CS 4944: Senior Seminar (Entrepreneurship Version)
Spring 2023

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 24 students, with preference given to students who are set to graduate in May 2023.

The senior seminar normally focuses on three main themes: CS program 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 or intentions in that direction, will particularly benefit from this course.

The course will be organized around in-person or Zoom visits from six 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.

The class is scheduled for Fridays, 2:30-3:45 p.m., in McBryde 655. Note that there will only be seven required class meetings, spread out across the semester (schedule TBA). Like the traditional CS 4944 course, grading is P/F, with the P grade based on the following requirments:

1. Attend the organizational meeting on Friday, January 20, 2:30 p.m., McBryde 655.

2. Attend the six class meetings with our visitors.

3. Participate in a 3-4 person group focused on one of the six visitors. Your group's responsibilities are:
   1. Prepare a 2 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. Meet as a team with the visitor. For in-person visitors this is typically over breakfast or lunch, arranged by the department. This will be a great opportunity to interact informally and talk about anything you want.
   3. Participate in the class meeting and 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" assignment that is part of the standard CS 4944 requirements.