CSCI 6996 - Independent Study
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 04, CRN 41039,
Credit hours: 4
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Alina Lazar
Email: alazar@ysu.edu
Course Description
6996. Independent Study. Study under the supervision of a faculty member. Prereq.: Permission of chair. 1-4 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | None | ||
| Optional | Writing for Computer Science | Justin Zobel | ISBN-10 : 1447166388 ISBN-13 : 978-1447166382 |
| Optional | How to Read a Paper | S. Keshav |
Current peer-reviewed papers selected for each student's research topic
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Syllabus; initial topic resources | Orientation; define independent-study topic and scope | Start study log; initial topic/goals |
| 8/31 | Initial scholarly/technical readings | Develop study plan and identify key resources | Draft study plan and preliminary bibliography/resources |
| 9/7 | Topic-specific reading | Labor Day week - University closed Monday; independent research | Study-plan revision; meeting rescheduled/asynchronous |
| 9/14 | Key background sources | Background, technical context, and learning objectives | Final study plan / topic proposal |
| 9/21 | Topic-specific readings/resources | Independent study work I | Progress evidence / notes / artifacts |
| 9/28 | Topic-specific readings/resources | Independent study work II | Progress checkpoint |
| 10/5 | As appropriate to study | Methods, tools, or technical investigation | Methods/tools checkpoint |
| 10/12 | As appropriate to study | Independent study work III | Documentation / reproducibility checkpoint |
| 10/19 | As appropriate to study | Analysis, implementation, experimentation, or synthesis | Mid-semester progress review |
| 10/26 | As appropriate to study | Independent study work IV | Preliminary findings / artifacts |
| 11/2 | As appropriate to study | Interpretation, refinement, and next steps | Progress checkpoint |
| 11/9 | As appropriate to study | Writing/documentation; University closed Wed. 11/11 | Final-product outline or structure |
| 11/16 | As appropriate to study | Develop final scholarly/technical product | Substantial draft or near-final artifact |
| 11/23 | As appropriate to study | Thanksgiving week — no classes Nov. 25–27 | Asynchronous progress update; no regular meeting |
| 11/30 | As appropriate to study | Finalize independent-study work | Complete draft / final artifact preparation |
| 12/7 | No new reading | Final examination period | Final product; final presentation |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.