Project rubric

The project contributes 60% of the course grade, split across five milestones:

• Project pitch (10%)
• Proposal document (10%)
• Milestone report (10%)
• Poster presentation (15%)
• Final report (15%)

For milestone logistics and presentation expectations, see presentation guide.

1. Project pitch (10 points)

Criteria	Points	Description
Relevance	3	Clear connection between the chosen source and proposed project direction.
Understanding	3	Demonstrates technically accurate understanding of the source material.
Critique	2	Identifies concrete limitations or gaps the project will address.
Delivery	2	Clear and effective presentation within time constraints.

2. Project proposal (10 points)

Criteria	Points	Description
Objectives and motivation	3	Clear goals and why they matter, grounded in prior work.
Proposed work and methods	3	Specific technical plan and task breakdown.
Evaluation plan	2	Datasets, baselines, and metrics to measure success.
Timeline and risks	2	Realistic plan and mitigation of likely blockers.

3. Milestone report (10 points)

Criteria	Points	Description
Progress evidence	4	Concrete work shown (code, data, or preliminary results).
Clarity of status	3	Clear explanation of completed work and remaining work.
Handling blockers	3	Credible diagnosis of issues and a practical next-step plan.

4. Poster presentation (15 points)

Criteria	Points	Description
Content coverage	5	Background, motivation, method, and key findings are covered.
Visuals and design	5	Effective and readable layout, charts, and diagrams.
Delivery and Q&A	5	Clear communication and strong responses to questions.

5. Final report (15 points)

Criteria	Points	Description
Writing and clarity	5	Logical structure, clear technical writing, and strong narrative flow.
Technical execution	5	Correctness, depth, and completeness of evaluation.
Discussion and insight	5	Interpretation, limitations, and meaningful conclusions.

Bonus opportunities

Bonus points apply only within the project category; the project contribution cannot exceed the course-level 60% allocation.

• Popular poster vote (+2): The two posters with the most student votes each receive 2 bonus points.
• Distinguished awards (+2): Instructor-selected distinguished projects/posters may receive additional points.

Additional notes

1. Individual vs. group
   • Groups of 2 are standard.
   • Individual projects are allowed but graded at the same standard.
   • Group members submit identical deliverables and receive identical grades.
2. Research/evaluation/application overlap
   • These categories are not strict boundaries.
   • Good projects often include benchmarking, analysis, and some new insight.
3. Feedback and office hours
   • Bring early drafts and blockers to office hours for feedback.
4. Milestones and pacing
   • Plan backward from proposal, poster, and final report deadlines.