Writing a thesis with IXLAB

This is a guide to writing a research project or thesis with the Immersive Experience Lab. The guide applies to Bachelor, Diploma and Master theses, Diploma "Großen Beleg" and to CMS individual and team projects, albeit with differences in timeline and project scope.

IMPORTANT: 

• English is the working language of IXLAB. All theses and reports must be written in English. 
• All thesis students are highly encouraged to participate in the Pro/Haupt Seminar Immersive Media ideally one semester before writing their thesis. This seminar guides you through the process outlined below, as well as providing an introduction to academic research methodologies and tools (e.g. academic search strategies, managing a bibliography, academic writing styles, avoiding plagiarism). 

Types of projects: 

In general, IXLAB projects can be divided into 4 different categories.  

Technical projects focus on developing or exploring a novel variation or improved approach to some technical challenge relevant to immersive media. (In some cases, implementation of an existing technique an also be sufficient.) Relevant computer science fields include real-time graphics and animation, vision and tracking, audio processing, simulation and machine learning. Example topics might be "Efficient rendering of point-clouds on mobile VR devices" or "Sensor fusion for room-scale VR". 

Empirical projects focus primarily on the execution of one or more empirical experiments, typically involving human subjects. Example topics might be "Effect of embodiment on visual-haptic binding" or "Repeated exposure adaptation to virtual height scenarios". Such projects will involve the design, execution of an experiment, followed by analysis of experimental data. (For these types of projects, please consider first taking the course Empirical Research Methods in HCI). 

Applied projects focus is on the development of a prototype application in a specific application domain. This will be typically conducted in collaboration with an expert in another domain. For example, "An immersive museum guide" or "A VR prototype for therapeutic treatment of anxiety". 

Artistic projects focus on the creative possibilities of immersive media. The final outcome will include exhibition of a creative work. This may be done in collaboration with an artist, filmmaker, musician, theatre group etc, or alone. Example topic may be "In situ binaural musical composition" or "Cinemosaics: constructing virtual space from video collage" 

Naturally a topic may fall into two or more of these categories. For example, an application prototype will very likely require some kind of evaluation, or an artistic project may involve the creation of tools. 

Step-by-step guide 

Phase 1: Topic Selection and preparation 

A. Survey the list of open research topics at IXLAB.  
Be sure to read any relevant literature if provided. Note, it is also fine to propose your own topic. Reflect on what type of project you are most attached to: technical, empirical, application or artistic? 

B. Contact the relevant supervisor 
In your initial email provide the following information: 
Name, Student ID, Degree, Project type (e.g. bachelor or master thesis, CMS group project), selected topic(s) of interest and programming skills (e.g. c++, Unity, 3d modelling...) 

C. Write a thesis proposal (Exposé) 
Following initial contact with the supervisor, you will be begin work developing a thesis proposal ("exposé"). You will engage in 2 – 4 cycles of proposal drafting and refinement with the supervisor. The result will be a complete thesis proposal, containing a detailed description of the project. See: Writing an Exposé. 

D. Proposal presentation 
Present the proposal to the Professor, supervisors and fellow students. (For those taking the Seminar Immersive Media, this will take place within the seminar)

E. Register with the Prüfungsamt  
Once the supervisor has approved the proposal, you may then register the thesis with the Prüfungsamt. Congratulations, you have reached the first milestone. This will start the clock running towards a fixed submission deadline.

Phase 2: Implementation and Writing

A. Implement / Experiment / Evaluate / Analyse
Regular meetings every 2-3 weeks with your supervisor are advised. 

B. Write the thesis 
There are no hard rules on the minimum or maximum length of the thesis.   

C. Submission
Please refer to Examination Office for up to date submission process. See "Was sind die Anforderungen für die Abgabe meiner Abschlussarbeit?" here https://tu-dresden.de/ing/informatik/studium/faq/abschlussarbeiten

Phase 3: Defense

Defense of your thesis takes place 2 to 4 weeks after submission of the written thesis. Students will present their thesis in a 25 – 30 minute presentation with subsequent discussion. 

Assessment
Final grade reflects the conceptual design, research and theoretical grounding, implementation, written presentation and oral defense.  

Applying for an extension 
Extensions may be requested through the examination office (Prüfungsamt). Total of all extension may not exceed 50% or the original processing time.

Further information: 
https://tu-dresden.de/ing/informatik/studium/faq/abschlussarbeiten 
https://tu-dresden.de/ing/informatik/studium/examination-office