Ga Wu

Ga Wu

Assistant Professor
Faculty of Computer Science
Dalhousie University

Prospective Student

The Dalhousie Applied Machine Learning Research Lab (DAMLR) is currently accepting applications for PhD students, MSc students and undergraduate student research assistants (USRA). Read on to discover available projects and how to apply.

Do NOT email me before thoroughly reading this document. I get multiple inquiries from prospective graduate students per day and do not have time to respond to them all.

Please note that due to high costs, our lab is unable to provide financial support to international students pursuing the Master’s program in Computer Science. If you are an international student applying to MCS, you will need to apply for a Harmonized Scholarship to receive financial support.

Important Deadlines

Jan 15: Last day to apply for scholarships (MSc & PhD)
Feb 2: Last day to apply for Undergraduate Student Research Award
Mar 8: Application deadline for ELAP and Study in Canada exchange programs
Apr 1: Application deadline for self-funded MSc (Intl. applicants)
Jun 1: Application deadline for self-funded MSc (Domestic applicants)
Jul 22: Application deadline for Banting Postdoc Fellowship (Intl. or Domestic)
Oct ??: Application deadline for NSERC CGS-D (Domestic)
Oct 17: Application deadline for NSERC Postdoc Fellowship (Domestic)
Dec 1: Application deadline for NSERC CGS-M (Domestic)
Dec 15: Application deadline for Killam Postdoc Fellowship (Intl. or Domestic)

Why Dalhousie’s Applied Machine Learning Research Lab?

Dalhousie is one of Canada’s 15 research-intensive universities. Here, you will find a supportive, inclusive, multicultural environment for realizing your full potential. Our programs will provide you with a world-class education.

At DAMLR, PhD students, MSc students and undergraduate research assistants benefit from extensive mentoring, a collaborative lab culture, strong industry links and competitive stipends. Those intent on an academic career will receive coaching and help with professional networking. Those intent on an industry career path may have opportunities for internships or close collaboration with industry partners.

Funding is available to both domestic and international students. Applicants from underrepresented groups will be prioritized.

Halifax, meanwhile, is a picturesque port city with high quality of life. We enjoy a wide variety of restaurants, parks, water sports in summer and snow sports in winter. Halifax is very family-friendly with a great library system, lots of children’s programs, and a plethora of playgrounds and parks. Nova Scotia is home to many beautiful communities, campgrounds, trails, lakes, rivers, lighthouses and opportunities for running, hiking, cycling, ATVing, boating and generally exploring the great outdoors.

Masters or PhD?

You do not need a Master’s degree to begin a PhD at Dalhousie. Rather, you should apply for a PhD if:

  1. you love learning
  2. you are interested in a career in research or academia (most universities require a PhD to become a professor; however, most PhD graduates work in industry)
  3. professors who know you well think you’re ready for a PhD
  4. you want to add to humanity’s cumulative body of knowledge
  5. you enjoy writing (there’s a lot of writing in grad school)
  6. you have a high level of perseverance and self-efficacy

Bad reasons to enter a PhD program include:

  1. you’re about to graduate and don’t know what else to do
  2. a PhD sounds easier than getting a job (it’s not)
  3. you want to move to another country and think a PhD will facillitate
  4. you feel entitled to a PhD
  5. someone (e.g. a parent) is pressuring you to earn a PhD

To join my lab as a PhD student, you need:

  1. A first class degree (Master’s or bachelor’s)—whatever “first class” means at your university—in computer science, software engineering, computer systems engineering, information systems or a similar discipline.
  2. A cumulative GPA equivalent of at least 3.7 out of 4.3 (about 3.4/4, 8.5/10 or 17/20) in your most recent degree.
  3. Evidence of research aptitude, such as one or more peer-reviewed publications (or posters or presentations) in good conferences, journals or workshops.
  4. One or more indicators of English proficiency:
    1. a degree taught completely in English,
    2. IELTS all categories 7 or higher,
    3. TOEFL 95 or higher,
    4. a similar score in MELAB, CanTest, CAEL, or PTE academic
    5. evidence that English is your first language

*If you scored lower than 7 on the IELTS test, you may be admitted to the PhD program contingent on passing an EAP Placement Course. The course(s) you will have to complete depend on your IELTS score.

Apply for a PhD

I only accept PhD students who receive an external scholarship such as the Nova Scotia Graduate Scholarship or Canadian Graduate Scholarship. You have to apply for admission and apply for scholarships separately.

If you already have funding and are just looking for a supervisor, email me. Otherwise do not email me yet. Keep reading.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents should apply for the Canadian Graduate Scholarship (typically due at the beginning of October). All applicants should apply for a Nova Scotia Graduate scholarship, through the harmonized scholarship process (typically due mid-January). Our guide for PhD applicants explains how to apply for these awards.

Once you have applied through the harmonized scholarship process, go ahead and apply for the program. Remember to select me as your preferred supervisor and explain which project(s) you’re interested in. If you need help with the application, email graduate@cs.dal.ca. Once your complete application has been received, I will be in touch.

Apply for Masters

Self-funded Masters.

Most MSc students are self-funded. If you plan to self-fund, apply here as soon as possible. The official deadlines are June 1 for Canadians or April 1 for international students. You don’t have to contact prospective supervisors first. Your application should speak for itself. There is always space in my lab for enthusiastic and diligent self-funded MSc students. You will receive the same mentoring and opportunities as scholarship-funded students. I will try to help you find RA and TA work, but it’s not guaranteed.

Scholarship-funded Masters.

Do not email me to ask for a scholarship. That’s not how it works. You apply for scholarships through the harmonized scholarship process (typically due mid-January). Canadian citizens and permanent residents should also apply for the Canadian Graduate Scholarship (typically due at the beginning of December). Most successful applicants have a GPA of at least 3.7/4.3. You can email me your proposal for feedback. Don’t leave it to the last minute.

Becoming an undergrad research assistant

Exceptional undergrads who are currently at Dalhousie and interested in research should apply for an Undergraduate Student Research Award. The deadline is usually around the end of January. Keep an eye out for announcements in December and information sessions in December or January. Both domestic and international students are eligible (domestic USRAs are funded by NSERC; undergraduate USRAs are funded by the Faculty of Computer Science).

The USRA includes a 12-week full-time paid internship in the supervisor’s lab. Preference is given to second- and third-year students. A USRA is a great lead-in to an honours project. There is always room in my lab for USRA recipients. If you are thinking of applying for a USRA, let me know by mid-January and we’ll discuss topics.

Contact Professor Wu

I receive several queries from perspective graduate students per day and cannot respond to them all.

If you want to apply to the Master’s program and work in my lab, simply apply to the program and list me as a prospective supervisor. We will schedule an interview once I’ve reviewed your complete application.

If you want to apply to the PhD program, write a research proposal, as explained in our guide for PhD applicants. I can’t comment on your application without seeing a specific proposal.

You should email me if:

  1. You are applying for a PhD and want feedback on your two-page proposal
  2. You want to apply for the USRA program (current undergraduate students at Dalhousie only)
  3. It’s been at least three weeks since you submitted your application and you haven’t heard anything.

Acknowledge

The above information is majorly copied from my colleague Paul Ralph.