1. Overview of Graduate Program at CS SFSU Prof. D. Petkovic 04/11/08

2. Welcome graduate students! MS degree becoming a key for advancement Ability to work with geographically dispersed teams and multidisciplinary teams is increasingly important Combination of general CS skills, domain depth and “soft” skills is critical. Business skills are a also a plus! Welcome international students

3. CS Department mission Goals: to be the best in CSU and world famous in selected areas of Computer Science Prepare students for careers in industry Prepare students for further graduate study CS WWW site www.cs.sfsu.eduwww.cs.sfsu.edu Visit CS WWW site often and read office e-mail We offer BS and MS in CS About 400 undergrads, about 100 grads Most students have MS as terminal degree, and there are some going for Ph.D.

4. MS CS Learning Objectives – in addition to basic ones for BS CS Degree Students will demonstrate in-depth knowledge in one of the offered concentration areas Students will demonstrate a breadth of knowledge in computer science, as exemplified in the areas of systems, theory and software development Students will demonstrate ability to conduct a research or applied Computer Science project, requiring writing and presentation skills which exemplify scholarly style in computer science

5. About CS Department Blends top notch instruction with research Very high quality research for CSU standards, at the level of top schools Second NSF CAREER grant won (Prof. R. Singh) – outstanding accomplishment for faculty and the Department A lot of research, projects and publications www.cs.sfsu.edu

6. Trends in Software Development Global development of computer software through international cooperation and outsourcing are the main characteristics of current and future software engineering development process Increased emphasis on building SW from components and services developed globally Everything is getting connected with WWW and wireless Critical need for making systems easy to use, on time and budget, and with adequate performance, with geographically dispersed teams Open source software community is another example of global collaborative approach to SW development. New areas: games, sensor networks, biotech, personal devices…

7. Computing and Life Sciences Biotechnology, bioinformatics and related applications are considered next frontiers for computer science, both technically and in terms of business opportunities Bay Area is one of the world centers of bioinformatics and bio technology SFSU has outstanding programs related to biology and chemistry/biochemistry and skills and interests from Math Every major university is having or will have programs in this area Increased focus by funding agencies, government, politicians and university executives Strong interest among students and faculty  SFSU Center for Computing for Life Sciences

8. Some new initiatives motivated by strong needs MS CS with business concentration – starting Fall 08 Serious games initiative – applications in education (nursing, science) – Prof. I. Yoon

9. Motivation for updating the curricula ACM study on SW outsourcing and globalisation specifically mentions the need to train SE students in so called “soft skills”, teamwork, communication, SE process organization and issues related to globalisation Aspray W., Mayadas F., Vardi M.Y., Editors: “Globalisation and Offshoring of Software, A Report of the ACM Job Migration Task Force”, ACM 2006, http://www.acm.org/globalizationreport/

10. Jobs Jobs are plenty SW Engineering voted best job by Money magazine BUT –New skills are needed

11. Computer Scientist of the future Knowledge of technical material (up to date) Knowledge of some specific domains (financials, biotech, games…) Project and teamwork skills Verbal and written communication and presentation skills Ability to work in a global and open SW environment Some business skills are a big plus

12. Program description http://www.sfsu.edu/~bulletin/current/progr ams/computes.htm#grad-cshttp://www.sfsu.edu/~bulletin/current/progr ams/computes.htm#grad-cs

13. New MS CS Concentration in Business and Computing – starting Fall 08 This new concentration requires students to complete 11 courses and a thesis Same core courses as MS CS One less CS course from regular CS MS General Conc. 1 CS Elective 4 more BUS courses - 3 core, 1 elective (also offered in summer) Practicum option like for other concentrations Equivalent of 2 courses for thesis/project; the thesis/project must have a business component. The student’s culminating experience committee will be composed of 2 CS faculty and one Business faculty Total 38-41 units

14. Thesis and Culminating project Mandatory Why Culminating Project? –Forces students to do independent work and complete a substantial project or scientific work –Requires writing and presentation skills also –Sets you apart from those who have not done it –Enables you to publish papers and go to conferences Enables CS Department to do research and attract top notch faculty –important for you too Makes our school much more fun

15. Center for Computing for Life Sciences (CCLS) CCLS is an official multidisciplinary SFSU Center for addressing problems in broad area of Computing for Life Sciences such as: bioinformatics, imaging, collaborative tools, UI, visualization, databases, computational biology and chemistry, applications in drug discovery, collaborative tools, algorithms etc. Goal is to develop CCLS into signature “marquee” program of SFSU CCLS is joint collaboration between Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Math, Physics and Astronomy –http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/ccls/index.htmlhttp://www.cs.sfsu.edu/ccls/index.html

16. Cluster Computing New 40 node DELL Cluster operational in CCLS http://ccls.lab.sfsu.edu/bin/view/Cluster/DellPowerEdgeCl uster http://ccls.lab.sfsu.edu/bin/view/Cluster/DellPowerEdgeCl uster For projects in computational biology and life sciences For education (distributed and parallel computing, data mining…)

17. Important stuff Visit WWW site and read e-mail Program description http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/grad/grad_program.html http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/grad/grad_program.html Graduate page http://cs.sfsu.edu/grad/graduate.htmlhttp://cs.sfsu.edu/grad/graduate.html Importance of early advising. New students MUST see advisor http://cs.sfsu.edu/advising.htmlhttp://cs.sfsu.edu/advising.html Recommended sequence of study, selection of concentration – second semester; finding the advisor http://cs.sfsu.edu/grad/grad_recom_sequence.html http://cs.sfsu.edu/grad/grad_recom_sequence.html Graduate seminar series requirement http://cs.sfsu.edu/news/Fall-2004-Pernet-Requirments.html http://cs.sfsu.edu/news/Fall-2004-Pernet-Requirments.html Internships – new polices on 893 (practicum) – important for international students http://cs.sfsu.edu/forms/student%20forms/893- 694%20Course%20Requirments.pdf http://cs.sfsu.edu/forms/student%20forms/893- 694%20Course%20Requirments.pdf

18. More… All steps in preparing culminating project forms http://cs.sfsu.edu/forms/aboutculminatingproject.html http://cs.sfsu.edu/forms/aboutculminatingproject.html Culminating experience http://cs.sfsu.edu/grad/new_grad_culminating_req.html http://cs.sfsu.edu/grad/new_grad_culminating_req.html How to write culminating project report http://cs.sfsu.edu/grad/writing_cpr.html http://cs.sfsu.edu/grad/writing_cpr.html For new grads http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/grad/new_grad_helpnotes.html http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/grad/new_grad_helpnotes.html Cheating and plagiarism http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/plagarism.html http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/plagarism.html International program – Fulda, Germany http://cs.sfsu.edu/news/SFSUFulda.htm http://cs.sfsu.edu/news/SFSUFulda.htm

19. Graduate seminar (formerly Pernet) Brings outstanding speakers from academia an industry. Every Wednesdays 5:30 in TH 331 (check CS WWW for latest times and speakers). Exposes students to great topics and great speakers, helps give ideas for projects and jobs Each graduate student must attend total of 10 seminars (not necessarily in the same semester) Early two seminars by Prof. D. Petkovic: about graduate program and about department research http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/news/Fall-2004-Pernet-Requirments.html

20. Advising - NEW Must see advisor upon start of the program Must attend first two Graduate Seminars during the first term (CS Chair will overview grad program) Should attend Chair’s welcome group meeting at the beginning of each semester Get timely advising as often as you need Those planning for Ph. D. program see CS Chair in the first semester Advising page http://cs.sfsu.edu/advising.html http://cs.sfsu.edu/advising.html

21. Welcome international students! Learn about USA: customs, culture, geography Bay Area is one of the best areas in USA: geographically, culturally, for education and technology Get internships with local industry Visit places, talk to [people Learn English (reading, writing) Have fun!

22. Practical Training for International Students http://cs.sfsu.edu/forms/student%20forms/opt_cpt_letter_instructions.html http://cs.sfsu.edu/forms/student%20forms/opt_cpt_letter_instructions.html Must keep GPA and class load above the minimum –Graduate students: Overall GPA => 3.0, class load minimum 9 units –Undergraduate students: Overall GPA => 2.0, class load minimum 12 units New “practicum” option : Max 3 one unit CSC 694/893 can be taken that do not count toward electives and allow you permit to work outside of SFSU. Generally approved only for Summer work (more on this later). Application for Post Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT letter template) allowed by department only when thesis is more than 95% complete (for grads only). It requires approval by the advisor and CS Chair AND letter signed by student confirming understanding of the rules.

23. Practical Training for International Students (more) With CS Department approval letter, students apply to OIP, which then petitions the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Final approval notice is sent directly to student (takes 2-3 months) by DHS. Thesis Practical Training (CPT) seldom approved, work must be directly related to Thesis Starting Post Completion OPT before the DHS approved date is illegal. All degree work, including your culminating experience project, must be completed before employment starts It is critical to observe all the rules and dates All official polices are on OIP WWW site http://www.sfsu.edu/~oip/ http://www.sfsu.edu/~oip/

24. Practicum option – CSC 694/893 Students must be in good standing and complete two semesters of full times study at SFSU Generally approved only for Summer Must –Enroll in CSC 694/893 –Fill out CPT letter in CS Department, get Chair’s signature, and apply to OIP for work permit (international students) –Write reports as outlined here http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/forms/student%20forms/893- 694%20Course%20Requirments.pdf http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/forms/student%20forms/893- 694%20Course%20Requirments.pdf Three 893s can not be used as 3-unit elective but are part of official “practicum” option International students who are offered to continue work in Fall semester need special approval from Chair: –Employer agreement to offer only up to 20 H/week work (e-mail from employer sent to Chair) –GPA => 3.5 –Chair and advisor approval –Approval done on semester by semester basis

25. Conditionally Classified International Students Conditional graduate international students should chose CR/NC option for conditional courses where possible: in case they get NC they do go on probation but do not lose work permit. Department will still enforce conditions, but this gives us greater flexibility. If on probation student must take courses for grade so that GPA can be raised

26. Update on Written English proficiency SCI 614 Level One: The Computer Science Department will strictly enforce the University Policy that all students must satisfy English Level I prior to filing their GAP. Computer Science students can satisfy the English Level I requirement by a grade of PASS on the GET, or by a grade of PASS in SCI 614 (or CHS 514 with the approval of a CS Graduate Advisor). Please note that if English Level I is not satisfied by the end of the second term of study, completion of the MS degree in four semesters is unlikely. The Computer Science department recommends that entering graduate students take the GET exam immediately prior to entry into the program, then enroll in SCI 614 during their first term of study, as necessary. Take SCI 614 in first semester

27. Next Graduate Seminar by Prof. Petkovic What is culminating experience Why is it good for you Formal requirements and paperwork How to find the project and advisor What is good research/project for culminating experience How to do it? How to write the Culminating Experience Report How to prepare oral presentation Overview of research in CS Department and CCLS

29. Graduate Seminar Series: How to complete Culminating Experience and have fun doing it Prof. D. Petkovic Chair, CS Department, SFSU dpetkovic@cs.sfsu.edu

30. Outline What is culminating experience Why is it good for you Formal requirements and paperwork How to find the project and advisor What is good research/project for culminating experience How to do it? How to write the Culminating Experience Report How to prepare oral presentation Overview of research in CS Department and CCLS

31. Culminating Experience Thesis (CSC 898) vs. Project (CSC 895) http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/grad/new_grad_culminating_req.html One or two semesters prep (897 or 899) and one semester thesis or project write-up and completion (898 or 895) Those going for Ph. D. advised to take two semester prep and more advanced culminating experience, with external publications

32. Why is Culminating Experience good for you It is Mandatory Why? –Forces students to do independent work and complete a substantial project or scientific work –Requires writing and presentation skills also –Sets you apart from those who have not done it –Enables you to publish papers and go to conferences –Prepares you for jobs and Ph.D. studies Enables CS Department to do research and attract top notch faculty –important for you too Makes our school much more fun

33. Formal requirements and paperwork Please follow the process and observe the schedules http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/forms/aboutculminatingproject.html By this time you should already get an advisor! Start in second semester Follow the suggested course of study: http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/grad/grad_recom_sequence.html

34. For international Students When doing 895 or 898 make sure you check for reduced load with OIP (Chair signs the form) Post completion practical training will NOT be allowed until 95% of the thesis or project work is completed (need e-mail from the advisor) – this is for your protection If 895 or 898 not completed, you get an RP, which is OK for visa issues.

35. How to find advisor and project Check CS WWW site for faculty pages and their work http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/People/people.html http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/People/people.html Check CS accomplishments and published papers to get an idea what work is going on and who is doing it, then talk to them http://cs.sfsu.edu/RecentAccomplishments.htm http://cs.sfsu.edu/externalpubs/2004pubs.htm Attend Graduate Seminar Series and other seminars at SFSU Check CCLS page for current projects http://cs.sfsu.edu/ccls/index.html http://cs.sfsu.edu/ccls/index.html Do your own research for topics (WWW, friends, technical press) Ask professors, meet with the Chair Check previous theses and projects http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/techreports/ce_list.html http://www.cs.sfsu.edu/techreports/ce_list.html AND 

36. How to find advisor and project (more) Take one or more courses from professors teaching in your favorite areas Get good grade in the above courses Have good GPA Do this at least two semesters before the semester of your planned defense

37. How to find an advisor CS Department will limit number of students each faculty can supervise – need to spread the load Faculty will participate in Graduate Seminars series and present their work Prof. Petkovic will meet once a semester with all grads who do not have an advisor and should have it (second semester or later). Main responsibility is on the student If nothing works see the Chair

38. What is good research for culminating experience Novel algorithm solving something useful New user interface or visualization New application (use of complex machine vision, AI, visualization, search…) Substantial SW project (complex WWW site, useful application etc.) Data management and analysis system for some application (e.g. drug development) Performance study (networking, search, storage, cluster computing) Computing for life sciences : intersection of CS and biology and chemistry …………….. In all cases one has to prove the usefulness: theoretically, experimentally, user studies etc. – whichever applies Culminating experience examples: http://cs.sfsu.edu/techreports/ce_list.html http://cs.sfsu.edu/techreports/ce_list.html

39. How to do the research Requires independence, focus and follow up Understanding of the problem Literature review (what did others do) Design, analysis, prototyping Experiments Implementation Writing It requires much more independence then class work It is student responsibility to follow up, not the instructor!

40. Project Proposal Submitted as part of your culminating experience package  Needed for enrolling into 895 http://www.sfsu.edu/%7Egradstdy/culminating- experience.htmhttp://www.sfsu.edu/%7Egradstdy/culminating- experience.htm It is a “contract” between you and advisor on what you want to do, scope, methods, tools used etc. Has to be approved by the advisor. Suggested Content: Motivation, planned approach, benefits of the approach, method/tools to be used, reverences PLUS milestones and schedule (the best you can) – for exact outline check with your advisor About 5-8 pages

41. How to write culminating experience report There is some structure http://cs.sfsu.edu/grad/writing_cpr.html Usual length about 60-70 pages (no code) Code on a CD Requires time Expect multiple iterations with the instructor It becomes your “portfolio” for the rest of your life Make every attempt possible to write a scientific paper form this (must for those going to Ph. D).

42. How to prepare oral presentation Being able to present well is critical for your career Culminating experience presentation: plan to talk 30 min. Count 1 slide = 2 min. Test the presentation on the very same laptop you will use Get feedback from advisor Do early motivation and demo, then details Talk to the audience, not the screen Practice for time and delivery Resources: http://cs.sfsu.edu/forms/student%20forms/prep_oral_presentations.htm

43. Overview of research and CS Department and CCLS CS Department: check papers, faculty pages http://cs.sfsu.edu/externalpubs/2004pubs.htm http://cs.sfsu.edu/People/people.html CCLS: Check projects http://cs.sfsu.edu/ccls/projandgrants.htm Some highlights follow 

44. Some project ideas/people DB/UI/Applications in biology and bioinformatics and CLS area: Profs. Singh, Yoon, Okada, Yang, Petkovic DB Tools, Multimedia databases: Profs. Murphy, Singh, Petkovic Bioinformatics: Prof. Singh Visualization/Graphics: Profs. Yoon, Okada WWW Applications, Community applications: Prof. Levine Performance: Prof. Dujmovic WWW info retrieval, WWW 2.0: Profs. Singh, Wong Algorithms, compilers, WWW search: Profs. Wong, Dujmovic Distributed Systems, Open Source: Prof. Puder Multimedia, sound, music: Profs. Hsu, Singh Games: Profs. Yoon, Okada AI, Computer Vision: Prof. Okada, J. Dujmovic Data Mining: Prof. Yang Decision Systems: J. Dujmovic SW Engineering, Business aspects of SW Eng., SW Metrics: Profs. Petkovic, Levine, Dujmovic