You may do a project instead of taking the final exam. This can be a program, an investigation of a piece of software, or a library paper. It will have written and oral components.

Program Option: This should be more complicated than the weekly assignments and should apply the concepts learned in this course. It might explore a capability of C++ we haven't used, e.g. graphics or windowing. It should be internally well-documented and accompanied by supporting material which might include background on the problem and/or a user's manual.

Software Option: Select a piece of software available for one of our computers. Read its manuals, take any tutorials, and try a sample problem. Pick a representative problem on which to use the software. Your paper and presentation should introduce the software to someone who has never used it. You should include and overview of its capabilities, representative commands, a sample session, as well as the problem to which you applied it. Options include:

• Another language, e.g. Java, Prolog, Scheme, LISP, Visual Basic, JavaScript.
• A piece of application software, e.g. Excel, Access, Microsoft Project, SPSS, Derive, Maple, Mathematica.

Research Paper: This can be in any area related to Computer Science. See me to discuss options.

Important dates:

• March 10: Hand in a half-page description of your project.
• April 7: A more detailed description. If it is a program, describe the classes and include the main function. If it is a piece of software, you should have understood its basic capabilities, selected a sample application, and outlined your paper. If it is a research paper, submit an outline and tentative bibliography.
• May 7-9: Give a 20 minute summary of your project in class. You should use the overhead projector and/or have handouts.
(required of all students).