Research Opportunities

Introduction

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering is committed to offering research opportunities to its undergraduate majors. Research is an exciting, and sometimes frustrating, process of discovering something completely new and communicating the discovery to others. For a research result to be meaningful, it must be shared for others to apply or build upon. Research involves many aspects: investigating prior work, experimenting, inventing, reasoning (proofs), collaboration, organization, writing, and speaking. If there is no chance of failure it is not research. Projects can vary. Always choose one that you think you would enjoy.

How to Get Involved

Step 1: Determine possible faculty sponsor(s)
The best way to do this is to explore, and the CSE department has a number of ways available to do this.

Attend Faculty Colloquia in the Fall of each year (previous colloquia are archived in the Colloquia On-Demand webpage).
Attend the ACM sponsored "Research Cafe Night" when it is offered (see the Student Chapter of the ACM homepage for more information).
Check out the research project home pages to find out what faculty are doing in research. Building connections with graduate students and asking them about projects they are working on can also be a good way to learn more about research opportunities.

Step 2: Discuss your research interests with a potential faculty sponsor
Occasionally, faculty members and graduate students will advertise research projects for undergraduates. It is not wise to just wait for these announcements. It is better to approach a faculty member with the knowledge of their projects and how your experience and background can benefit the projects. You can contact them during office hours or via e-mail to set up a time to discuss what their work. If it seems like a fit, it is helpful to discuss the planned duration of your research (either in terms of number of credits or number of quarters) and expected outcomes (for example, if you are expected to write papers or do a presentation at the end), make a plan for when you will start, and determine if you will work for academic credit (either C/NC or graded) or for pay (not all faculty have paid research opportunities). There are ways to work on the same project for both pay and credit, but it must be clearly articulated which hours are paid and which hours are for credit. Students may not receive both pay and credit for the same hours of research work. If you have questions about this, please see an academic advisor to clarify your plans.

Step3: Register for research credits during the quarterly class registration process
Each research credit hour carries the expectation of three hours of work per week (1 credit = 3 hours per week, 2 credits = 6 hours per week, 3 credits = 9 hours per week, etc). Use the CSE research registration tool to get the add code you need to enter when you register for classes.

Step 4 (for students pursuing departmental or College honors): Sign up for honors
Make sure you are familiar with the departmental honors enrollment process and expectations. Make sure you drop off your completed departmental invitation to a CSE Advisor, by dropping it off at the CSE reception desk.

Step 5: Complete research
Students should be proactive in communicating with their research advisor and in making sure the project goals/requirements are clear. One of the skills developed through engagement in research is the ability to work independently, therefore you will be expected to be somewhat self-directed. Your faculty sponsor is the one to determine if you have met the requirements and expectations of the research project, so checking periodically to make sure you are on track is a good idea. You should turn in any results, assignments or written work to them and they will submit you completion and/or grade with grades at the end of the quarter. Research credits are subject to the UW's numerical and letter grading system. Honors students are required to do research and write a senior thesis. Each year a Best Senior Thesis Award is given.

Research Credit

Students earn credit for their research work in CSE 498A, 498B and 499.

Research Funding

Faculty members who have NSF research grants can apply for NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) as supplements to their existing grants. You should remind your faculty sponsor about this opportunity. This site also gives information about REU programs at other universities for which you may be eligible. The Mary Gates Endowment and the Washington NASA Space Grant Program have research grants for undergraduates.