HONORS Learning-by-Contract Proposal

COLLEGE Semester: Spring Year: 2018

Complete this form by typing directly into the fields below. This form must be typed; handwritten forms will NOT
be accepted. Once completed and signed by student and faculty member, print and submit this form to the
Honors College (210 Lowry Hall) by the official deadline as stated on the Honors College website. Keep a copy
of this form for your records.

STUDENT INFORMATION
Last Name: Murphy First Name: Joseph Student ID: 14302457
MU Email: jlmygh@mail.missouri.edu # Honors Credit Hours Completed: 0
Major(s): Information Technology Expected Graduation (Semester/Year): 2022

COURSE AND FACULTY INFORMATION

Course Title: Algorithm Design and Programming II
Catalog # (ex. BIO_SC 2200): CMP_SC 2050 # Credit Hours: 4 Lab Class? ✔ Yes No
Faculty Name (Last, First): Uhlmann, Jeffrey Faculty Email: uhlmannj@missouri.edu
HONORS LEARNING-BY-CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

All Honors Learning-by-Contract Proposals must include or address the following:

• Research and written component
• Public Scholarship or presentation of work
• Sustained engagement between student and faculty throughout the semester
• A timeline of activities, check-in meetings, and due dates
• Deeper disciplinary/professional focus related to student’s academic interests and career goals
• Ongoing reflection of student progress
Review the HLBC timeline, policies, and guidelines on the Honors College website prior to submission.

BY SIGNING BELOW YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE
HONORS LEARNING-BY-CONTRACT TIMELINE AND THE POLICIES AND GUIDELINES AS
OUTLINED ON THE HONORS COLLEGE WEBSITE.

Student Signature: Date:

Faculty Signature: Date:

Dept. Chair Signature: Date:

(Only required if Instructor is not Faculty Member)

HONORS COLLEGE INFORMATION (To be completed by the Honors College)

HC Director Signature: Date:

Director Comments: Eligibility Verified:

 HONORS LEARNING-BY-CONTRACT PROPOSAL

Complete the following sections by typing directly into the form. If more space is required, please attach a
separate typed document to this form.
1. Provide a detailed description of the proposed course activities or projects that will be completed
as part of your contracted Honors Learning-by-Contract course. Explain how these activities satisfy
each of the HLBC requirements as outlined on Page 1.
The honors portion of the class will center around the book Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human
Descisions by Brain Christian and Tom Griffiths. Phillip and I (the honors students) will meet weekly in Dr. Uhlmann's office to
discuss the chapter(s) read since the previous meeting. While the regular course content focuses on more specific ideas and
technical skills, reading and discussing this book is meant to provide insight into the larger picture.

Then, before Spring Break, Joseph and I will each choose an idea or topic in algorithm design that we find especially
interesting and/or powerful, either from the book or our discussions with Dr. Uhlmann. Then we each will do some more
in-depth research on the topic, use this to come up with and write a related program, and present the research and program in
our final meeting with Dr. Uhlmann. This presentation will include a written component, summarizing some of the research and
explaining the program/algorithm written.

Algorithm design has uncountably many uses and applications, thus allowing for the freedom to choose a topic that relates to
practically any career goals and/or interests. The different way of looking at problems and finding solutions will also be
applicable in many areas that are, on the surface, seemingly unrelated.

2. What specific factors and measurable goals will be evaluated and how will your faculty member
evaluate successful completion of your proposed HLBC activities?
-Participation in the weekly conversations and any additional assignments, showing that we read the material beforehand and
are actively interested in gaining a better understanding.

-Dr. Uhlmann will evaluate our final programs, presentations, and research write-ups, looking for:
--Satisfactory length (to be determined)
--Understanding of the topic in question
--Effective explanation of additional research
--Related program shows personal understanding of the topic and "accomplishes" its task

3. Provide a timeline for your HLBC activities including check-in meetings with faculty, due dates, etc.
To allow sufficient time for grading, final due date to faculty should be NO LATER than one week before
Reading Day, as the HLBC Evaluation form is due to the Honors College by Reading Day (See Timeline).
Feb. 2, 3:30 pm - Weekly meeting/discussion with Dr. Uhlmann
Feb. 9, 3:30 pm - Weekly meeting/discussion with Dr. Uhlmann
Feb 16, 3:30 pm - Weekly meeting/discussion with Dr. Uhlmann
Feb 23, 3:30 pm - Weekly meeting/discussion with Dr. Uhlmann
March 2, 3:30 pm - Weekly meeting/discussion with Dr. Uhlmann
March 9, 3:30 pm - Weekly meeting/discussion with Dr. Uhlmann
March 16, 3:30 pm - Weekly meeting/discussion with Dr. Uhlmann
*March 23, 3:30 pm - Weekly meeting/discussion with Dr. Uhlmann, final project topics must be chosen
April 6, 3:30 pm - Weekly meeting/discussion with Dr. Uhlmann
April 13, 3:30 pm - Weekly meeting/discussion with Dr. Uhlmann
April 20, 3:30 pm - Weekly meeting/discussion with Dr. Uhlmann
*April 27, 3:30 pm - Final project presentations, write-up and program is due
May 4, 3:30 pm - Weekly meeting/discussion with Dr. Uhlmann