1. Introduction to CSE Grad Programs
Prof. Gagan Agrawal
Grad Studies Chair

2. Degree Programs Masters non-thesis / coursework
Masters thesis / research
Ph.D

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

4. 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

5. 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
760 all three quarters, sections in Fall
Corresponding undergrad core classes
625, 655, 660, 675, and 680
Prereqs – take if you don’t have the background

6. ``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
780 required, at least one of 760 and 775

7. Ph.D: Core/Qualifying Qualifying examination Acceleration Option
Offered twice a year, September and March
4 1.5 hr exams based upon the 4 out of core areas (780 required)
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 4/5core classes for credit within first three quarters (780 required)
Have a 3.6 average in these classes
Can count best 4 – but must include 780
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

8. 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
CSE 885
1 credit, S/U, offered only in Fall and required for all grad students

9. 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)

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

11. Course Requirements Masters non-thesis
45 credits of graded classes (or 39 and project option)
Including foundational core and applied core classes
Limit on number of primarily undergrad classes
A total of 50 credits
Masters thesis
30 credits of graded classes
Limit on the number of primarily undergrad classes
885 is recommended
15 research credits are required
A total of 45 credits

12. Masters Non-thesis Project Option
Allows non-thesis students to do a substantial implementation project
2 quarters, 6 credits of 793/888
Replaces 6 grades credits in 45 credit requirements
Make individual arrangements with faculty whose work you are interested in

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Requirements for Year 1- Ph.D
12 credits each quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring)
1st quarter TAs may take only 9
Fellows/RAs: 15 credits
At least three credits of research (788/888/793/999) each quarter starting your second quarter
885 required for all students in Fall

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. More Information Documents: People Your academic advisor
Grad studies committee
Ms. Lynn – for graduate program matters
Ms. Catrena – for payroll issues
Ms. Kitty Reeves – for TAship/funding issues