Master project (PDM)

The duration of the PDM is 17 weeks or 17 to 25 weeks maximum if done outside EPFL at another university and starts on the first day of the EPFL semester as indicated in the Academic calendar. The start and end dates of the PDM cannot be changed. When you register on ISA, the system will automatically give you the end date of the PDM.

The PDM is placed under the responsibility of a professor or MER who teaches a course in the corresponding Master's programm (Math, Ing Math, CSE or Statistics). 

PDM cannot be done in an industry. You must be supervised by an EPFL professor.

PDM cannot be supervised by a professor not affiliated to the master in Math, IngMath, CSE or Statistics. A professor in Math, IngMath, CSE or Statistics must supervise the projet.

How to find a master project:

• Find an EPFL professor in Mathematics or affiliated to the CSE or Statistics masters. He/she will supervise the project.
• Register on ISA.
• Sign the inscription form and ask your supervisor to sign it
• Send the signed form by email to valerie.kormann@epfl.ch (Math), sara.frulloni@epfl.ch (CSE), martina.keddouh@epfl.ch (Applied Math (=Ing Math)) or stat.msc@epfl.ch (Statistics) for approval by the Section of Mathematics.

For PDM outside EPFL :

• Find a professor* in the host university and an EPFL professor in Math, CSE or Statistics (*for the masters in Math/Applied math, a professor with an education in math is requested)
• Fill the form "Demande d'approbation - PDM hors EPFL / Request of approval - master thesis out of EPFL" and send it to the administrative assistant of your master:
  - valerie.kormann@epfl.ch (Math),
  - martina.keddouh@epfl.ch (Applied Math/Ing Math),
  - sara.frulloni@epfl.ch (CSE)
  - stat.msc@epfl.ch (Statistics).
  You must have a conversation with the EPFL professor of Math, CSE or Statistics about the project (see https://www.epfl.ch/schools/sb/sma/fr/contacts-et-organisation/);
• Consult the site of Mobility https://www.epfl.ch/education/international/fr/partir-etudier-a-l-etranger/echange-pdm/ for more information
•  Register on ISA 

Templates for a master project:

The SMA gives you one template to help you create your project (semester or master project) in LaTeX. You can either use it or create your own. The template gives you an indication as to what the SMA and professors are expecting. 

Writing a mathematics project

Below is a document with general comments about writing mathematics. 

SMA project: writing mathematics

How is a master project organized?

In general, you only have the PDM to do in the semester, so you have the whole week dedicated to the PDM. It is an opportunity to do a little research work within a chair and it is also a calling card for your future projects. It is therefore important to work hard.

Clarify the project with the professor from the beginning. Here are some points to keep in mind and possibly discuss with your supervisor:

• The work is supervised on a regular basis by a doctoral student, a post-doc or the professor from the chair.
• The follow-up is regular. In general, count on a half-hour interview per week.
• At the end of the project, a written report must be submitted in LaTeX (see also the dedicated website). Turning in an intermediate report - even if it is incomplete - will facilitate your task and that of the supervisor.
• You will defend your PDM with an oral presentation. 
• A poster presenting the work has to be sent by email to the SMA within two weeks after the master project report has been submitted to the Section.

Official deadlines:

• Registration: as for semester courses
• Submission of project to teachers
• Submission of grades to the SAC by the teacher