How do research degrees differ from taught courses?
A research degree is designed for someone who wants to study a challenging problem in an area of computer science, gain very detailed knowledge of the latest developments in that area and make an original contribution towards solving the chosen problem. It enables someone to develop the skills needed to pursue research subsequently in industry or academia. As such, a research degree is very different from a taught course. A taught course usually involves attending timetabled lectures and tutorials on set topics with other students. The course is then examined in written exams as well as coursework exercises and work on an individual project. By contrast, a research degree involves individual study of a specific research problem and the development of a solution to that problem. A research student will be guided by supervisors with expertise in the research area of interest, and will agree an individual plan of work with those supervisors to achieve the aims of the research. The arrange
