May I modify the code/program for my undergraduate thesis project? I have a project for undergraduate thesis. Then, I found this Chapter VBI-6.   Hand and Finger Detection. In the Downloads section, there's code that we can download and launched. I want to use it and have to modify or tweak it to suit my project. The problem is that, I don't know whether it's allowed or not to make a modification to the code presented. Inside, I found this sentences:


  If you use this code, please mention my name, and include a link
  to the website.


By "use", may I tweak the code as long as I refer to the coder? I'm confused because I found nothing about its license inside the code, like, GNU-GPL or MIT...  

I'm so sorry if my question is wrong. If so, please tell why and maybe where I can ask it.
That is an ambiguous enough statement from the author about licensing, that I would simply send them an email and ask what they would allow. You can make your decision on whether to use it after you know whether you can. 

I would also ask your advisor if this kind of work is acceptable for your project. If the project requires more self-work, you need to know that before you use too much of this code. 

Finally, if you do use it, don't forget to cite it.