Frequently Asked Questions for Students

What do I need to prepare to be included in the Spring Research Symposium?
You need to prepare an abstract and a poster. The instructions for submitting these change from year to year. Check our home page for instructions for a particular year.
Can you give us an example of an abstract?
You can use this abstract as an example, or you can browse abstracts from previous years.
What are the guidelines for the poster?
The poster guidelines are available here. Note that the CS department will print the posters for VTURCS but will not mount them. Furthermore, you must follow the guidelines or your poster will not be printed.
What if I worked on a cool project on my own and will like to submit it to VTURCS?
You need an advisor to submit a project to VTURCS. If you want to, talk to one of your undergraduate professors to see if someone can sponsor you. But do this before the deadline approaches, do not leave it for the last minute.
I can't find a project I like, but I want to do research in the CS department. What do I do?
Take a look at Computer Science Faculty . If you see any faculty with interesting research areas, try to set up a meeting to discuss the possibility of doing independent study or research with them.
Can I work on one of these projects and get credit for it?
Yes, undergraduates can participate in projects for credits by registering in CS 4974 or CS 4994. However, you must consult your Academic Advisor and the Project's Faculty Advisor or Research Supervisor before you register for the course.
Can I used a VTURCS project as an honor thesis?
Yes, participation on a VTURCS project could also lead to an honors thesis for CS majors interested in graduating with honors. Check with your honors advisor for the forms to obtain credit.
Where do I find the forms needed to register for Independent Study?
You can find the forms at the Engineering College of Engineering site.
What are the rules/regulations for doing Independent Study in CS?
The CS Independent Study (2974, 4974) / Undergraduate Research (4994) Policy is:
  1. Should not be a substitute for a regular course on the same topic.
  2. Should not repeat the work of an earlier course, even if more complex.
  3. Required GPA for Independent Study: Overall: 2.5 CS: 2.5
    The A&S Dean's Office will allow an IS/UR for a student with an overall GPA at or above 2.0 and below 2.5 provided the instructor for the IS/UR attaches to the IS/UR form a letter outlining what particular qualifications the student has that qualify him or her to do the IS/UR even though the student does not meet the GPA requirements. It is at the discretion of the department whether to permit this exception.
  4. Required GPA for Undergraduate Research: Overall: 2.5 CS: 3.0
  5. University policy allows no more than 8 hours of IS/UR to count toward the degree.
  6. Requests for IS/UR should be submitted two weeks before the end of classes, excluding exam week, in the semester prior to the semester in which the IS/UR is to be taken.
  7. The role of the advisor in signing the IS/UR form is to check the overall and CS GPAs.
Who is behind the vturcs@cs.vt.edu email? Who is running this program?
The VTURCS came out of the idea of having undergraduates exposed to research before they leave Virginia Tech. Our goal is to encourage them to go on to graduate school. Dr. Scott McCrickard and Dr. Manuel A. Pérez both had experiences with projects like these at other institutions. They decided to create something similar here. Microsoft graciously offered support to start the program.
Is this web system case sensitive for searches?
No, when searching, lower and upper case are treated the same.