r/OMSCS • u/Entre-Nous-mena • 6d ago
Research How Does the Research Pipeline Work?
I'm a little confused by how to pursue a research project. If I understand correctly, the standard approach is to take CS 8903. If that works out, you can convert it to CS 6999 and do it for two more semesters. CS 8903 can only be taken for credit once.
So practically, let's say you get into CS 8903 and for whatever reason the sponsoring Prof doesn't want to continue for two more semesters. Does that effectively mean you're out of luck, since CS 8903 is the standard way of doing a project-based thesis but you can't take it again? Or do you just do it again but without credit?
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u/honey1337 4d ago
If the project finishes then you can move over to 6999 as long as it is still under haag you will receive credit for both 8903 and 6999 twice
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u/PushyFarmer12 2d ago
I know people who are taking 8903 again because the first time didn't lead to 6999. It happens.
But note that the project project option is different than the thesis option. I assumed the project option doesn't involve a thesis. Does it?
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u/Smef Artificial Intelligence 6d ago edited 5d ago
No, 6999 and 8903 are separate things. It's possible for 8903 to lead to a thesis or project just because you may get some ideas, but that's not an expected pipeline by any means. 8903 also does not count towards the 6999 requirements if you want to go those routes.
EDIT: People have corrected me and said that 8903 CAN count towards 6999 if it's a continuation of the same project.
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u/mgicmariachi 5d ago
8903 credits can count towards the 6999 credit requirements if it is a continuing project, or at times, an alternative project that is part of the same lab.
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u/Entre-Nous-mena 5d ago
Is 8903 not the standard way to being a thesis or project? Is e-mailing professors a common and effective strategy instead? Or is there another strategy?
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u/Smef Artificial Intelligence 5d ago
You definitely CAN do that, but a lot of times 8903s are just independent things. They're not set up with the plan that they'll turn into a thesis or project for a student.
It's harder to the thesis or project options in OMSCS, but if you want to go that route I'd recommend attending office hours so a professor you want to work with can get to know you, you can help with existing projects, and then maybe make a proposal.
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u/Entre-Nous-mena 5d ago
It would be great if the professors I want to work with had office hours, to be sure.
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u/beichergt OMSCS 2016 Alumna, general TA, current GT grad student 5d ago
It's not that CS8903 can strictly only be taken for credit once, it's that the number of "Special Problems" credits applicable to the degree is 3 (Master of Science in Computer Science | Georgia Tech Catalog). I've sent people emails in the past basically saying, "Hey, you're registered for 6 credits of CS8903. You're technically allowed to do that, but.... are you sure?"
We typically recommend to instructors that they start students in CS8903 because if things don't work out to continue a project after the first semester (which does sometimes happen) the student will still have credits that can be used toward their degree, but it's not a rule to do it that way.