CS 3950 Introduction to Computer Science Research

1. CS 3950Introduction to Computer Science Research Meeting 1: Logistics and Intro

2. Hello! • Welcome to CS 3950 • Are you in the right classroom? • Okay, good. • Who am I? • Professor David Choffnes • choffnes@ccs.neu.edu • ISEC 613 • Office Hours: Let’s discuss

3. Anti-Social Media • Don’t friend me on Facebook • It’s nothing personal, I don’t use it anymore • Follow me on Twitter: @proffnes • Pure, unadulterated self-promotion • LinkedIn: I probably won’t add you, so please don’t ask

4. Your TA • LuciannaKiffer • Also a computer science researcher! • Email: kiffer.l@husky.neu.edu • Office Hours (location TBD) • TBD

5. Why take this course?

6. Why take this course? • Learn what is Computer Science research • Exposure to research areas in computer science • Be able to read, understand, and think critically about CS research • Learn about how to participate in CS research, what it looks like

7. Goals • Fundamental understanding of computer science research • What are the research areas, key grand challenges/open questions? • How do I think, read, and write about research? • How do I participate in research? • Focus on research in math, engineering, and science • Not about programming, proofs, plug and chug • Lots of reading/discussion • Reading-centric, with focus on active participation in discussions • How do you read a research paper in CS? • What are the key open questions in each field, and how do we go about answering them? • How to present research to others so they understand

8. Online Resources • https://david.choffnes.com/classes/cs3950sp19 • Class forum is on Piazza • Sign up today! • Install their iOS/Android app • When in doubt, post to Piazza • Piazza is preferable to email • If you e-mail me a question, I will tell you to post it on Piazza • Use folders (homework1, lecture2, etc.)

9. Teaching Style • I am a researcher • Things make sense to me that may not make sense to you • I may talk fast when I get excited about a topic • Solution: ask/answer questions! • Seriously, ask questions (interrupting me is OK!) • Standing up here in silence is very awkward • I do not get paid by the slide • Help me learn your names • Say your name before each question/answer

10. Textbook • None!

11. Readings • Links are on course website • Mix of research, meta-research, and research-adjacent papers • List will build over the next few weeks • You are expected to complete the readings before class • Except today • Homework covers the same topics • In-class discussion depends on everyone completing • We will discuss one paper in depth each meeting

12. Workload

13. Readings and Participation • This course is very focused on readings and participation • Goal is active learning, which requires your active preparation and participation • Read every paper assigned • Only 13 meetings, you are expected to attend them all • Let me know privately in the case of unavoidable conflict or illness • 10 homework assignments • Due at start of next class • Turn in electronically • Lulu will set this up in Blackboard

14. Paper Presentation Logistics • You will present in groups of two • Find your own partners, use Piazza if you need help • If we settle on an uneven number of students, there will be one group of three • Identify research paper before spring break • Must be a paper (co-)authored by a current Northeastern faculty member • Should be in an area that you are interested in • Meet with me during office hours to discuss and get approval

15. Paper Presentation Logistics (2) • Meet with faculty member, postdoc, or PhD student • Discuss questions you had about the paper • Learn about ongoing/future work • Ask about opportunities to participate in research on the topic (or in the area) • Presentation in class • What is the key problem addressed in the paper? Why is it important? • How does the paper address the problem? What are the methods, tools, outcomes? • What are the limitations of the paper, areas for future work? • What opportunities are there for participation in research in this area? • Lead discussion on the paper

16. Late Policy • Each student is given 4 slip days that they can use at any time to extend a deadline • You don’t need to ask me, just turn-in stuff late • Assignments are due at beginning of class, no exceptions • 20% off per day late

17. Cheating • Do not do it • Seriously, don’t make me say it again • Cheating is an automatic zero • I will send any and all suspects to OSCCR without exception • KCCIS is also tracking cheating, with stricter enforcement • Answers to homework questions original • If you work in a group, your response must still be in your own words • If you have questions about an online resource, ask us

18. Final Grades Homeworks Participation Presentation • At the end of the semester, all of your grades will sum to 100 points 30 + 40 + 30 = 100 • Final grades are based on a simple scale: • A >92, A- 90-92, B+ 87-89, B 83-86, B- 80-82, …

19. Schedule Overview Overview Dive into each area

20. Schedule overview Meta research Assigned slots TBD

21. Questions?