CS/SE 3I03: Communication Skills (Fall 2014)


Being an effective communicator helps to create opportunities, to persuade people, and to promote understanding. This course will cover topics such as different types of presentations, interviewing, effective writing, writing proposals, technical reports, software documentation, and giving critiques.


The best way to improve your communication skills is to practice. Hence, there will be no midterm or final exam. Grading will be based on written assignments, and presentations during (mandatory) tutorials.

Prerequisites: Registration in Level II or above of Honours Computer Science, Honours Business Informatics, Software Engineering or Mechatronics Engineering.

Course Time:
Lectures: Mon at 11:30am - 12:20pm, HH 302
Tutorials:

  • T01: Wed 2:30pm - 4:20pm, BSB 105 (TA: Sridevi Baskaran)
  • T02: Fri 2:30pm - 4:20pm, BSB 136 (TA: Timothy Johnston)
  • T03: Mon 12:30pm - 2:20pm, ITB 139 (TA: Trevor Ablett)

Professor: Fei Chiang

Email: fchiang [at] mcmaster [dot] ca
Office Hours: Mon 2:00pm - 3:00pm, or by appointment, ITB 122

Teaching Assistants:

  • Sridevi Baskaran, baskas@mcmaster.ca
    • office hours: Tuesdays 2:00 -3:00pm, room ITB 128
  • Timothy Johnston, johnst3@mcmaster.ca,
    • office hours: Thursdays 1:30 - 2:30pm, room ITB 128
  • Trevor Ablett, abletttl@mcmaster.ca
    • office hours: Mondays 3:00 - 4:00pm, room ITB 128
  • Dan Chaput, chaputdc@mcmaster.ca
    • office hours: Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:30am, room ITB 128

Textbook: The textbook for this course is "Writing for Computer Science" (2nd edition) by Justin Zobel. It is available at the McMaster University bookstore.

News

  • Nov 24: Reminder that online course evaluations are available until Dec 4th.
  • Nov 13: Presentation critiques asg is posted.
  • Oct 28: Asg 3, final paper, and final presentation are posted.
  • Oct 27: As discussed in lecture today, please send your group requests to Tim and Trevor by Nov 3, 5pm. (see lecture slides for details)
  • Oct 25: Prof. Chiang's office hours on Nov 3 are cancelled. Email for appt. if needed.
  • Oct 7: Asg 2 and Presentation 2 are posted.
  • Sept 29: Interview schedule posted on Avenue, under Presentation 1.
  • Sept 16: Asg 1 and Presentation 1 are posted.
  • Sept 10: During next week's tutorials, you will be practicing your own elevator pitches. If you can, do come with an elevator pitch prepared. Otherwise, there will also be time during the tutorial to prepare.
  • Sept 9: Lecture slides are now posted on Avenue.
  • Sept 8: Bookstore has reported that the textbook is now available.
  • Sept 8: The bookstore has copies of the textbook from last fall, and is in the process of locating them. Will keep you posted as I hear from them.
  • No tutorials the week of Sept 8th. Tutorials start week of Sept 15th.
    • © 2014 Fei Chiang.