Topic Selection & Presentation Scheduling

The course project is an opportunity to investigate a topic in Monte Carlo or quasi-Monte Carlo methods and communicate its value clearly and critically. Approach the presentation as a report to colleagues who need to decide whether the article, method, or software feature is worth pursuing further.

Project types

Choose one of the following project types.

Research article review: Review a scholarly research article related to Monte Carlo methods or their applications. This is an individual project, and each student must choose a different article. The topic should not substantially duplicate material discussed in class. In general, the article should have been published less than fifteen years ago.
QMCPy feature: Create a new feature for qmcpy and a blog post that illustrates it. This project may be completed individually or by a team of two. Discuss the proposed feature with the instructor to ensure that its scope is appropriate.

Topic selection and approval

Choose a project type and identify a focused topic.
Submit the topic for approval. Revised topics will use the same process.
Check the project-topic spreadsheet after submissions have been reviewed. If you have questions about your status or the feedback, speak with the instructor. If you have not submitted a topic or your topic was not approved, submit an initial or revised proposal by Friday, October 2.

Topic-selection item	Fall 2026 information
Original topic submission deadline	Friday, September 18
Follow-up deadline for missing or unapproved topics	Friday, October 2
Topic submission form	Submit the Fall 2026 Project Selection form
Project-topic spreadsheet	Check your topic approval status and instructor comments (MATH 565 students only)

For an article review, identify the main idea, illustrate it with examples of your own, offer warranted criticism, and suggest future work. For a QMCPy feature, explain the need for the feature, demonstrate its use, and discuss its strengths, limitations, and possible extensions.

Presentation expectations

Prepare a 15-minute oral presentation followed by 5 minutes for questions and answers.
A two-person QMCPy feature team will have 30 minutes for the presentation followed by 10 minutes for questions and answers.
Prepare a handout for the audience.
Provide enough background for classmates who are not specialists in the exact topic, while remaining responsible for the technical details.
Explain both strengths and weaknesses, including important assumptions and limitations.
Be prepared to answer probing questions. Assessment depends on both the clarity of the presentation and the quality of the answers.

Detailed feedback questions and assessment guidance are on the Project Assessment page.

Presentation scheduling and observations

Project presentations will take place on Monday, November 23, and Tuesday, November 24, immediately before Thanksgiving. Each day has sessions from 9:00 AM–noon and 2:20–5:00 PM, with 20-minute breaks from 10:20–10:40 AM and 3:40–4:00 PM. There are 30 presentation slots in total. Presentations will be in the Galvin Tower, 14th Floor, West Side Conference Room.

Planning item	Fall 2026 information
Presentation dates and times	Monday–Tuesday, November 23–24; 9:00 AM–noon and 2:20–5:00 PM each day
Individual presentation length	15 minutes, followed by 5 minutes for questions and answers
Two-person QMCPy feature presentation length	30 minutes, followed by 10 minutes for questions and answers
Presentation location	Galvin Tower, 14th Floor, West Side Conference Room
Sign-up and live presentation schedule	Choose a presentation or observation slot (MATH 565 students only)
Presenter sign-up deadline	Wednesday, November 4
Observer sign-up deadline	Wednesday, November 11

Each student is expected to observe and assess two other presentations. Reserve one 20-minute row for an individual presentation and enter a concise project title so observers can choose topics that interest them. A two-person QMCPy feature team must reserve two adjacent rows. Each teammate enters their own name in Presenter(s) on one row and enters the same project title on both rows. After the presenter schedule is set, enter your name in an available observer column for two different projects. You may not observe your own project. To observe a two-person team’s presentation, enter your name in an available observer space on either team row and attend the full 40 minutes; that counts as one observed project. Do not enter your name on both team rows. The schedule shows the 10:20–10:40 AM and 3:40–4:00 PM breaks as unavailable rows on each day. Arrive on time for both presentations and observations, be prepared, and give substantive feedback. Hand in your Project Assessment immediately after each presentation you observe.

Presentations will be conducted like colloquium or conference talks. Arrive early enough to set up without delaying the schedule. The instructor will introduce each speaker, give time warnings, end the presentation when its allotted time expires, and chair the question period. At the end of the talk, conclude with “Thank you” or a similar closing and allow the chair to invite questions.

Presentation guidance

Keep the big picture in view rather than getting bogged down in details.
Motivate the topic with relevant background, prior work, or applications.
Use a simple example to illuminate the main point.
Discuss strengths, weaknesses, alternatives, and possible future work.
Use clear plots, tables, pictures, and key formulas where they help the audience.
Use your own words and give appropriate credit; do not plagiarize.
Aim for roughly one slide per minute and avoid overloading slides.
Dress business casual unless the final session instructions say otherwise.
Look at the audience rather than reading notes.
Practice beforehand, obtain feedback, and stay within the allotted time.
Bring the laptop and adapters needed for the presentation, test the display connection in advance, and bring at least three copies of any handout.
Review the Project Assessment questions while preparing the presentation.

Additional room-specific and session procedures will be added when the Fall 2026 presentation logistics are known.