On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 14:56:26 +0100, Professor Bill Hillier
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>You have to be very careful with interdisciplinary work. Everyone
>agrees that the most interesting problems often lie at the interface
>between disciplines, but most academic judgments are eventually made
>from the academic silos. In my view, for most people - and those very
>talented - interdisciplinary should mean mastering a relation between
>two disciplines at any time, and rarely more.
This seems very good advise indeed.
Perhaps we should hear more about how space syntax researchers have
implememented this strategy?
Rui
>Maybe think - a little
>early you might suspect - about the potential examiners of the
>thesis. - Bill
>
>>Dear Ben
>>
>>You seem to be considering a complex subject that could benefit from
>>a cocktail of disciplines. If you take a mathematical approach it
>>is essential that you appreciate the many disciplines of mathematics
>>that could influence your research. For example, experimental
>>cognitive studies would involve a substantial input from statistical
>>science, the spatial aspect has a rich literature in the pure
>>mathematics of group theory and topological group theory. Also,
>>because you will be working with a psychological interface it would
>>appear that you will need skills in attitude evaluation and
>>prioritisation, which would involve a knowledge of multiattribute
>>utility theory. All of these can be linked with software
>>development, which requires some input from a computing science
>>perspective. In all, a daunting task - but well worth the effort.
>>
>>It would be my view that you will need a very enthusiastic
>>supervisor. Best wishes in your efforts.
>>
>>Dr HA Donegan
>>Reader (Mathematics Division)
>>School of Computing and Mathematics
>>University of Ulster
>>Jordanstown
>>BT37 0QB
>>
>>Tel: 028 90 366589 or 90 366841
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: <mailto:[log in to unmask]>Ben Manning
>>To: <mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]
>>Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 7:07 PM
>>Subject: I need your advice please
>>
>>I am currently pursuing my PhD in Computational Science with an
>>emphasis in computer science and I am contemplating changing my
>>emphasis area to mathematics. My dissertation will explore the
>>psychology of space and its affects on cognition. I know my PhD
>>choice is a far from my dissertation topic, but it is all that I may
>>choose from at my local university so that is the decision that I
>>made. My question is: Should I change to a mathematics emphasis or
>>stay in computer science? I feel that
>>a mathematics emphasis would better my design skills and logic
>>understanding more than the computer science emphasis, which I have
>>come to dislike somewhat. What would be more useful as a foundation
>>for a reserach based career in my area?
>>
>>Thank you sincerely,
>>
>>Ben
>
|