COMPUTER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CMPE195A
Course: CMPE 195A
Course Title: Senior Project I
Semester: Spring 2004
Instructor Information and Course Description
Instructor: Dr. M.E. Fayad, Office ENG 283I, m.fayad@sjsu.edu, (408) 924-7364
Web page: http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/~fayad
Course Meeting Place/Time: Lecture: Lecture: ENG 337, Friday 1:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m.
(13:30 to 15:20)
Office Hours:
Other times:
Tuesday:
12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday: 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m.
Send an e-mail to schedule an appointment.
Course URL: http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/~fayad /current.courses/cmpe195A-spring04
Course Catalog Description
Individual or group design projects. Proposal preparation with plans and
specifications; oral and written reports; professional seminars.. Prerequisite: CmpE
125; CmpE 127; CmpE 130; ISE 130; ISE 165; Engr 100W; major form on file;
senior standing. Repeatable: Repeatable for credit.
Course Objectives:
This course provides students a chance to work with experience faculty to conduct a practice-oriented
project. From this project, students gain solid project experience in project planning, problem
identification and analysis, solution design and implementation as well as validation. In this course,
students are required to select an interested senior project topic, conduct a literature and information
search, understand project problems, and identify the solutions with the guidance of their project
supervisor or advisor.
Course Summary:
This course focuses on project planning, problem analysis and design, and information search, and
proposal writing. It covers the basic subjects in senior projects, such as topic selection and identification,
team building, project planning and management, problem understanding and analysis, project design,
proposal writing and presentation.
Prerequisite:
See the handout - CMPE195A guidelines.
Course Work:
The course load for students in this class includes:

1 project proposal (team work) – This depends on your advisor.
+ Project Proposal or Project Development Plan (Required)
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CMPE195A
+ Requirements Specifications Document (SSD) and/or a Prototype
OR
+ Development (business) plan (Required)
+ Requirements Specifications Document (SSD) and/or a Prototype (Required)
+ Design Specifications Document (Optional)
OR
+ Development (business) plan (Required)
+ Requirements Specifications Document (SSD) and/or a Prototype (Required)
+ Design Specifications Document (Required)

1 presentation
Grading Policy:




Course presentation
Course project
Class attendance
8 seminars
10%
70% (Submissions)
4%
16%
Class topics:
Senior project introduction
(3 sessions)
Project planning
 Project management
 Team work
 Proposal writing – Project Plan, Requirements Specifications Document, and Design Specifications
Document.
 Project presentation
 Co-op job search
Team Project – If your Sr. Project is a team project. You need to turn in the confidential peer
evaluation forms at every phases.
The class will be divided into groups of 1-3 (three preferred) for team projects. Students will be
responsible for forming groups. Students will give a final presentation of their project work if asked.
Grading criteria and project ideas will be posted in a project Web page. The team size must be three or
less. This is a department rule.
On occasion, students take advantage of group work, letting other members perform the bulk of the work
while they reap the benefits of a good grade and can spend more time on other classes. This happens only
occasionally, but it will not be tolerated in this course. Two policies will help prevent this:
1. Twice during the semester, group members will be asked to fill out a detailed peer assessment for
group members per project. This assessment will be based on four scales:
Assessment
Zero
Meaning
Doesn’t do anything
Correspondence
Get a Zero on the project
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CMPE195A
D
C
B
A
















25% effort
Attends 25% of the meetings
Doesn’t participates in the discussion
Does a poor job
50% effort
Attends 50% of the meetings
Participates rarely in the discussion
Does a so-so job
75% effort
Attends 75% of the meetings
Participates partially in the discussion
Does an okay job
100% effort
Attends all the meetings
Participates effectively in the discussion
Does an excellent job
Get a 25% of the
project’s grade
Get 50% of the
project’s grade
Get 75% of the
project’s grade
Get 100% of the
project’s grade
Merely attending meetings won't be enough. Group members must be prepared for meetings, make
good suggestions, perform their share of the work, and work well with other members.
The grading criteria for peer assessment is as follows:
a. Has the group member attended meetings?
b. Has the group member been prepared for group meetings? I.e. was he/she aware of assignment
requirements, performed her/his duties, able to speak intelligently about the project, etc.?
c. Has the group member participated positively in meetings?
d. Has the group member performed their share of the work, as assigned?
e. Rate the quality of this group member's input to group discussions and design issues.
f. Has the group member been able to work well with others?
g. Rate the overall value of this group member to the project.
h. Rate the level of initiative this group member has exhibited in the project.
i. Other comments?
2. Groups experiencing problems with a student should let me know there's a problem. Do this early in
the semester. My experience is that group members wait until it's too late to take action. My
objective is to ensure that each group member has the opportunity to succeed. I will handle the
situation and ensure there is no animosity while resolving the problem. Usually, a brief discussion
will clear the matter up entirely and without further problems.
Course Goals and Objectives:
1. To apply the learned analysis and design solutions to solve the real problems encountered in the
senior project.( c)
2. To use the learned computer hardware/software design and implementation methods to build a
computer hardware/software component (or integrated system).
3. To gain computer hardware/software development experience and expose to current issues and
needs in one of computer hardware/software fields.
4. To learn how to conduct computer hardware/software system analysis and design using the
available methods.
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CMPE195A
5. To learn how to work as an effective team player in a project team to communicate with each
others using various communication skills.(g)
6. To learn how to write various computer hardware/software technical documents, such as project
proposal and project plan.(i)
7. To gain the techniques and skills on how to use modern software/hardware engineering tools to
support design and implementation of senior projects.(k)
Student Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, you should:
Have an ability to conduct and manage a computer hardware/software senior project using basic
project planning and management techniques.(a)(c)
Have an ability to analyze, design, and implement a computer hardware/software
component/system based on the given requirements.(b)
Have an ability understand and identify various current problems in a special computer
hardware/software subject. (j)
Have an ability to use and select different solutions to solve these problems.(e)
Have an ability to use various communication methods and skills to communicate with their
teammates to conduct their practice-oriented senior projects in computer engineering.(g)
Have an ability to use current computer hardware/software design and analysis tools and
technologies to work on the given senior projects.(k)
What is ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)?
ABET (The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) serves the public through the
promotion and advancement of engineering, technology and applied science education. ABET will:
Accredit engineering, technology and applied science programs. Promote quality and innovation in
engineering, technology and applied science education. Consult and assist in the development and
advancement of education in engineering, technology and applied science. Inform the public of activities
and accomplishments. Manage operations and resources to be responsive and relevant to the needs of the
organization and its stakeholders.
Program Outcomes; ABET (a-k) Criteria
The Computer Engineering Program is designed to produce engineering graduates who have:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering.
An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
An ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs.
An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
An ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems.
An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
An ability to communicate effectively.
The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a
global/societal context.
i. Recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning.
j. Knowledge of contemporary issues.
k. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for
engineering practice.
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CMPE195A
Students Learning Objectives Relationship to ABET Criteria (a-k)
ABET Criteria
a
c
e
g
j
k
Student Learning
Objectives
1, 8
2, 3
4
5
6
7
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CMPE195A
Course Relationship to Program Educational Objectives
Program Educational Objectives
Provide a broadly based curriculum consisting of:
 Computer Engineering fundamentals, both hardware and
Software, that provide a basis for professional competence
and life-long learning and
 Elective courses that provide contemporary professional
skills as required by an ever-changing industry.
 Prepare students for entry level professional engineering,
 As well as continuing studies in engineering or other
professional areas.
 Provide a practice-oriented, hands-on curriculum that
prepares students to apply theoretical concepts to real
 World problems.
 Provide students with the problem solving and
communication skills required to be successful and
advance in their careers.
 Provide opportunities for students to learn and practice
 Leadership and teamwork skills in a multidisciplinary
environment.
Date
1/30/04
2/06/04
2/13/04
2/20/04
2/27/04
3/12/04
3/12/04
3/19/04
3/26/04
4/02/04
4/09/04
4/16/04
4/23/04
4/30/04
5/07/04
Topic
Class Introduction
Faculty Retreat
Faculty presentation for project topics
Project management
Faculty presentation for project topics
Project management
Co-op job searching
A project description template will be
discussed
Project presentation for project topics
Team work
Project Management
Proposal Writing – Project Development
Plan
Team Communications
No Class
Progress report
Req. Specifications Document
No class
Proposal clinic
195A project presentation (I)
195A project presentation (II)
Course Learning Objectives
1,2,3,5,6
Turn-in
A 3-page project proposal
Preliminary project proposal
Project proposal due
Project presentation slides due
Final version of project proposal due
1,2,3,5,6,7
1,2,3,4
1,5,6,7
1,5,6
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CMPE195A
Submitting Format:
Submitting format for homework and programming labs:
 Printout all source files.
 Submission are hardcopies and softcopies (See submission guidelines)
 All writings and diagrams must be presented in computer printed format.
 Provide a hard copy of all inputs and outputs of your program.
 Mark your name, course number, and homework number.
 Specify programming compiler and its version number.
 Specify the required running environment and required software.
 Provide a floppy disk with all your source code, including all source files and the executable
program file.
Policy on Cheating:
 A student or students involved in a cheating incident involving any non-exam instrument
(homework, report, or lab project) will receive an F on that instrument, and will be reported to
the judicial affairs office. Whether the report will carry a recommendation for disciplinary
action will be left to my judgment.
 A student or students involved in a cheating incident on any quick test, the midterm exam or
the final exam will receive an F in the course, and will be reported to the judicial affairs office
with a recommendation for disciplinary action.
I will personally notify you of any such findings or actions. All such reports will also be brought to the
attention of the computer engineering department office. You have certain rights of appeal, which may
serve to exonerate you.
(see http://www.sjsu.edu/student_affairs/academicdishonestyrevisedpolicy.pdf)
Right to Privacy:
You will retain a right to privacy. I will not knowingly reveal your grades, student ID number, phone
number, address or other private information to others, except within the limits of university policy. I
will ask that you supply your first name, last name and last four digits of your SID on written homework
or tests. The grader system requires that you supply the first five digits of your SID as a password.
Grader permits you to access your own grade records and your standing in the class online, but no other
person’s grade records or personal data.
Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities who would need some kind of accommodation should make that known to the
instructor:
"If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you have emergency
medical information to share with me, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building
must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office
hours."
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
CMPE195A
Hand In:
All submissions need to be typed and handed in as hardcopies and electronically. You also need to
demonstrate Projects to the instructor or/and your project’s advisor. Hand-written submissions are not
acceptable. Check submission guidelines.
Class Webpage: http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/fayad /current.courses/cmpe195A-Spring04 contains the
syllabus, some of the homework and lecture notes, and occasional notices.