A Note to Undergraduate Students

If you are an undergraduate student interested in doing a senior project or a directed research study with me, please read this note carefully.

In general, I am happy and excited to work with undergraduates. However, there are a few things that you should be aware of before you contact me. 

First, an absolute rule is that if you want to work with me during a semester, you need to contact me at least four weeks prior to finals week of the previous semester. Don't even think about asking me after that; the answer is no. I enforce this rule because I am only interested in working with proactive students who are excited to be working with me; if you wait until the week before classes start to find a senior project advisor, it demonstrates to me that you are contacting me only as a last resort or because you waited until the last second. I enjoy senior projects very much, and the last thing I want is a student who does not share that enjoyment and excitement. Everyone getting a CS degree has known for years about the senior project requirement; there is simply no excuse for waiting until the last second to arrange yours and there is nothing that I can do if you have done so.

Second, please realize that I generally don't advise undergrads on projects that they have come up with themselves; usually, I define the projects. As a result, I have a finite number of projects for undergrads in any given semester. Usually, two or three is my limit. This just underscores the fact that if you are interested in working with me, please contact me early on!

Third, I expect some significant work in a senior project or a directed research study. We will meet at least every week, and I expect you to work throughout the semester. Five hours of solid work per week is expected during Fall/Spring (outside of our meeting time), and six-plus hours per week is expected in the summer. If you want someone to simply sign off on a bogus project, I'm not the professor for you.

If, after all that, you still want to get in touch with me, I look forward to hearing from you. Senior projects are a great opportunity both for me and for the students I advise!

Last modified: Wednesday, May 14th, 2003