CS2001: Research Topics in Computer Science, Fall 2025

Location: Sennott Square 6516
Class time: Tuesday and Thursday, 11am-12:15pm
Instructor: Adriana Kovashka (email: kovashka AT cs DOT pitt DOT edu; use "CS2001" at the beginning of the subject line)
Instructor's office hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 12:15pm-1pm and by appointment

Overview

 Course description: This course has multiple components and targets graduate (PhD) students. First, it introduces students to the principles of conducting research in computer science, including tips on reading and reviewing papers, developing and debating ideas, conducting research, research integrity, and writing and presenting one's work. Second, it provides an opportunity for students to work through the sections of a complete paper, including getting feedback on their writing from the instructor and peers, adjusting the paper based on this feedback, and receiving further feedback. Third, it asks students to present recent papers in their field, and receive feedback on these presentations. Fourth, it introduces students to some of the ongoing research in the department.

Prerequisites: None, but note course only counts for the PhD program.

Canvas: We will use it for assignment turn-in and announcements.

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Policies

Grading

Grading will be based on the following components:

Collaboration Policy and Academic Honesty

You will do your work individually, unless otherwise stated. You will not use AI to help with writing. You may use AI to help with finding relevant papers for your research (i.e. using AI as a search engine). You will always cite your sources, for any materials you use. When in doubt about what you can or cannot use, ask the instructor. A first offense will cause you to get 0% credit on the assignment. A report will be filed with the school. A second offense will cause you to fail the class and receive disciplinary penalty. Please consult SCI's Academic Integrity Policy. Also make sure you are familiar with the concept of plagiarism.

Note on Disabilities

If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and Disability Resources and Services (DRS), 140 William Pitt Union, (412) 648-7890, drsrecep@pitt.edu, (412) 228-5347 for P3 ASL users, as early as possible in the term. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this course.

Note on Medical Conditions

If you have a medical condition which will prevent you from doing a certain assignment, you must inform the instructor of this before the deadline. You must then submit documentation of your condition within a week of the assignment deadline.

Statement on Classroom Recording

To ensure the free and open discussion of ideas, students may not record classroom lectures, discussion and/or activities without the advance written permission of the instructor, and any such recording properly approved in advance can be used solely for the student's own private use.

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Schedule
Date Topics (slides) In-class work and homework
Aug 26-28 Intros, course structure, PhD at Pitt, research integrity (pdf) lecture and discussion
Sept 2-4 Reading and reviewing papers; conferences; ideas (pdf) lecture and discussion
Sept 9-11 Writing up and presenting your work (pdf) lecture and discussion
Sept 16-18 Present one critical & recent paper (and feedback) 10-min presentation (HW),
5-min feedback
Sept 23-25 Literature reviews (and feedback) 10-min presentation (HW),
5-min feedback
Sept 30-Oct 2 Senior grad student talks and Q & A HW: annotated bibliography
(notes on 30 papers, Canvas)
Oct 7-9 Pitch and debate project ideas 10-min presentation (HW),
5-min feedback
Oct 14-16 Intro and related work section; feedback and revision each class: 20-min read peer's draft (HW), 20-min feedback (w/ peer, instructor),
30-min revise
Oct 21-23 Pitt faculty talks mini talks and discussion
Oct 28-30 Paper pair comparisons 10-min compare/contrast presentation, 5-min discussion
Nov 4-6 Method section (and figures); feedback and revision each class: 20-min read peer's draft (HW), 20-min feedback (w/ peer, instructor),
30-min revise
Nov 11-13 Method and implementation challenges;
breakouts with senior grad students		 1st class: 2x30-min breakouts, 2nd class: 6-min presentation of next steps
Nov 18-20 Results section (and figures); feedback and revision each class: 20-min read peer's draft (HW), 20-min feedback (w/ peer, instructor),
30-min revise
Nov 25-27 No class (Thanksgiving)
Dec 2-4 Write reviews and rebuttals HW: complete papers;
1st class: read peer's paper and write review;
2nd class: draft response, discuss w/ reviewer
Dec 9-11 Project presentations (and feedback) 10-min presentation (HW),
5-min feedback


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Readings

 Integrity: Reading/reviewing: Writing/presenting: [top]