DTSC 691 Project Handbook

Revised: 8/14/2023
 Table of Contents

Introduction 3
Handbook Purpose 3
Student Responsibilities 3
Mentor Responsibilities 3
General Information 3
Initial project consideration 3
Course meeting 4
Communication Guidelines 4
Prior to Mentor Assignment: 4
After Mentor Assignment: 4
Other Communications: 4
Due Dates 5
Project Topic Selection Due Date: 5
Project Proposal Due Date: 5
Final Project Submission Due Date: 5
Project Overview 5
Initial Steps 6
Project Handbook 6
Course Syllabus 6
Google Drive Setup 7
Course Overview Quiz 7
Project Topic Selection 7
Mentor Assignment 7
Project Proposal 8
Optional Pre-Proposal 8
Proposal Overview 8
Proposal Guidelines 9
Proposal Submission 9
Proposal Approval 10
Project Completion 10
Project Guidelines 10
Google Drive Collaboration 11
Brightspace Discussion Board 11
Resources 11
Project Submission 11
Google Drive Submission 12
Brightspace Submission 12
Grading 12

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Introduction
Welcome to DTSC 691, the second part of the capstone in the Masters in Data Science program. This course
provides an opportunity for students to bring together the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their
coursework and apply them in a practical, cumulative project. As part of this capstone project, students will
develop a comprehensive project proposal that involves tasks such as identifying a suitable data source,
acquiring and cleaning the data, performing rigorous analysis, and presenting the findings in a clear and
impactful manner. DTSC 691 can be taken concurrently with DTSC 690.

Handbook Purpose
This project handbook is meant to provide students, mentors, and staff with clear guidelines for the execution
of the project. It is critical that students thoroughly read and understand all aspects of the handbook.

Student Responsibilities
Students are responsible for knowing and adhering to all policies and procedures outlined in both the
Handbook and the course syllabus. It is crucial to familiarize yourself with these guidelines and ensure
compliance throughout the duration of the project.

Mentor Responsibilities
Mentors play an essential role in the capstone project, serving as a source of support and guidance for
students. Their responsibilities include:

1. Assisting students in the formation and agreement of the project proposal: Mentors support students in
developing a well-defined and feasible project proposal. They offer insights, suggestions, and expertise
to ensure the project's practicality.

2. Guiding students in project completion: Mentors serve as a valuable source of knowledge and expertise
throughout the project execution. Students can rely on mentors to seek clarification, ask questions, and
receive guidance when facing challenges or uncertainties. Mentors help students stay focused and
aligned with the project objectives, offering advice and suggestions as needed.

General Information

Initial project consideration

Before the start of DTSC 691, students should dedicate ample time to contemplate the type of project that
aligns with their interests. While there is some flexibility in choosing a project, the following project topics are
available as a starting point:

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 ● Database Project Guidelines
● Data Science Education Project Guidelines
● Machine Learning Project Guidelines
● Custom Project Guidelines

It is strongly recommended that students carefully consider these options well in advance to beginning the
course. If students would like to receive feedback on a potential DTSC 691 project prior to enrolling in the
course, please email dtsc_691@eastern.edu.

Note: If a student anticipates requiring a non-disclosure agreement for their project, they will need to inform the
Course Instructor as soon as possible to facilitate the necessary arrangements.

Course meeting
A course meeting will take place during the first week of each term via Zoom. The details of the meeting,
including the date, time, and Zoom link, are located in the course syllabus and will also be posted on
Brightspace. In the event that you are unable to attend the live meeting, a recording of the session will be
posted to Brightspace. This allows students who couldn't attend the meeting to access the content covered.

Communication Guidelines
Frequent and effective communication is a key element of success in this course. It is important to use the
correct communication channels to ensure your questions are handled promptly and efficiently. Please be
aware of the following guidelines:

Prior to Mentor Assignment:

If you have not been assigned a mentor, your main point of contact for any questions will be the course email:
dtsc_691@eastern.edu. This is for students who are not yet enrolled in the course and have general
questions, or for students who are enrolled and are awaiting mentor assignment.

After Mentor Assignment:

Once you have been assigned a mentor, they will be your primary contact for project-specific questions. If you
haven't received a response within 3 business days, you can reach out to dtsc_691@eastern.edu.

Note: You must send all project-related questions or requests for clarification at least 5 days prior to the project
due date. This provides enough time for responses and allows you to address any issues effectively.

Other Communications:

● If you have a technical question, need help with installing programs, or have software issues, please
email Tech Support at dtsc_techsupport@eastern.edu.

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 ● If you have a general program question, please email datascience@eastern.edu.

● If you have advising questions or to request a course extension, please contact

dsadvising@eastern.edu.

● If you have a more personal question or concern, then please reach out to the instructor directly.

Due Dates
Unlike other courses in the program, this course has several deadlines that you must be aware of and adhere
to. Compliance with these deadlines is important to the successful completion of your project. The exact dates
for each term are specified in the course syllabus.

Project Topic Selection Due Date:

The first deadline is the project topic selection, which must be completed by the Sunday after term starts. The
student must fill out the Project Topic Selection Form found on Brightspace by this date. More about the
Project Topic Selection is found here.

Project Proposal Due Date:

The second important deadline is the submission of your project proposal. This is due Monday, exactly two
weeks after the course starts. We strongly recommend starting your project proposal as soon as
possible. Your proposal needs to be comprehensive and detailed, as outlined in the proposal guidelines. More
about the Project Proposal is found here.

Final Project Submission Due Date:

The final deadline is for the submission of your project, which must be completed and submitted by 11:59 PM
EST on the last day of the term. Your project submission must include all necessary components. The full list
of items required for submission can be found here.

Project Overview
Below you will find a week-by-week breakdown containing a general overview of the project. This is a helpful
tool to assist you in planning and pacing your progress throughout the term. While the project may be
completed at a pace determined by the student, it's important to note that there are some mandatory due
dates that must be adhered to.

Week Content Suggested Tasks Due Dates

Brightspace Module: ● Read entire Course Handbook

Project Topic Form Due by:
Initial Steps ● Read entire Syllabus
Sunday After Term Start
1 Project Handbook Sections: ● Set up Google Drive
Mentors Assigned by:
Introduction ● Take Course Overview Quiz
General Information Monday, 1 Week After Term Start
Initial Steps ● Complete Project Topic Form

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 ● Mentor Assignment

● Connect with Mentor

Brightspace Module:
Project Proposal
2- 3
Project Handbook Section:
Project Proposal
● Work on Project Proposal
● Submit Project Proposal
Project Proposal Due by:
● Edit Project Proposal with
Monday, 2 Weeks After Term Start
Mentor until Approved
● Begin Working on Project once
Proposal Approved

Brightspace Module: ● Work on Project

Project Completion
4-6 ● Collaborate with Mentor
Project Handbook Section: ● Utilize Resources on Brightspace
Project Completion

● Complete Project
Brightspace Module: ● Submit all Required Items on Project Submissions Due by:
Project Submission
7 Google Drive Sunday, Last Day of Term
Project Handbook Section: ● Submit all Required items on 11:59 EST
Project Submission
Brightspace

Grading and Feedback Received

Grading ● Await Grading and Feedback by:

Sunday, 1 Week After Term End

Initial Steps
At the start of the term, you'll receive a welcome email for the course. This email outlines the initial steps you
must take to get started in the course. These steps include familiarizing yourself with the Project Handbook,
Syllabus, setting up your Google Drive, and taking the Course Overview quiz. All of these steps must be
completed before you can access the Project Topic Selection Form.

Project Handbook
This Project Handbook is a comprehensive guide for the project. It includes important details about the course
and project. This will be your main point of reference as you go through the course. To succeed in this course,
it is essential that you read this handbook in its entirety and familiarize yourself with each item outlined.

Course Syllabus
The course syllabus is important for students to read and be familiar with. It contains essential information and
specific due dates for the term. Knowing these dates is imperative for successfully completing the course.

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Additionally, the syllabus includes general course information and university policies that students need to be
aware of.

Google Drive Setup

You will need to create a DTSC 691 Project Folder on your Eastern University Google Drive. This folder will be
used to organize and store project-related materials and documentation. You will also create 3 sub-folders
within this folder: Project Proposal, Project Completion, and Project Submission. Detailed instructions for
setting up these folders are available on Brightspace. Students are expected to carefully follow these
instructions to ensure these folders are set up correctly.

Course Overview Quiz

The Course Overview Quiz is mandatory and assesses understanding of both the syllabus and project
handbook. A score of 100% is required on this quiz in order to unlock the Project Topic Selection Form
and progress further in the course. This is an important step to make sure that you fully understand the
course structure, expectations, and guidelines.

Project Topic Selection

The most important initial task of the project/course involves selecting a project topic. The Project Topic
Selection Form allows the student to indicate which type of project they will be undertaking (Database Project,
Data Science Education Project, Machine Learning Project, or Custom Project). Accuracy of the submitted
information is essential, and any inaccuracies should be corrected promptly. Students should fill out the form
only once, but they may edit this submission if any inaccuracies exist. To select your project topic and be
assigned a mentor, you must complete the "Project Topic Selection Form" in Brightspace and provide the
following information while logged into your Eastern email address:

● Student ID number
● Full name
● Link to your Eastern Google Drive DTSC 691 Project folder
● Project Topic Selection:
o Database
o Data Science for Education
o Machine Learning
o Custom Project
● Brief project summary (2-3 sentences)

Your chosen project topic aids in the process of assigning you a mentor, as it enables us to pair you with a
mentor who has the most relevant expertise to guide you effectively throughout your project. To ensure timely
mentor assignment, it is essential to submit the completed Google Form by the first Sunday after the
start of term. Please note that students who fail to submit the Project Topic Selection Form by this deadline
will not be assigned a mentor on the following Monday.

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Important: You will receive a submission confirmation after completing the Project Topic Form. If you do not
receive this confirmation email, please ensure you have submitted the form!
Mentor Assignment
Mentor assignments will be communicated to students on Monday, 1 week after term starts. You will receive an
email with your mentor assignment and the next steps to take. If students have not received their mentor
assignment by Tuesday, they are advised to reach out to dtsc_691@eastern.edu.

Once you have been assigned a mentor, they will be your primary contact for project-specific questions. Keep
in mind that some mentors, due to their full-time jobs during the week, might prefer to be available over the
weekends. It is suggested that you establish communication expectations by emailing your mentor soon after
they're assigned. Communicating with your mentor will be primarily through Email and Google Drive
Collaboration (see here). The subject line of any email you send your Mentor should be <LastName> DTSC
691.

Project Proposal
During the first two weeks of the course, you are required to submit a project proposal. We strongly
recommend starting your project proposal as soon as possible. This proposal outlines the scope of your
project and serves as an agreement between you and your mentor. The project proposal establishes
expectations and defines the requirements for your project. Once approved, it forms a contractual
understanding that a completed project, done in accordance with an approved proposal, allows the student to
successfully pass the course. Your proposal needs to be comprehensive and detailed, as outlined in the
Proposal Guidelines. It is important to familiarize yourself with the proposal components, submission, and
approval processes detailed below.

Note: While your proposal outlines your agreed-upon plan, proposals can be adjusted throughout the project's
completion to address unforeseen obstacles or necessary deviations. Any changes to your proposal MUST be
communicated and discussed with your mentor beforehand.

Optional Pre-Proposal
You have the option to submit a brief document, 2 pages or less, to your instructor outlining your proposal. This
pre-proposal is intended to gather general comments on the direction of your project. If your pre-proposal
exceeds 2 pages, we will request that you resubmit a shorter version. Please submit your pre-proposal by
emailing dtsc_691@eastern.edu. You must clearly indicate that it is the pre-proposal and not the final
proposal. You may submit this document within the first 7 days of the term. Remember to send your instructor
a link to this Google Doc. The pre-proposal feedback provided will address the appropriateness of your chosen
topic, the depth of your project, and provide more general feedback to assist you in refining your final proposal.
This document should eventually be placed in your Project Proposal folder of your Google Drive and be named
“<LastName Pre-Proposal>”.

Proposal Overview
You will complete your project proposal within your Google Drive. This will allow you to work collaboratively
with your mentor. You will need to upload the appropriate Project Proposal Template corresponding to your

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chosen project topic and place it in the Project Proposal folder on your Drive. You will name this document
“<LastName> Proposal”. You will work within this document to complete your project proposal following the
instructions found in the Project Proposal Guidelines for your topic. Your project proposal will be submitted
to your mentor via Google Drive as well as on Brightspace.

As an optional component, you may also submit a video explaining your proposal. If you opt to create a video,
please place it in the Project Proposal folder of your Drive and name it “<LastName> Proposal Video”. Let your
mentor know you have submitted a video along with your proposal.

Proposal Guidelines
Your project proposal should be created using the corresponding template, based on your project topic. Each
section in the template must be thoroughly completed in accordance with the instructions in the corresponding
Project Proposal Guidelines document. Additionally, you may refer to the more detailed Project Guidelines if
needed. A comprehensive and well-written proposal not only serves as a clear guide for your project but also
expedites the approval process. The more thoroughly and accurately your proposal is written, the faster it can
be reviewed and approved by your mentor and you can begin working on your project.

Project Proposal Template Project Proposal Guidelines

Database Project Proposal Template Database Proposal Guidelines

Data Science Education Project Proposal Template Data Science Education Proposal Guidelines

Machine Learning Project Proposal Template Machine Learning Proposal Guidelines

Custom Project Proposal Template Custom Proposal Guidelines

Proposal Submission
Please follow these requirements for submitting your project proposal:

● Due Date: Project proposals can be submitted during the first two weeks of term. See the course
syllabus for the exact due date. We strongly encourage and recommend students complete and submit
this as soon as possible.

● Submission Format: Use the specific template corresponding to your project topic for your proposal.
Place a copy of this template in your Google Drive Project Proposal folder. Ensure your document is
clearly marked as your proposal by naming your document “<LastName> Proposal”.

● Mentor Review: Once ready for review, send your mentor an email with the subject line "<LastName>
Project Proposal Submission". This email should include a link to your Google Drive Proposal Doc.

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 ● Brightspace Submission: You must also submit the Google Drive link and a .pdf copy of your
proposal to the Project Proposal Assignment on Brightspace.

Note: You should complete your Brightspace submission at the same time as you send your proposal to
your mentor. Do not wait until your mentor’s review before completing this step. You will be instructed to
submit a final approved proposal at a later time. Completion of both steps is necessary to receive credit
for your proposal.

● Feedback: You should receive feedback on your proposal within three business days. Thereafter, you
and your mentor will exchange feedback and work together to come to an agreement (see Proposal
Approval section below).

Proposal Approval
Once your proposal has been submitted, your mentor will review it and provide feedback and requests for
revisions. The Project Proposal rubric (found in the appropriate Project Proposal Guidelines document) will be
used to evaluate your proposal. In order to gain proposal approval, you must adequately address any
requested revisions.

Upon approval, you will receive an email outlining the next steps. Remember, approval of your proposal does
not guarantee project success. You could have an approved proposal but fail to complete what is necessary for
a passing grade. Proposals that fail to address all comments, feedback, and revisions will not gain approval. If
your proposal is not approved, the likelihood of failing the project increases significantly.

Project Completion
The Project Completion phase is where you will focus most of your time in the course. During this time, you'll
be implementing your project proposal. Your mentor is your primary contact during this time. If you have any
questions, need clarifications, or seek guidance, please reach out to your mentor in the communication method
you have previously agreed upon.

Project Guidelines
For each project topic, there's an associated Project Guidelines document. This document functions as your
go-to guide, detailing all the necessary elements of your project. Always refer to it first for guidance while
completing your project. If your questions aren't resolved after checking the guidelines, your mentor is
available for further questions and clarification. The grading rubric for your project is at the end of this
document.

Project Guidelines Documents

Database Project Guidelines

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 Data Science Education Project Guidelines

Machine Learning Project Guidelines

Custom Project Guidelines

Google Drive Collaboration

Collaboration with your mentor during your project completion primarily takes place within your Eastern Google
Drive. This will allow your mentor to access, review, and provide feedback on your work. You should utilize the
Project Completion folder on your Google Drive to store all project files there while they are being worked on.
Only move items to the Project Submission folder once they're ready for final submission.

Commenting in Google Drive Documents is encouraged. You will need to “tag” your mentor in comments for
them to be notified. We have provided Google Drive Guidelines as an overview on how to leave tagged
comments and to help you communicate effectively with your project mentor within your Drive. For
documentation purposes, all comments from both students and mentors should remain in the
documents - do not "resolve" the comments. Although we encourage communication within Google Drive,
you may also, at times, email your mentor based on the communication expectations set at the beginning of
the course.

Note: You must send all project-related questions or requests for clarification at least 5 days prior to the project
due date. This provides enough time for responses and allows you to address any issues effectively.

Please be aware that your mentor is also mentoring other students. While they are here to support you, we ask
that you be mindful of the amount of time you are requesting from them. If you find yourself needing
considerable amounts of your mentor's time, we suggest connecting with your mentor to find a workable
strategy that respects both your learning needs and their availability.

Note: Mentors will provide feedback that addresses issues such as depth and breadth of the project work and
topic, suggestions for improvement and additions, and other big-picture topics. However, mentors will not
directly assist with issues such as data cleaning, debugging, model training, and other specific tasks of your
project.

Brightspace Discussion Board

The course has a Brightspace discussion board that serves as a platform for students to communicate about
their capstone projects. This forum is designed to mimic professional collaboration platforms like Slack or
Teams. In professional settings, colleagues often utilize these types of platforms to seek advice, brainstorm
ideas, and celebrate milestones. This discussion board is designed to mirror these collaborative dynamics.
This is a student-led forum that allows you to ask and answer each other's questions related to your capstone
projects. Feel free to share challenges, offer insights, and contribute to your peers' learning process. The goal
is to give a practical application of encouraging mutual support and collective problem-solving.

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Resources
We provide numerous Resources in both the Project Guidelines Documents and on Brightspace. You may find
these helpful when working on your project. We encourage you to utilize these resources and seek out
additional resources as necessary. If you come across additional resources that you believe may be beneficial
to other students, please share them by emailing dtsc_691@eastern.edu.

Note: It's important to remember to cite any external sources you utilize in completing your project. Ensure that
any external code or content integrated into your project is fully credited to the original source.

Project Submission
All project materials should be submitted in an organized and accessible manner. You will have two places to
submit: on your Google Drive and in Brightspace. You must submit all required material to both your
Google Drive and Brightspace by the due date. Each Project Guidelines document outlines the submission
process. If you need more detailed instructions for submitting your project, see the Project Submission
Guidelines.

Google Drive Submission

The Google Drive Submission requires you to contain all necessary project materials into the Project
Submission Folder on your Drive. This includes your Project Presentation Video, a folder called All Project
Files containing all of your project files, and your Complete Project PDF. Please email your mentor when your
final project has been submitted so they can begin evaluating it.

Brightspace Submission
The Brightspace Submission requires you to upload all necessary items to the "Project Submission"
Assignment on Brightspace. This includes a link to your Project Submission Folder on your Drive, your Project
Presentation Video, and your Complete Project PDF.

Grading
The grading for this course is pass/fail. Evaluation criteria for each project topic are available in the rubric
found in each Project Guidelines document and on Brightspace. Each rubric outlines the specific criteria that
your project will be assessed on, so be sure to review it carefully as you prepare your submission. Grading
and feedback are typically provided within one week from the end of term via email. You will receive an
email notifying you of your grade. Attached to this email will be a Feedback Form that includes comments on
your project from your project mentor and a scored Rubric. You will also receive a score out of 20 in
Brightspace, based on your rubric score, which will equate to a Pass/Fail grade in Brightspace.

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