Thesis Preparation
Thesis Preparation
DAIMI / Courses / TP

The participants will after the course have insight into a diverse set of topics which are helpful when working on a thesis and practical experience with the initial phases in the process of writing the thesis. The working method of the course will also train the participants to independently seek information, to plan and complete projects, to communicate professional issues, and to read and understand research papers.

Time and place

Lectures: Monday 12:15-15:00 in Shannon-157.
The first lecture is on August 25.

Exercise classes: Monday 15:30-17:00 in Shannon-157.
The first exercise class is on September 1 (NE: there is no exercise class on August 25).

See also the schedule for 1st quarter courses.

Lecturer

Olivier Danvy <danvy@daimi.au.dk>

Course Plan (subject to completion)

LectureExercisesTopicCourse MaterialOther MaterialExercises
Mon
Aug. 25		 None
this week.		 - General introduction.
- The summary.
- Aristotle's 4 causes.
- Olin Shivers's dissertation advice.
- List of the MSc theses produced at DAIMI.
- List of the PhD theses produced at DAIMI.
- Abstracts of most BRICS PhD theses. 		- Richard Feynman.
- Thesis title.
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. 		- These three.
Mon.
Sep. 1 		Mon.
Sep. 1		 - Guest lecture by Gudmund Frandsen about the formal rules regulating the MSc thesis process. - - - This one.
Mon.
Sep. 8 		Mon.
Sep. 8		 - Scientific method. - Cargo Cult Science. - John Allen Paulos's book "Innumeracy".
- Mathematical Cranks.
- http://www.xkcd.com.
- George Lucas in Love. 		- These two.
Mon.
Sep. 15 		Mon.
Sep. 15		 - Reading, understanding, analyzing and offering comments
- Receiving comments and writing 		- The Elements of Style - Philip Wadler's DBLP entry.
- Aaron Sorkin. 		- This one.
Mon.
Sep. 22		 Mon.
Sep. 22		 - Guest lecture by Birgit Pedersen and John Kruuse:
Hunting for bibliographic references. 		- The IT Library. - - This one.
Mon.
Sep. 29		 Mon.
Sep. 29		 - Correction of the exercises about bibliographic references. - - - This one.
Mon.
Oct. 6		 Mon.
Oct. 6		 - Giving a talk - - Parberry's guide for new referees -
Mon.
Oct. 13		 Mon.
Oct. 13		 - Extra session dedicated to oral presentations - - -

Please note that a number of oral and written exercises will be set during the course, all of which should be solved. Pass or fail grades for the course will be based on your solution of these exercises.

Offices

DAIMI has offices for students writing their theses. Students who have signed a thesis contract will have bigger chances of getting an office. The application form is found at the home page of the Office Committee.

News

News about the course will be available from this page. Please check back regularly.

Latest updates:
  • Oct. 9: Extra exercise session announced.
  • Oct. 7: Material for Week 7 added.
  • Sep. 25: Exercises for Week 4 renumbered.
  • Sep. 24: Exercises for Week 5 and 6 added.
  • Sep. 18: Update about Birgit and John's presentation.
  • Sep. 15: Addition of today's lecture material.
  • Sep. 11: Addition of the pointer to "George Lucas in Love".
  • Sep. 10: Addition of the material and exercises for Week 3.
  • Sep. 3: Addition of the exercise for Week 2.
  • Aug 27: Addition of the exercises for Week 1 and adjustment of the listed material.
  • Aug 26: Creation of the E2008 home page. The previous home pages can be accessed here and here.

Exam

Weekly exercises + a signed thesis contract.

Getting credit for the course

To pass, you need to have handed in a signed thesis contract.

Extra help, should anyone need it

Should you experience any personal difficulty or hardship, the university service Rådgivnings- og støttecentret is there to help you.

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Last update: 9 October 2008, danvy@daimi.au.dk