The AI group
One of the eleven research groups in the Department of Computer Science, the AI group is the University of Toronto's main outlet for research in Artificial Intelligence. The group is further divided into 5 groups: ML, KR, CL, Vision, Bio.Undergraduate Research Opportunities
There are a few opportunities to conduct research with the AI group that are open to undergrad students. They are:Funded Summer Research
- UTEA (NSE) - University of Toronto Excellence Awards (in the Natural Sciences & Engineering) - Presently the only research funding opportunity open to international students (with the URF); more info here.
- (NSERC) USRA - (Natural Science and Engineering Research Council) Undergraduate Student Research Award - The standard option for Permanent residents or citizens of Canada; more info here.
- UTRECS - Undergraduate Toronto Research Experience in Computer Science - This is an opportunity for non-UofT undergraduate students to conduct research with the group; more info here.
- CSC490/CSC491 - Students work on a research project in a class setting. More info here (note that the link provided has been broken for years and that the best way to find out more info is by googling, visiting the undergraduate website or posting on the CDF forums).
- CSC494/CSC495 - Students work individually with a professor, see info below on how to approach a professor.
- URF - Undergraduate Research Fund - The Arts and Science Faculty's versatile research fund, note that it requires to justify all usage of the funding; more info here.
- Research Assistant - A professor hires you outside the scope of the options above, you may receive a salary and/or office at the prof's discretion.
How to get started on research?
Read this page.Tips to approach a Professor:
- Never start with: "Hello, are you busy?" -- professors are ALWAYS busy
- Start by stating your name and how you know the prof. This is important because otherwise you force the prof into an awkward position where he/she uses background processes to figure out "who is this kid?"
- When encountering a prof on campus, use clear formulations and specify the length of what you have to say; e.g. "Can you spare 3min today, I have this issue?", "Do you have 2min for a quick question?"
"Hi, I'm -name-, we've seen each other around -area- / I took -course- with you. I'm interested in -research_area- and I'm wondering if you could give me some advice. I'm interested in pursuing a research project course or getting involved in some way. Do you know of any opportunities or might you be willing to supervise me yourself?"
What happens during research?
Depending on the option chosen,...poster presentation / research report...
add student testimonies?
UTEA information for Computer Science Students
Application Deadline: Ask the Undergraduate OfficeApplication Instructions:
1. Part 1 should be completed by the student and possibly given to the proposed supervisor for review.
2. The student is to provide a copy of his/her Complete Academic History (from ROSI).
3. Part 2 is to be completed by the supervisor and endorsed by the unit head or his/her designate.
4. RIS Application Attachment Form is to be filled out by the proposed supervisor.
Both application forms with original signatures, the Complete Academic History, and a completed and signed RIS form should be delivered to the Department of Computer Science.
Information from previous years:
2011 UTEA information
2012 UTEA information
2013 UTEA information
Program Description:
Purpose: To provide opportunities for research experience at the undergraduate level in the natural sciences and engineering (NSE) or social sciences and humanities (SSH); to augment the formal research courses offered by the University of Toronto; to give undergraduate students opportunities to experience different approaches to research in various fields; to help students learn and appreciate the investigative methodology of areas of particular interest; and, to provide students with an experience that will allow them to make informed decisions about pursuing careers in research.
Award Value: $4,500 provided by the University to be matched by a minimum of $1,125 by the student's supervisor and/ or department. Any supplement above this level may be set at the supervisor's or unit's discretion.
Duration: 16 full weeks in the summer term, between May 1 and September 30.
Eligibility of Students for a UTEA:
Eligible:
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or foreign student with valid student visa for the full summer work term.
- At the time of application, registered as a full-time student in a bachelor's degree program at the University of Toronto. Graduating students who are only required to register part-time in their final session in order to complete degree requirements remain eligible.
- Must have obtained a cumulative average of "B+" or higher. For students in higher years, this average can be applied to the best two years of study.
- May already hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline and be studying towards a second bachelor's degree in the natural sciences and engineering (NSE).
Ineligible:
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program in the health sciences (e.g., M.D., D.D.S., B.Sc.N.). Note that CIHR Undergraduate Health Professional Awards and the University of Toronto Life Sciences Committee's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Awards are available to students enrolled in these programs.
- Holds higher degrees in the natural sciences or engineering (NSE).
To hold an award, students must:
- have been registered full-time in the term immediately before holding the award, unless only part-time study was required to complete degree requirements;
- not have started a program of graduate studies in the natural sciences or engineering (NSE); and
- be engaged on a full-time basis in research and development activities in the natural sciences or engineering (NSE) under the direction of an eligible supervisor during the award tenure.
Please also note the following:
- A student may only be nominated in one department under one supervisor; and may not be nominated for both UTEA-SSH and UTEA-NSE in the same year.
- A student may not concurrently hold a UTEA and a NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA).
- Preference will normally be given to second and third year students.
- A student may hold only one UTEA per fiscal year (i.e., April 1 to March 31).
- A student may hold a maximum of three UTEAs throughout his/her university career, although priority will be given to applicants who will be first-time holders if selected.
- Graduating students may hold an award in the term immediately following the completion of their undergraduate program requirements, as long as they have not started a program of graduate students.
Supervision of UTEA Holders:
Supervisor's Eligibility:
- There is a maximum of one UTEA-NSE applications per eligible supervisor.
- There is a maximum of three UTEA-NSE applications per unit. These must be ranked.
- The supervisor of a UTEA holder must be a faculty member holding an eligible NSERC or SSHRC grant, either as the principal investigator or the co-investigator.
- A supervisor must either hold an active NSERC research grant at the time his/her student holds the UTEA award (i.e. May 1 - September 30) or are actively seeking funding under the eligible NSERC programs as defined in this guideline document. In the latter case, an application must have been submitted to an eligible NSERC program by the supervisor at the time the student applies for a UTEA with the result of the NSERC application pending.
Eligible SSHRC Programs:
- Holders of the following NSERC Research Grants are eligible to supervise students applying for UTEA-NSE: Discovery Grants (Individual, Group and Subatomic Physics Project and Northern Research Supplements); Collaborative Health Research Projects; Special Research Strategic Projects Grants; Strategic Networks Grants; Collaborative Research & Development Grants; Idea to Innovation Program; NSERC/Canada Council for the Arts New Media Initiative; Research Partnership Agreements (RPA); Industrial Research Chairs; Chairs in Environmental Design and Engineering; Chairs in Design Engineering; Northern Research Chairs Program; Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering; University Faculty Awards; and Canada Research Chairs.
- Researchers holding only NSERC Research Tools and Instruments and Infrastructure Grants are not eligible.
Research Environment and Field Work:
- It is expected that provision will be made for alternative supervision of the student during absences of the supervisor, and that any additional costs related to field work (e.g. travel expenses) will be covered by the supervisor or the unit.
Adjudication and Notification Process:
Applications will be adjudicated on the following:
- the excellence of the student's academic accomplishments
- the strength of the project, including the quality of the research environment and supervision, and the nature of the student's participation.
Potential to:
- enhance the undergraduate experience in research
- encourage research faculty to integrate undergraduate students in their research programs
- support research growth in the unit
- The adjudication committee will rank the applications received and a limited number of the highest-scoring applications will be offered UTEAs.
- Successful applicants will be notified around mid-April. Letters of award will follow once confirmation of acceptance of all awards has been received.
- In the event that a student turns down a UTEA award, the award will be offered to the next student on the adjudication committee's ranked list.