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CS 3950 Introduction to Computer Science Research

Learn about engaging in research at Northwestern University and beyond, preparing for grad school applications, and finding financial support for research. Get insights and tips from experienced researchers.

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CS 3950 Introduction to Computer Science Research

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  1. CS 3950Introduction to Computer Science Research Last Meeting: Where to go from here

  2. Logistics • Homework 10 now live on Blackboard • Due on Monday at midnight • Should take 15-30’ tops • I will email final presentation grades • as soon as I’m finally healthy…. or at least by early next week • Please do TRACE evaluations

  3. Outline • Engaging in research • At NU • Beyond • Preparing for grad school applications • Money

  4. Engaging in research • How many of you are already participating in research? • Why do research? • Intellectual curiosity • Open doors to grad schools • $/course credit • Be famous… or at least have your name in print • Travel to conferences, meet with other researchers, present work, …

  5. Engaging in research • You already know how! • Read papers • Meet with faculty • Decide on project • Do the work

  6. Logistics at NU • Volunteer • No obligations, trial period • Allocate at least 10 hours per week • Find something you are passionate about • Course credit • Khoury now allows 1, 2, or 4 credits, scales according to research project • Part-time job • Pay is usually less than co-op positions, but generally much more flexible

  7. Research co-ops • Listed on the co-op website • Varies per semester, search for “research” in job postings • Again, salary lower than top commercial co-ops, but reasonably competitive • Usually enough time to get a publication with your name on it

  8. Outside of NU • Do you want to • Work with a researcher who happens to be at another university • See how research takes place outside of NU • live somewhere else for the summer • Multiple opportunities for research outside of NU • NSF REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) • Some universities are “REU Sites” and have money available to support you for ~12 weeks • Faculty can ask for $8k “REU supplements” to existing grants at any school • National labs, federal agencies (NIST, FTC, etc.) • Research institutes (e.g., ICSI)

  9. Outline • Engaging in research • At NU • Beyond • Preparing for grad school applications • Money

  10. Preparing for grad school • Get involved in research EARLY • How admission decisions are made (lowest prio to highest): • Did you meet minimum GPA/standardized test requirements? • Have you take the right background coursework? • Do you have relevant experience for a specific faculty member at the school? • Is this reflected in your personal statement? • Have you participated in research and are you published? • Do you have research awards? • Do you have a strong letter from a well known researcher in the field? • Did that letter writer send a personal note to faculty at the school singing your praise?

  11. Picking research topics • Follow your passion! • Do not do research for the sake of doing research • Take leadership wherever possible, have an agenda • It’s ok to fail, change topics … but eventually settle on one • Work smart, work hard, have fun

  12. Picking schools • US News & World Report Rankings • Utter garbage • Other university ranking sites • Usually garbage • CSRankings.org • Based on recent research activity (publications) • Can be customized to research area • Biased by what are “top” venues • Ultimately: Pick a school with someone you want to work with

  13. Other details • How to write a good personal statement • Reaching out to faculty • Prepping for standardized tests • Applying to Ph.D. Program in Computer Science (MorHarchol-Balter)

  14. Outline • Engaging in research • At NU • Beyond • Preparing for grad school applications • Money

  15. Paying the bills • As an undergrad, a paid position costs someone money • In (Ph.D.) grad school, you get paid a stipend and tuition is covered • That means someone is paying for you • College/department/internal fellowship • Faculty (research funds, e.g., grants) • Outside scholarship/fellowship • Bringing your own money gives you flexibility • You cost a college/faculty member nothing • You can work with whatever faculty you want • In theory, you can work on whatever topic you want

  16. University grants/fellowships • Travel grants • Khoury matching grants for research co-ops • Honors Early Research Awards • https://undergraduate.northeastern.edu/research/

  17. External grants/fellowships • NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) • Highly competitive, apply in your senior year • Extremely helpful to have already engaged in research • Opens door to almost any grad school • Many others • Department of Energy / Krell Institute Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE CSGF) • Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE SCGF) • Facebook Graduate Fellowship Program • Ford Foundation Fellowships • Gates Millennium Scholars Program • Generation Google Scholarship for Underrepresented Students in Computer Science • Google - Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship for Women in Computer Science • HHMI International Student Research Fellowships  • IBM Ph.D. Fellowship • Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship • Qualcomm Innovation Fellowships in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science • Society of Women Engineering (SWE) Scholarships • Symantec Graduate Fellowship Program • And more!

  18. Timing • Most of this you don’t have to worry about until senior year • Look at details/deadlines for all relevant programs now • So you can plan for it • Deadlines/requirements tend to be the same year after year

  19. Outline • Engaging in research • At NU • Beyond • Preparing for grad school applications • Money • Closing thoughts

  20. Goals (From January) • Fundamental understanding of computer science research • What are the research areas, key grand challenges/open questions? • How do I think, read, and write about research? • How do I participate in research? • Focus on research in math, engineering, and science • Not about programming, proofs, plug and chug • Lots of reading/discussion • Reading-centric, with focus on active participation in discussions • How do you read a research paper in CS? • What are the key open questions in each field, and how do we go about answering them? • How to present research to others so they understand

  21. Next steps • Keep reading papers • Talk about research with faculty, grad students, other undergrads • Attend group meetings • Try out starter projects • Take 4950 (Computer Science Research Seminar) • Keep in touch

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