Objective: The purpose of the Service Learning component is for students to provide software development or computer system consulting services for a nonprofit or social service organization (hereafter referred to as the community partner). The software engineering practices studied in CSC 450 will be applied to a real-world software development situation, providing a valuable learning opportunity.

Grading Policy: You will receive separate grades for CSC 450 and CSC 300. The grading policy for CSC 450 is in its (separate) course policy statement. Your grade for CSC 300 will be based on: (a) completion of 40 hours of service, (b) feedback from the community partner and CASL administrators, and (c) a series of written reports submitted on specified dates. Part (a) does not affect your grade unless you fail to meet it (see Attendance, below). Part (b) is 20% of your grade and is based on the On-Site Visit report plus the Student Evaluation Form submitted by the community partner. I will translate the ratings and comments into an appropriate numerical score in the range 0-100. Part (c) is the remaining 80% of your grade; each report carries the same weight and is assigned a score in the range 0-100 (see Project Requirements, below). Your grade will be based on the average score according to a 90-80-70-60 scale, subject to completion of the required 40 hours.

Attendance: You are required to complete 40 hours of service above and beyond the time required for your CSC 450 term project. If this requirement is not met, you will receive a failing grade for CSC 300. This is non-negotiable. You are also required to attend an orientation program prior to beginning your service. Time you spend at the orientation counts as part of the required 40 hours. You are responsible for periodically reporting your hours on a signed time sheet.

Project Requirements: We will determine the Service Learning project during the first three weeks of class. Your input is always appreciated. The project will take one of two forms: either develop a software system, or provide computer consulting services. The former will be a team activity and the latter an individual activity.

If your project is to develop a software system, you will be working as part of a team and the project will serve as your CSC 450 term project. Ideally, members of the team will be Service Learning participants. In addition to fulfilling all the CSC 450 project requirements, you will be expected to submit a series of reports describing your Service Learning experience. I will provide details once the project and set of deliverables is determined. Expect the hours of service to be distributed unevenly through the semester; much time will be spent in the early part of the project becoming familiar with the organization and their software requirements. Specific instructions and guidelines will be provided at the beginning of the project.

If your project is to provide computer consulting services, you will be expected to periodically submit a written report concerning your consulting activities. I will provide specific instructions at the beginning of the project.

Last reviewed: 17 January 2000