Course

Applied Research Project

Faculty
Commerce & Business Administration
Department
Computing Studies & Information Systems
Course Code
CSIS 4495
Credits
3.00
Semester Length
15 Weeks
Max Class Size
30
Method(s) Of Instruction
Seminar
Hybrid
Field Experience
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

Course Description
This course enables students in Computing Studies and Information Systems Programs to acquire practical experience in defining, designing, developing and implementing a special computer systems project. Projects will be done individually or in small groups in consultation with the instructor. The instructor will work with each individual or group to select an appropriate computer project. Project topics may vary from in-depth research to systems analysis and design development proposals. The student will learn more about technical documentation. Project management fundamentals will also be covered.
Course Content
  • Content Common to all Projects: The content details will depend upon the particular subject of each project. However, there will be several common topics. Lectures and discussions will be held to deal with:
    • The proposal of a project
    • The format of a contract
    • The techniques of gathering data/information
    • Organizing and running meetings
    • Information sources, such as libraries and resource centres
    • The preparation of a report
    • The management of weekly status reports of a project
  • Criteria for Selections of Project Topics:
    • A project's subject must be related to computer systems and be viewed by faculty as providing valuable information
    • A project's scope must be such that its objectives can be attained in one semester
    • The client preferably should be an organization outside the educational institution; should be an entity not related to the student (such as a relative)
    • The contents and results of a project must be original
    • Projects are done in groups - group members work cooperatively to attain project objectives
  • Typical projects have included (but are not strictly limited to) research, analysis, design or development in one of the following areas:
    • Database applications
    • Web applications related to database
    • Visual/object-oriented programming-related applications
    • Data communications systems (such as LAN, WAN)
    • Multimedia/graphical designs
    • Feasibility studies/analyses
    • Accounting applications
    • Hardware/software evaluations
    • Management contact systems
    • Mobile Applications
    • Data Analytics applications
    • Data mapping/visualization projects
    • Data driven business/decision making applications
  • Project Management Life Cycle:
    • Project management deliverables
    • Project milestones
    • Risk management
  • Problem solving skills
  • Project Management software
  • Project Implementation - full or partial such as a prototype
Learning Activities

Experiential learning, lecture, seminar and tutorial are used in this course.  Weekly communication with the instructor will be compulsory.

Means of Assessment

Assessment is in accordance wit the Douglas College Evaluation Policy.

Negotiation:    
      review of contract and the written project plan		    15%
Implementation:  
      review of student's progress reports (including a time line)		    10%
Communication:   
     oral presentations		    20%

Midterm Written Report(s)

Final Written Report:    
     1) review of student's ability to do technical documentation
     2) evaluation of student's ability to convey his/her results in a clear,
         concise, logical manner
     3) evaluation of student's achievement of project goals

   15%


   10%

   15%
   15%
Total  100%

Students may conduct research as part of their coursework in this class. Instructors for the course are responsible for ensuring that student research projects comply with College policies on ethical conduct for research involving humans, which can require obtaining Informed Consent from participants and getting the approval of the Douglas College Research Ethics Board prior to conducting the research.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the successful student will be able to:

  • Prepare a project proposal
  • Formulate and negotiate an agreement to set up the terms and conditions of a project
  • Identify a set of objectives/tasks that can be accomplished within the time allotment
  • Apply the life-cycle of systems analysis and design to a computer system project
  • Gather pertinent information and data through interviews, questionnaires, surveys and observations of a computer information system’s activities
  • Organize a project meeting, prepare an agenda, and issue timely minutes
  • Use problem solving skills to resolve problems encountered during the project period
  • Present orally and provide written memos/reports to clients and faculty supervisor in a formal environment
  • Prepare technical documentation and a final project report on the work performed
  • Use project management software effectively to manage the project
Textbook Materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

Because of the possible variety of project topics, no general reference material can be prescribed.  Specific material will be indicated to each student by the instructor as required.

Requisites

Prerequisites

A minimum C grade in the following courses:

CSIS 2300 and CSIS 3275

and 

(CSIS 4175 or 2 of (CSIS 3300, CSIS 3360, CSIS 3860) or 3 of (CSIS 4440, 4450, 4460, 4470)).

 
It is recommended that a student should have obtained 45 credits towards a CSIS credential such as the PBD-CIS before attempting this course.

 

 

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for CSIS 4495
Athabasca University (AU) AU COMP 495 (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) COTR COMP 2XX (3)
Coquitlam College (COQU) No credit
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU SOBU 2XXX (3)
Northern Lights College (NLC) No credit
Okanagan College (OC) OC COSC 224 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) No credit
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC CPSC 3XX (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV CIS 2XX (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC CSC 2XX (1.5)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) No credit

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum Seats
30
Currently Enrolled
23
Remaining Seats:
7
On Waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4370
Times:
Start Time
9:30
-
End Time
12:20
Section Notes

CSIS 4495 001 is restricted to both PBD Computer & Info Systems - Data Analytics, Emerging Technology stream students.

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum Seats
30
Currently Enrolled
5
Remaining Seats:
25
On Waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4303
Times:
Start Time
9:30
-
End Time
12:20
Section Notes

CSIS 4495 002 is restricted to both PBD Computer & Info Systems - Data Analytics, Emerging Technology stream students.