Introduction to CSE Grad Programs

Dr. Gagan Agrawal

Grad Studies Chair

Degree Programs

Masters non-thesis / coursework Masters thesis / research Ph.D

Admitted Groups

Masters non-thesis / unspecified Research Masters Direct Ph.D track

Type Conversions

Masters non-thesis students can switch to thesis option by finding an advisor for masters thesis

Masters students become Ph.D students if they take and pass Ph.D qualifying examination

Research masters students cannot switch to non-thesis option (petition to grad studies in truly exceptional circumstances)

Ph.D students cannot switch to masters programs (petition to grad studies in truly exceptional circumstances)

The Graduate Core

5 classes form the graduate core – 725 (Theory of Computation) – 755 (Programming Languages) – 760 (Advanced Operating Systems) – 775 (Computer Architecture) – 780 (Algorithms)

3 credits each, each offered twice a year Corresponding undergrad core classes (625, 655,

660, 675, and 680) are prereqs – take if you don’t have the background (at most one for masters)

``Core’’ Requirements

Masters program (thesis and non-thesis)– Pass four of the five core classes – In the fifth area, pass the pre-core (or should have

equivalent course) Masters non-thesis:

– Take comprehensive exam in four of the five areas

Ph.D program requires passing a written qualifying examination based upon these 5 (most students take classes for credit)

Types of Classes

Core Classes Pre-core Classes – 625, 655, 660, 675, and 680 – can’t count

for any of the requirements - except at most one for masters Other 600 / 700 / 800 level graded classes

– Includes 788 – Graded A, A-, B+, …

Research Credits – 793, 888, 999 – Graded S/U only

CIS 885 – 1 credit, S/U, offered only in Fall and required for all grad students

Course Requirements

Masters non-thesis – 45 credits of graded classes, including the 15 credit core – 885 is required – A total of 50 credits

Masters thesis – 30 credits of graded classes, including the 15 credit core – 885 is required – 15 research credits are required – A total of 45 credits

Other Requirements for Masters

Non-thesis option – A comprehensive examination – Offered twice a year (Sept. and March) – 4 1.5 hr exams over two days, based on choice

of 4 among the 5 core classes Thesis Option

– An oral examination of the thesis – A committee with at least 2 faculty members,

including your advisor

Ph.D program Requirements

Qualifying examination – Offered twice a year, September and March – 5 1.5 hr exams based upon the 5 core areas – A max of two attempts are allowed – Direct Ph.D track students are normally expected to take it after

the first year – Must pass within your second year to be eligible for support later

Course work required – 15 credits in a major area

Graded classes, cannot count core – 9 credits in each of the two minor areas

Cannot count core, at most 3 of 18 can be 888/793

Ph.D Program Requirements

Candidacy Examination – Typically after 2.5 – 4 years in the program – Involves a thesis proposal and written and oral

examinations demonstrating knowledge of major area

– A clear research plan and substantial research progress required

Final Oral Examination – Final defense of the thesis

Research Progress Evaluation

Conducted every spring, for Ph.D students finishing two or more years in the program

Requires clear research plan and established relationship with an advisor

Expect research involvement and paper submissions after year 2, publications after year 3, …

A satisfactory rating is key for future funding

Normal Support Policies

Initial support for 2 years – Requires satisfactory GPA – Requires good performance on TA/RA duties – International students must pass the spoken English test to

be eligible for year 2 support

Third and Fourth Years – Must have passed the Ph.D qualifying examination – Satisfactory research progress, as judged by grad studies

committee – Other consideration, if funds not available for everyone

Normal Support Policies

Years 5 and 6 – Must have passed Ph.D candidacy examination – Satisfactory or better research progress – Other consideration if funding not sufficient for

everyone

All policies subject to change and availability of funding

Other Requirements

A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained at all times A minimum of C for any class to count Repeat core class if grade below C

Requirements for Year 1

12 credits each quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring) – 1st quarter TAs may take only 9 – English / Physical education classes don’t count

At least three credits of research (788/888/793/999) each quarter starting your second quarter

885 required for all students in Fall

Goals for First Year Ph.D students

Take core classes to be prepared for Ph.D qualifying examination

Start establishing a research relationship with an advisor (take 788/888/793/999 credits)

– Advisor input a factor in Ph.D qualifying examination decisions

Take classes for major area (preparation for research)

Complete written/spoken English requirements

Goals for First Year Masters thesis students

Pass most of the core classes Don’t leave many graded classes for year 2

(have more time for research then) Identify a masters thesis advisor and

area/topic Complete any written/oral English

requirements

Some Other Tips

Focus on excellence, rather than meeting minimum requirements

Create good impression during any of your interactions – Graded classes, research credits, TAship duties

Show initiative, prove yourself to be reliable and capable

More Information

Documents: People

– Your academic advisor – Grad studies committee

E-mail me or visit in my office hours

– Ms. Elizabeth Oneil – for graduate program matters

– Ms. Kitty Reeves – for TAship/funding issues