Introduction to CSE Grad Programs Prof. 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 program – petition to grad studies in truly exceptional circumstances

The Graduate (Foundational) 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

``Core’’ Requirements Masters program (thesis and non-thesis) – Pass three of the five core classes 780 required, at least one of 760 and 775 required – In the other two areas, should have equivalent class to pre- core, or pass the pre-core Masters non-thesis: – Take comprehensive exam in three of the five areas Ph.D program requires passing a written qualifying examination based upon these 5 (most students take classes for credit) – Acceleration Option: all classes for credit and 3.6 average (detailed later)

Types of Classes (Ph.D students) Core Classes Pre-core Classes – 625, 655, 660, 675, and 680 – can’t count for any of the requirements 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

Types of Classes (MS Students) Primarily Undergrad Classes – 616, 625, 630, 655, 660, 670, 675, 677, 680 – Can count at most 3 for credit (Foundational) Core classes Applied Core Classes Other letter-graded CSE classes Research Credits (793, 888, 999) Classes from other related departments – Limit of 9 credits – Need advisor permissions (need to be closely related to CSE)

Applied Core Six classes currently listed – 621 – High Performance Computing (Fall only) – Internetworking (Winter only) – Graphics (Fall, Winter) – AI (Fall only) – Compilers (Spring only) – Databases (alternate winter quarters) MS Thesis option students need to take at least 2 MS Non-thesis need at least 3

Course Requirements Masters non-thesis – 45 credits of graded classes Including foundational core and applied core classes Limit on number of primarily undergrad classes – 885 is required – A total of 50 credits Masters thesis – 30 credits of graded classes Including foundational core and applied core classes Limit on the number of primarily undergrad classes – 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) – hr exams over two days, based on choice of 3 among the 5 core classes 780 required, at least one of 760 and 775 required 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 – 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 Acceleration Option – Take each of the 5 core classes for credit within first three quarters – Have a 3.6 average in these classes – Qualify for conditional pass – need to show research progress by second spring to remove the condition – Recommend that everyone tries this Unless you have several core classes and can take quals in 2 quarters

Ph.D Coursework Requirements One major and two minors Major: – 15 graded credits, not including core Minor: – 9 credits in each, not including core – A total of 3 credits across 2 minors could be non- graded: 793/888

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 – In most cases, as RA only

Normal Support Policies Years 5 and 6 – Must have passed Ph.D candidacy examination – Satisfactory or better research progress – In most cases, as RA only Limit on TA support – 6 academic year quarters over the length of your stay – Exception: 1 per advisor allowed as exception at anytime All of the above entering the department guaranteed support – If you are entering w/o support, case-by-case after passing quals

Strategy for Finding Support Find an advisor soon (within 1 year) who will `own’ you – Support as RA, or – Count you for their 1 per advisor limit Don’t plan on first exhausting your TA eligibility – Try and have 1 year TA support for the end if RA funds run out

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) – 1 st 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 or qualify for acceleration option Start establishing a research relationship with an advisor (take 788/888/793/999 credits) – Advisor input a factor in Ph.D qualifying examination decisions – Need research progress if you qualify for acceleration option 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 me or visit in my office hours – Ms. Elizabeth Oneil – for graduate program matters – Ms. Kitty Reeves – for TAship/funding issues