How about vegan chocolate cheesecake with a mysterious and yet, delicious, secret ingredient? ;o)

You have a much better chance of being allowed to go if you have some work to present. If you have just started then obviously that's going to be a bit difficult! If you do have some suitable work, how about drafting an abstract (you'll find the details on the conference home page) and then showing your supervisor? If not, no harm in asking anyway, the worst they can say is no (in which case aim for next year's conference when you'll have something to present!). Good luck!

I think what you're aiming for is a relationship based on mutual respect rather than alarming genome library shoving gestures... ;o)

However, Mia is right in saying that you shouldn't feel bad about asking for more help. All students will need more help at the beginning and will gradually become more independent in their research activities (after all, that's what a PhD is all about!).

Not my field so can't offer any lab advice, but have you tried an internet search to get a basic protocol? May be then what your supervisor said will make more sense? Other than that, pester all the post-docs and students you can. If there is no one, then grit your teeth and ask your supervisor to jot down what you need to do. He/she will think it better that you confessed that you were confused and were able to see you needed more help, than if you carry on blindly and waste time. Good luck Zara, it's early days and you'll soon get into the swing of things :o)

Yeah, and that bloke's behaviour is typical, leaning over her shoulder and trying to take control - let Courtney program in peace! ;o)

It depends on your field, your project, your Uni, your supervisors, the weather etc etc. Some theses have a combined intro/lit review, others have separate chapters. In the absence of very strict thesis writing guidelines, you need to see what works best for you. In the end, I had a fairly substantial lit review chapter (approx. 55 pages) and a tightly focussed introduction (4 pages).

However, I'm sure you will be able to revise this introductory chapter. I had to submit an introduction/literature review when I registered for my PhD and the intro/lit review chapters in my final thesis were *loosely* based on these, but as you say, they needed a fair bit of updating after 3 years.

Sounds totally barking to me!

So I'm being over-analytical re: cheesecake? Hmmm, will try a bit of lateral thinking...

Why the co-op, because of their ethical policies? Good for you!

Hi, I am not in an engineering field but there are common themes to all PhD research and from what you’ve said, I don’t think you need to worry. The aim of your project is to design some software to achieve a specific task, and then to beta-test it? Your research element will be in working out the best way to create the software and also, the best way to validate it. So I think you will be awarded your PhD based on your journey from initial idea of designing the software, through to building and evaluating it. As with any project you’ll defend the way that you achieved this and reflect on how it might be improved. If your software does not function in the way it should (and so, does not fulfill the original aims of the project) then this would not mean PhD failure as long as you can defend the choices you made along the route from design to final product. I hope that offers you a bit of reassurance but to put your mind at rest, I think you should talk to your supervisor about your concerns. Best of luck with your work.

I think we are all still [guest] on the posts that have been brought across from the original site.

Anyway, Wickid, are you going to tell me the secret cheesecake ingredient, I can't sleep not knowing!!! ;o)

Excellent, 200 words, luxury!!!! :oD

Hi H, it seems odd reading the posts 'the other way up'!