THIS FAQs (frequently asked questions) list is a compilation of questions and answers about UROP (Computing). Please email UROP co-ordinator if you spot any error or if you have suggestions or other queries that are not answered here.

1. Is UROP for me?
2. What is the aim of UROP?
3. Is UROP a project or two courses?
4. What are the pre-requisites of UROP?
5. When is the best time to do UROP?
6. I am in year 1 (semester 1 or 2) and I am really interested in UROP. Can I take UROP early?
7. Workload: If I take up UROP, will I get heavier workload?
8. I want to do something during my vacation, should I take up UROP?
9. I am eligible and very interested in UROP. What should I do?
10. Project assignment: How do I find my UROP project?
11. Self-proposed project: May I propose my own project?
12. Vacation: [For international students] May I go home to visit my family during the vacation while I am doing UROP?
13. Hostel: Can I use UROP as a reason in my application to stay in the hostel over the vacation?
14. IA: Can I do both UROP and IA (industrial attachment) at the same time?
15. CS4101: Can I do both UROP and CS4101 at the same time?
16. USP: Can I take something else instead of UROP for my ISMs?

1. Is UROP for me?
   
   Nobody can answer this question for you. You will have to decide that. However, we hope that this FAQ will assist you...

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2. What is the aim of UROP?
   
   UROP aims to give students the rare opportunity to do INDEPENDENT RESEARCH WORK under the supervision of a professor. (See more details in About UROP.)

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3. Is UROP a project or two courses?
   
   It is BOTH! UROP = one project over two semesters = CS3208 + CS3209.
   
   UROP is a one-year project that spans two semesters. A student doing UROP will work on one project but will be registered for CS3208 in the first semester, and then CS3209 in the second semester.

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4. What are the pre-requisites of UROP?
   
   UROP is meant for the better, talented students in the four-year programme in SoC -- those who have a strong interest in research work and can cope with the extra workload demand that UROP entails. (Please refer to the note on Workload in this FAQ.)
   
   There are, of course, pre-requisite for CS3208 and minimum CAP requirement. Please check the "Eligibility" section in the About UROP writeup.

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5. When is the best time to do UROP?
   
   The ideal time to do UROP is not earlier than the 4th semester. You must also make sure that you have enough remaining semesters to do your CS3214 (for IS/EC students) and CS4141 Honours Project after you have completed your UROP project.

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6. I am in year 1 (semester 1 or 2) and I am really interested in UROP. Can I take UROP early?
   
   It is good that you are interested in research work. However, for UROP to be effective, you should first have enough "doman knowledge" and have taken sufficient basic modules -- preferably the essential 2000-level modules.
   
   Therefore, we advise students to take UROP starting from 4th semester onwards, and complete it before CS4101 Honours Project.
   
   If you are keen on research, you can approach the professors to assign you some readings on the topics to get started early on the project. These readings will come in handy when you officially embark on your UROP project later.
   
   Finally, if you really believe that you handle it (even if you do not meet the pre-requisites for CS3208, but you have other relevant experience or knowledge), you can write to the UROP coordinator formally to be considered for UROP early. This will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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7. Workload: If I take up UROP, will I get heavier workload?
   
   Generally speaking, YES!
   
   Although UROP accounts for 4MCs in each of the two semesters, the actual amount of work it takes per semester is expected to be more than a typical 4MC module.
   
   Research work is very hard work, involving lots of reading and independent learning, even before you start to do any programming.
   
   Hence, UROP is meant for the better students who have a keen interest in research work and can cope with the extra workload demand that UROP entails.

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8. I want to do something during my vacation, should I take up UROP?
   
   NOT REALLY. UROP is not a vacation study programme.
   
   UROP aims to give students an opportunity to do INDEPENDENT RESEARCH WORK. This means that it is the students who are doing most of the work, while the supervisor just provides some guidance.
   
   Students should consider UROP only if they are keen in research work.

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9. I am eligible and very interested in UROP. What should I do?
   
   It is really easy. Things you can do any time -- check the UROP website for pre-requisites, schedules, FAQs, and other information, talk to current UROP students, find out about UROP projects, talk to professors, etc.
   
   The rest are simple:
   1. Check if you have satisfied the pre-requisites for UROP.
   2. Apply for UROP (you may get the application form from the General Office at S16 level 5, or download it from the On-Line Forms site. You will be informed of the outcome of your application by email.
   3. Find a suitable project. See point (10) below.
   4. One you have found a project, fill up the Project Assignment Form (download it from the On-Line Forms site) and get it signed by your supervisor and yourself, and return the form to Ms Judy Ng at the General Office. We will then update the ProjAdm site and assign the project to you. You may check the ProjAdm site.
   5. Start work on the project.

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10. Project assignment: How do I find my UROP project?
    
    To find your UROP project, we use a two-way approach in which both the student and the supervisor must agree on the student-project matching. Follow the following steps:
    
    
    • First, consult the UROP Project List. (See ProjAdm Site.)
    • Approach the professors (know at their office, email, phone) to discuss their projects. Discussion can cover details of the project, as well as expectation of the professors, your own background, rough project schedule and so on. (Do these for as many projects as you like.)
    • Even for professors who did not propose any UROP project, you may still contact them on your own. Some professors like students to take their initiatives, as it shows that the students are self-motivated, an important quality for anyone doing research.
    • Make your choice, and seek the approval of the supervisor. (Else, try other choices.)
    • If the project has not be put up on the ProjAdm site, your supervisor has to add it in. Only then the project is registered and a project code given to it. Then you can submit the Project Assignment Form.

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11. Self-proposed project: May I propose my own project?
    
    Sure, you may. If you cannot find a suitable project, and have some project idea in mind, find out which professors work in the related area, and consult them. You should provide all relevant information about the project to your potential supervisors. If the professor is willing to take up that project, please request him or her to add the project into the ProjAdm Site.

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12. Vacation: [For international students] May I go home to visit my family during the vacation while I am doing UROP?
    
    Vacation Rule for UROP students:
    
    As UROP students are expected to spend FULL TIME on research during the vacations, they are supposed to remain *physically* here in NUS doing their projects during the vacations.
    
    When choosing your projects, if you plan to travel, it is important to let your supervisor know your travel plan so that they aware of it. Your supervisor must agree to your travel schedule.
    
    Application for leave to go home should be made using the UROP Leave Form (available from the General Office or from this On-line Forms site).
    
    These requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with both your supervisor and the UROP Coordinator. In all cases, the total amount of leave taken should not exceed 4 weeks.

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13. Hostel: Can I use UROP as a reason in my application to stay in the hostel over the vacation?
    
    No, although some international students would like to use UROP to increase their chance in their hostel application. The standard criteria laid down by the university apply for hostel application.

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14. IA: Can I do both UROP and IA (industrial attachment) at the same time?
    
    At any given time (including during vacations), a student cannot do IA and UROP simultaneosly.
    
    UROP involves full time research during the vacations, and IA also involves full-time work during the vacations. Therefore, although we do not explicitly exclude students from doing IA, it is generally impossible to do both at the same time. Students who want to do both IA and UROP may have to spend an extra semester.

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15. CS4101: Can I do both UROP and CS4101 at the same time?
    
    A student cannot do UROP and CS4101 Honours Project simultaneosly.

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16. USP: Can I take something else instead of UROP for my ISMs?
    
    SoC students in USP (University Scholars Programme) have to do UROP to fulfill their ISMs (Independent Study Modules) requirement.