Project Selection (MEng & 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. We aim to match approximately 150 students with approximately 200 projects over a 18 day period, from the 2nd Monday of Term onwards. 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 this has been made is not normally possible. Supervisors do not choose students, but will indicate what is required to do their projects, ans may filter students by only signing off those who are more suitable. 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.
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. This process is face-to-face or virtual meeting, and supervisors will usually put a list of meeting times on their doors, or post information on the selection Team. What takes the most time is arranging meetings with possible supervisors, since their time (and to a lesser extent yours) is restricted.
Most projects will be posted by the end of the first Monday of Term, with some late-breaking projects over the next few days. You should identify an initial list of projects, and therefore supervisors, ASAP and check for contact details. 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, 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 or the selction Team by Tuesday evening in the second week of Term you can e-mail them asking for this.
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 will be via virtual meetings. 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 (t.clarke@imperial.ac.uk), Dr. Tom Clarke on Teams, if there are any specific problems. Good luck.
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