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Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some of the frequently asked questions concerning the technical presentation milestone.

Do I have to attend all sessions?

No, you only have to attend the one session that you are scheduled for.

What if I have a conflict with a mid-term examination or an interview?

Co-op job interviews general do not extend a full three hours. In general, if you need to leave early, show up to your session, inform the evaluators, and you will likely be asked to present first or second; after which, you may leave. If your interview is scheduled as to make presenting early impossible, please show up when you can but do not enter the room until there is a break between presentations. Please e-mail an evaluator or the Teaching Assistant for TPM 1X000, if possible. The same holds for midterm examinations, which generally do not exceed 1.5 hours.

Why do people fail?

There are numerous reasons, but some of the most common are:

To expand on the last point, the purpose of the slides is not only to focus the audience on what you are saying, but also to make sure you know what you are going to say. Almost always, when the presenter turns off the projector, the subsequent dialog is not altogether coherent. In addition, you are very likely to lose the audience, as they have nothing to focus on except your words, which are rather transient.

Should I use a laser pointer?

Most people don't know how to use laser pointers correctly. They end up pointing at each bullet, and some times each word, which they are reading. This makes the audience feel like they are back in elementary school or in a karaoke session and seriously distracts them from your presentation. If you insist on using one, only use it to point to specific features on diagrams.

What if something (beyond my control) goes wrong?

Things can go wrong: On occasion, one of the evaluators forgets to start the timer. In this case, it would be unreasonable to fail you on account of time (slightly under or over). Continue to give your talk, and use the timer as a guide. If the projector bulb burns out, we will fix the problem and carry on. If the timer malfunctions, again, the evaluators will take care of the problem.

Please note: a corrupt presentation is within your control. Bring a backup or save your presentation to a publicly visible web site.

I didn't pass my proficiency examination. When can I redo it?

If you gave a technical presentation in 2B but failed, you may attempt it again in 3A. If your Co-op Work Term placement is in or close to Waterloo, you have the option of moving your second attempt to the Co-op Work Term prior to 3A; however, if you have done this, you may not make a third attempt in 3A. In either case, select which session you would like to join and submit a Course Override Form to your Electrical or Computer Undergraduate Advisor/Coordinator.

If you have failed twice or did not appear for your first proficiency examination, you are not given a second opportunity to take the examination and must talk to your Academic Advisor. Unless other arrangements are made, you will be enrolled in SPCOM 223 in your next Academic Term.

What if I missed my technical presentation because of X?

The E in TPPE is examination. Missing your scheduled proficiency examination is equivalent to missing an examination. You must provide a Verification of Illness Form or equivalent documentation. If such documentation is not forthcoming, you will not be given a second opportunity to give a technical presentation and you must talk to your Academic Advisor.

Does a failure appear on my transcript?

No, it is a milestone, which means that you must complete it before you start your 4A semester. A failure does not explicitly appear on your transcript.

Do I have to do my presentation on my Work-term Report?

No. If you are basing your presentation on your Work-term Report, remember that it will be impossible to cover the entire report in 15 minutes. You should focus on one aspect of your report. For example, in your report, you may consider many different possible solutions for your engineering problem. During the talk, it may be necessary to simply focus on the recommended solution, or perhaps the recommended solution and the next runner-up. Alternatively, you could summarize the rejected alternatives in a table.

Where do I get my grade?

Electrical and Computer Engineering students may pick up their forms from the ECE main office in EIT.

For SE students: Ask Shaz after two weeks.

Do I need supporting material (handouts, etc.)?

We are grading your ability to give a presentation, not your ability to write reports. Focus on the talk and not on auxiliary information.

Is my topic technical enough?

See the page on topic selection.

Can I attend other sessions as a audience member?

Most certainly, so long as there are available seats in the room (also very certain).