Research

Last term while in a galois theory lecture my professor mentioned she was looking for undergraduate students to do some research. At the time I was very interested but it was still early in the term so I didn’t want to ask to sign up, bomb galois theory and then have to face my prof. So instead I waited until I got my mark in Galois theory before asking her about it.

So after getting my galois theory mark and seeing how poorly I did compared to the rest of the class I decided not to bug my professor about this. However a few days ago I thought to myself, “I really need something in my graduate studies application to distract people from my less than impressive marks”, so with that thought in mind I begged asked my professor to consider me for her research project. She replied and asked me to come in today.

So after my lectures I went in and spoke with her. She said since I asked too late I wouldn’t be able to apply for an NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council) undergraduate research study awards program. The NSERC URSA is basically a way for me to do research and get paid for it.

Getting paid would have been nice but I was more interested in just being able to say I have done some actual research. So my professor said it should be fine as long as I don’t mind working for free. So starting next term I will be doing some research. No idea what kind of research yet but I am still very excited.

The way the research will work is students will individually (or maybe in groups?) will do research on their topic and every few weeks present what they have found to the coordinators and other students involved. My professor said it has been a pretty successful program so far. Students have gone to M.I.T and Stanford.

I am so excited, hopefully I will be able to juggle this in with normal school work.

Well enough about spring term, today I need to do some calc, watch pinocchio, read pinocchio, then talk about it. I also need to start my next graphics assignment. Graphics is too intense.