Introduction to Cmput603
Russ Greiner
Fall 2009
http://moodle.cs.ualberta.ca/course/view.php?id=149
Some material from:
José Nelson Amaral
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and
Research Methods
1
Outline

Cmput603 Logistics

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Goals
Grading
Contacts
Context
Grad Student 101
Misc
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
2
What is Cmput603?

Teaching and research methods

To provide information and resources on teaching
and research methods in computing science

For all new first-year grad CS students @ UofA

http://moodle.cs.ualberta.ca/course/view.php?id=149
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
3
Goals of Cmput603, I

Context



How to Teach


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
UTS lectures: preparing/delivering lectures, … (2)
3 hour “dinner session” on TAing
Ethics (1 lecture + 2 UTS)
Overview of UofA CS Research


Reading: “Grad Student”
Lectures on GradStudent
Lecture on UofA Computer Systems
WebCT modules
Faculty Lectures (n?): overview + seeking students
DLS Presentations (?1)
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
4
Goals of Cmput603, II

Research



Analyzing data
Writing short report
… complete paper (survey)
Understand publication process




… Rewrite paper…
Feedback from “co-author”
Rebuttal
Preparing presentation, poster, rewriting
Understand Reviewing process

HW#1: Short-Paper
Write paper


Reading: Research Methods
Program Committee
HW#2a: Full-Paper
Reading: Referee
HW#2b: Reviewing papers
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
5
Activities

Lectures on



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Introduction (RG)
TAing (CD, NM)
UTS-ish (5)
Research Methods (2; RG)

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
FYI: New and Improved over 2007!
• Less work (Short-paper)
• More feedback
• Level playing field (only survey)
Writing, Presentations, Posters


Grad student
Research methods
Task of Reviewer
HW#1: Short-Paper:




Computer Systems (CS + others)
Ethics (WB) + WebCt
…
DLS presentations (1)
Faculty Presentations (?n)
Readings (3):


HW#2a: Full-paper:



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Analyze data
Write report
Exchange for feedback
Write SURVEY paper
Exchange for feedback
Rebuttal
Present oral paper; poster;
re-write
HW#2b: Reviewing:


Evaluate papers
Program Committee
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Grading
Note: letter grade
(not pass/fail)
Component
Weight
HW#1: Short-Paper
Author: Content (MS)
Author: Form (DS)
CoAuthor Contribution
10%
10%
5%
HW#2a: Full-Paper
Author: Content (MS)
Author: Form (DS)
CoAuthor Contribution
Rebuttal
Presentation / Revision
15%
10%
5%
5%
10%
HW#2b: Review
Reviews
Participation in PC process
10%
10%
Class attendance
10%
?Extra credit?
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Ethics


All UofA graduate students must complete
10 hours of ethics training
Computing Science:



Two 1.5-hour lectures:
 Plagiarism (Chris Hackett) – 1/Sept
 Code of Student Behavior (Deborah Eerkes ) – 2/Sept
One 2-hour lecture: IP/Ethics (W Bishof) – 21/Oct
Completing independent learning modules online



complete 5 online tests and submit the results
https://www.ualberta.ca/ELEARNING/login.html
http://moodle.cs.ualberta.ca/mod/resource/view.php?id=5183
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Attendance in CMPUT 603

Everyone SHOULD attend every lecture …


Lots of useful information!!
Evaluation


If  2 absences: full 10% for attendance
If >2 absences



I email to confirm records
The attendance grade is…
= 12 – #absences
Option B: Quiz to start each session ??
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Readings

Reading #1: How to succeed in Grad School


Reading #2: Research Methodology


Discussion: 30/Sept
Discussion: 14/Oct
Reading #3: Task of the Referee

Discussion: 19/Oct
Read these papers!
During class, I will ask YOU random questions
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Homework #1: Short Paper

Learn a classifier from a dataset


Option: use Weka software on Weka dataset
Write short report

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

Abstract; summary of results; conclusion
2 pages max
We like pictures/figures
N.b., this is NOT a full paper

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
Interact with collaborator
Dates:




more like… what you show your advisor…
Tues 29/Sept: finish “draft”, to collaborator
Friday 2/Oct: receive feedback from collaborator
Tues 6/Oct: hand-in final version
… see webpage for details of

Weka, Machine Learning, …
Machine Learning 101 talk .. on Friday 18/Sept 3pm (CSC3-33)
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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HW#2a: Full Paper

Full paper

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Survey of some topic
6 pages (full [if short] paper)
We still like picture/figures!
Deadlines
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Wed 21/Oct: Title, abstract, ≥3 papers
Mon 26/Oct: First draft to collaborator
Mon 28/Oct: Receive feedback from collaborator
Fri 30/Oct: Abstract due
Mon 4/Nov: Full submission due
Mon 17/Nov – Wed 20/Nov: Rebuttal
Final activities



Mon 31/Nov, Wed 2/Dec: Oral Presentations
Fri 4/Dec: Poster presentations
Fri 4/Dec: Revised paper due
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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HW#2b: Reviewing


For “Full Paper”
Deadlines:



Fri 30/Oct – Wed 4/Nov: Bidding
5 – 16/Nov: Reviewing
25/Nov: PC meeting
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Administrative Info
Instructor:
Prof. Russ Greiner
greiner@cs.ualberta.ca
http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~greiner
Office ATH 359
Phone 780 492-5461
Office Hours: Anytime… appointment recommended
http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~greiner/GoogleCalendar.html
TAs:
Mike Smit
msmit@cs.ualberta.ca
http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~msmit
David Chodos
chodos@cs.ualberta.ca
http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~chodos
+ David Stults?
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Outline


Cmput603 Logistics
Context …





Who are you?
Who are we?
Grad Student 101
Misc
Announcements
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Who are YOU?
… class of 2009-2010
MSc
applications
… started
… completed
PhD
Total
570
243 110
admitted
79
43
arriving
33
25
353
122
58*
* ???as
of 26/Aug/09
Male / Female: 44M / 14F
Nationality:
15 Cdn (Citizen + Perm. Res.); 15 Iran; 13 China; 2 US
Major Scholar (NSERC, QE II, Cocyten): 8
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Background of the Dept

One of the oldest in Canada


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46 faculty members
40+ support staff
225 graduate students



1964: first M.Sc.
1973: first 2 Ph.D.
Continuing: 70 M.Sc. + 100 Ph.D.
New:
33 M.Sc. + 25 Ph.D.
16+16 graduate courses offered this year
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
18
People You Want to Know
Edith Drummond
(Grad. Program Coordinator)
Catherine Descheneau
Director of Instructional Laboratories
Karen Berg
(Grad. Program Assistant)
Carol Smith
(Faculty Services Officer)
Steve Sutphen
(Faculty Services Officer)
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
19
People You Want to Know
Mike MacGregor
Jim Hoover
Professor +
Department Chair
Professor +
Associate Chair (Undergraduate)
Mario Nascimento
Russ Greiner
Associate Professor +
Associate Chair (Research)
Professor +
Associate Chair (Graduate)
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Outline



Cmput603 Logistics
Context
Grad Student 101




Requirements
Thesis
Misc
Announcements
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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M.Sc. (thesis)

Cmput603 plus 4 graduate courses



Research-oriented M.Sc.:
Students must demonstrate ability to



master research literature
do innovative work with minimal supervision
A thesis




Minimum GPA for continuation is 2.7
Minimum passing grade is C+ [ = 2.3 ]
Seminar must be given prior to the defense
Written dissertation
Oral exam
Should be complete within
20 months of full-time study
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Dissertation vs Thesis

Dissertation = document

Thesis = “falsifiable hypothesis”



Claim that could be false…
… but is not
Dissertation =
document that establishes thesis
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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M.Sc. Thesis
(UofA Calendar)
…the thesis should reveal that the candidate
 is able to work in a scholarly manner and
 is acquainted with the principal works
published on the subject of the thesis.
 As far as possible, it should be an original
contribution….
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
24
Ph.D. thesis
UofA Calendar
A doctoral thesis must embody the results
of original investigations and analyses and
be of such quality as to merit publication;
furthermore, it must constitute a
substantial contribution to the
knowledge of the candidate’s field of study.
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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What happens in the defense?
Just you and Examination Committee


You give short (15 – 20 minute) presentation
Questions from examiners…



on any topic (dissertation, field, presentation, …)
2 rounds – each about 10 minutes / examiner
Judgment:




Pass
Pass, subject to revision
Adjourn
Fail
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Ph.D. Requirements

Course requirements


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

With M.Sc.: min. of 3 single-term graduate courses + 603
Without M.Sc.: min. of 7 single-term graduate courses + 603
Min. GPA for continuation is 3.3.
Must have a grade of B- or higher in 3 grad-level courses
Min. passing grade is C+
Breadth requirements (3 areas, 1 course in each area)

Theoretical foundations


Systems and network




(graphics, vision and imaging; database systems; AI)
Candidacy exam (thesis proposal)


(architecture and robotics; systems and network; software and languages)
Applications


(theory, applied math, combinatorial computing)
normally held after the course requirements are completed
3 seminars
Written dissertation
Final oral exam
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
27
http://moodle.cs.ualberta.ca/mod/resource/view.php?id=11602
PhD Seminars

QUANTITY:



Three presentations
Each must be a "1-hour talk" … 45-50 minutes
CONTENT:

Final presentation: summary of the dissertation


delivered just before the defense
Another can be a comprehensive survey of the state-of-the-art wrt the
thesis topic;

around candidacy exam

WHERE: All 3 must be at UofA.

AUDIENCE:



Open to the public
 2 UofA CS profs must attend
EVALUATION: no formal evaluation
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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M.Sc. to Ph.D.

If you






are in the M.Sc. Program
have impressed your supervisor
(and other faculty members)
by your research ability (e.g. in projects)
have excelled in courses (all A’s)
are interested in the PhD program
know the risks (hard to return to MSc)
then you may want to consider transferring to
the Ph.D. program directly without finishing
your M.Sc.
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Research Dissemination
(Publications)



A very important component of the
research training
If the work is not published,
it will be soon forgotten by all
Students in all degree programs
(M.Sc. and Ph.D.)
are encouraged to publish their work !
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
30
Supervisor

Important to select Supervisor



First determine your area of interest
Then talk to faculty members in the area


deadline is March
Talk to their students
Find prof who…


you can work with &
has a project of interest to you
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Working with Supervisor

Your progress is your responsibility



Be organized… maintain list of …




Annotated bibliography of papers read
Issues – how related to your work
Open problems
Develop strong language skills


Regular weekly meetings
Keep advisor informed
Verbal and written
Maintain interesting website
http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~stroulia/grad-advice.html
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Regular Weekly Meetings


Individual or project-specific
Goal:



discuss issues that have arisen
set new goals for the project
make sure that all parties involved




(students, supervisors, project funding agencies)
know status of the project.
Set new milestones + deadlines
If unable to meet your deadlines, tell advisor why ASAP
Use


collaboration wiki (for papers, drafts, annotated bibliographies)
CVS (for code and design documents)
http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~stroulia/grad-advice.html
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Develop Strong Language Skills

Effective communication skills is crucial


Do not make public anything that has not been checked for
language and grammar correctness





verbal and written
Paper and presentation drafts, email messages, wiki reports, …
Use automatic checking tools
Ask a friend to read and correct
Present your work to fellow students, department visitors,
even yourself in front of the mirror…
Attend department-wide presentations;


the more presentations you attend, the more comfortable you
become with various presentation arguments and rhetorical
structures.
learn what distinguishes effective presentations from boring ones
http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~stroulia/grad-advice.html
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
34
Outline




Cmput603 Logistics
Context
Grad Student 101
Misc






TAing
Academic Integrity: Plagiarism, …
Student Services: Counseling, …
Seminars
Pointers
Announcements
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
35
Being a good Teaching Assistant

Support your instructor(s)


Be responsible…



Do not set your own agenda or guidelines
to the instructor
to the students
Continuing as a TA depends on performance
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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TA Awards

Several TA awards from the
Graduate Students Association


Annual
Campus wide recognition
+ awards from UofA CS
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Academic Integrity
The University of Alberta is committed to the highest
standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are
expected to be familiar with these standards regarding
academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the
University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to
familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of
Student Behavior
(online at http://www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm )
and avoid any behavior which could potentially result in
suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of
facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic
dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension
or expulsion from the University.
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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If you have any questions…

Graduate Program Manual
http://www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca/gradmanual

Don’t CheatSheet
http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/governance/Student
AppealsCheatsheet.cfm

…
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
41
Policies on Integrity




Do not cheat on assignments:
Discuss only general approaches to problem
Do not take written notes on other's work
Respect the lab environment.
Do not:







Interfere with operation of computing system
Interfere with other's files
Change another's password
Copy another's program
etc.
Cheating is reported to university… and is then out of our hands
Possible consequences:




A mark of 0 for assignment
A mark of 0 for the course
A permanent note on student record
Suspension / Expulsion from university
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Double Dipping and Plagiarism

Double dipping: submitting the same
work to obtain credit in >1 class


It is not allowed!
Plagiarism is not tolerated.

The consequences for plagiarism are
enormous!
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Plagiarism

Papers in Cmput603:




Grade will be affected
One-on-one discussion with the instructor
but … no report to disciplinary officer
Typical Faculty of Science penalties
(depends on severity of case):



Failing grade in the course; and/or
Suspension from the university; or
Expulsion from the university.
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Common Problems

Between …






TA and instructor
Student and supervisor
Student and student
Be open and upfront!
Resolve the problem before it becomes a major issue
The Department has a collegial environment.


Everything can be discussed.
Don’t wait until very late to resolve a problem!
See WebCT modules…
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/studentservices/
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
46
http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/counselling/
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
48
CMPUT 114 F04 - Lecture 01
© C. Jones
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
Slide # 49
49
http://www.gsa.ualberta.ca/index.php/gsa/content/category/academic_support_centre/
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Relevant Web Pages

Dept of Computing Science

Cmput 603
http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/
http://moodle.cs.ualberta.ca/course/view.php?id=149

Grad World:
http://moodle.cs.ualberta.ca/course/view.php?id=93

Newsgroup, discussion area, general content

CSGSA Moodle Page:

Seminars/Events:

…
http://moodle.cs.ualberta.ca/course/view.php?id=146
http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/events/
 including AI-Seminar
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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GradWorld Moodle Website
http://moodle.cs.ualberta.ca/course/view.php?id=93
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Steps to Graduation – PhD
http://moodle.cs.ualberta.ca/mod/resource/view.php?id=8261
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CSGSA Moodle Webpage
http://moodle.cs.ualberta.ca/course/view.php?id=146
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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NewsGroups

Forums / Newgroups




CSGSA Moodle Page
Post your questions
Volunteer your informations
List topics that you know about …
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Seminars and Talks

Many seminars and talks
(DLS, AI-Seminar, special lectures, etc)

http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/~greiner/SeminarCalendar.html

All 603 students must attend all
DLS (Distinguished Lecture Series) in the first term

Attend any seminar that look interesting


… even if not quite in your area
You are welcome to attend any open research group
meeting in the department:
 http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/research/meetings.php
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AI Seminar !!!



http://www.cs.ualberta.ca/events/ai.php
Friday noon, CSC 3-33
Neat topics, great speakers, FREE PIZZA!
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Mailing list for technical questions

For technical questions:






What algorithm to use?
What software package?
Problems with code generation
Problems with software configuration
Subscribe/write to:
cstech@mailman.srv.ualberta.ca
For instruction on how to subscribe/use:
http://www.mailman.srv.ualberta.ca
See also helpdesk@cs.ualberta.ca for questions about hardware or software
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
61
iCORE/ICT: info session 18/Sept 1:30-4:20 Dent/Pharm 2022
NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships
Do not wait for the information sessions to begin your application
Start now and then make revisions after the info sessions

Scholarships for
MSc (PGSM: $17.3K/year x 1year)
 PhD (PGSD: $21K / year x 2-3 years)
http://www.nserc.gc.ca/sf_e.asp?nav=sfnav&lbi=2a
+ iCORE ICT “top up” [+ ≤ $12.7K; + ≤ $15K] (must apply)


Information Session (CS dept):


Information Session (FGSR):


September 11 – 3pm, CSC 333
September 15 – 9 to 11:45am; in Council Chambers 2-1 University Hall
Deadline: Monday September 28 - 4 pm:


Deadline to have complete application into the department.
Include your reference letters... including outside UofA!
… your responsibility
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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QUIET Labs, Offices

Labs, Offices should be QUIET




If need extended conversation with
colleagues (or cell phone):



Mostly individual activities
Occasional SHORT conversations
Limited cell phone use
Go elsewhere…
Use hallway, break-out rooms, …
If gets too noisy… visit
CSC 3-45 (Quiet Room)
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Common Sense about Scents

We do allow food in the labs.
But… not spoiled and smelly food !


store left-over food in a refrigerator
throw away
remaining food, bones, ... and food containers
in trashcans that are emptied every night




eg, in lounges or washrooms
Avoid pungent perfumes/colognes/…
Gym clothes!
Wash yourself…
CMPUT 603 - Teaching and Research Methods
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Sleeping

You should not be sleeping in
your office/lab
Go home!

If problems… see counselors…

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If Questions…

wrt LABs: ask your LAB Manager
– see LabManager Moodle page
http://moodle.cs.ualberta.ca/mod/wiki/view.php?id=9878

wrt Offices: ask CSGSA (or GAC)

Or ask me…
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Volunteer ??

Several labs

Ammi lab and Anup/Irene's Multimedia lab
need students to participate in experiments.

If you are interested in some exposure to
research:
Sign up on a "participant list"
 you are happy receiving emails about volunteering in
experiments

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Advanced Man-Machine Interface
Laboratory
Telesurgery
Training of laparoscopic surgery
Spatial Navigation in Virtual
Environments
Perception of Haptic Feedback
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Experimental Evaluation & User Studies
(5) Mobile Education
(3) Texture Synthesis
(4) Gesture Recognition
(1) Stereo 3D-Cursor
(2) N-Dimensional Visualization
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Research Methods
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CSGSA Events


(Computing Science Graduate Student Association)
First Year Beer – Mon 14/Sept

After this class!

Klatch – afternoon, Tues 15/Sept
Games Night – evening, Wed 16/Sept
Grad Barbecue – noon-ish, Sat 19/Sept

Monthly…





Games night
Movie night
…
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Optional
th
50

In benefit of United Way






Turkey Trot – 26 Sept
CS has participated for 19 years
CS has won “most participants”
for many many years
It is fun
It is a good cause
It is for the whole family
Early bird: 19 Sept

CGSA discount: $5
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Library – Recreation!

Can get NOVELs are various UofA libraries




library tours (first week)


Rutherford
see on-line catalogue
(over 6M book – 2nd largest in Canada!)
http://www.library.ualberta.ca/studenttraining/sec
tion/index.cfm?cid=122
library web site .. contact liaison librarian
http://www.library.ualberta.ca/instruction/sci
ence/index.cfm
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