- What is undergraduate research?
-
Undergraduate research takes many forms. Generally, you
work closely with a faculty member or with several people on a specific
research problem. The work may be either theoretical, such as inventing
a new algorithm, or applied, such as the design and implementation of
a new software system.
Doing research is a good way to learn an area in depth and to
get to know a faculty member well. Doing some research as an
undergraduate can also help you decide whether to go to graduate
school. In addition, it provides experience that could give you an
edge later in applying to graduate school or in the job market.
Besides, it can be a lot of fun!
- What background do I need?
-
Generally, you should have taken several CS courses and done well in them.
Most faculty members expect that you have completed at least CS241, but
some may require additional more specialized courses.
Sometimes, students can begin working
in a group as early as the sophomore year, and often by the junior
year.
- How do I get matched up with a faculty member to be my research advisor?
-
This process happens informally. The following faculty members have
expressed an interest in working with undergraduates. More
information about their research is linked from their names. If you
see a project or research group that interests you, set up an
appointment to talk to people involved. When you meet with them, it
would help to bring with you a list of CS courses you have taken and
your grades in those courses.
- Bennett, Keith J.
(virtual reality)
bennett@cec.wustl.edu, Sever 225, 935-6648
- Blaine, G. James
(image processing) gjb@wuerl.wustl.edu, East Bldg 1150, 362-6965
- Chamberlain, Roger D.
(parallel computation and optical systems)
roger@ccrc.wustl.edu, Bryan 405C, 935-5708
- Cox, Jerome R., Jr.
(multimedia systems)
jrc@cs.wustl.edu, Bryan 522C, 935-7534
- Cytron, Ron
(compilers, software systems, electronic voting systems)
cytron@cs.wustl.edu, Bryan 525, 935-7527
- Dammkoehler, Richard A.
(computer-aided molecular design)
rad@cs.wustl.edu, Bryan 517, 935-6119
- Engebretson, A. Maynard
(digital signal processing and embedded systems)
ame@cs.wustl.edu, Bryan 417, 935-5886
- Franklin, Mark A.
(computer architecture and parallel computing)
jbf@random.wustl.edu, Bryan 405F, 935-6107
- Goldman, Kenneth J.
(distributed systems and programming environments)
kjg@cs.wustl.edu, Jolley 512, 935-7542
- Goldman, Sally A.
(computational learning theory)
sg@cs.wustl.edu, Jolley 538, 935-7545
- Hubbard, Philip M.
(graphics)
pmh@cs.wustl.edu, Jolley 530, 935-7532
- Kalman, Barry L.
(artificial intelligence, neural networks)
barry@cs.wustl.edu, Jolley 509, 935-7539
- Kimura, Takayuki D.
(user interfaces)
tdk@cs.wustl.edu, Jolley 510, 935-6122
- Kraemer, Eileen T.
(distributed systems and visualization)
eileen@cs.wustl.edu, Jolley 532, 935-6621
- Kwasny, Stan C.
(artificial intelligence, neural networks)
sck@cs.wustl.edu, Jolley 504, 935-6123
- Loui, Ronald P.
(artificial intelligence, legal reasoning)
loui@cs.wustl.edu, Jolley 502, 935-6102
- Parulkar, Gurudatta M.
(networking)
guru@flora.wustl.edu, Bryan 522C, 935-7534
- Roman, Gruia-Catalin
(distributed mobile computing, visualization, digital art)
roman@cs.wustl.edu, Jolley 514, 935-6190
- Sandholm, Tuomas
(artificial intelligence, multi-agent systems)
sandholm@cs.wustl.edu, Jolley 506, 935-4749
- Schmidt, Douglas C.
(distributed systems)
schmidt@cs.wustl.edu, Jolley 536, 935-7538
- States, David J.
(mapping the human genome)
states@ibc.wustl.edu, IBC 101, 362-2134
- Suri, Subhash
(computational geometry)
suri@cs.wustl.edu, Jolley 540, 935-7546
- Turner, Jonathan S.
(networking)
jst@cs.wustl.edu, Bryan 509D, 935-6132
- Varghese, George
(network protocols)
varghese@askew.wustl.edu, Bryan 405D, 935-4963
- Wong, Kenneth F.
(parallel computing)
kenw@wuccrc.wustl.edu, Bryan 405I, 935-8561
Can I get course credit for doing research?
Yes. If you can and a research advisor can identify a topic with
sufficient intellectual content,
you can arrange to receive credit through CS400 Independent Study.
For example, if it's a software project, it should stretch you intellectually and
not just be a routine programming task.
Is it possible to get paid?
Yes. Some research groups have funding for undergraduate programmers or
research assistants. You can work out the details with your
research advisor. (Generally, students either get paid or receive course
credit, but not both at the same time.)
What is an undergraduate thesis?
If you get involved in a project and make good progress, you may decide to
write an undergraduate thesis that describes the research you have done and
relates it to other research that has been done in that area.
Students who write an undergraduate thesis enroll in CS499 Undergraduate
Honors Thesis. If you write a thesis and maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA,
then you will graduate "with distinction" and your thesis title will
appear on your transcript.
If you have additional questions about the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program in the Department of Computer Science, please contact
Kenneth J. Goldman, kjg@cs.wustl.edu