📊 Grading

How your performance will be evaluated.

Table of contents

  1. Grading Breakdown

Grading Breakdown

We will calculate your course grade based on these components:

Component Weight Description
In-class participation or paper discussion on Piazza 20% In each class, we will read and discuss two papers. You are required to critically analyze and discuss the strengths, weaknesses, scope, and potential future research directions of at least one of these papers.

You must contribute to the discussion in one of the following ways:
1. Before the class presentation: Participate in the Piazza discussions related to the paper.
2. During class: Engage in the in-class discussion following the presentation.

Your active participation in either format is essential and will contribute to your grade. Be prepared to make meaningful intellectual contributions by critically evaluating the paper and sharing your insights during class discussions or on Piazza.
Paper Presentations 20% Students will present research papers and lead the ensuing class discussion. The number of presentations required will be determined by the number of students enrolled in the course.
Course Project 60% Students will conduct a major research project in the area of system security, culminating in a conference-style paper at the end of the semester. Project topics will be discussed in class. Projects may be done individually or in pairs (larger groups need to do proportionately more). Your final grade will be based on milestone artifacts and the final report.

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CS 6501 - Security of AI Systems | University of Virginia | Spring 2026