The Graduate Program

1
The Graduate Program

• Anselmo Lastra

2
Topics

• Intent today is to help you choose classes
• Administration
• (Some of the) requirements of the MS and PhD
• Advising and Advice

Orientation 2004
3
Graduate Program Administration

• Student Services Manager
• Janet Jones
• Your adviser
• Academic advisor initially
• Research-area advisor or PhD Research advisor
  later
• Graduate Studies Committee
• 3-5 faculty members director (me)
• Submit petitions/forms to Janet
• Dept. Registrar
• Tricia Robinson

Orientation 2004
4
Curriculum Goals

• Focus on research experiences
• Both for MS and PhD
• Flexibility
• Enable specialization while obtaining necessary
  breadth
• Accommodate diverse backgrounds

5
MS and PhD programs

• Entering students are enrolled in either the MS
  or the PhD program
• little practical significance to this initial
  classification
• both degrees possible from either starting point
• To proceed to a PhD requires formal admission to
  the PhD program
• by vote of the faculty

Orientation 2004
6
Overview of Graduate Programs

• Course requirements
• see web pages for other requirements
• Admission to PhD program
• Exams
• Important Note Department rules are not
  absolute. You may petition for exemptions.

Orientation 2004
7
Course Requirements
M.S. Degree
Ph.D. Degree

• Research Topic Courses (6 hrs recommended)
• Background Courses (0 6 hrs)

• Breadth Courses (up to 18 hrs)
• can use courses taken
• elsewhere
• Primary Concentration (9-12 hrs)
• no fixed hour requirement

• Breadth Courses (9 hrs)
• Electives (6 21 hrs)
• up to 12 hrs outside dept
• up to 6 hrs transferred
• from previous grad work
• Total 30 credit hours

Orientation 2004
8
Research Topics Hours

• Independent/Directed Study
• For PhD intending
• To help enable you to show potential
• For MS students
• To enable you to explore areas of interest
• or to get a research experience if you do not
  work as RA
• More on this in a few minutes

9
Background Courses

• Computer Science
• COMP 411 (120) Computer Organization
• COMP 410 (121) Data Structures
• COMP 550 (122) Algorithms and Analysis
• Any two of the following
• COMP 521 (130) Files and Databases
• COMP 520 (140) Compilers
• COMP 530 (142) Operating Systems
• COMP 524 (144) Programming Language Concepts
• COMP 541 (160) Digital Logic and Computer Design
• COMP 455 (181) Models of Languages and
  Computation
• Mathematics and Statistics
• MATH 233 (33) Calculus of Functions of Several
  Variables
• MATH 381 (81) Discrete Mathematics
• MATH 547 (147) Linear Algebra
• MATH 661 (191) Numerical Analysis (Scientific
  Computing I)
• STAT 435 (126) Probability

10
Background Course Req.

• Background req. worksheet
• determine missing background
• two missing courses is typical
• make plan with your adviser
• Ways to make up missing background
• take the course
• complete a more advanced course that subsumes the
  content
• arrange an independent study
• COMP 991 or
• variable credit graduate module course

Orientation 2004
11
Breadth Requirement

• Category
• Formal
• Systems
• Applications
• External to CS

You may use grad courses taken elsewhere.
There is small print! Read the rules.
12
Expectation for admission to PhD Program

• During the first two years, students should
• Get started on research
• Find a research adviser
• Demonstrate ability to conduct independent
  research (e.g. surveying literature, analytical
  formal thinking, creativity, integration of
  concepts, etc)
• Meet the minimum required writing and oral
  presentation skills

13
Admission to PhD program

• By vote of faculty based on consideration of
• Grades
• overall average closer to H rather than P
  expected but not required
• Performance on assistantships
• Research potential and accomplishments in
  research courses
• Comprehensive examinations
• Oral
• Research presentation and defense
• Can be bypassed with public presentation of
  research and strong academic standing
• Written
• Research report
• Can be bypassed by primary author publication in
  refereed venue
• May be attempted twice (3rd and 4th semester)
• Forfeit counts as a failure

14
Exam structure
M.S. Degree
Ph.D. Degree
M.S. Comprehensive Oral Exam OR M.S.
Thesis OR M.S. Thesis Substitute - Refereed
Publication(s) - Research Report -
Comprehensive Survey Synthesis Paper
Research Report Research Presentation
(Dissertation proposal) Doctoral oral
examination Final oral examination (Defense)
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Choosing Courses 1st Sem.

• Keep in mind
• Research focus
• Independent study for research experience PhD
  admission
• Background requirement
• Breadth requirement
• Many students register for 4 and drop one after a
  week or so
• Register by deadline (Mon. at 5?) or pay 20

16
Course Drop

• Official Deadlines
• Sept. 2 last day to adjust tuition
• Nov. 19 last day for grad. drop
• Dropping after first date may cost you 2200!!!
• See
• http//gradschool.unc.edu/pdf/tuition_drop_dates.p
  df

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Where is all this spelled out?

• Department web site
• Academic affairs
• http//www.cs.unc.edu/Admin/
• Official MS and PhD requirements
• Student progress forms
• Official teaching schedule
• There are other requirements
• Ive just covered ones you need to keep in mind
  right now

Orientation 2004
18
Announcements

• Blog at
• www.cs.unc.edu/lastra/Student/Announce
• Also jobs blog at
• www.cs.unc.edu/lastra/Student/Jobs

19
Advice

• Familiarize yourself with the program
  requirements and deadlines
• Take responsibility for tailoring the program to
  your interests and goals
• Start research courses early
• Consider research writing and presentation class
  (COMP 911 Crafting a research paper/talk
  Prasun Dewan)
• Seek out and talk with your colleagues the
  students, faculty, and staff of the program

20
Advising Sessions

• Meet with your adviser ASAP
• Get PIN, register by deadline
• Tricky questions, second opinions, adviser
  unavailable, etc.
• Open session tonight
• QA next Wed at 400

Orientation 2004