CSE 5085: Graduate Seminar

Professor: Clinton Jeffery
  • Lecture Meets: M 5:30-6:20 Cramer 203, WF 3-3:50 in Cramer 124
  • The class is also run as a zoom (recorded) class.
  • Monday will usually be on zoom only; exceptions are when guest speaker(s) can come in person.
  • Wednesday will usually be in-person (unless you are in the -01D section)
  • Friday will usually be on zoom only; exceptions may be made
Office: Cramer 230 Office Hours: M 4-5pm, and by appointment.
Phone: 208-310-6773 Web: http://www.cs.nmt.edu/~jeffery/courses/585/
E-mail:clinton.jeffery@nmt.edu  
Text: Craft of Research by Booth et al, U. of Chicago Press, 5th ed., 2024
plus many assigned papers. The 3rd or 4th edition of Craft of Research are acceptable substitutes.

Course Description and Goals

This course is an introduction to the methodology and skills required for academic research with emphasis on computer science. Students will learn the skills involved in discussing technical ideas; articulating research problems; critiquing, writing, and defending research proposals; reading, reviewing, and presenting research articles with appropriate visual aids; and exploring ethical issues associated with research. Students are expected to attend all presentations by outside speakers in the CS Speaker Series during the semester.

Attendance and Grading

Attendance is required. There will be a lot of discussions in many class sessions. I may or may not take attendance each session. The grading will be proportioned as follows: 50% for homeworks/quizzes, 30% for papers, 20% for presentations. Expect course content to be added on-line as we go. Check the course web page for updates at least once a week.

Exams, Homeworks, and Quizzes

We will have exams and homeworks. Read the assigned text chapters. Exams test your mastery of concepts; homeworks allow you to demonstrate that you can put ideas into practice. Academic Honesty: New Mexico Tech's Academic Honesty Policy for undergraduate and graduate students is found in the student handbook, which can be found at: https://www.nmt.edu/studenthandbook/. You are responsible for knowing, understanding, and following this policy. While consulting many internet sites while preparing coursework is expected, all material that is not your own writing must be cited.

Other Policies

Reasonable Accommodations: New Mexico Tech is committed to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals who require reasonable accommodations are invited to make their needs known to the Office for Disability Services (ODS) as soon as possible. They will describe the process by which you can request such accommodations for this course. To schedule an appointment, please call 835-6209, or email disability@nmt.edu.

Counseling Services: New Mexico Tech offers individual and couples counseling, safety assessments, crisis intervention and consultations through The Counseling Center. These confidential services are provided free of charge by licensed professionals. For more information, please call 835-6619, email counseling@nmt.edu or complete an Intake Form on our website at https://www.nmt.edu/cds/.

Respect Statement: New Mexico Tech supports freedom of expression within the parameters of a respectful learning environment. As stated in the New Mexico Tech Guide to Conduct and Citizenship: "New Mexico Tech's primary purpose is education, which includes teaching, research, discussion, learning, and service. An atmosphere of free and open inquiry is essential to the pursuit of education. Tech seeks to protect academic freedom and build on individual responsibility to create and maintain an academic atmosphere that is a purposeful, just, open, disciplined, and caring community."

Health Safety Issues for Face-to-Face Instruction: For health safety, NMT classroom policies may change as needed. Individuals are welcome to wear a mask. Students should not to come to class if they are feeling ill. If you do miss class, please contact the instructor for missed assignments. If you get a positive COVID test, please self-report using NMT's self-report form.

Title IX Reporting: Sexual violence and other forms of sexual misconduct and gender-based discrimination are contrary to the University's mission and core values, violate university policies, and may also violate state and federal law (Title IX). Faculty members are considered "Responsible Employees" and are required to report incidents of these prohibited behaviors. Any such reports should be directed to Tech's Title IX Coordinator (Dr. Peter Phaiah, 122 West Hall, 575-835-5953 (O), 575-322-0001 (C), titleixcoordinator@nmt.edu ). Please visit Tech's Title IX Website (www.nmt.edu/titleix) for additional information and resources.

Generative AI Statement: The use of generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Dall-e) is permitted in this course for the following activities with an appropriate citation:

The use of generative AI tools is not permitted in this course for the following activities:

You are responsible for the information you submit based on an AI query (for instance, that it does not violate intellectual property laws, or contain misinformation or unethical content). Your use of AI tools must be properly documented and cited in order to stay within university policies on academic honesty. For example: ChatGPT, Day Month version, OpenAI, Day Month Year, chat.openai.com. Any assignment that is found to have used generative AI tools in unauthorized ways will receive a zero and may be referred to university authorities in charge of academic honesty cases. When in doubt about permitted usage, please ask the instructor for clarification.