Hi everyone,

One thing is confusing me. If we did Phd in Software Engineering, is it a must that we need to come up with a working software at the end of the program ? I mean let's say if my research proposal is about umm say "skynet" (I am not planning to do but let's just say). Obviously, it will take a long time to do a proper research on a topic like that. So, in the end, I come up with a very good paper (I dun think I will but my idea is something like read it and implement it, it will work). However, let's just say that I spent too much time researching and writing my paper, I did not have time to actually build "the skynet" which my paper discusses about. Well, in that case, can I still expect to get my Phd at the end of the course ? Is that a requirement that every phd candidates in Software Engineering must build the system at the end or is it ok if we come up with a paper (complete documentation) which lets anyone on earth to build "the skynet" (according to the above scenario)? Please help me to get a clear picture on it. Thanks all.

Regards

I started a computer science PhD so have some experience of this. Software Engineering too.

Normally in the situation you describe you would be expected to have software at the end. It might not be the full thing, could be a smaller-scale pilot study. But you need proof of concept.

Remember the whole point of the PhD is to produce a thesis which for computing often means the written stuff + the software. Don't get sidetracked too much into paper writing.

There are more theoretical computing PhDs, where you might be developing a theoretical model rather than implementing software directly. But you'd still be expected to have "something" at the end.

I second BilboBaggins (I'm doing computer science PhD), that majority of the time, you would be expected to have some theory, some product that tests that theory and some result.

Are you right at the start of your PhD, wondering how to shape your research, or are you at the end, realising you've run out of time and need to throw something together?

Thanks for shedding light on me. So, in a nutshell, If I want to discuss about something, I need to prove whatever that I discussed is realistic and can be done (by me). So, in the sense of Software Engineering, even though I do not need to write a complete system, as long as I can prove my concept I'm better off ? Please correct me if I am wrong. I am currently thinking of writing a research proposal and working on a topic to come up with. I guess my research need not only to be smart (I mean something which other people haven't done) it also needs to be realistic and feasible within the time frame I have. Just to stress on the point again, for instance, my research is about CCTVs being able to recognize a person and trace every single place that the person goes in public, in that sense, I guess at least I must be able to implement a system which can recognize a person face in the public at a minimum level ? It would be great if you guys can tell me a list of interesting research topics. It would give me a lot of thoughts while I am choosing my own research area. Thanks all, greatly appreciated.