Project Selection (BEng)

The project selection process attempts to match students to projects so that each student gets a project which is suitable and, if possible, which they have chosen. Your role is to choose a preference list of projects (very few projects can be duplicated, so obviously not all students will get their first choice). This is a one-off global optimisation selection: changing projects after the allocation has been made is not normally possible. Supervisors do not choose students, but will indicate what is required to do their projects. In some cases students with low or high marks so far may be deemed unsuitable, or those who have not taken specific modules. All projects are allocated at the end of the selection period, there is no priority based on when you see a supervisor. Your selections will be used to determine project allocation at the end of the designated selection period (this will have be e-mailed to you - it is variable). Until then you may change your lists as you like, adding and deleting projects. For the good of all try to maintain an accurate list in advance of the deadline. This helps us to identify hot project areas and if necessary take action to obtain new project proposals or duplicate existing ones.

You have an electronic list of projects and (usually) detailed descriptions. However it is very important for you to realise that these descriptions are not sufficient to base a choice upon: it is vital that you contact supervisors directly and discuss with them whether the projects will suit your abilities and skills. Normally this process is face-to-face meeting, and supervisors will usually put a list of meeting times on their doors, or if not give this information to their Research Group Administrator. What takes the most time is arranging meetings with possible supervisors, since their time (and to a lesser extent yours) is restrictive.

 You should identify an initial list of projects, and therefore supervisors, ASAP. You are of course free to see a supevisor any time they are available, with some this will be relatively easy, with most keeping to the specified contact times is important.

If you are unable to meet supervisors at one of their specified times (there is no advantage to seeing a supervisor earlier, except that you get more information about the suitability of their projects) or information about these times cannot be determined please contact me with details and I will resolve the matter. Supervisors do not expect to be bombarded with e-mails but if they have not posted details of meeting times on room doors it is fine asking them when their meetings times are (give the project selection end date so they know).

In a very few cases students or supervisors may not be in the country for some or most of this initial selection period. In that case communication by e-mail and telephone may be possible; but anything other than face-to-face meeting is more difficult. Let me know if you expect problems and I will try to help. If supervisors remain unavailable I will certainly find a solution to this matter: but I can only do this if told!

Although project selection is complex it has a happy outcome for nearly all, and I will try to help (room 615, t.clarke@imperial.ac.uk) if there are any specific problems. Good luck.

Formal requirements

The process for project selection is as follows:

1) During the project selection period keep your electronic project preference form uptodate with provisional preferences - even if you have not yet seen supervisors - every day. It is required that you enter a "wish-list" of projects before you see supervisors and revise this continuously on the basis of your meetings. This will allow more accurate global statistics to be fed back about project popularity.

2) Submit a final version of the electronic project preference form before the time and date specified unless this deadline is extended. If you have definitely already been allocated a project this is not necessary. The final date for you, with staff support, to propose projects, is the same as the preference deadline).

• Include any exceptional extra info in the comments field - e.g. relevant past experience.
• You MUST give project choices from at least 3 different supervisors. You MAY give up to 10 choices.
• You MUST have contacted supervisors of all your preferences to find out project details and prerequisites. (Let me know if you think you may not be able to find staff in time).

3) I will spend the next few days checking and then allocating projects on global optimisation on a student preference basis. Make sure that you reply quickly to e-mail during this period in case I need more information from you.

4) The list of allocated projects is published, and project work begins. You should arrange to see your supervisor as soon as possible. If you have not followed the instructions above, and been allocated a project that does not suit you, you should let me know ASAP, and also check this with your supervisor, to see whether any changes can be worked out.

Tom Clarke - Final Year Project Coordinator