專題生計畫
Undergraduate Research Program

CAE每年於2-3月會進行CAE專題生說明會，在這個說明會上，我們將向各位同學介紹CAE組老師的多元研究領域。這些領域涵蓋了仿生材料、能源、氣候、永續發展、結構診斷等跨領域議題。無論您的興趣是什麼，我們相信都能找到一個適合您的研究方向。

請把握這個機會，一起來了解CAE組老師們所做的研究，探索土木工程領域的無限可能性！

CAE holds its annual CAE undergraduate Research orientation in February-March. During this event, we introduce students to the diverse research areas of CAE faculty members. These areas cover interdisciplinary topics such as biomimetic materials, energy, climate, sustainable development, and structural diagnostics. Whatever your interests may be, we believe you can find a suitable research direction.

Seize this opportunity to learn about the research conducted by CAE faculty members and explore the endless possibilities in the field of civil engineering!

FAQ

幾年級適合開始參與專題?大二下做專題會太早嗎?

A: 可以看每個人的時間規劃，如果有一些時間，可以先嘗試看看。每個老師帶專題生的方式不太一樣，也可以先跟老師聊聊看適不適合。

What grade is suitable to start participating in projects?

Is it too early to do a project in the second semester of sophomore year?A: It depends on each individual's schedule. If you have some time, you can give it a try. Each professor has a different way of supervising project students, so it's a good idea to talk to the professor first to see if it's suitable.

專題跟CAE暑期實習一樣嗎?

A: 專題生主要開放給台大土木系學生，希望學生能有更多的時間加入專題研究，跟著指導教授一起享受研究的過程。暑期實習主要希望邀請外校學生加入，利用暑假時間可以與研究團隊一起進行專題研究。

Is participating in a project similar to a CAE summer internship?

A: Project students are mainly open to students of the NTU Department of Civil Engineering, hoping that students will have more time to participate in project research and enjoy the research process with the supervising professor. Summer internships mainly hope to invite students from other schools to join, and use the summer vacation time to conduct project research with the research team.

做專題需要多久的時間?

A: 假如你的專題剛好延續到碩士論文研究，那麼從大三開始做到碩士二年級，做四年的研究就像是讀了一個博士學位。做研究是一個不斷持續的過程，但也可能隨時遇到無法繼續下去的困境。

How long does it take to do a project?

A: If your project happens to continue into your master's thesis research, then from the third year to the second year of the master's program, doing four years of research is like getting a doctoral degree. Research is a continuous process, but you may also encounter situations where you cannot continue at any time.

暑期實習需要具備什麼能力或經歷才能申請呢?未修過專題也可以嗎?

A: 暑期實習希望學生能具備高學習動機與熱誠來參與專題研究，不需要有任何經歷或是專題，但曾經參與過專題或有更多的經歷，將可讓專案經理更認識，也更有機會入選暑期實習。

What abilities or experiences are required for summer internships? Can you apply without having taken a project before?

A: Summer internships hope that students can have high learning motivation and enthusiasm to participate in project research. There is no need for any experience or project, but having participated in a project or having more experience will allow the project manager to get to know you better and increase your chances of being selected for the summer internship.

申請志願序前後跟錄取機率有關嗎?

A:

謝老師：每年我們都提供暑期實習機會，不僅限於CAE組，還有其他老師的合作機會。學生們可以報名參加，每個議題都會有一個專案經理和一個社群來挑選學生，最後做出決定。如果已經確定要參與CAE組，我們鼓勵學生做學士論文，一篇出色的學士論文一定會為你加分，顯示出具有研究能力和對進一步深造的意願。

吳老師：現在讓我們換位思考，站在老師的角度。如果有兩個學生，一個將CAE組放在第一志願，結構組放在第二志願；另一個學生則相反。你認為這會不會對老師在審查學生資料時產生差異？有時候我們當然希望學生多方嘗試，但最終我們需要做出排名，根據排名進行分發。就我個人而言，對於暑期實習，我肯定會優先考慮給予願意嘗試的學生機會，但這並不意味著其他學生會被排除在外。當所有申請的學生水平相近時，志願選擇可能會產生影響。但如果有很優秀的學生，即使他們的志願不是第一，他們依然有可能被錄取。

Is the order of preferences for applications related to the probability of acceptance?

Professor Hsieh: Every year, we offer summer internship opportunities, not limited to the CAE group, but also opportunities for collaboration with other professors. Students can sign up to participate, and each topic will have a project manager and a community to select students and make final decisions. If you have decided to participate in the CAE group, we encourage students to do a bachelor's thesis. An outstanding bachelor's thesis will definitely give you extra points, demonstrating research ability and willingness to further study.

Professor Wu: Now let's switch perspectives and think from the teachers' point of view. If there are two students, one puts the CAE group as the first preference and the structural group as the second preference; the other student does the opposite. Do you think this will create differences when teachers review student applications? Sometimes, of course, we hope students try different things, but in the end, we need to make rankings and distribute based on rankings. Personally, for summer internships, I will certainly give priority to students willing to try, but that doesn't mean other students will be excluded. When all the applying students are similar in level, the choice of preferences may have an impact. However, if there are very outstanding students, even if their preference is not the first, they still have the possibility of being accepted.

參與專題會有進度/成果門檻嗎?

A: 一篇出色的學士論文一定會為你加分。

Are there any progress/achievement thresholds for participating in projects?

A: An outstanding bachelor's thesis will definitely give you extra points.

參與專題/實習對ML的了解要到什麼程度?

A: 並不是每個實習題目都要做ML，要看實習題目的要求。

To what extent should one understand ML (Machine Learning) to participate in projects/internships?

A: Not every internship project requires ML. It depends on the requirements of the internship project.

參與專題研究前需要先學會特定軟體或具備相關專業知識嗎？

A: 不需要，研究本身就是一個邊做邊學的過程。

不需要事先完美準備：你不必修過特定課程或學會某些工具才能參與專題研究，因為研究的本質是探索與學習。
可以先觀察再決定：你可以先進研究室看看，沒有壓力，若覺得不適合，可以再換其他方向。
主動學習與貢獻：當你對某個領域感興趣並開始貢獻時，通常會獲得老師或專案的支持，甚至可能獲得津貼。
動機比背景知識更重要：只要有學習動機，你會透過實踐與自學掌握所需的知識，甚至學得比修課還深入。

Do I need to learn specific software or have prior knowledge before joining a research project?

A: No, research is a process of learning by doing.

No need for perfect preparation – You don’t have to complete specific courses or master certain tools before joining. Research itself is about exploration and learning.
Observe first, then decide – You are welcome to visit a lab and see how things work. There’s no pressure—if it’s not the right fit, you can explore other options.
Learn and contribute actively – Once you develop interest and start contributing, you’ll often receive support from the professor or project, and in some cases, even funding.
Motivation matters more than background knowledge – If you're motivated, you’ll learn what you need along the way, sometimes even more effectively than through coursework.

CAE 是否與資訊工程相關？兩者有什麼差異？

A: CAE 與資訊工程的關聯其實相當深，兩者在很多地方都有重疊，但側重點不同。

CAE 更強調應用，主要用於解決工程問題，例如結構分析、流體模擬、材料力學等。而資訊工程則關注計算理論、演算法、系統開發等技術。雖然 CAE 的重點是工程應用，但這並不代表學生只會使用現有的軟體或工具。許多 CAE 學生會選修資訊工程的課程，例如機器學習、數值方法、程式設計等，甚至有能力開發自己的數值模型。因此，不少畢業生不僅能進入傳統的工程產業，也能轉往軟體產業發展。

對於資訊有興趣的同學來說，CAE 其實是一個很有彈性的領域，因為必修課程較少，學生有機會去修習資工系的課程，培養更紮實的計算能力。而兩者最大的不同，或許可以從解決問題的角度來看——CAE 是以工程問題為核心，利用計算技術來找答案；而資訊工程則是以計算技術為核心，發展各種方法來解決不同領域的問題。

Is CAE related to computer science? What are the differences between the two?

A: CAE and computer science are closely related, but they focus on different aspects.

CAE is application-driven and mainly used for solving engineering problems, such as structural analysis, fluid simulations, and material mechanics. In contrast, computer science focuses on computing theory, algorithms, and system development. Although CAE emphasizes engineering applications, it doesn’t mean students only use existing tools. Many CAE students take computer science courses, such as machine learning, numerical methods, and programming, giving them the ability to develop their own computational models. As a result, some graduates enter the traditional engineering industry, while others transition into the software industry.

For students interested in computing, CAE offers flexibility since it has fewer required courses, allowing them to explore computer science topics in greater depth. The main difference between the two fields lies in their approach to problem-solving—CAE applies computing techniques to address engineering challenges, while computer science develops computational methods that can be applied across various disciplines.

在右派崛起的情況下，永續發展是否有可能式微？此外，它是否容易受到政策影響？

A: 目前來看，永續發展不太可能式微，因為現在的推動方式已經從過去的道德與意識形態層面，轉變為經濟層面的驅動。

過去，永續發展更多是基於道德呼籲，希望大家從環保意識或社會責任的角度去支持。然而，現在永續已經與金流、經濟利益緊密結合，成為企業運營的重要一環。像 Google、Apple、Nvidia 等全球龍頭企業仍然積極推動永續，並未有任何放緩的跡象。只要這些企業沒有停下來，永續發展就不會真正式微。從更宏觀的角度來看，當今世界的主要影響力已經從宗教與政治轉向經濟，而各國領導人，包括右派政治人物，也仍然需要透過經濟手段達成他們的目標。因此，經濟仍將是決定永續發展趨勢的核心因素。

至於永續是否會受到政策影響，確實存在擺盪的現象。過去的永續政策在某些方面可能走得過頭，導致部分人產生反感，使政治光譜向右移動。但右派的發展也有其極限，因為全球極端氣候與災害的頻率與損失都在不斷增加，這是無法忽視的現實。因此，即使右派政府上台，他們也無法完全忽略永續議題，否則最終會反過來影響他們的政治地位。因此，永續發展並不會消失，而是會根據不同時期的政治與經濟環境進行調整，但整體趨勢仍將持續前進。

With the rise of right-wing politics, is sustainability at risk of decline? Additionally, is it highly susceptible to policy changes?

A: As things stand, sustainability is unlikely to decline because its driving force has shifted from moral and ideological appeals to economic incentives.

In the past, sustainability was often promoted as an ethical responsibility, urging individuals and businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices. However, today it is directly tied to financial flows and economic strategy. Major global companies like Google, Apple, and Nvidia continue to invest in sustainability, showing no signs of slowing down. As long as these corporations remain committed, sustainability will not fade. On a broader scale, economic power has overtaken religious and political influence as the dominant force shaping global decisions. Even right-wing leaders rely on economic strategies—such as tariffs, tax cuts, and investment shifts—to achieve their goals. Given this, economic considerations will remain the key determinant of sustainability’s trajectory.

Regarding policy influence, sustainability does experience fluctuations. There have been instances where environmental policies went too far, causing backlash and pushing political sentiment toward the right. However, right-wing policies also have their limits. Climate disasters are increasing in frequency and severity, making it impossible to ignore sustainability entirely. If right-wing governments fail to address these challenges, they risk losing credibility and influence. Therefore, while sustainability may undergo adjustments based on political and economic conditions, its long-term trajectory remains strong.

如何確定自己的能力是否符合專題研究的需求（例如程式語言能力等）？

A: 最直接的方法就是親自嘗試。你可以先去旁聽、和學長姐聊聊，甚至動手做看看，就會知道自己的能力是否足夠。其實，這個問題沒有人能替你回答，因為只有你自己最清楚自己的狀況。如果有興趣，就去試試看，透過實際參與就能找到答案。

How can I determine whether my skills meet the requirements for a research project (e.g., programming skills)?

A: The best way is to try it out. Attend lab meetings, talk to senior students, and start working on a small task—you’ll quickly figure out whether your skills are sufficient. No one else can answer this for you because only you truly understand your own abilities. The key is to take the first step and learn through experience.

如果想加入 CAE 組，應該修讀或學習哪些課程？是否有必修課？

A: 有興趣的課就盡量去修，沒有硬性規定。如果你想加入某位老師的研究群，可以直接詢問他們的學生，看看大家通常會到哪些外系選修課程。我們的課程相當開放，像是汪老師、依芸老師、陳老師的課，都有很多來自不同系所的學生修讀，甚至有許多資工系的學生也會來上課。所以你們算是很幸運，可以修到這些豐富的課程資源，重點還是根據自己的興趣去選擇適合的課程。

What courses should I take if I want to join the CAE group? Are there any prerequisites?

A: Take any courses that interest you—there are no strict requirements. If you want to join a specific professor’s research group, you can ask their students which courses they found useful, including those from other departments. Many of our courses, such as those taught by Prof. Wang, Prof. Yi-Yun, and Prof. Chen, attract students from various disciplines, including a significant number from computer science. You have the advantage of accessing these diverse learning opportunities, so choose based on your interests and goals.

如果我的研究興趣很廣，不知道該如何開始，應該怎麼辦？

A: 就隨便挑一個開始，甚至用丟骰子決定都行。重要的是「開始」，而不是一直困在選擇當中。會有這種困惑，通常是因為選擇太多，反而讓你無法決定。如果你經常遇到這種情況，可能代表你的興趣不只限於工程領域，還對社會科學或文學等領域有所涉獵。這種思維在工程領域相對少見，但其實這是件好事，因為你的思考方式更開放、更具彈性。與其糾結選哪個，不如先開始，之後再根據實際體驗調整方向。

If I have a wide range of research interests and don't know where to start, what should I do?

A: Just pick one and start—even rolling a dice would work. The key is to start rather than getting stuck in endless choices. If you're struggling with too many options, it might be because your interests extend beyond engineering to areas like social sciences or literature. This broader perspective is actually a strength, as it gives you more flexibility in your thinking. Instead of overanalyzing which topic to choose, take action first and adjust your direction based on experience.

如果我對 CAE 有興趣，但資訊能力較弱，自學效果不好，還適合參與專題嗎？

A: 當然可以，很多人都擔心自己資訊能力不夠，但其實沒有試過怎麼知道？你可能覺得資工系的學生就一定很會寫程式，但實際上，不是每個人一開始就很厲害。試著去接觸看看，很多事情做了才會知道自己能做到哪裡，不要妄自菲薄。

另外，看到很多同學問「我需要具備什麼能力？我應該先修什麼課？」其實，與其先擔心自己不夠格，不如先嘗試。有一句話：「怕了就輸了」，如果一開始就被恐懼限制，那就沒有機會前進。另一方面，擁有多種選擇其實是一種幸福，因為很多人連選擇的機會都沒有。所以，與其焦慮於該選哪一條路，不如勇敢選一個開始，不喜歡的話還能換，這是值得珍惜的自由。

I’m interested in CAE, but my programming skills are weak and self-learning hasn't been effective. Am I still a good fit for a CAE research project?

A: Absolutely! Many people worry about their programming skills, but you won’t know your real ability until you try. You might assume that all computer science students are great at coding, but that’s not always the case. Don’t underestimate yourself—just get started and see how far you can go.

Also, a lot of students ask, "What skills do I need? What courses should I take first?" Instead of worrying about whether you're "qualified," focus on trying. There’s a saying: "Fear is failure." If your first reaction to a challenge is fear, you’re already limiting yourself. At the same time, having multiple options is a privilege—many people don’t even have that. So rather than stressing over which option is best, just pick one and go for it. If it doesn’t work out, you can always switch. The important thing is to appreciate the freedom to explore.

每週大概要花多少時間在專題上？

A: 這完全取決於你自己，關鍵在於你的動機（motivation）。如果你對專題有興趣，你自然會投入大量時間；但如果只是為了參加，每次討論前才準備，老師們其實都看得出來。所以沒有固定的時間要求，而是看你願意投入多少。

但有一點是肯定的——如果你希望透過專題提升自己的能力，那你就必須投入時間。不可能不花時間就期待進步，真正的學習快樂來自於掌握知識，而不是單純相信學習本身是快樂的。因此，我的建議是：至少把專題當作一門正式的課程來對待。如果你只是來聽聽討論、偶爾參與，那當然可以；但如果你真的想在專題中獲得成果，那你應該認真投入，就像修一門課一樣。

當然，每個人投入的程度不同。我有些學生投入得非常瘋狂，每天都在研究，也有些學生只是適度參與，這完全取決於你自己的規劃。我們不會對大學生有過多要求，因為這個階段最重要的是探索自己的興趣。如果你發現這個專題不適合自己，甚至想轉換到別的老師的研究群，這都是很正常的，尤其在 CAE 組，老師們都非常開放，支持學生探索不同的領域，因為只有找到真正的興趣，你才能發揮最大的潛力。

最終，學習是一種長期的投資，你必須穩定投入時間，才能真正學會。我的建議是養成穩定的學習習慣，就像投資一樣。因為專題並不是正式的課程，沒有人替你設目標，你自己要對自己的學習負責，並決定你願意付出多少時間與努力。

How much time should I spend on my research project each week?

It completely depends on you—your motivation is the key. If you're genuinely interested in the project, you'll naturally invest a lot of time. But if you're just participating and only preparing the day before a discussion, trust me, professors can tell. So, there's no fixed time requirement—it all comes down to how much you're willing to commit.

That said, if you want to improve your skills through this project, you must put in the time. You can’t expect to grow without effort. The true joy of learning comes from mastering knowledge, not simply believing that learning itself is fun. My recommendation? At the very least, treat your research project like a formal course. If you're just attending discussions casually, that’s fine. But if you truly want to achieve something, you should take it seriously and dedicate enough time—just as you would for a real class.

Of course, the level of commitment varies. Some students go all in, working on their projects every day, while others participate more moderately. It’s entirely up to you. We don’t impose strict expectations on undergraduate students because this phase is about exploring your interests. If you realize this project isn’t the right fit and want to switch to another research group, that’s completely fine. In the CAE group, professors are very open-minded and encourage students to explore different fields. Only by finding what truly interests you can you unlock your full potential.

Ultimately, learning is a long-term investment—you need to commit consistently to truly master it. My advice is to build a steady learning habit, just like investing over time. Since research projects aren’t structured like formal courses, there are no predefined goals—you are responsible for your own learning, and you must decide how much time and effort you’re willing to invest.

大專生的專題是個人專題還是小組專題？

A: 大專生的專題可以是個人專題，也可以是小組專題，並沒有限制。你可以選擇單獨做一個專題，也可以參與已有的題目。比如，國科會每年會提供大專生提案的機會，若通過提案，會有每月4000元的津貼，還有20000元的雜支可以用來購買文具等。這個計畫通常每年2月開始，但大二學生可以提前準備，明年可以開始申請。整體的審查和計畫過程大約需要7個月，競爭也相當激烈，所以可以考慮這個選項，並提前準備。

Are undergraduate research projects individual or group projects?

A: Undergraduate research projects can be either individual or group projects—there’s no strict rule. You can choose to work on a project by yourself, or you can join an existing topic. For example, the National Science Council (NSC) provides an opportunity every year for undergraduates to propose projects. If your proposal is accepted, you can receive a monthly allowance of NT$4,000 for four months and NT$20,000 for miscellaneous expenses like stationery. This program typically opens in February, but second-year students can start preparing, and you can apply next year. The review and project process lasts about 7 months, and it’s competitive, so it’s worth considering. You can begin preparing for it in advance.

專題怎麼算完成？有明確的結束點嗎？

A: 專題的結束點是由你自己設定的。你可以和老師討論，然後一起確定一個完成的目標。對於像台大這樣的學生，尤其是有意畢業或繼續念研究所的，你必須知道，學習的過程是由你自己來決定的，而不是外界強制要求的。如果是和業界合作的專題，通常會有特定的目標和時間表，當你承諾參與後，就需要跟著進度走。而如果是自己定義的題目，那就由你來決定結束的時間。

How is a research project considered completed? Is there a clear endpoint?

A: The endpoint of the project is set by you. You can discuss it with your professor and set a goal together. For students at universities like National Taiwan University (NTU), especially those planning to graduate or pursue graduate studies, you must understand that the learning process is up to you, not dictated by someone else. If you’re working on an industry-related project, there are usually specific goals and deadlines, and once you commit, you must follow the schedule. However, if it’s a self-defined topic, the timeline is in your hands.

專題題目是自己決定後再跟教授討論嗎？

A: 是的，你可以提出自己的專題題目，並且需要說服老師讓他願意指導你。如果老師覺得這個題目不錯，但認為其他老師更適合，他會將你推薦給該老師。如果老師自己對這個題目有興趣，他可能會邀請其他老師一起合作，可能是來自CAE組的老師，也可能是其他學系的老師。我自己有與營管組的老師、城鄉所的老師合作過，所以並不一定只有一位老師能指導你，這需要討論並獲得老師的同意。畢竟，老師們的時間非常寶貴。

Is the research topic decided after discussing with the professor?

A: Yes, you can propose your own topic, but you need to convince the professor to guide you. If the professor thinks the topic is good but feels another professor might be a better fit, they will recommend you to that professor. If the professor is interested in the topic, they may bring in other professors to collaborate, potentially from the CAE group or other departments. I’ve worked with professors from the Business School and the Department of Urban Planning, so it’s not restricted to just one professor. This decision requires discussion, and since professors’ time is precious, you need to have that conversation with them before moving forward.