about PRISM

The ability to take part in world-class research projects is one of the most exciting opportunities at a major research university, but it may not be obvious how to get started. PRISM is a new program for second/third-year Computer Science undergraduates to help get your feet wet in research.

The name stands for Preparation for Research through Immersion, Skills, and Mentorship. This captures exactly what the program is about: you’ll learn about and practice research skills, interact with grad student mentors, and be immersed in parts of the research process.

We’ll hold six two-hour workshops throughout the winter term. These workshops will include lectures on key research skills (e.g. reading papers, formulating plans, designing experiments, writing papers, giving talks) and in-class activities to practice these skills. You’ll also hear from professors and grad students about their own stories of how they first got involved in research.

At the end of the term, we'll hold a poster session where you and the other participants will present research proposals on a research topic of your interest.

You can see what we did for PRISM in the past here: Winter 2022, Winter 2021

PRISM

Winter '27

Preparation for Research through Immersion, Skills, and Mentorship

In this program, you will learn about and practice research skills, interact with grad student mentors, and be immersed in parts of the research process.

Applications for the upcoming Winter 2027 session will open early / mid November. Check this website for updates at that time.

When to meet

Time: Mondays and/or Wedensday, Exact days and times TBD

Sessions will be held roughly every other week throughout the Winter semester, starting from January 18, 2027.

Sessions will include lectures on research skills, talks by researchers, and interactive activities to practice the research skills we discuss.

Schedule

MEETING DATES AND TOPICS
# Dates Topic
1 Week of January 18

Mapping Interests to Computer Science Research Areas
2 Week of February 1

Learning about Prior Work
3 Week of February 22

Scientific Problem Solving & Data Collection
4 Week of March 8

Writing a Research Proposal
5 Week of March 22

Presenting Research Talks and Posters
6 Week of Apr 5

Presentation Days!

Note: The above is a tentative schedule, and may change as the term goes on.