Questions about Independent Studies/Senior
Theses/M.S. Theses/M.E. Projects
I receive questions each semester about how to go about doing an
independent study/senior thesis/M.S. thesis/M.E. project. I have
answered some of the most frequent questions here.
- I would like to do an independent study/senior
thesis/M.S. thesis/M.E. project, but I am not sure where to start.
A good way would be to look at the CS Research page -
http://www.cs.colorado.edu/research/
- and find an area of research that interests you. If you are
interested in working with mobile applications or wearable devices for
health, you would talk to me (or Prof. Clayton Lewis).
Most professors have lots of projects that just need students to work
on them. So if you find an area you are interested in, it would be
best to send the professors who are listed under the research area an
email and follow up with a visit/phone call during their office
hours. During the first two weeks, we are used to students approaching us
about ideas or searching for ideas for independent studies/theses.
- Do students typically have their own project ideas and come to
a professor who does research in that area?
Some students have their own project ideas. Most times, they need to
be scoped appropriately so they can be completed in the amount of time
or provide a good contribution to the field.
Some students just come and say, "I want to work with you" or "I am
interested in X and you are close to that..." and then we discuss
possible projects. Just make sure you are passionate or have some deep
interest in the area because it is difficult to work on a project you
do not care about.
- How can I join a project team?
Professors typically have lots of students (especially at the
beginning of the semester) who come by asking about projects. When I
have a few students, I try to get them in a group to work
together. Inevitably, by midterms I have a better idea of who is
really interested in the research and then can help the students
appropriately (even dividing the project into different parts so
groups do not suffer from unmotivated students).
- How should I start this process of doing an independent study?
- Talk to a professor you are interested in working with
- See if they have any projects or other students interested in a project
- Once a project and group is decided on, get a meeting with the professor and the group members to discuss group expectations, individual expectations, deliverables, and timelines. Based on this discussion, write up a document with the expectations, deliverables, and timelines and confirm it with the group and professor so you have documented what needs to be done.
- Have fun doing research (don't forget to check in with your
advisor/group members).
- Write-up your results - consult with your professor and group members.
- Defend your thesis/report/etc.
- Publish your thesis/report/etc.
Have fun and good luck.
- Can I work with you?
I am interested in working with motivated students who are interested
in researching/designing/developing mobile applications and wearable
devices for health/medical/wellness informatics. Before you consider
working with me, you may want to talk to some of the brilliant
students I already work with (a list is available here) and look
at some of the theses (and publications) I have advised to get a
better understanding of the quality I expect (CS
senior theses and Lab
Theses/Publications). I will not sign off on a project that does
not meet my high quality expectations.
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