CS 4944: Senior Seminar
Spring 2017


Instructor: Dr. Cal Ribbens, ribbens@vt.edu, Office Hours: by appointment

Task 1. Attend one technical talk or seminar. Write a two-paragraph response to the presentation---one paragraph summarizing the content and one paragraph politely critiquing the presentation. The quality of your writing will be assessed for this assignment. Upload your response to the class Canvas site by May 8.

Task 2. Attend class on February 21 to participate in a panel discussion with CSRC representatives.

Task 3.

Task 4. Write a two-paragraph essay in which you self-assess the extent to which you have achieved or experienced the horizontal and diagonal characteristics of a "VT-shaped Student". This is a term that the university has been using recently to describe our goals for VT graduates. Note that the "horizontal" aspect has to do with breadth and transdisciplinary knowledge; and the "diagonal" aspects have to do with informal, communal, and experiential learning. Give yourself an A-F grade for each of the two aspects, along with a few sentences justifying each grade. Upload your response to the class Canvas site by April 3.

Task 5.

Task 6. Complete by May 8 the simple "PEO Survey" available (under Quizzes) in the class Canvas site.

Task 7. Write a 4-5 paragraph essay on the topic described here. The quality of your writing will be assessed for this assignment. Upload your response to the class Canvas site by May 8.

Task 8. Prepare and give an exit presentation, as described here. These presentations will be scheduled in 15 minute slots in April and May (schedule TBA). The quality of your presentation will be assessed for this assignment. Presentations will be held in McBryde 114.


CS 4944, C. J. Ribbens, 1/17/2017