1. Foundation Courses  Required to fulfill background for the Master program.  Listed explicitly in the admission letter. 1

2. Example of An Admission Letter 2

3. An Admission Letter 3

4. Foundation Courses  They should be taken as soon as possible.  Dangling foundation courses:  May not be able to enroll in some courses, especially controlled courses.  May adversely affect your TA and RA applications.  May make your study harder. 4

5. Foundation Courses  Two kinds: Technical courses: CSCI, MATH, CENG, etc. Writing courses: WRIT 3035, WRIT 3135.  Must be completed before graduation. 5

6. Foundation Courses  May request waiving.  There is a waiver committee.  To apply: Submit completed waiver request form. Ask for advice and consult with your faculty advisor. Submit as much evidence as possible. Burden of proof on students. 6

7. Foundation Courses  Waiver requests should be made as soon as possible: Take time to process.  Completing a course with the foundation course as a prerequisite is not a valid reason for waiving the foundation course.  Writing foundation courses were are not waived. 7

8. Advising and CPS  Each student has two advisors: Academic Advisor: general issues. Faculty Advisor: subject matter issues.  They are your coaches! 8

9. Persons to contact (admission letter) 9

10. Faculty Advisors  Help you to Set up your candidate plan of study. Provide advice on your study plan. Provide help to prepare for your future career. Approve electives. 10

11. Candidate Plan of Study  Your study plan ‘contract’.  Clarify what is needed to achieve your degrees.  Protect you from future changes.  Should be set up as soon as possible. 11

12. CPS (admission letter) 12

13. CPS Process  Contact your faculty advisor after you arrive and seek advice.  Schedule an appointment with your faculty advisor at the middle of your first semester.  Before the appointment, construct an initial list of elective courses you want to take.  You may send this information and other personal information (name, student id, email, phone, address) to the faculty member before the meeting. 13

14. CPS Process  Good opportunity to develop a study plan (when to take what courses).  Your faculty member can set up a draft CPS with both of you signed.  The school will set up a formal CPS for you to sign later. 14

15. Sample Draft CPS: Foundation Requirements 15 xxx yyy

16. Sample Draft CPS: Electives 16

17. Sample Draft CPS: Thesis or Capstone 17

18. Planning Your Study  Devise a study schedule as early as possible: Realistic Helpful to your established career goal Adapted if necessary. Work with your advisors along the way. 18

19. Planning your study  What courses to take first? Foundation courses (must be taken care of as soon as possible) Courses in the critical path (such as prerequisites of other desirable courses.) Core courses (you have no flexibility here). Courses that are not offered frequently. 19

20. Planning your study  Do not over-commit.  Do not take too many courses in your last semester. Capstone or thesis are demanding. Need effort for graduation and job hunting. 20