The goal of the project is to learn a new area related to the class material by reading 2-5 research papers, and writing a report which does at least two of the following three things: (a) Surveys the research area, and in particular connects, compares, and unifies the different papers; (b) Uses the insights gained from the papers to make progress on problems arising in the students' own research; (c) Outlines and explores interesting research directions related to the papers.
Students must form teams of 2-3 students, decide on a topic and a list of papers, and submit a one-page project proposal by Monday, October 30, by email to Shaddin. The proposal should include a list of papers, and a brief description of the proposed project. Exceptions to the 2-3 student rule are at the discretion of the instructor. By Monday December 11th, each team must submit a project report of no more than 10 pages.
The project will be worth 25% of the total grade. This 25% will be based on the project report, though in extreme cases points may be deducted for a delayed or poorly considered proposal. More will be expected of larger teams.
Students may consult with the instructor for help in forming project teams, selecting a suitable project topic, and selecting a suitable set of research papers. Students are encouraged to choose a topic related to their own research interests.