Large Research Project Computer Science

Course Objective

The objectives of the course are:

[Applying Knowledge and Understanding] After completing the Research
Project in Computer Science, the student will be able to execute a small
computer science project in the context of ongoing research.

[Making judgements] The student will be able to evaluate their own
approach and results w.r.t. novelty and efficacy.

[Communication] The student will be able to communicate their results
and findings in a scientific report.

[Lifelong learning skills] The student will be trained in applying their
existing knowledge and skills in the context of ongoing research.

Course Content

The aim of the Large Research Project in Computer Science is to give
very motivated students the opportunity to work on a challenging,
research-oriented project, with a strong focus on serious computer
science conceptual and/or practical work.

The content of the project is to be negotiated individually with a VU or
UvA Computer Science lecturer, who will supervise and grade it. This
must be done before the project starts. In principle, only few students
(the ones that submit a convincing project proposal) will be allowed to
take this course. The project can be carried out as a ‘duo project’, in
which case the proposal should indicate the individual contribution of
each student.

The project is supposed to apply state-of-the-art concepts,
methodologies and/or technology and requires an original contribution by
the student/s. It must be challenging, and allow a clear assessment of
the student's own contribution.

At the end of the project, the student submits a written report to the
lecturer, describing the work, the lessons learned, and the insights
gained from applying study contents in a research-oriented computer
science project.

The report contains a description of the project, including the problem
description, the student’s solution, and an evaluation of the results.
The report also contains a reflection on the novelty of the achieved
research results, a comparison with related work, and what the student
has learned during the project.

In case of a duo project, the report should clearly explain the
individual contribution of each student so to personalise their
contribution to the relevant parts.

Additional Information Teaching Methods

Guided project work.

Method of Assessment

The overall grade is based on two components:
research work (70%) and the quality of the written report (30%).
Each component must be passed with a grade >= 5.5.
The final grade is the weighted average of the components’ grades.
The report will be evaluated by the supervisor and by a second reader.
For grading, there is a special evaluation form on Canvas.

Literature

To be distributed individually, by the project advisors.

Additional Information Target Audience

MSc Computer Science

Additional Information

The Research Project in Computer Science and the Large Research Project
in Computer Science are identical, except for the size of the student
project. Students can follow either one, or both.

Custom Course Registration

For being accepted, students must contact their prospective advisor
directly.

Recommended background knowledge

The student should have completed at least 42 credits of their Master
programme, so that there is sufficient study content to be applied in
the project.