Personal Statement
 Program: Computer Science

When I first did some simple programming by using Basic Language on the Applet PC, I found myself irresistibly fascinated by the wonderful world of computer science. Through further study and practices during my undergraduate program, I have come to experience the real excitement and charm that computer science could bring to a person who is really interested in it. It has dawned on me that only by pursuing a lifelong career in computer science can I adequately tap my potential and find a meaningful outlet for my creative impulses. Now, on the verge of completing my Master’s program and motivated by a strong interest in seeking more advanced and rigorous training, I would like to apply for a Ph.D. program in computer science from the XX University. Based on a level-headed review of the knowledge and skills I have acquired so far, I am determined to make your esteemed university my primary choice.

With a strong background in mathematics during my undergraduate program, I achieved a satisfactory academic performance in the specialty of Computer Science at the School of Computer Science and Technology, Institute of XX. Securing a GPA of 87/100 and ranked among top 3 in the class and top 15 in the entire grade of 400 students, I succeeded where most others had failed, and I obtained scholarships for 4 consecutive years. In my study, I emphasized the in-depth understanding of the underlying principles of CS over the mere in-take of factual information delivered by my teachers. To supplement the shortcomings of our Chinese textbooks, I took the initiative to read a number of English textbooks to obtain information regarding the last theoretical and technical developments in the international academia. My academic transcript indicates that I excelled in all the specialized courses of CS, particularly in Advanced Language Program, Assemble Language Programming, Data Structure & Algorithm, Database and Application, Compiling Principles, Operating System, and Software Engineering.

Having laid a solid foundation, I endeavored to acquire research experience through undertaking my graduation project XX, which was part of the national 863 hi-tech program Supporting the Coordinated Inter-Enterprise Integrated Project Management System in the field of advanced manufacturing and automation technology. Under the direction of my adviser Prof. XX, president of the School and a leading specialist in distributed information processing and integrated computer manufacturing, I analyzed major project management software like P3 (Primavera Project Planner), Microsoft Project 2000 and came to the conclusion that those prevailing software orientated toward a single purpose were inapplicable to the multi-enterprise, multi-project, multi-stage, multi-process, and multi-layer purposes of agile virtual enterprise. Instead, the integrated project management and organization model of AVE should be adopted. Technically, I developed the ability to solve problems independently. When Java’s Applet technology presented security limitations and hindered my project, I consulted recent technical literature and solved the problem by applying the HTTP and Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI). Based on my research findings, I have completed a research paper entitled The Building Process of the Project Management of AVE has been accepted for publication by the Journal of HIT, a leading scholarly periodical of the country and has received very positive comments from Prof. XX, president of the Automation School of XX University, who is one of the reviewers of my paper.

My distinguished undergraduate performance, especially my research competence, qualified me for a direct Master’s program at HIT. My advanced studies have significantly deepened my theoretical buildup. Courses like Algorithm Design and Analysis, Object-Oriented Technology have permitted me to learn more advanced programming ideas. The most important result of my graduate study is that my research interest has ventured into the field of artificial intelligence. My sustained academic performance is indicated by the Outstanding Student honor and by the Neptune Scholarship I won for the academic year 2003 for my top 2nd ranking.

My graduate program has also brought me more opportunities for practical research. I have participated in another 863 program Research XX. This program led me to develop an intense interest in Intelligent Decision Support Systems (IDSS) and Expert Systems (ES). The topic of my graduate research is the Application of Intelligent Decision Theory in the Sensor Net, which is a pioneering project in China. In doing research on this topic, I studied the research that has been carried out by XX, XX, XX and even made necessary modifications in the imbedded operating system TinyOS and database operating tool TinyDB developed by XX. My dissertation will analyze four major issues: how to monitor and locate multiple targets, to recognize the pictorial and speech signals, to transmit and manage the collected statistics, to process the information obtained at different nodal points of the sensors.

My motivation in pursuing a Ph.D. program in an international environment should be attributed to my advisor Prof. XX who, being a visiting scholar to a number of leading CS departments in the world and a frequent participant in international conferences, has made me aware of the exciting developments that are happening in the international academia. On the other hand, several XX scholars like Prof.XX from XX University have been invited to deliver lectures at HIT, further acquainting me with the rapid progress in CS research in the XX. All those have convinced me that the best place to study CS is the XX.

XX University is one of the most renowned universities of the XX. Your founding mission, to provide an excellent education and to help students become valuable members of society as exemplified by Martin Luther King, Jr., is what I identify with readily. In the field of computer science, members of the CS faculty at BU have, in the last year alone, authored or co-authored over 100 papers in major journals and conference proceedings, as well as a number of monographs and edited volumes; 60% of the department’s faculty, are ranked in the top 1% of the most cited authors in all of CS. This strong faculty is what has attracted me to BU.

In this research-intensive academic environment, I will be exposed to a well-designed CS curriculum, including introductory courses that build the mathematical, analytical, and programming skills, a core set of foundational courses in theory, algorithms, systems, and programming, and a set of elective courses in one or more of the many tracks in computer science that allow for interdisciplinary studies. In my proposed program I would like to concentrate onXX, XX, and XX. It is a tremendous delight to find that under your program, the Sensorium Research Group is working on many of the research areas I am interested in.

In applying for XX University, I have a well-defined objective to develop myself into a well-trained computer scientist with cutting-edge expertise. Computer science is a scientific discipline that undergoes fast technological changes but the fundamental concepts and research methodologies that I will learn through your program will provide me with a solid foundation to meet those changes. In addition, I will try to draw inspirations from my prospective education at BU concerning how to solve problems effectively through appropriate conceptualization, the readiness to probe into the unknown and finally, the combined efforts of teamwork. Those essential qualities will ensure my future success on both academic and professional levels.