] following regulations protect the equity and validity of the University’s grades and degrees, and help students develop ethical standards and attitudes appropriate to academic and professional life. Violations of academic honesty include, but are not limited to, cheating of all kinds, plagiarism, research misconduct, collusion, and false statements made to avoid negative academic consequences.” - from the AU Academic Honesty policy which can be found in the AU Policy Library at https://www.augusta.edu/compliance/policyinfo/policies.php
Academic standards and procedures can also be found in the AU Student Manual (section 5 – 2018/19 Manual) - which can be found on the AU Student life website at https://www.augusta.edu/student-affairs/
In an academic community, honesty and integrity must prevail if the work done and the honors awarded are to receive their respect. The erosion of honesty is the academic community’s ultimate loss. The responsibility for the practice and preservation of honesty must be equally assumed by all of its members. Any type of dishonesty in securing those credentials therefore invites serious sanctions, up to and including, a “WF” or “F” in the course, and expulsion from the institution. Please reference the http://catalog.augusta.edu/content.php?catoid=27&navoid=3332&hl=honesty&returnto=search#Academic_Honesty for further details and specific definitions of cheating and plagiarism.
Unethical behavior of students in any form is not acceptable and will not be tolerated in the School for Computer and Cyber Sciences. Academic dishonesty – to include cheating on exams, plagiarism of the work of others, unapproved collaboration on graded work, and the like - will be dealt with immediately and with clear consequences. Depending on the nature and severity of the problem, a student who is guilty of any such violation may be: 1) withdrawn from the course with a grade of WF (counted as an F in the GPA); 2) given a grade of zero on the assignment; 3) given a grade of F in the course; or 4) otherwise penalized, at the discretion of the faculty member. Two occurrences of a WF grade for academic dishonesty can result in a student’s being expelled from the University, per current University policy as described in the University Catalog. - HCB Professional Behavior Guidelines
Sharing of Instructor-generated Materials
The policy prohibits students from posting instructor-generated materials on external sites. The selling, sharing, publishing, presenting, or distributing of instructor-prepared course lecture notes, videos, audio recordings, or any other instructor-produced materials from any course for any commercial purpose is strictly prohibited unless explicit written permission is granted in advance by the course instructor. This includes posting any materials on websites such as Chegg, Course Hero, Discord, OneClass, Stuvia, StuDocu and other similar sites. Unauthorized sale or commercial distribution of such material is a violation of the instructor’s intellectual property and the privacy rights of students attending the class and is prohibited.
Library Resources:
Augusta University has a designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. Please be aware that students and faculty have no-additional-fee access to subscription-based on-line CD journals, books, and other publications. The Library’s Cyber Resource Center is at http://guides.augusta.edu/friendly.php?s=cyber.
Campus Carry Law:
House Bill 280, commonly known as the “campus carry” legislation, is effective as of July 1, 2017. Below is a link to the guidelines developed by the Office of Legal Affairs for the implementation of House Bill 280 that must be followed on all University System campuses. http://www.usg.edu/hb280
Course Schedule:
The course schedule can be found posted separately on D2L. The time associated with all deliverable dates is 11:59 PM EST. Submissions posted after the deadline will be treated as late and will not be accepted.