So... (an open question to all graduate students/former graduate students)

[kirideth]

What do you do if you spend an extended period of time working on your thesis, and right near the end come to the conclusion that it can't be done? I mean, the work would still be there and still be significant, but the overall conclusion would be that it's a failed idea, at least with this specific approach.

Because right now, I'm absolutely terrified that'll happen to me.

Comments

[kirideth.livejournal.com]

I haven't even proposed it yet, so at this point it's fear and paranoia. But the current idea is developing an architecture unit for a microprocessor that is optimized for making genetic algorithms run faster.

[yashakizu.livejournal.com]

Would it help to run that by another engineer? I could always run it by my dad...your topic is right up his alley. I don't want that to come across as patronizing my asking another engineer (because you are one intelligent engineer) but I found that when developing my thesis topic that discussing my options with an experienced teacher helped to make sure I wasn't waaaaaay off basis.

I'm using my new Spock icon for you since I know you'll appreciate it. :)

[kirideth.livejournal.com]

It might. I ran it by Dr. Hudson, but he still hasn't replied about it. The suspense! It is getting to me! I've asked a few friends to read it over, but none of them are engineers, so the consensus has been "it sounds like you think you can do it" which is important, but not the only deciding factor in getting it accepted.

Mmm.... Spock makes everything better.

[yashakizu.livejournal.com]

You might even want to run your idea past a mathematician because of the algorithms. At any rate, I hope it works out! :)