1. Peter R. Pietzuch prp@doc.ic.ac.uk MRes in Advanced Computing: Is it for you? MRes Advanced Computing Year 2012/2013 Krysia Broda Coordinator - MRes Advanced Computing kb@imperial.ac.uk

2. MRes in a Nutshell To give interested students a taste of research practice More in-depth individual study May lead into PhD 2

3. Differences from MAC You take 4 taught courses, not 8 You must do 1 or 2 Research Projects –Either one project per term or single joint project –Effectively count as 4 courses in total Research seminar course (Term 2) Graduate School research skills courses 3

4. Switch to the MRes if... You want depth more than breadth There’s a subject area you want to specialise in –Use Research projects to focus on specific topics You are happy with a more open-ended course of study –Research projects are driven by you! You are happy to study by reading in a self-guided way –Research projects include state-of-the-art survey You are contemplating the possibility of a PhD 4

5. Take the MAC if... You prefer breadth over depth You prefer a more directed course of study (However, the ISO in Term 2 gives you an opportunity for independent study...) You are contemplating the possibility of a PhD 5

6. The MRes is not “better” than the MAC It’s just a (rather) different style of course Both are an appropriate preparation for a PhD (as are our other MSc courses) 6

7. Element 1: Taught Courses You take 4 taught courses in Terms 1 and 2. At most 1 course for assessment from the restricted list Fariba gave you this morning: –Advanced Computer Architecture –Advanced Databases –Complex Systems –Custom Computing –Machine Learning –Network Security –Type Systems for Programming Languages At most 1 from –Software Engineering for Industry –Prolog 7

8. Element 2: Research Projects (RPs) To acquire individual research skills, explore potential research areas, contribute to the field and (maybe) get to know your future PhD supervisor... Directed in-depth individual research –Must include original work –Warning: RPs are hard work and can have hidden snags –You’re expected to spend two days a week on them You must do 1 large or 2 smaller RPs –Single large project supervised by two supervisors –Interim assessment after Term 1; full assessment after Term 2 –Two smaller projects involve two supervisors –Assessments after Terms 1 and 2 –In both cases you'll produce a poster in term 2 8

9. Element 2: Research Project Allocation MRes students need to fix the 1 st RP by October 12 th 2012 (Friday) 1. A list of supervisors and research areas from http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/computing/teaching/pg/mresadv/ 2. Also check out academics web pages and research groups http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/computing/research/ 3. Email potential supervisors and arrange meetings –Discuss and agree on a RP 9

10. Element 2: Research Project Allocation MRes students need to fix the 1 st RP by October 12 th 2012 (Friday) 4. Go to CATE: https://cate.doc.ic.ac.uk a)Click on the “Projects Portal” icon b)Click on “Admin” button for MRes Research Project (First) c)Add a new “student proposed” project description 5. Email your supervisor to accept your project on CATE 10  This will only work after you have officially transferred to the MRes course.

11. Element 2: Research Proposal Research proposals on CATE should include the following headings: 1.Problem Statement What is the research problem that will be addressed? 2.State of the Art Is this an unsolved problem? What did other people do? Provide some pointers to existing research literature 3.Key Research Idea What is the new approach that may solve the problem? 4.Research Work Plan How will you go about doing the research? 11

12. Element 2: Research Project Assessment Term 1 RP submission deadline: Jan 11 th 2013 (Friday) Assessment by supervisor and second marker –Written project/interim report –Oral examination Project presentation Project demonstration Open Q&A Feedback session after assessment –Not about marks but about points to improve More information under research project assessment at: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/computing/teaching/pg/mresa dv/projects 12

13. Element 3: Research seminar course Runs in Term 2…… – You’ll gain experience in critically reading research papers what is good? is the abstract appropriate? have the authors evaluated their work? have they cited related work? – not necessarily in your area of expertise – it aims to improve your own report writing skills – involves discussion groups – 1 or 2 papers each week – for one you present the paper and lead the discussion and write a report – for others you summarise in a short paragraph 13

14. Element 4: Research Skills Courses To develop transferable skills relevant for research –Offered by Graduate School (GS) transferable skills –(see http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/graduateschool) You need to take at least 2 courses, mostly in Term 1 from Graduate School transferable skills classes or Master class lectures (Currently) select 2 courses from the following three: “Technical Presentations Fishbowl” “Tackling A Literature Review Workshop” “Technical Writing Lecture Series” OR “Technical Writing Two hour Workshop” Unassessed – but you must attend! 14

15. Element 4: Booking GS Courses Book early to avoid disappointment! More information is available here: –http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/graduateschool Read the course descriptions first 15

16. Other Elements: Same as MAC Taught courses At most one for assessment purposes: Prolog practical course or Advanced Topics in Software Engineering Attend Introduction to Prolog and Matlab course in Week 1 – not assessed Coursework from taught courses Individual project (summer) –May lead on from one of the Research Projects... 16

17. How to Switch to the MRes? It’s not automatic – we’ll make decisions on a case-by-case basis... If you haven’t agreed during admission to join the MRes, please see me to discuss it. We’ll then decide. either at 5 on Monday or Tuesday or Thursday morning Deadline for this: Thursday, Oct 4 th 2012 Fix up your first Research Project by: Friday, Oct 12 th 2012 17

18. Questions? For further information: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/computing/teaching/pg/mresadv (These slides will be available there.) Send me an email: Krysia Broda Any Questions? 18