The Department of Computer Sciences actively encourages undergraduates to get involved in research whether their goals are obtaining an R & D (research and development) position, becoming a professor, or embarking on an industry or entrepreneurial career.
Research involves:
Most students become involved in research do so during their junior and senior years although there are opportunities available for talented sophomores and freshmen.
CS 178 is offered during fall semesters only. It meets with CS 195 and CS 396, courses designed to introduce incoming graduate students to research in the Department of Computer Sciences. The class consists of lectures by research faculty in which they describe both their work and the opportunities for students to participate in their projects.
CS 370 (PDF) consists of supervised study of selected problems in computer sciences, by individual arrangement with supervising instructor. In Fall 2002 - Spring 2003, 71 students enrolled in CS 370.
CS 379H (PDF) extends the topic begun in CS 370, culminating in Departmental Honors that are awarded upon graduation. In Fall 2002 - Spring 2003, 21 students enrolled in CS 379H. CS 379H consists of directed reading, research, and/or projects in areas of computer sciences, under supervision of a faculty member, leading to an honors thesis. The thesis must be approved by a committee of three readers. To register for the course, students must receive permission from their supervising instructor and the CS faculty in charge of Departmental Honors, Dr. Calvin Lin. Past topics include:
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) funds undergraduates to work part-time during a given semester - from 10 to 20 hours per week - on a research project sponsored by a CS Faculty Member. The UROP proposal is jointly submitted by a student and a faculty member. CS Faculty members will sometimes individually fund work on a research project. Most of these positions are obtained after taking a course with a faculty member, although this is not always the case.
To apply to the UROP program, download an application and proposal form from the CS undergraduate students forms bank. Complete the form then return it and all necessary application materials to TAY 2.126. Deadlines for applications will be announced online and through email each semester.
UT Undergraduate Research Journal is a student edited and published multidisciplinary journal. Its purpose is to highlight the research and independent studies of undergraduate students at the University of Texas at Austin. Professors may co-author papers with select undergraduates and at times provide funding for the students to co-present the paper at a research conference. Speak to your supervising faculty if you have more questions about this option.
The College of Natural Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin encourages all undergraduates to incorporate a research experience into their undergraduate program. Whether you are new to research or ready to publish, UT and CNS have resources to help you get the most out of your research. Please visit the Natural Sciences undergraduate research page for more resources. You may also want to visit the EUREKA (Enhancing the Undergraduate Research Experience, Knowledge, and Access) database to learn about other research opportunities.