This page contains a number of questions that seem to come up again and again. If you can't find an answer to your question here, then feel free to email me. The idea for a page like this, and the particular format, was shamelessly copied from Sebastian Thrun's page at Stanford.

For Undergraduates

1. Can I work in your lab?
   In general, I prefer students to have some significant programming experience (usually in C, C++, or Python) before they get involved in research. What constitutes "significant"? That depends on a number of things. As a bare minimum, you should have successfully completed the introductory computer science sequence up to, and including, CSE 332 (and done well in it). Courses like CSE 441 and CSE 453 are a definite plus, too. If you're coming from outside of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, or are interested in a project that does not involve programming, then we can discuss the relevant background that you'll need.
2. What about mathematics background?
   Machine learning and mobile robotics research requires a fair amount of mathematics. If you're seriously interested in doing research, then you'll need to have a basic grounding in linear algebra, probability theory and calculus. A good rule of thumb is that if you can't write Bayes rule on the board on request, then you probably don't have enough of a background.
3. What's the first step?
   The best first step is to take one of my classes, so that we can find out a bit about each other. At some point, come up to the front and let me know you're interested, and we can take it from there. Don't be upset if I tell you that there are no openings in the group; I have a limited capacity, and am usually running close to it. If I tell you that there are no openings, chances are that there really are no openings.
4. What does working in the lab involve?
   As a general rule, I'm only interested in "structured" research, where students register for independent study, or something similar. If you're interested in this, then send me a brief email, describing what you'd like to do. Just showing up and saying "robots are cool" isn't enough, unfortunately. If you're just interested in talking about robots and learning in general, to try and get a handle on the sorts of things that we do, then you should do three things. Read about the research that we do on my web pages. Find a student who has worked with me and talk to them. Finally, when you have a rough idea of what we're about, send me a brief email and we can meet if I have some free time. Free time, however, is a rare commodity these days. Again, please don't be offended if I say that I'm too busy; it's likely to be the truth.
5. I'm still here. What now?
   If you've made it this far, then you must still be interested. Don't worry too much if you don't meet all of the criteria above. If you meet most of them, then send me email, and we can discuss things.

For Prospective Graduate Students

1. Will you be my Ph.D. advisor?
   If you're considering the graduate program in Computer Science and Engineering here at Washington University, then I encourage you to apply. I can't admit students directly, so don't ask. Every potential student must go through the same formal application procedure. I will ignore letters about admissions and assistantships. If I'm looking for new graduate students and you've applied, then I'll find you.
2. But, our research interests really overlap!
   If you're a prospective graduate student and your research interests seriously overlap with mine, then send me an email, and briefly tell me about yourself, so that I know to be on the lookout for your application packet when it arrives. Letters with full CVs or ones that don't mention specific research issues will be ignored. Email without my address in the To: line will also tend to get ignored, since that usually means a mass mailing. Finally, you should put the word "Sisyphus" at the start of the subject line; that way, I can identify the people who have taken the time to actually read this page, and weed out those just sending mass emails.
3. I'm currently a grad student at Washington University. Can you check out your lab?
   If you're currently a graduate student at Washington University and you're interesting in talking about working with me, send me a brief email, and we can take it from there.