Note that COMP700 does not have a final examination and therefore the final grades will be determined by the assessment tasks attempted throughout the semester.

The deadlines of the assessment tasks are tentative. Please consult iLearn for any possible updates.

Grading rubric for the first and second reports

Grading rubric for the first and second presentations

Grading rubric for each post-seminar discussion & summary report

Note that this rubric includes a section that is related to the student participation in the discussions.

CLASSES

Classes will be held on Wednesdays, 11am - 1pm in EMC 230. In the classes, we will have several different types of activities:

• Seminars -- the unit basic component is a collection of three seminars. Each seminar is given by an academic with international research standing. The seminars are going to present both the state of art and recent developments in the three selected research areas of Computing. They will also introduce the relevant research groups and areas in the Department.
• Reports and Presentations -- there will be two reports and two presentations by the students. The first report has to discuss a topic from Seminar 1 or 2. The second report has to discuss a topic from a different Seminar 1 to 3. The reports are going to be presented at two presentation workshops.
• Discussion Sessions -- a week after each seminar, there will be a discussion session, based on summary reports of a chosen paper from the seminar.
• Regular Sessions -- the unit may also include sessions and/or independent reading on how to manage time, write scientific reports and how to present research results.

UNIT WEBPAGE AND TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

• iLearn is going to be used as a main web server for the unit.

The following schedule is tentative. Please consult iLearn for any possible updates.

No changes from previous offering

Note that COMP700 does not have a final examination and therefore the final grades will be determined by the assessment tasks attempted throughout the semester.

COMP700 will be graded according to the following general descriptions of the letter grades as specified by Macquarie University.

• High Distinction (HD, 85-100): provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application as appropriate to the discipline.

• Distinction (D, 75-84): provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience.

• Credit (Cr, 65-74): provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; convincing argumentation with appropriate coherent justification; communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline..

• Pass (P, 50-64): provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; routine argumentation with acceptable justification; communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes.

• Fail (F, 0-49): does not provide evidence of attainment of learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; missing, undeveloped, inappropriate or confusing argumentation; incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline.

The standards of achievement that will be used to assess each of the assessment tasks with respect to the letter grades are as follows.

Learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3:

Learning Outcomes 4 and 5.

These assessment standards will be used to give a numeric mark out of 100 to each assessment submission during marking. The mark will correspond to a letter grade for that task according to the University guidelines. The final raw mark for the unit will be calculated by combining the marks for all assessment tasks according to the percentage weightings shown in the assessment summary. 

Your final mark will be calculated as the weighted sum of the marks of each individual assessment. The final mark will determine the grade according to the following thresholds: