MRes Research Projects (11/12)

The purpose of the Research Projects (RPs)  on the MRes in Advanced Computing is to introduce a larger element of independent research into the curriculum. Students considering doing a PhD after their MRes can identify an area of interest and a potential supervisor, and begin work that can contribute directly to a PhD programme. The scheme is also useful to students who may wish to follow a career in an industrial research lab. Potentially RPs work can be continued and expanded in the individual project giving students a better start on a PhD programme than was previously possible. A RP must contain a degree of original research work. Exceptional RPs may result in research paper publications with their supervisors.

MRes in Advanced Computing students must either (a) conduct  two separate RPs, taking place in Terms 1 and 2, or (b) a single joint RP covering Terms 1 and 2. The single joint RP must involve two supervisors and their is an interim assessment at the start of Term 2. The two RPs or the joint RP are equivalent to four lecture courses. The expectation is that a RP will occupy around two days a week. The format of the RP is flexible. One or two members of staff will supervise an RP, and will be expected to agree a plan for the technical content and the assessment, and to see the student for around half an hour each week to discuss work in progress.

Normally a RP will start with a state-of-the-art survey of research papers and then focus on an original research contribution in a research area. The contribution can be in the form of a practical element of independent research in software/hardware systems or through new theoretical results. The end product of a RP will be a research report that describes the project work and its contributions.

The assessment of a RP will be carried out by the supervisor and a second marker, and will involve an oral examination. You can find the assessment guidelines here.

Procedure for selecting MRes Research Projects

It is the responsibility of the student to find a supervisor willing to supervise an MRes Research project. Negotiating a suitable research project with a supervisor is part of the allocation process.

All MRes students will receive a list of potential supervisors together with areas of expertise. Students must decide on areas of interest and arrange a meeting with a potential supervisor to discuss suitable projects. By the project allocation deadlines listed below, the student must have submitted a short project proposal describing the project topic and goals. This project description has to be agreed with the supervisor. It should include the following headings:

1. Problem Statement
2. State-of-the-Art
3. Key Research Idea
4. Project Work Plan

To submit the RP proposal, use the CATE system:

1. Go to CATE: https://cate.doc.ic.ac.uk
2. Click on the “Projects Portal” icon
3. Click on the “Admin” button for MRes Research Project (First or Second)
4. Add a new “student proposed” project description
   
5. Email your supervisor to accept your project on CATE
   

Procedure for submitting MRes Research Project reports

By the deadlines listed below, RP reports should be submitted electronically in PDF format via CATE, together with two hardcopies. The hardcopies (for the supervisor and second marker) should be handed in at the Student Admin Office (Huxley Room 345).

Please make sure that your report uses an 11pt font size with single line spacing. The pages should be securely stapled together and printed on double-sided A4 paper with 2 cm margins.

Timetable

Autumn Term 11/12 (Term 1):

Spring Term 11/12 (Term 2):

Slides from MRes Introduction talk

Here are the slides from the MRes introduction event:

MRes intro slides

Peter Pietzuch
Deputy Coordinator MSc/MRes Advanced Computing