CS 4944: Senior Seminar (Entrepreneurship Version)
Fall 2021

This semester we are offering a second section of the CS Senior Seminar focused on the theme of entrepreneurship. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor, Dr. Ribbens, and will be limited to 25 students who are set to graduate by December of 2022.

The senior seminar normally focuses on three main themes: assesment and feedback, curriculum synthesis and self-assessment, and transition to life after graduation. This version of the seminar changes the relative emphasis among these three aspects to focus primarily on entrepreneurship. Students who have already been active in entrepreneurship, or who have ideas and intentions in that direction, will particularly benefit from this course.

The course will be organized around in-person visits from seven CS alumni who have been active in entrepreneurial ventures. Students will have the opportunity to study the careers of these alumni and to interact with them and learn from their experiences.

There are four requirements or deliverables for the class, each of which must be completed satisfactorily to receive a passing grade. The class is scheduled for Fridays, 2:30-4:00 p.m., in McBryde 655. Note however that there are only eight required class meetings.

1. Attend the brief organizational meeting on Friday, August 27, 2:30 p.m., McBryde 655.

2. Attend meetings with our visitors on "football Fridays": September 3, 10, and 24; October 8, 15, and 22; and November 12.

3. Participate in a 3 person group focused on one of the seven visitors. Your group's responsibilities are:
   1. Prepare a 2-3 page report summarizing the technical/business career of the visitor. What has been their professional journey? What company or companies did they help create? What product(s) or sector(s) have they been active in? This report must be submitted the Tuesday before the Friday visits; it will be shared with the rest of the class.
   2. Attend a lunch with the visitor on the Friday of their visit (12:30-2:00 pm). This will be a great opportunity to interact informally and talk about anything you want.
   3. Participate in the class discussion time at the Friday 2:30 class meeting that features your guest.

4. Write a 1-2 paragraph reflection after the visit of the alum on which you focused. What did you learn from their visit---about them and/or about your own plans and potential? How did it help/hurt your own thoughts about being an entrepreneur after graduation?

5. Write a 4-5 paragraph self-reflective essay on the degree to which you feel the department's stated "Student Outcomes" have been achieved for you. (Details to be supplied.)

6. Complete the exit presentation that is part of the standard 4944 requirements.