Iona College

Department of Computer Science

CS 498 – Internship

Course Description:

The course provides students with an opportunity to work in the private or public sector, in an area related directly to computer science. Students write reports about their work and meet with a designated faculty member.

Prerequisites:

CS 301, 3.0 or high major index, and approval of the Department Chair.

Prerequisite Skills

The nature of the specific work experience will determine which of the following skills are required:

1. an ability to create efficient algorithms for computer solutions
2. an ability to translate algorithms into solutions in an object-oriented language
3. an understanding of the role of operating systems in problem solutions
4. an understanding of the design, implementation and use of database management systems
5. an understanding of the analysis, design, and evaluation of data communication networks
6. an ability to document work in a clear, concise and accurate manner
7. an ability to deliver the results of work in an organized and confident oral presentation

Course Objectives	Program Objectives	Assessment
1. To gain first hand knowledge of career opportunities in Computer Science	IVC: be prepared for a professional career in the field	Work Experience
2. To understand the qualities needed for a successful career in Computer Science	IIIB: demonstrate oral communication skills IIIC: demonstrate written communication skills IIID: demonstrate interpersonal skills necessary for group work IVC: be prepared for a professional career in the field	Employer Evaluation Work Experience
3. To understand how performance will be evaluated in the workplace	IVC: be prepared for a professional career in the field	Employer Evaluation
4. To be able to speak clearly and coherently about technical projects	IIIB: demonstrate oral communication skills	Employer Evaluation, Mentor Meetings
5. To be able to write clearly and coherently about technical projects	IIIC: demonstrate written communication skills	Employer Evaluation, Midterm Report, Final Report
6. To apply theoretical skills learned in the classroom to the solution of practical problems in the workplace	IIIA: apply analytical skills to design solutions to practical problems IVC: be prepared for a professional career in the field	Midterm Report, Final Report, Employer Evaluation, Work Experience
7. To gain experience necessary to begin a career in Computer Science	IVC: be prepared for a professional career in the field	Work Experience

Procedures

Internships are normally taken in the Junior of Senior year. This course serves are an upper level elective in the major. To receive credit for an internship experience, a student must request his/her manager to submit a job description and a detailed list of job responsibilities to the CS Internship Coordinator for approval. Credit is only given for pre-professional positions. The internship may be paid or unpaid. A student must also have completed CS 301, and have a 3.0 or high major index. The course is open only to majors.

Grading Criteria:

Midterm Report 20%

Final Report 30%

Oral Presentation 10%

Mentor Meetings 5%

Employer Evaluation 35%

Midterm Report: (Objectives 5,6)

Students must write a report that begins with a description of the company or agency where they work and how their particular job fits into the goal of the employer. The paper must explain how they receive their assignments and what opportunities the job provides for education and skill enhancement. The paper must also detail the specific projects assigned.

Final Report: (Objectives 5,6)

The final report should describe the progress made on the projects mentioned in the midterm report as well as any new work that has been assigned since that time. Students are asked to reflect on their internship experience by highlighting what they have learned, how their coursework may have prepared them for their job, how they have solved any problems that have arisen, how they have balanced their academic and work responsibilities, and so on. Students are encouraged to include samples of work they have done whenever possible.

Oral Presentation: *(Objective 4)

Students must give a formal oral presentation to faculty and students summarizing their internship experience. Students are expected to focus not only on the technical skills they have acquired but also on how their classroom experiences have impacted their internship.

Mentor Meetings: (Objective 4)

Students meet regularly with their mentor to report on their internship experience. Students are encouraged to keep a journal of their work activities.

Employer Evaluation: (Objectives 3,4,5,6)

At the end of the semester each employer is asked to fill out an evaluation form that describes the job responsibilities, how the student has met those responsibilities, how the student acclimated to the workplace and interacted with others, the student’s written, oral and group communication skills, areas of weakness that the student should improve, and any other comments the employer deems necessary.