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PhD Opportunities

Understanding Software Evolution Data (USED)

School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | PHD

Applications are now CLOSED
Funding
Funded
Reference Number
EEECS/2024/DC2
Application Deadline
29 February 2024
Start Date
1 October 2024

Overview

Software repositories contain significant amounts of information about the evolution of a software project, including changes to code (and intermediate versions) as well as extensive metadata such as who made such changes, when, and what reason they gave. The mining of software repositories (MSR) is an established approach to gain insight into systems by gathering and analysing data about their evolution contained in such repositories however there are barriers to making effective use of this data such as differences in format or storage media, noise in the human-contributed comments and a lack of standardised change control processes. This project will be to build on existing research from QUB and beyond to make such evolutionary data more accessible and apply approaches to allow further insights into the development process, quality of code, how changes may affect the quality of code, and how systems evolve over time.

The Common Language Of Software Evolution in Repositories (CLOSER) is a QUB-developed domain-specific language and tooling which aims to address several open issues in the field of historic software analysis.

While there has been significant work undertaken in using the large amount of data stored in software repositories (aka version control systems) the reproducibility and general applicability is often undermined by the different repository technologies used. Two implemented approaches that target different repository technologies simply cannot be used on the same project for complimentary or comparison purposes. At the same time significant effort is often put into parsing the textual repository information for each implemented approach leading to a lot of effort “reinventing the wheel”. The first stage of this project will be to build on existing work at QUB and continue to analyse the most commonly used repository technologies and refine the unified framework able to represent metadata from different repository technologies into an extensible common domain-wide form, identifying which elements are common and which additional technology-specific elements will need to be persisted but not part of the common set. A number of language implementations and proof-of-concept parsers will be created to demonstrate this technology and implemented with existing solutions available for repository analysis.

Once CLOSER has been improved and fully implemented the approach will be used to further develop existing approaches to utilising metadata from repositories to identify semantic links between software elements using concepts such as co-committal inference (the possibility that elements which are often changed together are somehow linked). These semantic links will be combined with other available data sources, for example from static and dynamic analysis of the code with industry-standard tools, to gain a combined nuanced model of the relationship of elements within a software system from a variety of perspectives. This relationship model will be applied in the domain of change impact analysis (CIA) with the goal of further improving CIA techniques using multiple information sources. The rich picture formed from multi-source relationship mapping can also be used to analyse code quality identifying highly-coupled elements which are not obvious from code alone and to make better evolutionary visualisation projections. Numerous other opportunities exist to use such a model including prediction of change-prone areas of code and code quality metrics.

This project be will be in collaboration with BT Research who will provide industrial guidance and case studies. They will also host the PhD candidate on collaboration visits to their Martlesham headquarters as required.

The project will be co-supervised at QUB by Dr David Cutting and Dr Des Greer, with external input from Dr Joost Noppen of BT Research.

Objectives
1. Refine CLOSER
a. Based on existing CLOSER implementation, analyse common repository technologies (including git, SVN, and CVS) to identify their metamodel concepts and overlaps between them (the common model) to validate the model.
b. Generate an ontology of the common model and additional technology-specific elements.
c. Update the proof-of-concept CLOSER parser and model representation as required.

2. Demonstrate CLOSER on existing repository analysis tools provided
a. Augment tools to support CLOSER
b. Demonstrate and benchmark tools working on their existing technology with CLOSER representation
c. Demonstrate and benchmark tools working on an alternative technology through CLOSER representation
d. Evaluate the CLOSER model and improve as required

3. Investigate if the CLOSER model (using tool support) can be used to give useful results in Change Impact Analysis using industrial data

4. Expand change impact analysis approaches
a. Include a generic framework for third-party analysis
b. Include dynamic source analysis
c. Evaluate the approach

5. Determine if the model can be used to predict code and project qualities

6. Implement demonstrations of the relationship model (for example through visualisation)

Funding Information

To be eligible for consideration for a DfE Studentship (covering tuition fees and maintenance stipend of approx. £18,622 per annum), a candidate must satisfy all the eligibility criteria based on nationality, residency and academic qualifications. The Studentship is open to UK and ROI nationals, and to EU nationals with settled status in the UK, subject to meeting the specific DfE nationality and residency criteria. Full eligibility information can be viewed via: https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/publications/student-finance-postgraduate-studentships-terms-and-conditions

Please note that any available PhD studentships will be allocated on a competitive basis across a number of projects currently being advertised by the School.

A small number of international awards may be available for allocation across the School. An international award is not guaranteed to be available for this project, and competition across the School for these awards will be highly competitive.

Academic Requirements:
The minimum academic requirement for admission is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI Higher Education provider in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Project Summary
Supervisor

Dr David Cutting

More Information

d.cutting@qub.ac.uk

Research Profile


Mode of Study

Full-time: 3 years


Funding Body
Funding TBC
Apply now Register your interest

Computer Science overview

The School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EEECS) aims to enhance the way we use technology in communication, data science, computing systems, cyber security, power electronics, intelligent control, and many related areas.

You’ll be part of a dynamic doctoral research environment and will study alongside students from over 40 countries world-wide.

We supervise students undertaking research in key areas of computer science, including:

- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Computing Systems
- Power Electronics
- Robotics
- Sensor-based Systems
- Wireless Communications

As part of a lively community of over 100 full-time and part-time research students you’ll have the opportunity to develop your research potential in a vibrant research community that prioritises the cross-fertilisation of ideas and innovation in the advancement of knowledge.

Within the School we have a number of specialist research centres including a Global Research Institute, the Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT) specialising in Cyber Security, Wireless Innovation and Data Science and Scalable Computing.

Many PhD studentships attract scholarships and top-up supplements. PhD programmes provide our students with the opportunity to acquire an extensive training in research techniques.

Computer Science Highlights
Professional Accreditations
  • ECIT brings together, in one building, internationally recognised research groups specialising in key areas of advanced digital and communications technology.
Industry Links
  • Queen’s researchers have strong links with the local industry, which boasts a rich mix of local startups and multi-nationals. Belfast is the second fastest growing region in the UK in terms of Knowledge Economy activity (Northern Ireland Economy Report, 2018).
  • CSIT brings together research specialists in complementary fields such as data security, network security systems, wireless-enabled security systems, intelligent surveillance systems; and serves as the national point of reference for knowledge transfer in these areas.
World Class Facilities
  • The state-of-the-art £14m Computer Science Building and the Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology offer bespoke research environments.

    The Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT), with state-of-the-art technology, offers a bespoke research environment.
Internationally Renowned Experts
  • You will be working under the supervision of leading international academic experts.
Key Facts

Research students are encouraged to play a full and active role in relation to the wide range of research activities undertaken within the School and there are many resources available including:

  • A wide range of personal development and specialist training courses offered through the Personal Development Programme
  • Access to the Queen's University Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme
  • Office accommodation with access to computing facilities and support to attend conferences for full-time PhD students

Course content

Research Information

Associated Research
Research within the School is organised into research themes combining strengths by working together on major projects, in many cases in collaboration with key technology companies.
ECIT brings together internationally recognised research groups specialising in key areas of advanced digital and communications technology.

PhD Opportunities
PhD Opportunities are available in a wide range of computer science subjects, aligned to the specific expertise of our PhD supervisors.

Research Impact
Queen’s is a leader in commercial impact and one of the five highest performing universities in the UK for intellectual property commercialisation. We have created over 80 spin-out companies. Three of these -
Kainos, Andor Technology and Fusion Antibodies - have been publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Research Projects
Queen’s has strong collaborative links with industry in Northern Ireland, and internationally. It has a strong funding track record with EPSRC and the EC H2020 programme.

Research Success
The research profile produced by the 2014 UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) graded 80 per cent of our research activity as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent', confirming the School's reputation as an internationally-leading department.

Career Prospects

Introduction
For further information on career opportunities at PhD level please contact the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Student Recruitment Team on askEPS@qub.ac.uk. Our advisors - in consultation with the School - will be happy to provide further information on your research area, possible career prospects and your research application.

People teaching you




Course structure
There is no specific course content as such. You are expected to take research training modules that are supported by the School which focus on quantitative and qualitative research methods. You are also expected to carry out your research under the guidance of your supervisor.

Over the course of study you can attend postgraduate skills training organised by the Graduate School.

You will normally register, in the first instance, as an ‘undifferentiated PhD student’ which means that you have satisfied staff that you are capable of undertaking a research degree. The decision as to whether you should undertake a PhD is delayed until you have completed ‘differentiation’.

Differentiation takes place about 8-9 months after registration for full time students and about 16-18 months for part time students: You are normally asked to submit work to a panel of up two academics and this is followed up with a formal meeting with the ‘Differentiation Panel’. The Panel then make a judgement about your capacity to continue with your study. Sometimes students are advised to revise their research objectives or to consider submitting their work for an MPhil qualification rather than a doctoral qualification.

To complete with a doctoral qualification you will be required to submit a thesis of approx 80,000 words and you will be required to attend a viva voce [oral examination] with an external and internal examiner to defend your thesis.

A PhD programme runs for 3-4 years full-time or 6-8 years part-time. Students can apply for a writing up year should it be required.

The PhD is open to both full and part time candidates and is often a useful preparation for a career within academia or consultancy.

Full time students are often attracted to research degree programmes because they offer an opportunity to pursue in some depth an area of academic interest.

The part time research degree is an exciting option for professionals already working in the education field who are seeking to extend their knowledge on an issue of professional interest. Often part time candidates choose to research an area that is related to their professional responsibilities.

If you meet the Entry Requirements, the next step is to check whether we can supervise research in your chosen area. We only take students to whom we can offer expert research supervision from one of our academic staff. Therefore, your research question needs to engage with the research interests of one of our staff.
Assessment

- Assessment processes for the Research Degree differ from taught degrees. Students will be expected to present write up their work at regular intervals to their supervisor who will provide written and oral feedback; a formal assessment process takes place annually.

This Annual Progress Review requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics from within the School. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year.

The final assessment of the doctoral degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce.

Feedback

- Supervisors will offer feedback on the research work at regular intervals throughout the period of registration on the degree.

Facilities

Full time PhD students will have access to a shared office space and access to a desk with personal computer and internet access.

Entrance requirements

Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 TBC
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 TBC
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 TBC
EU Other 3 £25,600
International £25,600

1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled or pre-settled status, are expected to be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly Student Fees Regulations. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB are expected to be charged the GB fee, however this is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

2 It is expected that EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI will be eligible for NI tuition fees. The tuition fee set out above is provisional and subject to the publication of the Northern Ireland Assembly student fees Regulations.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted are for the academic year 2021-22, and relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Computer Science costs

There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

Additional course costs

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may also be other extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies . Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £100 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, and library fines. In undertaking a research project students may incur costs associated with transport and/or materials, and there will also be additional costs for printing and binding the thesis. There may also be individually tailored research project expenses and students should consult directly with the School for further information.

Bench fees

Some research programmes incur an additional annual charge on top of the tuition fees, often referred to as a bench fee. Bench fees are charged when a programme (or a specific project) incurs extra costs such as those involved with specialist laboratory or field work. If you are required to pay bench fees they will be detailed on your offer letter. If you have any questions about Bench Fees these should be raised with your School at the application stage. Please note that, if you are being funded you will need to ensure your sponsor is aware of and has agreed to fund these additional costs before accepting your place.

How do I fund my study?

1.PhD Opportunities

Find PhD opportunities and funded studentships by subject area.

2.Funded Doctoral Training Programmes

We offer numerous opportunities for funded doctoral study in a world-class research environment. Our centres and partnerships, aim to seek out and nurture outstanding postgraduate research students, and provide targeted training and skills development.

3.PhD loans

The Government offers doctoral loans of up to £26,445 for PhDs and equivalent postgraduate research programmes for English- or Welsh-resident UK and EU students.

4.International Scholarships

Information on Postgraduate Research scholarships for international students.

Funding and Scholarships

The Funding & Scholarship Finder helps prospective and current students find funding to help cover costs towards a whole range of study related expenses.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a supervisor

If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

Download Postgraduate Prospectus