Fall 2010. Computer Science Department Bachelor, Masters, Ph.D. program Office: DH 209 Our Web page: ◦

Computer Science Graduate Student

OrientationFall 2010

Computer Science Department Bachelor, Masters, Ph.D. program Office: DH 209 Our Web page:

◦ http://www.cs.memphis.edu/

Computer Science Overview

All our faculty Cheryl Hayes – Rm 209

Lenatha Hunt – Rm 209 Julia Campbell – Rm 216A Aregahegn Negatu (Sys. Admin) -- Rm 224

◦ http://www.cs.memphis.edu/~netadmin

People to know

Master’s Program Ph.D. Program Other important stuff

Agenda

34 credits◦ = 11 courses + 1 credit of COMP 7950

Main points◦ 4 core courses◦ Maximum 6-hr of non-coursework

(project/thesis/independent studies etc.)◦ Area requirement◦ At most 2 6000-level courses◦ Some courses (UNIX, Models and 6000-level

software engineering, Applied CS) do not count Especially pre-requisties

Master Program: Requirements


COMP 7012 Software Eng.

COMP 7212 Operating Sys.

COMP 7612 Foundations

COMP 7712 AlgorithmsCOMP 7950 Research Methods (1 credit)

COMP 6/7xxx

COMP 6/7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7980 Research Seminar

Total requirements: 34 credits

Pre-requisites courses does NOT count towards the degree






COMP 6/7xxx

COMP 6/7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx


Core courses

• Must be taken by all students

• Finish at least 3 out of 4 by 18th hour• If full-time, finish 3

out of 4 by 2nd semester

• If part-time, finish 3 out of 4 by 3rd/4th semester

• Must obtain B- or better in 3 of the 4 courses






COMP 6/7xxx

COMP 6/7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx


Research Methods in Computer Science

• Learn how to do research, make presentation etc.

• Must be taken by the end of 2nd semester

• Always offered at Thu 4:15 – 5:15pm






COMP 6/7xxx

COMP 6/7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx


Elective courses

• At most 2 6000-level courses• The 7000-level courses must

be from 2 different areas• Foundations/Algorithms•

Software/Language/Databases• Network/Security• Intelligent/Bio-inspired

computing• Must be lecture-based

(independent studies don’t count)

• May count non-CS course(s), BUT ASK FIRST!

Master Program: Requirements (NEW for Fall 2007!)





COMP 6/7xxx

COMP 6/7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx


Research seminar

• Research project with a faculty

• Described later

Masters Programs Requirement – Other options





COMP 6/7xxx

COMP 6/7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7901 Independent study





COMP 7712 AlgorithmsCOMP 7950 Research Methods(1 credit)

COMP 6/7xxx

COMP 6/7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7xxx

COMP 7996 Thesis (6 credits)

First semester◦ Any required pre-requisites◦ 1-2 core courses◦ Other electives ◦ COMP 7950◦ Suggest to start with 10 credits

Second semester◦ 2 core courses ◦ Electives for your major area

Third semester◦ Any core course left over ◦ Electives ◦ 1-credit of COMP 7980

Fourth semester◦ Any elective left◦ 2-credit of COMP 7980

Master Program : Typical schedule (Full time student)

COMP 7950 (Research Methods)◦ Students MUST take it by their second semester◦ Credit giving◦ Overview of research skills, presentation skills, as

well as individual presentation◦ Typically offered at 4:15 – 5:15pm Thursday ◦ Contact course coordinator if you have problem (e.g.

full-time work), but we expect you to come

Master Program : COMP 7950

You must choose between◦ COMP 7980

A 3-hr credit project course (unless he/she takes a thesis)

Individual project with a professor Require write-up (12-page paper) A 3-member committee for a final presentation

◦ COMP 7996 A 3 or 6 hr Master Thesis Similar to COMP 7980 A longer write-up (but more solid, and more likely to

be publishable)

Master Program : Project/Thesis Requirements

COMP 7980◦ 3-credit, taken over two semester◦ If you want to graduate in Spring/Summer (Fall)

Take the one credit section (section 301) in the Fall (Spring) before you graduate

Take the two credit section under your advisor (section 012 – 192), during the semester you plan to graduate

◦ The one credit section is a regular section Meets regularly (typically Tues or Thur 4:15 – 5:15)

Master Program : COMP 7980 (Research Seminar)

In general◦ Plan ahead.◦ It is ok to extend a class project, but expect extra

effort◦ Presentation skills counts!◦ Don’t stretch your project too long

You may lose interest Faculty may lose interest If you fail to finish on-time, you’ll continue to pay tuition

until all is done◦ It’s over when your advisor say it is

Not when you get a job Not when you need to save a dollar

Master Program : Project/Thesis Requirements

Independent study courses (COMP 7/8901)◦ Usually taken in the second year (or beyond)◦ A directed study with a professor◦ Can be a pre-cursor of a project/thesis◦ CANNOT use to satisfy area requirements

Courses from other departments ◦ Talk with your advisor first!

Master Program : Requirements

Criteria for graduation◦ GPA : should be at least 3.0◦ Grades : should not have more than two “C+/C/C-”◦ No D or F◦ Core courses: At least 3 of the 4 has to be B- or

better◦ Project presentation : Performance in the

presentation◦ Overall performance : “whether I would hire you if

you apply a job for me”

Graduation Requirements

Comprehensive exam◦ Your final project/thesis presentation will also serve

as comprehensive exam◦ ANY questions about the grad curriculum can be

asked◦ All other criteria (e.g. GPA, GPA for major

courses etc.) will be evaluated

Graduation Requirements

There are forms that are required from the Graduate School for graduation◦ Intent to graduate form ◦ Degree Candidacy forms◦ http://academics.memphis.edu/gradschool/

graduation.html Check the graduate school website for deadlines!

(usually 2nd week of class – 9/9/2010 for Fall 2010) Other deadlines (For Fall 2009)

◦ Thesis/Dissertation Defense: 11/19/2010◦ COMP7980 presentation: 12/03/2010

Graduation requirements: Forms

Course credits Qualifying exams Comprehensive exam/Dissertation Proposal Final Dissertation defense

Ph.D. Program – Requirements

72 credits from Bachelor degree◦ If you do not come with a Master’s, then finish the

master requirement first◦ If you come with a Master, talk to your advisor to

determine how many credits you need. We may exempt some number of credits based on

the work you have done with your Master degree

Ph.D. Program – Course credits

Other requirements◦ 9-15 credits of COMP 9000 (Dissertation) – must

be consecutive◦ At least 6 credits belonging to one area◦ At least 18 credits of 8000-level courses◦ At most 15 credits of Independent studies◦ If you do not have a M.Sc, take COMP 7950 ASAP.

Ph.D. Program – Course credits

The 4 Master level core course acts as the qualifying exam

Must get at least B in all of them, before your 4th semester here

In case of failure, an additional exam will be given

If you come with a Master, we may decide to waive some of your requirements

Ph.D. Program – Qualifying exam

Student should find a dissertation proposal advisor◦ Settle for an advisor 2 years after BS/1 year after Ph.D◦ No need to be your initial advisor

Prepare a dissertation proposal Select a dissertation committee

◦ 4 members minimum Set a date for comprehensive exam

◦ Include dissertation proposal defense◦ Questions on areas of study

Ph.D. Program – Comprehensive exam/Dissertation proposal

Final defense with dissertation committee◦ Have the final draft of the dissertation early to the

committee Follow graduate school guidelines “to the

letter”

Ph.D. Program – Dissertation defense

If you’re a new Ph.D student◦ Talk to your initial advisor ASAP

Talk to Ms Julia Campbell if you don’t have one◦ Fill in a Ph.D Planning Form

Available from the department web site: http://www.cs.memphis.edu/index.php?p=forms

Have you advisor approve it and send it to the department

◦ If you are a current Ph.D. student (coming in from Fall 2008 onwards) and have not filled in the form, do it ASAP.

Ph.D. Program – What to do NOW!

http://www.cs.memphis.edu/index.php?p=forms

For people who come in this semester Held next Friday, 9/3, 10:30 – 12:30, Room TBA Open book, no electronic material Test your basic programming skills

◦ If you have actually written programs yourself, you should be able to pass

If you fail….◦ Your name will be forwarded to your advisor and all the

instructor of your class◦ Based on your remaining performance of the semester,

you may be required to take a remedial programming class (that don’t count towards the degree)

Programming test for incoming students

For Masters students: at most 12 For Ph.D. students: at most 36 Need to be CS relevant course that has not

been used to fulfill another degree (we may ask for proof)

Notice that no UG level course can be transferred◦ Even if those course can be used for the graduate

degree at your previous school Talk to your advisor ASAP.

Transfer credits

About getting a job before you graduate…..◦ Follow rules (especially for international students)◦ Only can count 3 credits for Internship credits for

your degree◦ Do not presume that getting a job = the school must

graduate you◦ We will help, but you must show that you have

intention to finish the work PROPERLY

Getting a job….

GPA < 3.0 → Academic Probation First semester:

◦ You must talk to your advisor and grad coordinator before registration

◦ You will lose your GA Two consecutive semester:

◦ You will appear before a 3-member committee◦ Make your case ◦ Committee may decide

Terminate your student status Require you to take extra courses

Academic Probation

To avoid getting into trouble◦ Work hard◦ Don’t overload yourself◦ Be careful about “easy courses”◦ Remember only 6000 (or above) level courses

count towards your GPA

Academic Probation

Academic advisor ◦ You MUST have an advisor

And you MUST have talked to him/her already◦ Not signature person◦ Need to let them know your academic plan◦ Keep them informed on your changes◦ Don’t wait till last minute to find them

You can change academic advisors◦ No hard feelings◦ Do contact Julia Campbell first

Advising

Register early! Late registration will lead to class being

cancelled Plan ahead for the semester

Class registration

Serious matter! Zero tolerance Plagiarism:

◦ using others' ideas and words without clearly acknowledging the source of that information

◦ Unfair, dishonest Cheating, Fabrication

Academic Fraud

What◦ Working on a “real job” and learning credits at the

same time Why

◦ Real life experience◦ Get to know more employers◦ Help in job-hunting◦ $$$$$

You can take as much as you want, but only 3-credit will be counted.

Internship

Warning◦ Follow the rules. Especially international

students.◦ Don’t do it last minute! Plan in advance. (because

your advisor might not be in town by the time you get the job)

◦ Make sure you satisfy all the University/Department course requirement

◦ Don’t get an out of town Internship if you still have other requirements to fulfill

Further details: contact Julia Campbell

Internship (ctd)

Faculty Julia Campbell

(instructor/advising) Dipankar Dasgupta Lih-Yuan Deng Marc Fisher Stan Franklin Max Garzon Segun George Santosh Kumar

King-Ip Lin Kriangsiri Malasri

(instructor) Vinhthuy Phan Vasile Rus Linda Sherrell Sajjan Shiva (on-

leave) Lan Wang Qishi Wu

Hongjun Song Dan Sweeney Andrew Neel

Instructors (Part time)

CS Notice board : Outside the CS dept office Departmental activities

◦ Fall: Social – have a bit of fun!◦ Spring: Research day – show off your research

Computer Science Colloquium◦ Fridays 1:30 – 2:30pm◦ Free food and discussion session: 3:00 –

whatever….

Others

Enjoy your time here!◦ Last chance of school life before getting a job. ◦ Know more people.◦ Build networks.◦ Aim High. (No short-cut please)◦ Work hard, be responsible, but still have some fun◦ Absorb the culture here, but bring your own to the

table

Above all

Documents

Fall 2010. Computer Science Department Bachelor, Masters, Ph.D. program Office: DH 209 Our Web page: ◦