CSCI 6999 - Thesis
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 05, CRN 40914,
Credit hours: 6
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Alina Lazar
Email: alazar@ysu.edu
Course Description
6999. Thesis. A student may register for six semester hours in one semester or for three semester hours in each of two semesters. 3-6 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 | Current thesis materials; key papers | Thesis status review; semester goals and research plan | Semester research plan; research log started |
| 8/31 | Key background papers | Research question, contribution, and scope | Refined thesis question and contribution statement |
| 9/7 | Keshav + topic-specific literature | Labor Day week - University closed Monday; literature synthesis | Literature matrix / annotated bibliography; meeting rescheduled/asynchronous |
| 9/14 | Exemplary methods papers | Methodology and experimental design | Methods plan; datasets/baselines/metrics |
| 9/21 | Topic-specific technical documentation | Implementation / research work | Research progress checkpoint |
| 9/28 | Reproducibility/resource notes | Experimental workflow and reproducibility | Repository, environment, and experiment documentation |
| 10/5 | Relevant evaluation papers | Results review I | Initial results / analysis |
| 10/12 | Advisor-selected analysis resources | Statistics, visualization, and interpretation | Figures/tables draft |
| 10/19 | Zobel selection; current literature | Thesis structure and writing checkpoint | Background / related work draft |
| 10/26 | Exemplary results/discussion sections | Results review II; limitations and threats to validity | Results and discussion draft |
| 11/2 | Targeted references as needed | Full manuscript development | Substantial thesis draft |
| 11/9 | Advisor feedback | Advisor review and revision; Veterans Day Wednesday | Revised manuscript; meeting may be adjusted around Nov. 11 |
| 11/16 | Presentation guidance | Presentation / defense preparation | Presentation/defense draft |
| 11/23 | No new reading | Thanksgiving week — no classes Nov. 25–27 | Asynchronous progress update; no regular meeting Nov. 25-27 |
| 11/30 | No new reading | Final research review; manuscript polishing | Near-final thesis manuscript; classes resume Nov. 30 |
| 12/7 | No new reading | Final examination period | Final thesis manuscript, presentation/defense, and final submission materials |
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.