“In theory” as in “in theoretical computer science”.<\/p>\n
I am lucky to have a student through the CRA-W Distributed Research Experiences for Undergraduates<\/a> program. Anna Harutyunyan joins me for 10 weeks from Utah State University<\/a>. \u00a0I think it might be more of a learning experience for me than Anna (although my opinion is biased) and I appreciate Anna’s patience through my own growing pains as an advisor. \u00a0Hopefully there haven’t been too many pains.<\/p>\n Anna is working on a generalization of the string alignment problem. \u00a0I have an idea for an algorithm, and I have an idea of how one might analyze that algorithm, but it uses tools in which I am not so well versed. \u00a0In addition to reading up on these tools, Anna has implemented the algorithm. \u00a0This is not something I am in the habit of doing, but it is very satisfying to see an algorithm “work” when you are stuck on how to analyze it.<\/p>\n That said, my expectations for “proving something” with Anna are low – how does one prove something in 10 weeks? \u00a0With a new project, I feel that the chance of proving something in such a short amount of time is next to impossible. \u00a0With a project well underway, there is a much better chance, but there is a lot of start-up time involved in learning the state of affairs. \u00a0So I’m torn as to whether to start a new project with a summer student or include them on parts of an existing project. \u00a0The former must give the student a stronger sense of ownership over the work; the latter a better chance for the feeling of accomplishment.<\/p>\n Has anyone out there had luck or have advice on picking theory topics for research projects?<\/p>\n While my main goal is for Anna to have a positive experience this summer, at the very least I am having a wonderful time. \u00a0Anna has had some wonderful ideas that I know would not have dawned on me – it’s exciting! \u00a0I can’t wait to exploit\u00a0educate more young minds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" “In theory” as in “in theoretical computer science”. I am lucky to have a student through the CRA-W Distributed Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. Anna Harutyunyan joins me for 10 weeks from Utah State University. \u00a0I think it might be more of a learning experience for me than Anna (although my opinion is biased) and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3747,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[106190,3514],"class_list":["post-423","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-tcs","tag-undergraduate"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/glencora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/423","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/glencora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/glencora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/glencora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3747"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/glencora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=423"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/glencora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/423\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/glencora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=423"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/glencora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=423"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/glencora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=423"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}