| Instructor: | Zhengming (Allan) Ding (zding1@tulane.edu), Stanley Thomas 402A |
| Class Time & Place: | MWF 3-3:50pm, Stanley Thomas 302 & Zoom Link [From Sept 13 to Oct 8] |
This is the Research Seminar course for first-year PhD students in Computer Science at Tulane. The purpose of the course is to provide early-stage PhD students some advice on how to conduct research in CS. The class will be discussion-based and project-oriented and all the students are expected to participate actively. Topics include integrity in research, how to read and present papers, problem formulation and searching for solutions, scientific/mathematical writing, where to obtain data and how to evaluate your solutions. We will discuss the advice from successful researchers in the field and expectations, as well as essential tools that can help you work more efficiently.
Each student will give three presentations for papers suggested by your PhD advisor. Each presentation should cover up to two papers (on the same topic) and should be very detailed. The presenter should comment on the problems studied, technical contributions and limitations, and presentation styles of the paper(s). Students who do not present should read the paper(s) carefully and prepare 3-5 questions before each presentation.
Each student will work on a small research project during the course of
the semester. The project should center on a well-defined problem
in your research area. You will develop the project through close
interactions with the instructor and your peers, and write a paper that
has all the sections of a typical research paper including some
preliminary results.
The weighted average will determine your letter grade roughly as follows:
A >= 90%; B >= 80%; C >= 70%; D >= 60%; F < 60%
All grades will be posted on Canvas.
Advice on Research and PhD Study:
Mathematical Writing:
This course will follow Tulane's Code of Academic Conduct. Cheating will be reported to the Associate Dean of Newcomb-Tulane College. Discussion is encouraged. However, what you turn in must be your own. You may not read another classmate’s solutions or copy a solution from the web.
Tulane University recognizes the inherent dignity of all individuals and promotes respect for all people. As such, Tulane is committed to providing an environment free of all forms of discrimination including sexual and gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence like sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking. If you (or someone you know) has experienced or is experiencing these types of behaviors, know that you are not alone. Resources and support are available: you can learn more at titleix.tulane.edu. Any and all of your communications on these matters will be treated as either “Confidential” or “Private” as explained in the chart below. Please know that if you choose to confide in me I am mandated by the university to report to the Title IX Coordinator, as Tulane and I want to be sure you are connected with all the support the university can offer. You do not need to respond to outreach from the university if you do not want. You can also make a report yourself, including an anonymous report, through the form at tulane.edu/concerns.
| Confidential | Private |
| Except in extreme circumstances, involving imminent danger to one’s self or others, nothing will be shared without your explicit permission. | Conversations are kept as confidential as possible, but information is shared with key staff members so the University can offer resources and accommodations and take action if necessary for safety reasons. |
| Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) | (504) 314-2277 or The Line (24/7) | (504) 264-6074 | Case Management and Victim Support Services | (504) 314-2160 or srss@tulane.edu |
| Student Health Center | (504) 865-5255 | Tulane University Police (TUPD) | Uptown - (504) 865-5911. Downtown – (504) 988-5531 |
| Sexual Aggression Peer Hotline and Education (SAPHE) | (504) 654-9543 | Title IX Coordinator | (504) 865-5615 or titleix@tulane.edu |