1. Project Description
Maximum Points: 30
Topic Selection Approval Due Date: October 10, 2025 at 11:55pm; submitted via email
Presentation Date: To Be Scheduled
Code Due Date: One Day Before Presentation; submit on MOODLE
FINAL DUE: TBD, 2025 at 11:55pm; submitted on MOODLE
Warning
Claiming that objectives/tasks/enhancements were complete within the report when in reality they were not is (a) a serious form of academic misconduct — falsifying results — and (b) against the student code of conduct.
These violations are subject to severe penalty. All violations will be reported and investigated fully.
1.1. Base Task
Select a topic for a project
Implement the project idea
Give a presentation
Submit code before presentation
Submit the final implementation
1.2. Marking Details
A total of 30 points may be obtained for the project. Although it is not required to complete all portions of the project (one may choose to only try to obtain, for example, 20 points), all portions must be completed correctly and effectively to receive all 30 points.
Below is a high-level overview of how points will be awarded. Details on each task are provided later in the assignment description.
A total of 5 points may be awarded for having a working implementation of the project topic
A total of 25 will be awarded for the project presentation
1.3. Project Topics
It is the students’ responsibility to select a project topic and have it approved by the instructor. Once approved, the project direction is up to the students. Students are encouraged to be creative and ambitious. Further, marks will not be lost due to the quality of the final results.
Most project ideas usually fall under one of the following categories:
Application — Apply an algorithm to a particular problem of interest
Enhancements/Modifications — Implement a novel idea into an algorithm and analyze results
New Algorithm — Create a new algorithm tha follows the high-level idea of evolutionary computation
Do not be afraid to try something different. The instructor values creativity will make every attempt to be as accepting of project ideas as possible.
Topics will be selected on a first-come first-served basis, however, if multiple individuals want to do the same project, the instructor will work the the individual to direct them such that the details differ between individuals.
All topic choices, along with preferred presentation date (if choosing to give a presentation) are to be submitted to the instructor via email and approved before the approval date.
1.3.1. Implementation Marks
How the points for the implementation will be awarded will depend heavily on the specific project. Thus it is difficult to be specific about how exactly the points will be awarded. As a starting place, consider that the points will be awarded for a combination of modifications, enhancements, novelty, analysis, interesting-ness, etc.
Like with most aspects of the course, the instructor and marker will be looking for excuses to award points to students for their work. In other words, be creative, emphasize what is felt to be worth points, and make clear why it is felt that what was done is worth the points.
1.4. Project Presentation
1.4.1. Project Presentation
Presentations should be 40 minutes with 10 minutes for questions. The presentations will follow the same general format as a report (intro, literature review, problem description, enhancements, notable ideas and creativity, etc.).
1.4.1.1. Presentation Dates
It may be the case that it is natural for some topics to come before others, but in general, the date will be selected on a first-come first-served basis. Anyone unable to select a date will be assigned one by the instructor.
All project topic choices along with preferred presentation dates, if applicable, are to be submitted to the instructor via email.
Presentation Dates:
Monday Nov 3: J.K. — ?????
Wednesday Nov 5: O.J. — Evolving Race Tracks
Friday Nov 7: L.M. — Something About Chemicals
Monday Nov 17: V. — Smart Building Layout
Wednesday Nov 19: I.B. — Workout Plans for Muscle Growth
Friday Nov 21: C.A. — 2D Walking Creatures
Monday Nov Nov 24: J.L. — Workshop Production Scheduling
Wednesday Nov 26: C.W. — Satellite Distribution
Friday Nov 28: A.D. — NHL Scheduling
Monday Dec 1: K.R. — GP + RL Agents for D&D
Friday Dec 5: L.A. — Real-Time Cloud Resource Scheduling
1.4.1.2. Points
A total of 25 points may be obtained from the project presentation and the ability to answer questions about the project during the question period. As every project is different, it is difficult to create a concrete set of points, thus the marks will be determined by the instructor on a per project basis. General ideas to keep in mind:
References
Figures
Statistical analysis
High-quality visualizations
Polished content
Clarity and flow
Accuracy
Time management
Questions and Answer
Do note that many of these points will be obtained by answering questions about the project. The code used to generate work that is presented will be submitted before the project presentation in order to allow the instrtuctor to come up with compelling questions.
1.4.1.3. Presentation Format
The format of the presentation is up to the individual, but they should be similar to the layout of the reports (discussed in detail in the following section). For a high-level idea of what to include, see the below list:
Intro
Project Topic Description
Related Works
Methodology
Results & Discussion
Conclusions and Future Work
It is up to the individual to decide how best to communicate their project idea and results. Be sure that the presentation is not boring. Points may be lost if the presentation does not effectively communicate what was done.
1.5. What to Submit to Moodle
Warning
Completing a requirement does not guarantee that the corresponding points will be awarded. Each requirement must be completed to the satisfaction of the marker.
Submit relevant implementations via Moodle by 11:55pm on the due date
Include anything the marker may need for effectively evaluating the work