1 | P a g e ES4E7 Information Theory and Coding Prepared by Dr Mark Leeson (Module Leader) E-mail: [email protected] Alternative Assessment to Summer Examination 2020 The coronavirus crisis has created a period of extraordinary teaching and learning conditions that means to complete your year of studies we are to have this alternative assessment to replace part or all of the ES4E7 summer examination, which is for 7.5 credits (50% of module 15 credits). In addition, you will be required to take a 1-hour Perception Test; details will be shared on Moodle. Alternative online support for this module is available: Please email the Module Leader and he will respond within two working days. The Learning Outcome for this written assessment is: 1. Advanced knowledge and understanding of information and entropy, and their use in information theory. Alternative Assessment – Research Essay Specification Produce a report of up to four pages in length on one of the topics that you have been allocated1, which have been chosen so that each student has a different pair of topics. Select a few important papers and use these as the basis of a summary of the main ideas. You should try to identify strengths and weaknesses of the approaches in the literature and indicate how the subject is developing today. The report should typically be written in the style of an academic paper, containing an abstract, introduction, analysis, discussion, conclusion and reference list (at the end). Note that the conclusion should be the last thing that you write in the main body and should not just list what the work is about. A proportion should concern your findings and views with key points to give credibility. Note that it should utilise items taken mainly from previous sections and should not have any new information. Further Guidance The assignment is essentially a literature review; it should address the topic specified for your assignment and join the elements together, not just be a description. The ‘literature’ can include books, book chapters, journal articles, technical reports, conference proceedings, dissertations (Masters/PhD) and patents. Students should avoid referencing non peer-reviewed websites typified by Wikipedia. The references should have the complete details and be in a recognised and consistent style. The assignment should review and evaluate the relevant literature, including details of the 1 Allocations at: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/eng/staff/msl/teaching/allocation-copy 2 | P a g e progress made by others on the research topic and identification of the open challenges. It should not simply list prior work. It should present and critically evaluate the published literature that is relevant to the topic. A ‘critical’ evaluation entails an objective appraisal, noting both the limits of prior studies as well as the advances made. For example, consider any underlying assumptions adopted, technological advances or limitations and open research questions. Note that a small number of diagrams and a few equations may be used to illustrate the arguments and methods. Reference use – this is a common area of weakness. In an assignment references can be used to avoid charges of plagiarism and give credibility to your opinions by showing that someone else supports your views. A total of eight or more high quality references (peer reviewed material) are needed to score highly in this aspect. Note that you should not use unrefereed sources that are not generally available (such as the course notes for the module) as references. Submission Guidance Maximum length: 4 pages, to include figures, tables and references. Format: 12 point Calibri font and with 1.5 line spacings. References: Required Submit this assignment on Tabula in pdf format by 12:00 noon on 16 June 2020 (Week 38). When submitting your pdf assign to the document the filename identifier of ES4E7-student id–2020, where ‘student id’ is for your university student number. There cannot be a hard copy submission. A late submission (without a legitimate mitigating reason) will be subject to the normal School of Engineering late submission penalties. Your assignment will be checked for plagiarism using the Turnitin software and should there be evidence of direct copying from another source you will be liable to a reduction in your mark which could result in a mark of zero. Assessment Criteria This assignment is to be marked out of 100. Marks will be allocated: Knowledge of Material Demonstrated 40% Discussion and Conclusion 25% Use of literature 25% Presentation of report 10% 3 | P a g e Final Note This written assignment replaces all or part of a 2020 summer examination; therefore, it will follow standard assessment processes regarding how it is marked for cheating and plagiarism. Individual feedback will not be provided and neither will a solution be made available. Standard examination feedback will be provided after the summer. This assignment will be moderated following normal examination procedures and scrutinised by External Examiners. Gill Cooke 03 April 2020
